Spring 2007

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=150 BGCOLOR="#99FF66" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04050961dkfecn.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Professional Gardening by Earthenjoy Flo"><U><IMG SRC="05ed9490.png" border=0 width="473" height="73" ALT="Earthenjoy Home" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Professional Gardening by Earthenjoy Flo"><U>Home</U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="services.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gardening Services"><U>Gardening Services</U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT><A HREF="newsletter.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Quarterly Newsletter"><U>Quarterly Newsletter</U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT><A HREF="showcase.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Garden Showcase"><U>Garden Showcase</U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT><A HREF="about.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Earthenjoy"><U>About Earthenjoy</U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT><A HREF="contact.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Earthenjoy"><U>Contact Earthenjoy</U></A></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=190 BGCOLOR="#99FF66" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>In This Issue:</B></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter9d_m.htm#have_you_ever_seen_me_" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Spring 2007"><U>Have You Ever Seen Me?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter9d_m.htm#hot_garden_trends" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Spring 2007"><U>HOT Garden Trends</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter9d_m.htm#pansy_power" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Spring 2007"><U>Pansy Power</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="pansy_and_basket_of_gold.htm" target="TRLX_Middle" TARGET="_top" TITLE="pansy_and_basket_of_gold.htm" target="TR"><U><B><IMG SRC="67296c70.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="199" ALT="Pansy and Basket of Gold Alyssum." ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="pansy_and_basket_of_gold.htm" target="TRLX_Middle" TARGET="_top" TITLE="pansy_and_basket_of_gold.htm" target="TR"><U>Click for larger picture.</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>Archive of past newsletters:</B></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Quarterly Newsletter"><U>Current Newsletter</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newslettera7.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spring 2008"><U>Spring 2008</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newslettera5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Winter 2007"><U>Winter 2007</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newslettera3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fall 2007"><U>Fall 2007</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newslettera1.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Summer 2007"><U>Summer 2007</U></A></div> <div> Spring 2007</div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter9b.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Winter 2006"><U>Winter 2006</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter99.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fall 2006"><U>Fall 2006</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter97.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Summer 2006"><U>Summer 2006</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter95.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spring 2006"><U>Spring 2006</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter8f.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Winter 2005"><U>Winter 2005</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter8d.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fall 2005"><U>Fall 2005</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter8b.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Summer 2005"><U>Summer 2005</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter89.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spring 2005"><U>Spring 2005</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter87.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Winter 2004"><U>Winter 2004</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter85.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fall 2004"><U>Fall 2004</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter83.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Summer 2004"><U>Summer 2004</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter81.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spring 2004"><U>Spring 2004</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter7f.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Winter 2003"><U>Winter 2003</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter7c.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fall 2003"><U>Fall 2003</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter60.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Summer 2003"><U>Summer 2003</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletter5d.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spring 2003"><U>Spring 2003</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id91.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Winter 2002"><U>Winter 2002</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id78.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fall 2002"><U>Fall 2002</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id76.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Summer 2002"><U>Summer 2002</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id75.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spring 2002"><U>Spring 2002</U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=330 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> Spring 2007</div> <div> <B>Quarterly Newsletter</B></div> <bR> <div> Earthly Elements</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <A NAME="have_you_ever_seen_me_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><IMG SRC="6821a2b0.gif" border=0 width="538" height="43" ALT="Have You Ever Seen Me?" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> American Robin <I>(Turdis migratorius)</I></div> <bR> <div> In Michigan we gladly welcome the appearance of robins as proof of spring's return. But what about this one!</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="65e17ee0.jpg" border=0 width="279" height="238" ALT="Photo of a "Leucistic" American Robin." ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="5" VSPACE="5"></div> <div> Take a real close look. Although most of the bird appears white, like a true albino, notice that the breast does show much of its normal coloration. A true "Albinistic" bird lacks pigmentation in ALL parts (skin/feathers and eyes). In short, the pigment cells that create color don't exist at all.</div> <bR> <div> The Robin PICTURED ABOVE however, has a condition called "Leucism". The term "Leucistic" (Loo-sis-tic) is given to mammals fitting the condition of being "partially albino". Leucism causes birds (mammals) to appear paler than normal.</div> <bR> <div> This is due to a lack of pigmentation; meaning pigment cells for color are not present in the skin, feathers or other parts of the bird (mammal). Many birds can look beige or cream-colored and some appear to be pure white. Leucism is purely genetic, and not nutritional in origin. The genetic mutation responsible for Leucism is a case of incomplete dominance, meaning that it doesn't appear to be an 'all or nothing' type of genetic mutation.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="hot_garden_trends"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><IMG SRC="68313460.gif" border=0 width="531" height="70" ALT="HOT Garden Trends." ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Garden trends move forward as quickly as fashion or decorating styles. Here's some trends to try and or be on the look out for:</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="684b5c80.gif" border=0 width="181" height="200" ALT="Clipart of splashes of paint, a paint can and brush." ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="5" VSPACE="5"></div> <div> <B>Bold</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#006600" FACE="Verdana" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF6600" FACE="Verdana" ><B>Colors</B></FONT></div> <div> These have already gained ground in interior design, product packaging, and fashion. In the garden it means that hot pink and bright orange are no longer avoided as a flowerbed screamers. Today's gardeners are gladly open to the energy and excitement of bright, vivid hues.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="685dbc80.gif" border=0 width="219" height="200" ALT="Clipart of a palm tree." ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="5" VSPACE="5"></div> <div> <B>Going Tropical</B></div> <div> Traveling to exotic places is fun, but bringing that paradise home is better! Yes, this is actually possible with growers developing new plants such as frost-tolerant bananas and cold-tolerant windmill palm. Garden centers are also on the bandwagon and are making these new varieties available. Tender bulbs like Cannas also add tropical drama, with their giant leaves and exotic blooms. For more exotic flowers try vines like Bougainvillea, Hibiscus and Mandivilla. They are simply "must have" tropical attention getters.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="686b9c70.gif" border=0 width="185" height="199" ALT="Clipart of a stack of stones." ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="5" VSPACE="5"></div> <div> <B>Stonescaping</B></div> <div> No, I don't mean creating a rock garden. I mean featuring rocks themselves as focal points. Consider sculptural carved rocks, or stones with words laser cut into the surface. Giant boulders can substitute for shrubbery. A dry streambed "flowing" with smooth black, green or blue river stones could be the answer to a wet or dry area. On the subject of "keeping things flowing", stone paths move the eye through the garden or toward a focal point. Stones are being hollowed for birdbaths or water basins. They're also perfect winter interest objects. Stone definitely fits everyone's request for low-maintenance and or low-water-use gardens. Besides, you just can't kill a good rock.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="68792cb0.gif" border=0 width="146" height="203" ALT="Clipart of a fountain." ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="5" VSPACE="5"></div> <div> <B>Moving Water</B></div> <div> For the past few years, ponds have been all the rage in gardening trends. They do however, come with safety concerns and high maintenance. For those seeking the soothing sound of trickling water, think about the subject on a smaller scale. A tabletop or small patio fountain may be the way to go. They're simple to set up, low-cost, and easier to maintain. Most can be used BOTH indoors and outdoors, so you get your money's worth year round.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="68892c80.gif" border=0 width="146" height="200" ALT="Clipart of a trellis and vines." ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="5" VSPACE="5"></div> <div> <B>Up & Away</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006600" FACE="Verdana" > </FONT></div> <div> Gardeners never seem to have enough space. This includes, people with small spaces, privacy needs, or eyesores to hide. So what do we do when we run out? Push the boundaries upward! The zest for vines has gone crazy with new varieties of Clematis, Roses and tropicals (mentioned earlier) being offered every season. Then of course there's the ever-increasing market of unusual and artistic trellises, teepees, wire supports, and other fun/funky structures that lift those blooms sky-high.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="66ecbc80.gif" border=0 width="203" height="200" ALT="Clipart of a sundial." ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="5" VSPACE="5"></div> <div> <B>Garden Accents</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006600" FACE="Verdana" > </FONT></div> <div> Much of the creativity & personality of a garden is displayed in both the PLANTS as well as the Art of the garden. Unique benches, birdbaths, sundials, art glass and birdhouses are at the top of many "gotta have" lists. The demand has fueled classes, seminars, and art groups with energy to make lots of cool garden crafts. The skill of creating bentwood trellises, curling steel rebar into plant supports, and forming rustic arches will continue as long as gardeners keep gardening.</div> <bR> <div> <B>The Gardening Lifestyle</B></div> <div> This is a trend that my life already reflects, (I just didn't have a fancy name for it)! For myself and many others, gardening is PERSONAL & crosses the line from something they DO, to who they ARE. For these vivacious folks, gardening IS a LIFESTYLE. It becomes reflected in various aspects of their daily life. The trend is powered by garden magazines, gardening/practical work clothes as a fashion, interior design with a nature theme, neighborhood garden tours, and travel get-a-ways specifically for gardeners. Gardeners have become almost celebrities (seen HGTV lately?) & a culture onto themselves. I'll be joining in on the frenzy too, with the advent of our EARTHENJOY PODCAST! The downloads will soon be available as a companion/addition to this newsletter. I already do many public talks/classes/seminars in the "off season" so taking on the iPod is next!</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <A NAME="pansy_power"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><IMG SRC="68b55930.gif" border=0 width="341" height="147" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">              <IMG SRC="66fc8930.gif" border=0 width="200" height="147" ALT="Clipart of a planter full of pansies." ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="5" VSPACE="5"></div> <div> Don't let the name fool you, Pansies are anything but frail, weak, or sensitive. They can take what March dishes out, including snow and freezing temperatures. Planted in a pot by your front door, or in your garden, they provide a cheerful sign that spring is on its way. Here are some pansy pointers:</div> <bR> <div> <B>Buy Healthy Plants</B></div> <div> While making your selection, pop a few plants out and examine the roots. They should be white, and not overly root bound. If the roots look brown, beware. That may be a sign of root rot. Healthy leaves should be a rich green color. Leaves that are yellow, spotted or have mold could indicate serious disease issues.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Plant Properly</B></div> <div> Pansies thrive in full to part sun, well-drained soil, and steady moisture. Spring and fall are the best planting times, as pansies prefer cooler temperatures.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Deadhead & Fertilize</B></div> <div> At the time of planting, be sure to pinch off faded any blooms. Continue to deadhead every couple of days, to encourage more flowering. Feed weekly with a water-soluble fertilizer.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Prune in June</B></div> <div> During the hot summer months (June through August), heat causes pansies to get leggy and lose blooms. When this happens, you can do one of two things. Either pull them to make room for summer annuals, or cut them back to the leafy green portion. The leaves will continue to grow and will be ready to bloom again in the cooler fall weather.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Earthenjoy FlowerScaping L.L.C.  ©2007</div> </td> </tr></table></body>