GMG's Friday Find! - It's a POP-UP Garden!

Last week's Friday find was all about planning your garden and this week's find is how to set one up...Quickly! Practically right out of the package...just add soil (and your favorite veggie seeds!)

The Little Acre® Raised Bed Garden Bag makes it quick, easy and affordable to grow an organic garden of veggies, herbs, berries and flowers just about anywhere!

NO Tilling - No Digging - NO Soil Amending - NO Tools

Simply  1. Open it up

 2. Fill it with soil

3. Plant & Watch it Grow

Description from their website...
•Can be set-up just about anywhere - apartments, condos, small back yards, patios, roof tops, urban/suburban settings.
•Can be used again next year! Leave out or fold up and put in the garage.
•Sturdy construction and completely self-supporting once filled with soil - holds a rectangular shape well.
•Cute design, light color reflects sunlight delicate plants will not over-heat.
•Sizes: 3’ X 4’ X 12” ("Original") and NEW for 2012: 2' X 3' X 8" (The Little Acre "Junior")!
•All this for a Suggested Retail of just $49.95 for The Original and $39.95 for The Junior!

So now the excuse "I hate digging and tilling" is no longer allowed! Got any other excuses? Let me know what they are and I will try to find a product to help you over those hurdles!

Now GO GET GROWING!!!!

-Karen
GMG

GMG's Friday Find - It's going to the dogs!

As some of you may know I am a huge fan of dogs! I own two (Godiva, a Chocolate Lab & Nigel, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.) Since the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was this past week I thought it was a perfect time to highlight a cool garden product with a dog theme. These garden “sculptures” instantly perks up a yard or patio! (They are also great if you are allergic to the real thing!)

Labrador Retriever Topiary

From the Solutions.com description: No trimming needed...this already-formed animal topiary adds a distinctive touch in any garden. Comes pre-packed with planting moss...display it as-is or plant your favorite flowers in it.

You can enjoy the ancient art of shaped bushes or shrubs in your garden. This sturdy topiary adds elegance to your yard without the maintenance!

Mossy Labrador Topiary (picture shown above from Solutions.com, $299.00)

The before & after pictures below were found on Gardeners.com.
Their description: Standing guard on the porch or tiptoeing through the tulips, this life-size Labrador retriever topiary frame is just plain fun! Fill with sphagnum moss and cover with ivy or other vining plants (moss and plants are not included).  It is made of heavy gauge wire with a double-layer epoxy coatin. (Life-Size Labrador Retriever Topiary Frame $189.95)

I know I only showed labs...but they also have other breeds and they are soooo cute!

-Karen

GMG

GMG's Friday Find - The Growers Exchange

As any good gardener knows, January & February are always filled with anticipation for the arrival of gorgeous new plant catalogs. This week's Friday Find is the just released 2012 catalog from The Growers Exchange.
 
Full of great growing tips for your favorite culinary, medicinal and aromatic herbs and flowers, as well as interesting facts, high quality pictures and more! They've also added more pages this year to include even more Potted Herbs and Potted Herb Garden Kits, Tools and Garden Accessories to give you the best selection possible.

And, just for requesting a catalog, you’ll get multiple discounts found inside and even some additional savings for referring your friends. This is definitely a resource worth holding onto for reference while planting.

Request a FREE catalog today and start planning your spring herb garden early...click here!

Like The Growers Exchange on Facebook here!
Follow them on Twitter here!

Keep sending me your ideas for our Friday Find!
-Karen
GMG

The Year of the Experimental Gardens "TAKE 2"

Last week, I shared with you that one of the great things about working for a company that specializes in the garden/green industry is becoming aware of great products and places.

This year I went out on a limb and did some experimenting in my garden. I planted a raised garden, six Topsy Turvy® planters, a few veggie containers and even some veggies in my fish pond. Check out my post from June 29 where I shared a little about my Campania International container garden with Organic Mechanics Potting Blend and the great success I am having with my peppers and cucumbers.

Most of the plants in my 4x8 raised garden are gorgeous with lush green leaves and plenty of fruit. I used a recommended blend from my buddy, Mark Highland, the Organic Mechanic, of a 50/50 blend of top soil and Organic Mechanics Planting Blend and I added some Dynamite plant food.

The cucumber plants are lovely and are growing larger every day. Their fruit are smaller than my pinkie but they are coming along. The two tomato plants are lush and green and have several small fruit growing on them. Most of my 16 pepper plants are lush and full and look very healthy and happy. Unfortunately, a few were planted too shallow and although they have fruit on them, the leaves are spindly and don’t look healthy. Remember, this was the year of the experiment and not all experiments are successful!

I have six celery plants that are very full and lush and are waiting to see them grow. I had eight heads of romaine lettuce which we have harvested and they were delicious! We’ve just added seed for arugula, red romaine, green leaf lettuce and squash. Let’s see what happens with these!

Thanks for visiting my raised garden! Next week I will share my experience with my Topsy Turvy® planters and my attempt at hydroponics!

Tracey – GMG

GreenThumb GrowTogether on March 20th in NYC!

The 26th Annual GreenThumb GrowTogether will be held at Hostos Community College, Saturday March 20th, 2010.

As the largest community gardening program in the country, GreenThumb is proud to support community gardens in New York City. They have over 600 member gardens serving 20,000 city residents. Since 1978 they have been committed to providing support to help strengthen gardens, strengthen gardener skills, and strengthen communities. GreenThumb's services take the form of materials and technical assistance, including educational workshops.

Register for this great event by visiting the GreenThumb website.

For more garden information, visit Garden Media Group's website!
-Karen

Donald Pell creates a Gardenscape in the NBC Studio!

Donald Pell from Donald Pell Gardens shows us how we can design our own patio gardens. Discover how you can make one of these smaller scaled gardens in your own yard or find a professional landscape designer to help you. Check out the Association of Professional Landscape Designers website to find a designer near you.



For more garden stories and ideas, check out Garden Media Group's Website!

-Karen

GMG Goes 'Green' at The Philadelphia Flower Show

GMG was seeing 'green' and lots of it at the 2007 Philadelphia Flower Show where the theme this year was 'Legends of Ireland.' The Philadelphia Flower Show is the oldest flower show in the United States and the largest indoor flower show in the world, attracting more than 250,000 visitors annually from across the country and the world.

Visitors found inspiration for their own gardens in the 10 acres of breathtaking gardens, floral exhibits and entertainment celebrating the emerald isle. Each exhibit brought yet another piece of Ireland's beautiful lush countryside to our own backyard while also providing great gardening tips and ideas for the gardener in us all.

All show proceeds support The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, including its acclaimed urban greening program, Philadelphia Green.

Photo Provided by The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.