Monday, January 28, 2019

Buffalo Gardens and Gardening Budgets: Two Book Reviews

I‘ve been to Buffalo, NY twice: once with the Garden Bloggers’ Fling in 2010 and once with GardenComm: Garden Communicators International in 2017. Both times I was able to view many of the best gardens on Garden Walk Buffalo–without the crowds. (Garden Walk Buffalo is a weekend in July when thousands of homeowners open their gardens to be viewed by the general public.)

These best gardens display creativity, ingenuity, and originality in spades, and they are featured in Buffalo-Style Gardens by Sally Cunningham and Jim Charlier. The book is crammed full of inspirational pictures and stories of how these gardens were developed by their owners.

It’s comforting to know that many of them didn’t know what they were doing at first, and often stumbled onto the design that transformed their property. You can learn from their mistakes, and their solutions to design challenges, because a good portion of the book explains design principles and shows you how Buffalo gardeners use those principles in vastly different ways. I think the opportunity to visit so many other local gardens spurs them on to do more and better in their own gardens.

bowling ball sculpture in a Buffalo garden

Visitors remember this as “the bowling ball garden.”

My biggest takeaway: “people–especially non-gardeners–see and remember the things in your garden more than most of the plants.” These “things” can be anything from a beautifully crafted gazebo to a quirky tower of bowling balls.

gazebo in Buffalo garden

This gorgeous gazebo is on the upscale end of the Buffalo garden style spectrum.

What the authors neglect to point out is that if you aren’t already a bit of a hoarder, it may take some time to find just the right art–or junk–that expresses your personality and makes a garden truly your own.

The final chapter addresses the question of bringing this same gardening excitement to other cities, to your town. Cunningham and Charlier briefly outline how Buffalo did it, and suggest how another locale might do it differently. They also discuss the many benefits gardening has for the individual and the community. If you are a community activist (or aspire to be one), this information alone might be worth the price of the book.

P.S. I’m in the two photographs on page 200, both times as generic people illustrating a point, so if you don’t already know me, you wouldn’t be able to pick me out of the crowd.

Who wants to save money?

Yes, I am a frugal, thrifty, penny-pinching, cheap gardener, but I do know that 1) sometimes quality is worth paying for and 2) my time is worth something, too. I’m happy to say Kerry Ann Mendez, author of The Budget-Wise Gardener, knows this, too. Her book is crammed full of tips and strategies to get the most plant from your hard-earned dollars.

I already knew that perennials are often sold three or four to a pot to make them look fuller, and can easily be divided into separate plants when you get home. I did not realize, however, that sometimes the small perennials often used in containers are sold in the annual section of a garden center at a much lower price. It pays to look over the whole display before you make your selections.

Sometimes where you plant can cost you money, and Mendez has tips on avoiding costly mistakes by planting the wrong plant too close to utilities, in the path of snow removal, and other situations that you might not consider.

My favorite chapter covers shopping strategies–what to look for when buying online, and unusual places close-to-home to find good plants. For example, I once purchased an excellent hellebore from the grocery store at Easter, for 25% less than I would have paid at a big box store. It was intended to be a decorative indoor plant for the holiday, but I just had to harden it off and it was ready to plant outside.

I also appreciate her pointing out that different species or cultivars of the same plant can vary widely in their value, either because of their behavior or their size. She has an honest discussion of the many varieties of coneflowers and heucheras that have failed to thrive, and lists reliable selections of each. Also, she points out that one large-growing specimen, such as ‘Alexander’s Giant’ brunnera can fill the space required by multiple ‘Jack Frost’ brunneras, and both plants may be sold for the same price in the same size pot.

If you’ve been gardening for many years, you will surely know some of these tips already–but you will learn a thing or two! Mendez doesn’t waste your time advising you grow seeds in egg cartons or regrow lettuce from its stump, tasks that are feasible but may cost you more in time than they save in cash. Her advice is practical and well-informed, and even if her tips didn’t save you a penny, they might just save your sanity.

Looking for more books to read?

Round-up of Cold Climate and Short Season Gardening Books
Garden Books to Dream With
All book reviews on this website (including some book-related posts that aren’t reviews)



from Cold Climate Gardening http://bit.ly/2RXfcli

U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration Returns to Normal Enforcement Operations Following Hurricane Michael

January 28, 2019

from OSHA News Release http://bit.ly/2COlr0u

U.S. Department of Labor and Connecticut Manufacturer Settle Whistleblower Allegations Regarding Termination of Two Workers

January 28, 2019 U.S. Department of Labor and Connecticut Manufacturer Settle Whistleblower Allegations Regarding Termination of Two Workers

from OSHA News Release http://bit.ly/2SblbCd

Thursday, January 24, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Final Rule to Protect Privacy of Workers

January 24, 2019 Contact:  Office of Communications Phone: 202-693-1999

from OSHA News Release http://bit.ly/2FWY6wG

U.S. Department of Labor Joins Partnership to Promote Workplace Safety During Construction Project at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport

January 23, 2019   

from OSHA News Release http://bit.ly/2FMxYFB

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Florida Roofing Contractor For Exposing Employees to Dangerous Falls

January 23, 2019            U.S. Department of Labor Cites Florida Roofing Contractor For Exposing Employees to Dangerous Falls

from OSHA News Release http://bit.ly/2FWkaHL

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Publishes New Frequently Asked Questions on Controlling Silica in General Industry

January 23, 2019 U.S. Department of Labor Publishes New Frequently Asked Questions on Controlling Silica in General Industry

from OSHA News Release http://bit.ly/2UcxZFY

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Florida Cafeteria for Burn and Chemical Hazards; Faces $134,880 in Penalties

January 23, 2019 U.S. Department of Labor Cites Florida Cafeteria for Burn and Chemical Hazards; Faces $134,880 in Penalties

from OSHA News Release http://bit.ly/2DtYPno

Friday, January 18, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Nebraska Beef Processing Plant After Employee Severely Burned by Ammonia

January 18, 2019 U.S. Department of Labor Cites Nebraska Beef Processing Plant After Employee Severely Burned by Ammonia

from OSHA News Release http://bit.ly/2ARazi6

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

One Way Or Another, I Will Have Flowers

Last month I told you about my failures forcing paperwhites. The first batch, packed into a narrow container that fit on the windowsill, blasted almost all their buds. My hopes were then pinned on the second batch, which I thought would bloom in time for Christmas. But they didn’t.

paperwhites in face mugs

These paperwhites are taller than their last picture, but aren’t close to blooming. Why?

I was watering them with a mixture of alcohol and water. Perhaps that stunted their growth too much? Maybe it was inconsistent watering? After all, I can’t see the water level. Or just plain not enough room for root growth?

If at first you don’t succeed . . .

On December 16th, I potted up my final batch of paperwhites, this time in potting soil. Lacking any more window space, I put them down in the 50°F(10°C) basement, under my seed starting lights and on the heat mat.

I raised the lights several inches above the bulbs, but on January 4th I noticed they had grown right up into the lights. Imagine my surprise when I raised the lights and discovered they had been blooming right up against the fluorescent bulbs.

Wintersun paperwhites in soil

The short blooming flower stalks were pressed up against the lights. The taller ones grew up and around the reflector shield.

But hey, they grew and bloomed.
Wintersun paperwhite closeup

Hallelujah! This is what I’ve been waiting for!

I will certainly try that next year, checking on them more frequently. Stronger light, cooler temps, bottom heat, potting soil, no alcohol. And the ones in the face mugs still haven’t bloomed. I’m going to put them under the lights today and see what happens, because I’m kicking them off the glass shelf to make room for…
hyacinths on glass

…the hyacinths that it’s time to force.

Yes, their ten weeks of chilling are up–and just in time, because the potting soil paperwhites are just about done blooming. I’ve been hogging precious refrigerator real estate to make sure the hyacinths get the chilling they need. I’m just never sure the basement will stay consistently between 40°F(4.4°C) and 50°F(10°C), which is what they require. The one that’s already showing buds is a gift from a friend, purchased at Aldi’s. How they get theirs to bloom so much earlier is a mystery to me.

Pay someone else to grow them

If I hadn’t remembered to order hyacinths bulbs, or if they had all gone moldy in the refrigerator, I would not have hesitated to purchase some at Aldi’s or any other place I could find them. Winter is a battle to keep your sanity and you should avail yourself of every (legal) means available to win the fight. Certainly you should not limit yourself to forced bulbs!

primrose from store

My husband was kind enough to gift me this sweet pot of primroses from the grocery store.

The nice thing about these primulas is that they are winter-hardy. As long as I can keep them alive through the rest of the winter, I can plant them out this spring and enjoy them in springs to come. My husband appreciates their wonderful scent, but I really can’t smell much of anything. That makes me a little bit sad, because fragrance is one of the things I treasure about flowers. Our family is divided: some can smell the primrose fragrance, and others can’t. How about you?

Meanwhile, in the Cabin Fever Bed…

hellebore November 10

One Helleborus niger is attempting to bloom. This was November 10th.

hellebore December 21

Some elongation of the stem by December 21st

hellebore January 2

Be still my heart! Has that bud actually opened a bit? January 2nd. And methinks I see two other buds!

The common name for this plant is Christmas rose, but clearly that ship has sailed and I might actually see open flowers by March. The plants have a light covering of snow right now, and with 8 to 12 inches(20.3 to 30.5cm) predicted for this weekend, I don’t expect to see any more progress in the near future. But at least I know there is a future!

Inspired by the words of Elizabeth Lawrence, “We can have flowers nearly every month of the year,” Carol of May Dreams Gardens started Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. On the 15th of every month, garden bloggers from all over the world publish what is currently blooming in their gardens. Check it out at May Dreams Gardens.



from Cold Climate Gardening http://bit.ly/2TW6IaO

Friday, January 11, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Provides Compliance Assistance Resources to Protect Workers from Falls

January 11, 2019 U.S. Department of Labor Provides Compliance Assistance Resources to Protect Workers from Falls

from OSHA News Release http://bit.ly/2H7nNNb

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Dallas Utilities Contractor After Worker Suffers Fatal Gas Exposure

January 11, 2019 U.S. Department of Labor Cites Dallas Utilities Contractor After Worker Suffers Fatal Gas Exposure

from OSHA News Release http://bit.ly/2FvSTMn

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Utility Contractors Following Fatal Explosion in Wisconsin

January 10, 2019 U.S. Department of Labor Cites Utility Contractors Following Fatal Explosion in Wisconsin

from OSHA News Release http://bit.ly/2H9rYIt

Thursday, January 10, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites U.S. Postal Service After Heat-Related Worker Fatality in Southern California

January 10, 2019 U.S. Department of Labor Cites U.S. Postal Service After Heat-Related Worker Fatality in Southern California

from OSHA News Release http://bit.ly/2SUYEqo

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Pennsylvania Excavation Company For Exposing Employees to Trenching Hazards

January 8, 2019 U.S. Department of Labor Cites Pennsylvania Excavation Company For Exposing Employees to Trenching Hazards

from OSHA News Release http://bit.ly/2FlqLfx

U.S. Department of Labor Urges Employers and Employees To Remain Vigilant About Possible Winter Hazards

January 8, 2019 U.S. Department of Labor Urges Employers and Employees To Remain Vigilant About Possible Winter Hazards

from OSHA News Release http://bit.ly/2REH3pv

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Solar Contractor After Employee Fatality at Kansas Jobsite

January 9, 2019 U.S. Department of Labor Cites Solar Contractor After Employee Fatality at Kansas Jobsite

from OSHA News Release http://bit.ly/2sh8fMG

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor and Turner Construction Partner To Promote Workplace Safety During Hospital Project in Erie, Pennsylvania

January 8, 2019

from OSHA News Release http://bit.ly/2SJintp

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Roofing Contractor After Employee’s Fatal Fall at Missouri Jobsite

January 8, 2019 U.S. Department of Labor Cites Roofing Contractor After Employee's Fatal Fall at Missouri Jobsite

from OSHA News Release http://bit.ly/2Qy6sN5

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Contractor Following Crane Collapse At New York City Construction Worksite

January 7, 2019 U.S. Department of Labor Cites Contractor Following Crane Collapse At New York City Construction Worksite

from OSHA News Release http://bit.ly/2FhSrSD

Thursday, January 3, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Ohio UPS Facility for Blocking Exits

January 3, 2019 U.S. Department of Labor Cites Ohio UPS Facility for Blocking Exits

from OSHA News Release http://bit.ly/2F645j8

U.S. Department of Labor and Montana Contractors Association Sign Alliance to Foster Safer Workplaces

January 3, 2019 U.S. Department of Labor and Montana Contractors Association Sign Alliance to Foster Safer Workplaces

from OSHA News Release http://bit.ly/2To010P

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Two Roofing Companies After Colorado Employees Found Exposed to Fall Hazards

December 28, 2018 U.S. Department of Labor Cites Two Roofing Companies After Colorado Employees Found Exposed to Fall Hazards

from OSHA News Release http://bit.ly/2LKFl0v