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Please join us over on our new site that has been created to better serve the garden industry promoting positive growing using social media.

 

You will find :

• Complete #gardenchat Twitter information including schedule,topics, gardening how-to's, podcast, giveaways more... 
• How to Use Social Media to Grow 
• The Latest Garden Events 
• Pinterest Gardening - Giveaways , How-to, Trendy Shares
• Google Hangout Information featuring LIVE demonstrations for those who grow! 
• SuperSowSunday Updates : Grow From Seed Info!

MORE......  
We want to promote you FOR FREE ... so please connect with us on our new site!

Connect-Share -Grow .com 

Poinsettias are easy to keep and Costa Farms knows how!

Keep them in a sunny room with ideal temperature range is 60-70 degrees. They do not like drafts, and, they do not like being placed near high heat like a furnace vent or fireplace. Water thoroughly, then let the soil dry between watering. Poinsettias are forgiving. If they begin to dry out, water them and they bounce right back. If the leaves turn lighter green, give more sunshine and......they bounce right back.

Join us Monday on #gardenchat Twitter when @costafarms guest host sharing all about Poinsettia.  We welcome you to bring your questions at that time or submit on this blog post!

Let's Talk Gardening Future!

Tonight we welcome Global Garden Friends as our guest host on #gardenchat! 

Topic 11/5/2012
The future of gardening....growing vegetables/herbs/fruit indoors using hydroponics/kitchen garden units. Is a smart idea due to growing world population, increased food prices, and decreased quality of food while at the same time being exposed to insecticides, etc. Growing indoors means you can grow all year round. And much more.... 

Find out more about their products and gardening tips and ideas at :
• Facebook , Twitter and Google+ addresses - 
http://www.facebook.com/globalgardenfriends 
http://www.twitter.com/ggardenfriends

Product Giveaway 

10 sets of, 1 x Ultimate Plant Cage(Value: $17.95)

10 x 20 packs of clips- 20 pack Ultimate Plant Clips(Value: $4.99) per person.

Friends at @ggardenfriends want to get YOU in the garden  with this giveaway valued at $230! 

HOW TO ENTER :

1. Comment on This Blog Post  sharing WHAT YOU LOVE about gardening and be sure to include your Twitter name so we can connect with you!

2. Head Over to https://www.facebook.com/globalgardenfriends and LIKE THEM on Facebook leaving a comment on #gardenchat image posting : LINK HERE so we know you visited! 

3. Participate on #gardenchat during the 11/5 Monday night scheduled event.  WE must see you on the transcript saved to qualify!!! 

4.  Tweet NOW  to support the #gardenchat growing event " Join #gardenchat tonight at 9 p.m. with @thegardenchat and @ggardenfriends"  

Winner will be announced on Wednesday at noon on Twitter #gardenchat stream.    If your Twitter account is picked you must respond to @TheGardenChat by MIDNIGHT 11/7 Wednesday by email / DM or tweet!    Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery of products. 

*#gardenchat / @TheGardenChat is not responsible for any product shipping : the product is donated by @ggardenfriends .

Conifer Topic Product Giveaway

Congratulations to @ediblelandesign whose number was chosen using random.org from last nights #gardenchat event. 


During the scheduled time of this event giveaway #gardenchat had 1066 Tweets.  Random.org picked Tweet number 425 who was Twitter user @ediblelandesign on the transcript.   

Thank you everyone who participated in this event. 

 

@ediblelandesign will be receiving a pair of Corona Tools Dual Cut By-Pass Pruners and a leather Scabbard.  Please be sure to visit @CoronaTools and thank them for supporting #gardenchat with wonderful products that will keep you growing successfully!  

Find Monday #gardenchat transcripts on the Official #gardenchat transcript page HERE. 

#gardenwalk Thursday on Twitter

#gardenwalk Thursday share from Natures Footprint on Twitter at @WormFactory.  The beans and broccoli are inspiring and we can't wait to see what you cook up with that produce.

Find out more about #gardenwalk at : #gardenwalk with @BloominChick 

Sustainable Garden Design : Cristina de Silva

Guest Post by Cristina da Silva / The Real Gardener
#gardenchat June 25, 2012 Guest Host
Sustainable Garden Design

“Sustainability: to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs. “
World Commission on Environment and Development (1989)

What makes a garden sustainable is a complex issue. It takes time, thought and
analysis. But it’s not impossible. Whether it is a new garden or a garden renovation,
the best way to create a sustainable garden is through the design process.

Before we plunge into nitty gritty of sustainable garden design, we need to know
what “sustainable garden design” means.

A good definition for our use comes from the Norman Booth and James Hiss’ Fifth
Edition Residential Landscape Architecture. To paraphrase:

A “sustainable garden design” is a process of creating a durable self-
perpetuating garden with minimal expense of energy and maintenance.

And it is also a garden that not only suits the climate and terrain (with
minimal impact on the land) but it also supports the health of all living
creatures within the site.

But how do we know if our current gardens are sustainable or not before we plunge
ourselves into the garden design melee?

For gardeners sustainability in the garden is measured by:

• How efficiently we use earth’s resources (i.e. hardscape materials & plants
  choices, repurposing, recycling)
  
  Whether our use is part of resources’ natural cycle and allows them to be
  replenished (think compost)
   
• How much waste is created (grass clippings, pruned material, plastic pots,
  use of fossil fuels & pesticides etc)
   
• Now, if your current garden doesn’t meet these criteria, take heart. We are going to
• cover step by step the different factors involved in creating a sustainable garden.

How do we accomplish this?
The garden site should:

•  Fit the regional context
• Have minimal site impact
• Restore damaged sites
• Coordinate with natural events and cycles (sun, wind, rain, earthquakes, fir etc)
• Reuse and recycle
• Create a healthy environment

Hopefully I will be able to cover all the material in an hour. Regardless of what
happens, at least we are having a dialogue in creating better gardens for our planet.


-------------------------------------------------------
Join us Monday and please check out Cristina online at :
Website: www.therealgardener.com

facebook.com/cristina.d.silva.108

Twitter: CristinaGardens

Got a Question About Roses?

 Join in the conversation on Saturday June 23 at 10:30-11 a.m. ET with #Rosechat Radio. Join @RedneckRosarian  and @agardendiary  as they welcome  Jolene Adams incoming President of the American Rose Society.  Here is a link to this week's RoseChat Radio broadcast. http://t.co/pOuZnL0

The RoseChat radio will be taking your call during the broadcast time so be sure to dial in with your rose questions.

 

 RoseChat on Blog Talk Radio

Tweeting By The Glow of Your Mobile Device - Midnight #gardenwalk

Shout out to Matt at @GardenerYoda who shared an awesome after Midnight #gardenwalk on Twitter tonight.

 

Matt shares some really cool garden / landscape tweets at @gardenerYoda as well as pinning the experience on FlintScape Pinterest board.  Be sure to give Matt a shout out and ask how those peppers and tomatoes are doing in his West Sacramento California garden are doing. 

 

How To Extend your Growing Season and More TONIGHT!

Tonight we welcome Niki Jabbour as our guest host on #gardenchat from 9-10 p.m. ET on Twitter.

Niki's topic (and passion!) is year round veggie gardening where she is able, with little effort, to extend her harvest season to 365 days - living in Nova Scotia, Canada! Niki Jabbour cold harvest over 30 types of veggies and herbs in our 2000 square foot veggie garden from November to March, with many many more during the regular April to October growing season. She'd love the chance to share some of my favourite crops, season extending devices (cold frames, mini hoop tunnels, row covers, etc.) and veggie gardening tips with the folks at #gardenchat.

Be sure to join in the conversation tonight on #gardenchat 

Cocktails in the Garden

Tonight we welcome Jayme Jenkins and Niky as our #gardenchat guest host sharing Cocktails in the Garden. I hope you will join in the conversation from 9-10 p.m. ET on Twitter. You won't want to miss this event where you will learn new ideas for creating drinks from your garden.  If you would like to join in the conversation but are not sure how to participate please visit our site at #gardenchat Website.

Visit Niki's Site Dirt and Martinis

Visit Jayme's Site aHa! Modern Living

 A great giveaway from our friends at @subaru_life – a one-year subscription to Organic Gardening Magazine!  @ogmag @subaru_usa

Join in the conversation tonight on #gardenchat to see if your name is announced as the winner of this giveaway donated to #gardenchat from our friends at Subaru USA.

* Winner will be selected using Random.org during the 9-10 p.m. #gardenchat event.  Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery if your name is selected.   To qualify you must participate on on the Twitter chat forum #gardenchat. How to participate information on our website at http://www.bggarden.com/gardenchat.html

Little Rock Live Stream #gardenchat GIVEAWAY!

 This week a group of fabulous garden writers are heading to Little Rock Arkansas to connect in the gardens of garden guru P.Allen Smiths for the Garden2Blog 2012 event.  These garden writers include
@grumpygardener @BG_garden @HelenYoest @UrbanGardens @JeanAnnVK @reddirtramblin @ShawnaCoronado @WherePlantsRock @FromTheSoil @EdenMaker @OurLittleAcre @BetweenTheLimes @GreenSoil @CowlickCottage @GardenFaerie @KissMyAster @BwiseGarden @susancohan @MichaelNolan and @TieDyeTravels.  You can follow this event on Twitter at #G2B12 

Join in LIVE VIDEO Stream 8:30 - 9:30 p.m. ET 
 
On #gardenchat Monday  Host Bren @BG_garden  will be joined by Monica @GardenFaerie as they interview Kat Robinson @TieDyeTravels in Little Rock .  Kat will be sharing with us about growing and supporting local in Arkansas  as well as some of her fabulous foodie tips at the Capital Hotel.     You can follow this live stream on the #gardenchat webpage. 

At 10 p.m. ET of #gardenchat on Twitter  we will have a giveaway that includes this awesome P.Allen Smith Collection of Garden How-To Card Decks featured below :

GiveAway Featured during #gardenchat on Monday 4/30 

This giveaway during 4/30 #gardenchat hour includes the 3 How-2 garden decks featured above and a P. Allen Smith T-shirt.  To qualify for the chance to have your twitter name chosen for this giveaway be sure to participate on #gardenchat Monday 4/30. 

1 LUCKY #gardenchat participants will be recieving these items so be sure begin the tweeting fun by commenting on this blog post!

* Special thanks to friends at P.Allen Smiths group for donating this prize.  If you are the winner of this giveaway please allow 3-4 weeks for shipping .  @TheGardenChat / #gardenchat is not responsible for the product that was donated.  

What are Gardeners Planting Now

Be sure to join us on #gardenchat : Facebook page and share what you have growing on this time of year!

Thank you Organic Gardening Magazine

Thank you Organic Gardening Magazine and Subaru Life  for contributing a 1 year subscription to one of our #gardenchat participants during Monday Nights event. It is wonderful all the amazing things you do to help us all grow healthier gardens. This giveaway was another fabulous thing you are doing for the gardening community.   

Be sure to follow Organic Gardening Magazine on Twitter at @OgMag .  You can also find them on Facebook at Organic Gardening Magazine Facebook. 

Congratulations to @earthfriendlyla whose tweet was picked by using Random.org during the Monday #gardenchat event.  We know that Rama will love this subscription because she is all about growing organically. 

Find out more about #gardenchat and what we will be discussing at next weeks scheduled time at #gardenchat website.

Why Garden?

There are dozens of great reasons that people garden…these reasons are all unique and personal to each of us. We have different reasons why we get out of the house and get into the garden.

I garden because it is my passion. For me just getting my hands in the soil sowing a few seeds, pruning a few plants, or just walking around weeding the odd spot, is a delight.

My gardens have taken me through a lot of very difficult times in my life. They are therapy for a heavy heart…a calming place to sort through life’s trials, and a place to celebrate even the smallest victory. Just a few hours alone with my plantings, and even the most difficult situation seems a lot easier to face.

My gardening is a hobby…but to some gardening is a career. I have always dreamed of having a greenhouse that is just large enough to sustain my family financially. I am not sure I would like a huge commercial size one…that would take the passion out of it for me…but I wouldn’t mind having a business in the greenhouse/ garden industry one day.

I started to make this post thinking that I garden because I love it, but as the article took form, I found that I had a lot more than just one reason!

The challenge of starting a new type of plant that I have never tried before, the educational value of learning a new growing technique or plant variety. Adding to my landscape yearly is something I very much look forward to after a long winter.

The art of gardening, is an awesome way to get some exercise, spend some time in the great outdoors, and learn to appreciate all that mother nature has so graciously given to us.

Why do YOU garden? What things inspire you to get out and get your hands dirty? I’d love to hear!

Until Next Time…Happy Gardening!

Join us on Twitter every Monday evening for #gardenchat. There is a great group of gardeners there that offer fellowship, friendship and all sorts of inspiration for the sport!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
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(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Wordless Wednesday

Source: familyfun.go.com via New Leaf on Pinterest

#wordlessWednesday brought to you from Pintrest share!

Garden Wise Living on Miniature Gardening

Not  your everyday garden .... a miniature garden : Tonight on #gardenchat we had the pleasure of being introduced to the world of gardening by Arlena Schott. You can follow Arlena at @greenblessings on Twitter.  If you missed the hour of shares featuring miniature gardening you can find more about this subject by joining Garden Wise Living on Facebook. 

You can also find the transcript for tonights event at :http://www.bggarden.com/GCtranscripts.html

Learn How to Sow Seeds on #SuperSowSunday

The growing possibilities are endless when you plant from seed and on February 5th we are joining together with other seed enthusiast to get you growing in 2012.  

To find out more about this event, click on the image above to go to the official #supersowsunday page.  Be sure to follow  this blog and @TheGardenChat on Twitter for details on the many giveaways. 

Share For Your Chance To Try Biochar In Your Garden

Tonight we welcome @lopabrunjes and Jeffrey of Soil Reef sharing about biochar.  To add to all the growing excitement we would like to give one of our participants tonight the chance to try biochar by Soil Reef in their garden.   Biochar by Soil Reef is donating a 64 oz container of the product featured on their website at : Biochar.com

To participate in this giveaway featured on the #gardenchat network ,  please follow these simple steps: 


1. You must participate during the #gardenchat from 9-10pm. ET.  Follow the simple steps HERE to join in the conversation. 


2.  Share with us on this blog post what you thought of the information shared during tonights event.  We'd love to hear information like : Did you learn anything new about gardening naturally?  Were you inspired to try something new in your garden?   Did you connect with any new garden enthusiasts during the #gardenchat event.  




3.  Be sure to be following @TheGardenChat on Twitter so you get the latest information about #gardenchat as well as if your name is selected as the participant who will be able to try Biochar in their garden!  



* random.org is used to select the name from this blog post at NOON  ET.  01/10/12 @TheGardenChat is not responsible for the product being donated to this event.  Winner must message @TheGardenChat their shipping information by Tuesday 1/10/2012 9 pm. ET (24 hours after the event) in order to receive this item.  IF we do not receive your shipping information at that time you are will forfeit the product.

Questions or Concerns - drop us a comment or DM us on Twitter!

Trends from 2011 and Whats New in 2012

Tonight we welcome Garden Media Group on #gardenchat sharing trends from 2011 gardens! 

 

By studying the industry, the behaviors of gardeners and surveying garden centers, Garden Media Group has been able to closely predict garden trends for the past 10 years.  From vertical gardening to a boom in farmers markets, we have watched these trends take life in the marketplace.  Learn how gardening will become a vital part of life and other trends for 2012 at #GardenChat on December 26,2011.

 

Lets Talk Soil with Courtney

On Monday, November 7th we welcome Courtney who shares fun and natural growing tweets at @natracourtney . 

At the root of every growing success (or failure) is the soil. Healthy soil is so very important. Learn from @NatraTurf how to improve the health of your soil, how to determine what your soil needs and what you should be doing right now to prepare your lawn & or garden soil for next year.

NOW TAKING QUESTIONS about gardening and healthy soil for Courtney .  Submit your question in this blog post.