Read MAKING A DIFFERENCE by Robert F. Gabella, published in the February 2010 issue of American Nurseryman magazine.  This green initiatives feature describes recycling of Horticultural plastics at Midwest Groundcovers,  a unique company within an industry not especially known for transformational leadership.  The preview version gives access to only the first two pages, so create a login and password which will give the full version of all available content for a free 3 month trial.

Read KEEPING TRACK by Robert F. Gabella, published in the February 15, 2004 issue of American Nurseryman magazine.  The article is linked in its entirety, and is reprinted courtesy of American Nurseryman Publishing Company, Inc. 

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O&E LogoI've recently learned THE DAILY JOURNAL no longer maintains or publishes the ORNAMENTALS & EDIBLES web pages - it's possible but not certain that content and images from the pages below may be re-linked soon - I will keep readers posted as to any progress!

 

See feature articles and photography by Robert F. Gabella in Ornamentals & Edibles magazine (March, 2007) and now in The Daily Journal's Gardening with Ornamentals & Edibles (September, 2007 onward:

 

SAVING ANOTHER SCHEFFLERA! 

I receive more inquiries about Hawaiian Schefflera (Heptapleurum arboricolum) than any other houseplant.

Click the Tips/Q&A Button at left, or the link above, to see how Ginette from Ontario might confront her plant's very particular predicament!

For more links and articles click the BEEN THERE button at left.
 

PEAS LIKE THESE?  Of course you can!  Updated March 14, 2010

Just how can Peas like these Super Sugar Snap can be part of your garden not just once, but TWICE, each season?

This is a perfect crop (what can I say?) grown in my community garden plot - photographed, and first eaten, on June 5, 2006.   In mid August, after 6 weeks of continuous production, the vines were ripped out, and the cylinders became host to a newly emerged batch of seedlings for a much anticipated Fall crop.   Another crop of garden (shelling) peas, was planted in September and survived a dusting of early October snow.  Next year plan for both Spring and Fall Peas - if you select your varieties carefully and pay attention to the calendar,  you will not be disappointed!

My 2007 crop is shown below, about 3 weeks old, in a tray of Jiffy Strips - Snap Pea seed is very sugary and thus is not as tolerant of cold, wet soil as garden peas, and may rot if sown outdoors too early.  But they still love cool weather once growing!  I start them the first week of March, under lights, in the basement, 2-3 seeds per cell.  Do not use bottom heat (the seed cannot be too warm either).  Inoculate with Rhizobia bacteria, specifically for peas and available widely under many brand names.  Harden them off on an unheated screen porch or outdoors in semi shade, for 3-5 days, prior to planting out into the open ground.  Do not thin or pull extra plants from the cells, the peas will grow just fine.  Plant 10-15 cells around an 18" diameter cylinder, plan to help them climb at first by weaving the young stems, then watch as they take off!

    

    

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DON'T OVERLOOK REBLOOMING IRIS! 

Make it a point to plant more of them next year, in mid-summer, giving the plants time to establish roots before fall.  Then, get ready for surprise autumn bloom stalks in following years.  Though not always consistent in the North, rebloomers are welcome additions to the late season garden.

Here is the tall bearded Iris WITCH OF ENDOR blooming on October 29, 2007 in my Chicago-area garden, and as of November 5 the plant continues to open its many buds despite light frosts.

Not sure where to start?  Try the American Iris Society's Commercial Source List.

 

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If you didn't have the chance to see Garden In A City 2006 which ran from May 13-21 at Butler Field in Chicago's Grant Park, click the link to check out the synopsis and photography by Robert F. Gabella.

     

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Reviews, features and news with a personal touch, plus guest contributors, and an archive of Robert F. Gabella's previously published Entertainment writing and photography!