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):

 

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

 

PEAS LIKE THESE?  Of course you can!  Updated March 1, 2008

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!

    

    

 

Garden Opus®  Helps Iraq Troops Plant Seeds of Hope!

No matter where any of us stand politically, and no matter how we may each feel about our country's place in the current conflict, there is no doubt that as a nation, we are a people unified in our support for the dedication and sacrifice of our military troops and their families. 

Inspired by the interest of good friends, Captain (Chaplain) Douglas S. Brown, US Army - currently of Iraq; his wife Barbi, of Ft. Riley, KS; his mother Toni, of Downers Grove, IL; and his brother Christopher, of Villa Park, IL; troops deployed to the Baghdad area (and possibly beyond), while far from home and those they love most - will have the opportunity to connect to a greener version of planet Earth.  Even that smallest connection could help ease the passage of time spent in a dusty, unfamiliar, sometimes lonely, and not to mention hostile, land.

Click on the links or photo within this window, for the full story, and to see how these purchased and donated seeds and supplies will find their way to Baghdad,. 

Continue to check back with GardenOpus  frequently for updates on the Seeds of Hope  project!

 

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PHOTO GALLERIES may inspire your next design choice or convince you to doom a plant to the compost pile - just click the Gallery link or the navigation button at left. 

 

 

 

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!