CONTEST WINNER!

BY SKEETER

 Due to Circumstances beyond my control, (Telephone line failure) I was not able to get this posted first thing this morning. But here I am with computer once again working, however, still no telephone. AT&T might not be our service provider much longer if this continues. Grrrrrrr...

Anyway, Comments were made on my Blogiversary Post and Names typed and cut.

 Names folded.

 Names put into the Magic Hat.

 Names tossed about and the Saint picked the winner.

Diana Schmied, YOU ARE THE WINNER of the two gnomes plus a few other surprise treats! Congratulations and Happy Gardening, In the Garden...

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Troy-Bilt Giveaway WINNER!

          BY SKEETER  

Last week I posted on the new 2012 Troy-Bilt battery operated Cultivator. Troy-Bilt was kind enough to offer a second cultivator to a lucky reader of In the Garden! The Magic Hat was filled with many names and the drum rolled on......

And the Winner is......

Ta-Da..... 

Congratulations Three Cat Manor!        

Please email us here at In the Garden with your address and phone number as soon as possible. Your new cultivator will be on it's way to your Garden soon!  

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Troy-Bilt Cultivator-GIVEAWAY!

BY SKEETER

Troy-Bilt contacted us here at In the Garden. Was I interested in trying out a new product? Well, sure and here you see Sheba kitty giving the box a complete Cat Scan. She just loves it when that big Brown Truck shows up on our door step!

She really loves it when there is a box within a box here in our Georgia Gardens.

Troy-Bilts 2012 Cordless Cultivator! Up to 1500 square feet on a single charge! Click HERE to learn more about this product from Troy-Bilt.

We have purchased many products from Troy-Bilt over the years and have been happy with them.

My favorite of their products is our Riding Mower AKA: my Red Rider. Here you see Aunt Skeeter using Red Rider for a little family fun on a Summer day.

Click HERE to see other products available from Troy-Bilt that will assist you in the garden.

A continued Cat Scan, reveals all was packaged well for the journey to our gardens.

Don't let the size fool you!

The Saint and I read all the paperwork enclosed and easily installed the wheels. The wheel height can be adjusted for tine depth.

The battery was not fully charged so we set up the charging device and easily inserted the battery.

One hour and 1/2 later and the green light came on to let us know the battery was ready to install into the cultivator. A completely drained battery, should take about 2 hours to fully charge.

We like that the battery has a button to push that will let us know if it needs a charge. Nice to know before one starts a project. This battery can be charged at any point without harming the battery life!

A simple squeeze of the lever on the handle and I began to cultivate the border of a garden. A sort of edging process for us.

Click on the Video to see how easily it chopped its way through the dirt, grass and pine needles. It also broke right through some small roots! We were impressed. I hope these videos work. I am having computer and camera issues today. Grrrr...

As I said, don't let the size fool you. This little thing is powerful for its size! In these video demonstrations, we have the tines (disc) set at medium level. We could go deeper into the earth by adjusting the settings of the wheels. Battery life is 1500 square feet so this is not a tiller type tool for large jobs.

My video went out on me at this point so you must take my word for the next part. We took this tool into the gardens and were able to easily weed. With its compact size, we could go right up against the plants and weed without bending over and hurting our backs! An electric Hoe, maybe? Weeding without bending over makes this a great item in my book!

We were a bit concerned about cleaning the tines. Since it is battery powered, one cannot spray it off with a hose. The Saint demonstrated on a video how easy it is to remove the tines, clean and replace them. The video went grainy on us but I want you to see how easy this process was for us. So I am hoping you can see through the grain of the video. (seems my video has died on the camera, sigh) I timed the removal, brush off and replacement at 25 seconds per side! I would not use this unit in the mud but if I did, I could spray off the tines once removed, dry, oil and replace them easily enough.

And look how light weight! No cords and you can get this red beauty into very small spaces. It is an asset with mixing our compost dirt. It would be awesome to go between rows in a Vegetable Garden and preparing for seed tossing next spring. I am also thinking it may assist me in extending pathways in my gardens! The use of this little gem are endless.  

Have I sold you yet? Well, here comes the best part. One of you lucky commenters will be the proud owner of your very own Troy-Bilt Cultivator! No strings (or cords) attached! Just be located within the contiguous United States. The winner: must let me know their address and phone number via email, for shipping this item direct from Troy-Bilt.  Is that simple enough? Leave us a comment and your name will be entered to win. One entry per person. A winner shall be picked from the Magic Hat on August 01, 2012. The winner's name shall be announced here at  In the Garden on Thursday August 02, 2012.

Get your name in the hat for the TROY-BILT CULTIVATOR-GIVEAWAY, In the Garden...  

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

I Love Asheville

BY SKEETER

I have received a wonderful goodie basket here in my GEORGIA GARDENS from Del of Explore Asheville.

This gift came about from the "Meet and Greet" event at The Garden Bloggers Spring Fling in Asheville, NC. Tina, The Saint and I were the first to arrive at the Meet and Greet event. We met Del and chatted with him about a wonderful contest he was having for this event. For every time you Link his site; Explore Asheville, with a blog about the Fling, he would enter your name into the hat for a chance to win this gift. I wrote a post of each of the fabulous gardens we toured while at the Fling and I Won the Contest! I am thrilled because I rarely win anything.

I knew of the prize of a 2 nights stay at the North Lodge Bed & Breakfast. Click HERE to see more. And also 2 tickets to Biltmore House/Gardens/Winery. Click HERE to see more. But had no idea of the other goodies to come.

A wonderful cook book from the Tupelo Honey Cafe. As I flip through this unique book, I see wonderful recipes as well as beautiful photos from old Asheville to the present time! I must attend a meal or two at this cafe! Click HERE to see more.

Flingers are familiar with Sow True seeds. Click HERE to see more. I hope to have lots of South East Wild Flowers blooming in my gardens!

Not sure where this cute little Bird came from a piece of Asheville Art for my Gardens.

Gaelic ale Mustard from the Crooked Condiments collection. Click HERE to see more.

Flingers also know about 12 Bones Smokehouse. We enjoyed a most awesome lunch from these guys during the Fling. Blueberry Chipotle BBQ sauce. YUM! Click HERE to see more.  

The scent of this Lavender Rose Soap is soothing! This will surely take me away  to a happy place after a hard day of working in the garden. Click HERE to see more.

Unfortunately, the jar of Blackberry Jam was broken upon arrival. It smell wonderful and I was tempted to taste it but fear getting glass into my mouth. Sigh, Del has promised me another jar upon my visit to Asheville. Click HERE to see more.

This is a wonderful sampling of some of the Locally Owned business of Asheville, NC. We cannot wait until our next visit which I think shall be next spring because I LOVE ASHEVILLE, In the Garden...Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

An Oops, Another Chance to Post Today and A Chance to Win!

After my post this morning I let the representative at Proven Winners know I had posted about one of the trial plants I had received last year. Unbeknownst to me this plant is not in production due to production issues so rather than leave the post up and get everyone excited about that coneflower I took the post down and am posting again. That post was the oops in the title. This is the first time I have posted more than once in one day in years but here goes. 

I thought I'd share some more photos from the gardens. The above variegated hydrangea was a HUGE hit during Saturday's garden tour. Never mind there are about 75 more hydrangeas here-many in bloom and many yet to bloom. This one apparently was unique and not very common in gardens so it got a lot of oohs and ahs.

It also decided to bloom in a big way just in time for the tour. I didn't even realize it was blooming as I have been busy and not in the garden much lately. I miss the garden a lot.

This is a long shot on the north side of my house. This bed is a plant and forget bed as I have not done anything to it. Ferns, astilbes (another interesting plant to visitors), hydrangeas, Japanese boxwoods, hostas, and camellias frolic in this Foundation bed.

The Greenhouse, aka Non-Pool Garden is coming into its own. It is one of my favorites if not the favorite. 'Annabelle' hydrangeas are in full bloom. I am adding more of these to the beds as I love their blowsy look at me 'Marilyn Monroe' looks with their platinum blond heads.

Here's a bigger shot. The wine bottles were a big hit. Many visitors commented on the neat idea of displaying bottles in this manner. I suspect we'll see many more wine bottle rebar flowers in gardens around my area.

The Rear Center Bed is problematic and I have been working it a bit. The issues seem to be with tall plants in the wrong spots and with the Love in a Mist seedheads. The seedhead are not quite ripe so I left the brown stems up for function. This was not such a big hit but worked for me. Hey, it's my garden!

The Sunny Perennial Border has lots and lots of daylilies blooming. I added several more named cultivars just yesterday including a groundcover daylily that is SO cool. I am very excited about that one 'Mardi Gras Parade' because I got 20 fans from one clump and have used it to edge a bed and it looks great! The one pictured is NOT 'Mardi Gras Parade'. I have no idea what cultivar it is but am trying to identify daylilies this summer.

Hostas are blooming. Some visitors noted they do not like hosta blooms and often cut them off. I agree that some hostas do not have nice blooms but there are so many that do that the blooms can be quite attractive. 'Guacamole' even has fragrant blooms when it blooms later this summer. It's a great one for blooms. I wish I knew which cultivar this hosta is because its blooms are very nice too. 

Alright, I was contacted about a give a way just this morning. I thought you readers might like this particular give a way. It is from Serenity Health based in Wisconsin and is a set of two owls. The company has offered to ship these owls directly to one lucky reader of this blog. The winner will be chosen Wednesday, June 20th. I will contact the winner directly so if your email is not public or I don't have it you will need to contact me. My email is listed on my profile. I will post the winner's name on Friday, June 22nd. You need only leave me a comment here so I'll know you would love to win these beautiful owls. I don't even have them myself and thought since I liked them so much you all might like them too. I've never done this type of give a way from a company on the blog before but why not? You all deserve it. 

The winner will be chosen RANDOMLY. I like random contests so that everyone has an equal chance to win. Only one entry per person-one comment equals one entry. You all enjoy your day. I really must get to work....

in the garden....

If you wish to comment here and are having troubles it might be because you don't have a profile. Either a Gmail account that you can link to blogger or an Open ID account is necessary to comment. Try this link if you don't like Gmail. Open ID.
Don't hesitate to email me with questions.  

I forgot to ask so I am really not sure but I think this give a way would have to be limited to the United States. Sorry.  

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms and Contest Winners

By Skeeter

We left our Georgia Garden to spend Easter with the Saints family in Virginia. While there, we jumped on the Metro and headed for our Nations Capitol to see the Cherry Blossoms in their full glory. Once above ground, we spotted this patch of bright tulips.
The Cherry Blossom Festival attracts lots of visitors to Washington DC and especially around the Tidal Basin of the Jefferson Memorial. To see a beautiful Japanese Lady in traditional attire, was a special treat.
The Blossoms on some of the Cherry Trees looked like pure snow!
While other Cherry Tree Blossoms were of pink colors.
They were spectacular to say the least.
Each tree was filled with busting blossoms.
The abnormal high temperatures (mid 80's) had the leaves coming out along with the blossoms on some trees!
Damage from the massive snow fall in February could be seen on some of the trees.
Tree caretakers had to remove some of the branches.
Limbs are never cut for low hanging, only when damaged. Be cautious when walking under the trees or one will get your noggin.
This Elm was knocked over due to the big snow storm as well. I had to chuckle as it was an elm that we lost as well during our freak snow fall.
Although, our elm was not nearly as old as this fella.
Here you can see a good example of the different colors of blossoms.
It was a beautiful day for our stroll around the Tidal Basin and a challenge to snap pictures without people in the view. Can you see all the people sitting on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial?
The trees were absolutely glowing with color.
I wonder what Jefferson is thinking as he looks out upon this surrounding beauty?
Ah, the Mallard Ducks were not bothered by hoards of people strolling past them.
Saucer Magnolia, Forsythia and Cherry Trees all blooming together with playing children.
Such beauty to the eyes!
I was captivated as to how full the blooms were on the branches.
Memorials look so much nicer being framed by the Blossoms.
Look at this poor tree barely hanging onto life. If only trees could talk, I am sure this one would have a wonderful story to tell...
Walking from the Tidal Basin, I spotted this area I found interesting. Trees protected from construction. They must be famous to be protected behind a locked fence!
This is almost too pretty to be nothing more then weeds in our gardens!
This grouping of trees had us in awe with their beauty. We did not know what type tree until the next picture.


I recognised this pod as a Sycamore pod. I would rate them right up there with pesky Sweet Gum Trees and their nasty pods. I still think these Sycamore trees are pretty, well, cause they are not in my yard.
The Saint and I were a bit ahead of our gang so we stopped to let them catch up. As we stood there, I had this stinky scent overcome my nose. I turned around to see this bush.
Beautiful blooms....

And beautiful foliage but a scent that smelled like something rotting. Anyone know what this bush could be as it was a puzzle to us?
It was a most beautiful and pleasant day to spend in our Nations Capitol. So nice to see all the happy people flying kites, picnicking, resting and enjoying such a wonderful time. It was nice to get to see the WASHINGTON DC CHERRY BLOSSOMS, In the Garden....

Note: A special thank you to the Saint's sister for arranging our DC trip and providing a great lunch!
****
Winners of my Blogiversary Give-away.
Names were printed, cut into strips, folded and placed in the Saints Magic Hat. Hand when in and out came the names!
Drum roll please..........
The winners are:

ROSES AND LILACS
&
RANDY EMMITT...

Marnie and Randy, send Tina an email ramseytina5@gmail.com with your addresses so I can get your prizes in the mail.....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden