Down on the farm

v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} Normal 0 A guest post from my grandson Weber who is working on a farm this summer. Summer at Magee Farms: Part OneHi! My name is Weber Stibolt,...

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A red-bellied woodpecker

There's a male red-bellied woodpecker that's been a regular at our feeder this spring, making occasional, but not infrequent, forays to snag LOTS of seeds, presumably to cache at least some of them.This post from a couple of years ago has better pictures, with more explanation!Today's photo (the only...

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Nature journaling and watercolor fun

Writing a blog about nature and gardening is really nature and garden journaling, but I've always wanted to practice real-time with sketching and art, too, but found the format intimidating, even though I loved drawing and art when much younger. So an all-day workshop around using watercolor in your...

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Growing peanuts

I can't claim that I've ever grown peanuts, even after living in the South for 3 decades.I know it's possible. One of my younger colleagues grew giant Spanish peanuts with the kids in one of our after-school programs (at the botanical garden where I worked, and now volunteer) some years ago.Peanuts need warmth and space. They flourish in the coastal plain of SC and GA.So I found this article in the...

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Penstemon digitalis "Husker Red"

Penstemon digitalis in the pocket meadowPenstemon digitalis (in the pocket meadow) is looking lovely now, in full flower. Its lovely clear white flowers are a great addition to the mix!Penstemon digita...

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Neem - The organic insecticide

Neem is one of my favorite things to use when it comes to controlling disease and pests. Its Organic, and as you all know when growing your vegetables, why use anything that wasn't organic.You want to get a 70% Neem Oil Like this one!As Mike McGrawth, Host of "You Bet Your Garden" says,...

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Flame azalea and Eastern hemlocks

We've gardened in our neighbor's yards on both sides of our house in the mountains (with their permission - so not guerilla gardening, but shared landscaping). It's been fun to replace weedy things with desirable native plants, ones that restore some mountain habitat to an old urban neighborhood (and...

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