Stuff I put on top of the soil invariably makes it's way INTO the soil because I have lots of busy and voracious worms. I have watched a leaf being dragged under the surface in a matter of moments. And the mere act of harvesting turns the soil as vigorously as digging a trench. Unless we are talking about the actual spade using, the 'on top or underneath' distinction is no way clear-cut. My only real concern is to ensure the surface oi my sandy soil is not exposed to the leaching winds and rain...and a winter coverage of weeds is at least as useful and effective as any other mulch...just looks a bit tatty. There is a big difference in how I garden for paying customers and how I conduct myself on my own plot. I know which method I prefer On one hand, I am responsible, careful, pay attention to the science of horticulture and am often slightly anxious. On the other, it is all a lot more anarchic, experimental (and often murderous), still slightly anxious but always joyful sense of 'so what'. Horses for courses. I had been happily posting on the ARF forum for 15 years or so when the issue of soil amendments came up. One experienced gardener filled the planting holes with bushels of hay...and would not even entertain the idea that this was not the solution she imagined. And we hadn't even got started on the thorny issue of cutting back(or not) after transplanting. I ended up being sent to disney and felt really dismayed about the whole argumentative situation because of gardening practices. Now I am older and a tiny bit more circumspect, I just don't get so exercised by how other people do things so much...and I certainly wouldn't fall out with anyone because they got a bit secateur-happy.

I told you earlier that I had a really bad experience with a color consultant and didn't have much luck with Maria Killam, but then found an artist who was amazing. She helped me figure out my issues and taught me how to create a whole home color palette. She was not doing any consulting work for some time - I believe it had something to do with a non-compete agreement when Valspar/SW bought her business. (Devine Color). She is now doing consultations and launching a new paint line in Feb 2021! Her name is Gretchen Schauffler and can be reached through her website gretchenschauffler.com. I cannot think of anyone who has better vision and could do a better job of advising you on color. Excerpt from her e-mail: Here is my menu: My consultations are all done through FaceTime or Zoom. For exteriors, I have you show me the home or building, along with street views, while we discuss all things considered. For interiors I do the same, starting at the front door. Once we have a crystal clear picture of the best colors and color palette application, I then provide suggested paint colors. By combining your personal color history and project into a well-blended palette my process will either confirm what you knew all along or send you off in a new amazing color direction you never thought of. $250 for RESIDENTIAL INTERIORS up to 2500 SQFT. $500 up to 5000 SQFT for a full-color palette. Beyond that, price is quote-based. $250-500 for SINGLE RESIDENTIAL EXTERIORS. includes Photoshop images of proposed ideas. Pricing depends on number of images. MULTIPLE DWELLING EXTERIORS such as apartment, condos, and commercial buildings are quote-based. I am also available at an hourly rate to assist on design and architectural projects. I bill through VENMO to be paid prior to our appointment.

FRIENDS…. My Updated spring 2022 New Roses list: @strawchicago z5 @Kelly Tregaskis Collova Straw, Thank you for your tips on Louis Odier, Rohen, & Princess Charlene de Monaco. I had L Odier in Oregon-beautiful! I now have P Charlene de Monaco & she’s 2 1/2 ft w/buds in her 2nd start of year-I love her-she was a great bloomer & very fragrant last year all the time!!!! Kelly, Straw’s roses are great roses!!! Love them! The OGR s Staw mentioned & my La Reine and Mme Dubost are excellent OGR bloomers & so fragrant! I am really in love w/these old garden roses!!! My garden new OGRs 2022 NEWBIES: : My Madame Dubost, Very fragrant! La Reine, Very fragrant! And I ordered about 32 roses for this spring 2022… A few newbies from those orders I planted include: 1. Reminiscent Pink 2. Reminiscent Cream 3. Amazing Grace 4., Queen of Elegance 5. Dark Desire 6. 2 Rosarie de Chantelet from Palatine-great canes! 7. Rosemantic Fushia from Palatine! 8. 2 Morden Blushes 9. Lady of Guadelupe 10. Plum Perfect 11. Cream Veranda 12.,Eglantyne 13. 2 pink minis 14. Julia Childs 15. Sexy Rexy 16. Madame Caroline Testouts (From Pirtland, OR) 17. Pearly Gates CL 18. Ardoisee de Lyon 19. Bolero 20. Summers Romance 21. Madame Isaac Perierre CL 22. Jacque Cartier 23. Awakening CL 24. Vicomtesse Decaux (cross between Kordes & Winchester Cathedral-a very light pink.) 25. Wedding Bells 26. Orchid Romance 27. Cupid’s Kiss 28. Reine des Violettes 29. 2 more pink minis (died) My favorites are the OGRs right now. Reine des Violets just bloomed in my garden…fragrant! Vicomtesse Decaux, Antique Rose Emoorium photo)…. just planting it tomorrow…. Ardoisee de Lyon (Heirloom Roses photo) shipped on June 13…. Madame Isaac Perierre (Delivered tomorrow hope!!!) Heirloom Roses photo…. but bought from A Reverence for Roses… Jacque Cartier, Heirloom Roses photo, shipped June 13….(bought for free w/ sale-free shipping & voucher!!!) HEIRLOOM ROSES SALE CONTINUES…. Many roses $30, plus free ship/no tax!!!

I have never really got along with screens - I don't watch TV. I have relied on books when I want information or entertainment. Back when I was a new gardener, I subscribed to a couple of magazines but quickly concluded that there was always an agenda (usually to sell stuff) and I was even more irritated by the glossy perfection of featured gardens (which I certainly didn't recognise)...but mostly, the tedious predictability of continually catering to garden novices. I do find the internet has value but in general, there is an emphasis on branding, personalities, aspirational BS. I find myself looking at short videos such as 'how to light a Tilley lamp', 'how to do German short rows', 'how to sharpen a chainsaw' but have had very little compulsion to watch TV gardening. Whilst Mr.primula was waiting for a sports channel, one of those garden makeover programmes was playing in the background.. ('Love your garden', I think) .I was dismayed and offended by the whole concept - spend hundreds (thousands) of £££ to make a garden in 24 hours. Rubbish. Not gardening, just shopping. Presided over by grinning nitwits. There is nothing of interest to me. And, afaics, this is amplified on YouTube and subscription social media. So, apart from other gardeners, books (especially plant monographs) are still my main source of information... but again, you have to be prepared to trawl through a lot of utter rubbish but these are usually clearly signalled: written (ahem) by celebrities, heavy on illustration, light on text,