All posts by Jan Bills

I am thankful for…

Today I had the honor and privilege to speak at the Farmington Garden Club. Prior to my presentation, one of the lovely garden members read this poem. I was so incredibly moved and inspired, I wanted to share it with you.

On this day, November 7, 2016, I thought the timing was perfect. Please enjoy.

I am thankful for… thankful

…the mess to clean up after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.
…the taxes I pay because it means that I’m employed.
…the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.
…my shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.
…the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.
…all the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.
…that lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear.
…lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.
…my huge heating bill because it means that I am warm.
…weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means that I have been productive.
…the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I am alive.
~Nancy J. Carmody

How to garden with comfort, ease and simplicity

Late Bloomer

With much gratitude, I am excited to share Late Bloomer is now available for purchase! My wonderful publisher, St. Lynn’s Press, is offering 10% off Late Bloomer + FREE shipping on their website! Click here==> http://ow.ly/ynJ9305Rmpn to purchase a copy and use CODE: latebloom10 at checkout.

Late Bloomer is packed with practical, hands-on tips and techniques for gardeners of all levels. P.S. the holiday season is right around the corner, Late Bloomer would make a lovely gift or stocking stuffer!

 

Late Bloomer: How to Garden with Comfort, Ease and Simplicity

Late Bloomer: How to Garden with Comfort, Ease and Simplicity

Sustainable gardening

Society of Active Retirees (SOAR)

EASY & FUN SUSTAINABLE GARDENING TIPS

Learn how sustainable gardening in Zone 5b/6 encompasses a variety of practices that respond to environmental issues. These practices are used in every phase of landscaping including design, implementation, and management. Together we will explore how to use these simple, low maintenance, affordable, and practical principles in your gardens. Enjoy interesting, invigorating, and FUN new approaches to gardening in 2017!

Sustainable gardening

Sustainable Gardening

Learn how sustainable gardening encompasses a variety of practices that respond to environmental issues. These practices are used in gardening including design, planting and maintenance. Together we will explore how to use these simple, low maintenance, affordable and practical principles in your gardens. Enjoy interesting, invigorating, and FUN new approaches to gardening!

Sustainable gardening

Sustainable Gardening

Learn how sustainable gardening encompasses a variety of practices that respond to environmental issues. These practices are used in gardening including design, planting and maintenance. Together we will explore how to use these simple, low maintenance, affordable and practical principles in your gardens. Enjoy interesting, invigorating, and FUN new approaches to gardening!

Outdoor bar

Congratulations Kathy Garrity!!

Please email your shipping address to: ja*@tw*************.com

Thank you for participating!

Happy Summer, Friends!

✿✿✿

 

Happy First Day of Summer, Friends!

Once again I am delighted to be part of the Gardener’s Supply Company’s product review program. This high quality outdoor bar is a perfect way to kick off the summer! I am excited to host this giveaway because one lucky reader is going to WIN their very own outdoor bar! Are you ready to play?

✿To enter today’s giveaway, leave a comment below – tell me your favorite herb to plant! One entry per person, please.

✿Comments will close by 9:00 p.m. EST on Friday, June 24th.

✿The winner will be chosen by Random Number Generator and announced in this post shortly thereafter.

Outdoor Bar

Outdoor bar

The reclaimed wood outdoor bar is a 2’ x 4’ elevated raised bed made in Vermont with a bar shelf to hold drinks and snacks. When not in use, simply fold the shelf down. Either way, it’s attractive in any outdoor space! Bonus: the planting area is large enough to grow vegetables like tomatoes and your favorite herbs for cocktails. Now you and your friends can pick and sip!

Reclaimed wood

The reclaimed wood is high-quality North American cedar and perfect for outdoor use. The bar is 3.5 feet high – an ideal height for standing or leaning on while sipping your favorite beverage of choice!

Assembly is easy – follow the directions carefully and take your time. I recommend asking a friend to help with the assembly – it’s definitely easier with two people.

Product Details

  • Assembly required
  • ​Butcher-block cedar, aluminum
  • 4′ L x 39-1/4″ W (including shelf) x 42″ H
  • 9-3/4″ planting depth
  • Holds 180 quarts of potting mix
  • Weighs 123 lbs.
  • Ships in two 60-70 lb. boxes
  • Stools sold separately
  • Gardener’s Supply Exclusive

FYI: Gardener’s Supply Company is on Facebook, Twitter: @gardenerssupply and Instagram: gardeners.

Friends, I am so excited for you all. Please tell your friends, share the summer fun because someone is going to be a winner…good luck! Cheers!

It’s planting time

Dave Thompson’s Healthy Grow

This time of year in Michigan we literally plant hundreds of annuals for our clients. We call it ‘flower day’! Our garden practices are strictly organic and sustainable, we never use harmful pesticides or herbicides so we fed the new plantings with Bulbs & Blooms by Dave Thompson’s Organic Healthy Grow. 

I like this product because it’s easy to apply to very large garden beds. We simply mixed it into the soil as we planted. But what I love most about Organic Healthy Grow is where it comes from and I think you will, too!

Here’s how it’s made:

“Every bag of Dave Thompson’s Organic Healthy Grow starts simply – with a chicken. The chickens we house at Pearl Valley Farms provide the eggs we sell under our Pearl Valley Eggs, Phil’s Fresh Eggs and Eggology liquid eggs brands, while the waste they produce is the main ingredient in our organic composted fertilizer.

We start with chicken litter from healthy, egg-laying chickens fed a calcium-rich diet. This litter is mixed with organic materials and left to air-dry and break down in our indoor composting facility. Our compost is regularly, and carefully, turned during the aerobic composting process to ensure complete aeration, a vital aspect behind promoting microbial growth. Once the composting process has been completed, we test and bag the finished product. Because we believe so much in the quality and effectiveness of Dave Thompson’s Organic Healthy Grow, we ensure that every bag of fertilizer we sell is of the utmost quality. To us, “The Way its Made Matters,” and we won’t have it any other way.”

I agree with Organic Healthy Grow, the way it’s made does matter! In a few months, we will give the plantings another feed with their Bone Meal AND update you on the results.

We are expecting big healthy flower blooms this year! We’ll post pictures of the beautiful flower beds and let you be the judge. Stay tuned!

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