Skip to main content

Featured

A Closer Look at Winter Damage

But first, take a look at this gorgeous rainbow that we had on Friday! The five-day stretch of warm temperatures last week really jump-started the garden. Now that plants are putting out new growth, it is easier to see what kind of damage the winter left. Back in mid-January, we experienced five straight days of below-freezing temperatures. This caused much damage in Portland and areas where frigid winds were a factor. Here, we were fortunate to not get the wind and the cold temperatures were dampened by a blanket of snow. That said, it was a tough time for the garden and there are noticeable casualties but no outright deaths that I have seen. The bottlebrush ( Callistemon 'Woodlander's Red') did not like the cold at all. It was planted six years ago, in the north-facing garden no less, and I've not experienced die-back on it until now. A local expert said to cut it all the way back so that is what I did. If it doesn't make it, I won't be too distraught. It is

Win an unabridged CD audiobook of "Wicked Plants"

The winner is Darla of More Family and Flowers blog. Congratulations Darla and thanks to everyone who entered!


Who knew that the plant kingdom could be so dangerous? In "Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Atrocities", author Amy Stewart presents an A-Z encyclopedia of over 200 plants that can make you sick, cripple you or even kill you. Many of these plants could be lurking in your backyard although many come from far reaches of the world. Stewart weaves fascinating botanical facts with folklore, mythology, medicine and pop culture. This 4 CD audiobook (4.5 hours) is read by Coleen Marlo who was chosen Audiobook Reader of the Year for 2010 by Publisher's Weekly.


One lucky winner will receive a copy. To enter, leave a comment to this post and include your e-mail address so I can contact you if you are the winner. The contest is open through midnight Tuesday, August 23.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. I listen to audiobooks all the time in the car...I hope I win...bosbowl at gmail .com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think this would be great fun to listen to. Thanks for the opportunity. bowerbird53atsbcglobaldotnet

    ReplyDelete
  3. What an excellent "read". We listen to audio books when we travel and this would be a big hit. kmstrotheratgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  4. Perfect giveaway with school starting back and us parent gardener's spending so much time in the car playing taxi! rusdar at hotmai dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. With a half hour drive to work and back each day, I can finish it in a week. marycar@netspeednow.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. How interesting! We just bought a new house with beautiful, but neglected gardens. I've ripped out enough deadly nightshade to wipe out the town!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Phillip, This will be a fun listen~
    gailtilesatgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh, how VERY cool! I wish me lucky and I THANK you! Awesome blog!
    -ALTEREDsewFittingly@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Phillip, you give away the most interesting things! Put me in please. This sounds like something I'd really enjoy since I have a "dark side." Moo-ha-ha.
    scooterjen@tds.net

    ReplyDelete
  11. This book has been on my list. Thanks! cherylwbennett@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Having bought my first monkshood this year (and maybe last, considering that it died within 6 weeks), I'd love to read this. Thanks for the opportunity to vie for it!

    ccwinslow at mindspring dot com.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I often checkout audiobooks from the library. They're great for a long car trip. Please enter me in the drawing.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have been searching for this information since long time your suggestions and tips are really helpful for us..
    Thanks for the sharing this all with us..

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts