My 15 minutes …

USA Weekend coverI was ‘quoted’ in the article How to save on money on nearly everything in USA Weekend last weekend.

Garden and lawn care

Smart: Don’t hesitate to go for garden center leftovers. Annuals and perennials are likely root-bound by now, leaving you free to negotiate a lower price. Many plants can be given a makeover with this quick fix from Craig Cramer of Cornell University’s horticulture department: Turn the root ball upside down and use a knife to cut an X halfway up into the soil. Spread the four flaps and plant in well-prepared soil or potting mix. Then cut off the flowers and cut back the stems by about one-third to encourage the plant to take root faster. Water frequently

I use the air-quote around ‘quoted’ because I didn’t come up with this idea — even though I’ve done this with many pot-bound plants. A few weeks ago I got a call from a fact-checker from USA Today asking me if this really worked. I suggested some ‘weasel words’ like ‘Many plants will benefit from … ‘ because I know that this doesn’t work well with all plants you’ll find busting out of their pots this time of the year.

I wasn’t surprised to see that they didn’t take my advice on the weasel words. But I was surprised to see my name in the article.

Thanks to all who saw the article and emailed.

Weekend pix

Some images from the weekend, which included a very short tour of Cornell Plantations with some old family friends in town for a visit. Plantations is worth a visit if only to see the container collections right off the parking lot.

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Some hot hibiscus blooms at Plantations.
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And some nice lilies.
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Every year this border right outside the education building is a little different. And every time I marvel at the skill that goes into its design and execution.
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A favorite vignette from the border, including ricinus and beets.
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Another view of the containers.
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Some scenes from around the home garden. Red astilbe.
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The back sunny border.
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Allium, artemisia and jewelweed.
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Some blooms. Ligularia.
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A hybrid hazelnut I got from Phil Rutter close to 20 years ago.
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A bunch of filipendula closeups. Cotton candy.
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weekend pix