Michigan Gardener - Your guide Great Lakes gardening: Garden Event Calendar / Expert Advice / Plant Profiles / Tree Care

PLEASE NOTE: In the autumn of 1995, we hatched the idea for a free, local gardening publication. The following spring, we published the first issue of Michigan Gardener magazine. Advertisers, readers, and distribution sites embraced our vision. Thus began an exciting journey of helping our local gardening community grow and prosper.
After 27 years, nearly 200 issues published, and millions of copies printed, we have decided it is time to end the publication of our Print Magazine and E-Newsletter.

Jeff Ball: 1939-2011

November 18, 2011 • Leave a Comment

Jeff BallOn Friday, November 11, 2011, Jeff Ball passed away peacefully at home in central Michigan. He battled prostate cancer for 7 years and was with hospice care since September. Jeff was a full-time garden communicator for over 30 years. He wrote 9 books, a weekly yardening column for the Detroit News Homestyle section, and columns on tools and vegetables in Michigan Gardener. He also produced garden videos, a CD-ROM, and a garden planner software package. For 8 years he was the gardening expert on the NBC Today Show in New York City.

It was a pleasure working with and knowing Jeff. He provided practical advice and keen insights to gardeners and homeowners alike. Filled with warmth and wit, his clear writing was a joy to read. He will be missed.

– Eric & Jonathon Hofley

Burpee “I Can Grow” Youth Garden Award helps school and community gardens across the nation

November 14, 2011 •

Burpee Home Gardens® is now accepting applications for the 2012 “I Can Grow” Youth Garden Award. In its third year, the “I Can Grow” program continues to support urban school and community gardens in cities across the United States. To date, the “I Can Grow” program has provided more than 8,000 vegetable and herb plants to help create 16 gardens nationwide.

The 2012 “I Can Grow” Youth Garden Award will be presented to established or start-up school and community gardens that demonstrate well-developed and staffed plans for a youth-centered educational program, with an emphasis on nutrition and food production, environmental awareness, social responsibility and scholastic integration.

Two grand-prize winners will be awarded up to 500 vegetable and herb plants and $2,500 in garden supplies. They also will receive on-site assistance for initial garden layout and installation from the experts at Burpee Home Gardens, 5 gallons of Daniels® Plant Food, one hose-end sprayer and a Flip Video™ camera to document the garden’s progress throughout the year. In addition, three runner-up winners will receive 500 vegetable and herb plants, 5 gallons of Daniels® Plant Food, one hose-end sprayer and a Flip Video camera.

Educators and community garden leaders can visit www.burpeehomegardens.com to download the application and review eligibility requirements. All entries must be postmarked by Friday, Dec. 23, 2011. Winners will be announced no later than the week of Feb. 6, 2012.

What is a plant volunteer?

November 13, 2011 •

What do people mean when they say a particular plant is a “volunteer?”

A plant is called a volunteer when it grows in an area it wasn’t planted. These can either be desirable or undesirable plants. If you like the way it looks, it’s a desirable plant; if you don’t, of course it becomes undesirable. Another word for a volunteer plant is “weed.” The definition of a weed is any plant that grows where it’s not wanted. A beautiful sunflower is a weed/volunteer when it appears in a bean field. There are several ways these plants can get to your flower bed or garden. They may come from roots or seeds you planted the previous year, animals may deposit them in their feces, birds can drop the seeds, or the wind may blow them in. If you like the plant… leave it; if not…remove it!

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