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.

Botanical Glass Exhibition: March 25-29

March 24, 2011 •

This weekend, check out some extraordinary works of glass art mixed with collections of exotic and unusual botanicals at the new Planterra Conservatory in West Bloomfield. These works of art are the work of Detroit-based Furnace Design Studio.

The exhibition, jointly produced by Planterra and Furnace Design Studio, will offer special lectures, tours, and videos. The artwork presented within a garden setting is also a demonstration of the healing benefits of color and horticultural therapy. A special roundtable discussion on art and color therapy will take place on March 29th.

The exhibition is open to the public from 10am-5pm beginning March 24 through March 29. For more information visit www.botanicalglass.org.

Lead tainting some urban gardens

March 23, 2011 •

From NPR:

With remnants of once-legal lead paint, leaded gasoline and other pollutants from the nation’s industrial past tainting land in U.S. cities, soil researchers warn that the growing number of urban farmers and community gardeners need to test their dirt and take steps to make sure it’s safe.

Read the full story here…

Can I use a copper trellis to support climbing roses?

March 18, 2011 •

I would like to use a copper trellis to support climbing roses on a hot, south-facing wall. Will the copper get too hot and harm the rose canes that touch it?

Trellises and arbors are great garden accents that provide support and definition for vining or trailing plants. If not for support, these plants would meander aimlessly around the garden. Trellises and arbors with established plants can be used to provide interest to blank walls, frame other garden ornaments or provide a dramatic entrance to the garden.

The most popular material for trellises and arbors is wood. However, iron, copper, or other metal trellises are once again becoming popular. They lend a feeling of stability and elegance to the garden, and, in fact, are quite long-lasting when properly maintained (unpainted iron, for example, will rust).

Growing plants on metal arbors or trellises poses no particular problems. The vines will shade the metal as they grow, keeping it from absorbing excessive heat.

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