Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Final weekend for CMN Plant Sale at Costco Avon, MA

This year's sale will be wrapping up over the next four days -- Thursday thru Sunday, 10:00am to 5:00pm. Master Gardener volunteers from Mass Hort should be around on Saturday (all-day).

So come on down, make a donation to the Children's Miracle Network and Children's Hospital Boston, and take home some very nice plants. The families of local kids will appreciate it.

Costco Avon
120 Stockwell Dr.
Avon, MA 02322

Monday, April 26, 2010

WANTED
3” and 4” plastic pots*
Last seen containing your new nursery plants.

Charity plant sale to benefit Children's Hospital Boston desperately seeking plastic pots. If you have any to give, or know anyone who does, please contact me ASAP. {*virtually all sizes can be used}

Aaron
774-273-0018
pchelp@aarontarver.org
http://gardenblog.aarontarver.org

Plant sale will be located in front of Costco Wholesale, 120 Stockwell Dr, Avon, MA
(Near IKEA and Jordan's) each Friday*Saturday*Sunday in May 2010.
Opening day is Friday, April 30.

Featuring plants grown by my family & friends and also donated by:
Arnold Arboretum, J.P. Bartlett Co, Zabo Plant, PW Pleasant View Gardens,
Garden Patch and more.

~ Perennials, Tomatoes, Veggies, Herbs, Lilies, specialty plants and more ~

Monday, April 19, 2010

last call for the potting party

YOU (yes YOU!) are invited
CMN potting party
Saturday April 24th
1 PM till we run out of soil or Tequila what ever comes last
256 Kirk Terrace North Dighton MA
Michelle Tarver 508-386-0759
call AARON for directions.( If you know ME you know why!)
What to bring?
Plants to share,soil, plastic pots,garden gloves hand tools( aka trowles) if you have them,beach chair,Most of all Desire to have fun and get messy!
You do not have to sign up,but it will help me buy enough limes and ice!So please if you know you are coming or, are thinking about it can you write your name below? Thanks! -Crazy Plant Lady, Michelle

Friday, April 16, 2010

Can I get an AMEN and Boogie woogie....

Mass Hort outreach and I FINALLY talked. Kathy G is WONDERFUL! And she gave me a hot tip on a sale tomorrow.... So relieved and hopeful. Now The Amazing Kathy has to pull volunteers out of thin air to help me!

Plus Arnold Arboretum in Jamacia Plain is donating Lilacs! Oh HAPPY DAY.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

GARDEN STRONG

8 days till the potting party

Breathing, people from work ARE gonna come to the party. I do need LOADS of dirt and pots still( and food and some adult beverages and kid stuff) But am glad they are coming.

14 days to the Plant sale start.

Mass hort IS coming.( Thank you GOD...). if I could just get to SPEAK to them instead of playing phone tag

Got some pots donated by Costco that will make a great herb garden collection type thing.

The Agribond I ordered in MARCH FINALLY showed up( in time for MORE frost...c'mon weather! Be nice for me please?!)

The Zabo Lilllies are growing quite nicely.
Still trying to line up pick ups for JP Bartlett's kind donations,and pleasant Gardens in NH. Need THOSE guys logos and Dana's at Broadway gardens, plus Kathy Berlos and Mass Horts for fliers and balloons.

Random facts:
Demo guy Ray is working is magic with a plant growing friend.. I have no idea what he will show up with... but I know it will be good. Ray is almost as nuts ad I am about this project

Aaron fainted when I said " For NEXT YEARS sale..

it takes 2 1/2 hours to water the plant sale farm by hand.

Keiran has come up with a slogan after helping me slog the water along.. there is strong and then there is "GARDEN STRONG" YEAH!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

And it get Better.. hear the sarcasm?

SO some bird brain (aka ME) left the majority of her seeds out side.. not a big deal until it RAINED.

I admit to crying when found them. Then all of us spent the next4 hours sowing anything that was not saveable. about 40 odd trays of seedlings9 its 8 six packs to a tray....

I am very tired of dirt.

SOS Save our sale. Please help

A hail Mary letter went out on Monday. So far no replies and There seems to be some confusion with MassHort the MG's speaker bureau. I was SOO counting on the MasterGardenrs to help staff the table. If you have a green thumb and want to spend a few hours directing people to the right plant for their needs and help sick kids at the same time PLEASE contact me!

To Whom It May Concern:

We are planning a charity plant sale to benefit Children's Miracle Network in support of Children's Hospital Bostonto be held beginning 30 April thru the end of May 2010 at Costco Avon. We would like your assistance.

We successfully facilitated a small-scale plant sale May 2009 and raised $3300. We aim to raise $10,000 in 2010. We are attempting to grow a great deal of the plants at my home. However, the recent flooding rains we received in March washed out a great deal of the plant material that was grown specifically for the sale for this year and plants intended for 2011.

We are asking for your support by replacing these plants though donations of:
Plants (herbs, veggies, perennials, annuals,bedding plants, shrubs, etc.)
* Growers mix and pots, fertilizers, insect and disease control products.


We are also in need of: *

Any staff that would like to spend a few hours sharing their knowledge of plants at the sale tables; monetary donations were always greater when a green-thumb was on hand to advise. Volunteers will receive a one-day shopping pass to Costco Avon, free parking, and a voucher for lunch at the food court.
*
Any other items you think would be helpful in our endeavor would also be welcome.

Costco Avon will provide one extra large Children's Miracle Network Balloon with your business information posted in a prominent location for any donation worth $250.00 at retail.

This request can be validated by contacting Shannon Lundholm (Warehouse Mgr),Ed Pope (Front End Assistant Manager) or Eric DeSatnick (Marketing Mgr) at Costco Avon, 120 Stockwell Dr, Avon, MA 02322, Tel 508-232-4001.

For any other questions, or to coordinate a donation, you may contact us directly.

Aaron and Michelle Tarver
256 Kirk Terrace

North Dighon MA 02764

Home phone 508-386-0759

Cell 774-273-0020 774-273-0018

We deeply appreciate your attention in this matter and look forward to hearing from you

Monday, April 5, 2010

What's sprouting.

Winter sowing is working! There are 10 bread trays with sprouted containers( only 8 that have none so over half! WHOO HOO) It's about 47 types of plants so far! The following seeds have sprouted:
Lupine( very light germination)
Delphiniums
Triamdeau pansy
African daisy
nemisa Poetry lavender
mesculn mix lettuces
Cilantro
Centura Montana( bachelor buttons)
Nasturtiums
lil' finger carrots
Norther sea oats
MS wildflower mix
Statice Mix
Blue boy corn flower
Pink Bee balm
verbena bunos Aries
agastache Anastasie
sweet allysum
carnation can can Scarlet
giant princess mix annual aster
Moundry fountain gass
porcupine grass
white daisy
lambs ears
primrose fuchsia
white swan Echnecia
sweet willam
clematis from my seeds( so not going to come true,,possibly a nelly moser type)
purple Echnecia
Gentian Violet
cabbage dutch early flat
onion
broccoli rabe
alyssum carpet of snow
snow ball cauliflower
pansy matrix bloch white
false queen anne lace
lobilla crystal palace
morning glory mix
bunny tail grass
snapdragon
verbascum
blue eye daisy
Siberian wall f flower
Delphinium
Dill Mammoth
Rudbeckia

I sowed 27 flats of stuff today~! Tomato,sunflowers,pumpkins,beans,gourds,squashes,cukes.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Crazy Plant Lady needs your HELP!


CMN Potting Party
What ??
Come and help Crazy Plant Lady pot up the plants that will be sold to raise money for CMN/ Children's Hospital Boston
Why??
Because its good for the kids. The money raised goes in to the hospital's General Fund any provides fun activities for sick kids and can help un and under-insured kids get care!
It will be fun for us, Food,music,drinks(age appropriate!) friends and a little work!
WHEN
April 24th 1pm till ???
Where
256 Kirk Terrace Dighton MA 02764) you know you always wanted to see what Dighton looked like!)
Who: CrazyPlant Lady aka Michelle Tarver
774-273-0020 cell
508-386-0759 home


If you can not come but STILL want to help?

Here is how:
I need Potting soil,
Potting mix,
Pots of all sizes
I need people willing to help transport the plants to the store from my home.
I am also still in need of about 500 plants.
Are you dividing perennials you do not like? Do not have room for or have plants you love and want to share? Is you mom your friend your neighbor dividing or moving plants? Anything but poison ivy I'll take it and put it to good use

And I need people to help transport the plants to the store stating April 24th.
The Plant sale still needs some volunteers to work with the master Gardner's from Mass Horticulture .
They are donating their time to help provide “plant smart” people to man the tables. All you need to do is cashier,water and assist members find the plants
Call Michelle at 774-273-0020

Monday, March 15, 2010

Oh baby!! Sprouts I got SPROUTS!

Just EXCITED that crazy Wintersowing method I use to start seeds? Its working! The bachelor buttons have SPROUTS! yeeee  HAWWW.. and many others have slipped seed coats and radicles showing. If the rain EVER stops ( I thought I moved outta WA?!!)  I'll take a pic and show you.
Join me in the Happy seed sprouting dance!  

Thursday, March 4, 2010

The lilies are here!

In  50 lb boxes Each with mini pallets around them to protect them. (working at Costco I guess makes this notable and amusing. itty bitty pallets VS giant ankle crushing ones) .

They are outside and its too dark for a pic but I am hoping to get one tomorrow. Its an impressive packing job really..and should make beautiful plants! I am thinking 3 tubers per 4" pot all of same cultivar.. I have 2 kinds.
I am trying to help apply that rule of 3's for landscaping symmetry...and I think I can sell more plants that way .

This sale is shaping up to be FUN.  Boss Lady is making Jewelery! I can't wait to see it... Hey it's for a good cause!! And Chrissy is making "Toothfairy" pillows ... http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000GPWOGW loosely alnog these lines.

I have to get off my butt and decide on Crafts and load up Heather B with the supplies.. Patrice is making phone calls to al the garden clubs and craft stores to see who can help. Sheree is calling the nurseries I need Dirt..er  SOIL for the real gardeners and PLANTS. Aaron is hitting up hardware stores for conduit so he can build me some mini hoop houses. Johnnys seed let me buy the coverings at 25% off.  OH and WICKED PISSA COOL.. a lady we will call by her online name "Garden weed" is sending me pots... and has mentioned she may have plants for 2011! Yep I said I am officially planning 2011 sale already! AND another internet stranger from WAAYYY UP north  (past you Muscles Mo') has volunteered to come to the end of the universe (aka Dighton MA) and help with the POT PARTY in April! How ya like them apples!! 

In the next few days I gota get those lilles potted, start tomitillos under lights,pinch all the plants I DO have under lights . It's heartbreaking at 1st but it makes a better plant you pinch off the big top growth to make the plant put on more so its stronger and fuller. And you can use the pinches to make new plants . But I have about 300 plants under lights.
So it's time consuming.
I need to start a bunch of Herbs and finish all the Winter sowing. Thankfully I am running out of WINTER! 56 days till plant sale and 32 days till SPRING!!  So its going all right need more dirt pots bodies and plants  but it is a controlled chaos... (do you really believe that?!)

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Happy happy nerd dance... Books about PLANTS! shweet

Happy happy nerd dance... I had a garden friend recommend some books to me:

"The Well-Tended Perennial Garden: Planting and Pruning Techniques" by Tracy DiSabato-Aust

"American Horticultural Society Plant Propagation: The Fully Illustrated Plant-by-Plant Manual of Practical Techniques"

I have had both at one time or another from the library and loved them.  Now I have my very own copies to make notes in and get dirty! 

Woot!

 

Thursday, February 25, 2010

60 days...and PANIC

Ok, So this is the low point. I am stressed, grumpy and W_O_R_R_I_E__D.  Worried I do not have enough plants committed or people committed or donations secured. I feel like I am pushing a 1969  Olds 88 up hill in the rain with one hand tied behind my back. I KNOW once I crest the hill it will be a fast fun ride...but the top of the hill feels a long long way off.

So what's a girl to do?
 I sketched the layout with one of the worker bees help ( Keiran aside from Playing a mean game of football spouting Math like his dad and cooking well can also draw.  I am sure he's mine but hes so talented I wonder how it happened some times! )

I potted up ALL THE tomatoes yesterday.( Marmand Supers weets early girls and 4th of July.
Aaron added more lights..that I stared Petunia baby duck and merlot madness under ( with thanks to BALL HORT)
I potted up the parsley and Cilantro in to 4" pots.
I made cuttings from  the  parsley and the basils

I practiced the cruel art of pinching plants to make the bushier and fuller on the Mini bell peppers and the Serrano Chillies... and used the pinches to make hopefully new plants.

Aaron made me a nice hot chocolate with Kahlua baileys and Kirkland vodka( if you have not tired it you should!)  and I Prayed.
 
God's idea of timing and mine do not match. but he is always just in time. So I'll keep pushing and hope I catch up to him soon. In the mean time if you want to help push please . Reach out and touch me OK?

Sketch of plant sale layout

Sketch of plant sale layout - #1

From Crazy Plant Lady

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Volunteers Needed - Tentative Schedule

We are in need of Master Gardeners (or other plant-smart people) to volunteer at the tables. Last year's sales and other donations were always greater when a plant-smart person was at the table.

The Plant sale is going to be each of the 5 weekends in May (Fri, Sat, Sun) from 10a - 6p.
Location: Costco Avon, 120 Stockwell Dr, Avon, MA 02322

April 30 - May 2 -- Featuring 4" Geraniums from JP Bartletts of Sudbury, MA.
May 7- May 9 (Mom's day) -- Featuring Proven Winners 10" hanging baskets from Pleasant View Gardens of Loudon, NH.
May 14 - May 16
May 21 - May 23 -- Highlighting on Heirloom tomato and veggies
May 28 - May 30 (Memorial day weekend) -- The lets-get-rid-of-all-the-plants sale... and featuring Flanders Poppies.

Set up and tear down is on the warehouse.

It may be inside the warehouse... that is still TBD. (But last year we were outside.)

What I DO know is: Each volunteer will get a 15 min break every 2 hours: a free one day shopping pass to Costco, and a voucher for lunch at the Costco food court. Parking and cold bottled water are free. And since it is at Costco... real bathroom facilities on site. (always a plus! lol)

We'd like to see 3 to 4 MG's do 4 hour shifts (10a-2p, 12n-4p and 2p-6p). We think we can keep 3 to 4 MG's pretty busy. So the more the merrier.

If the MG's have plant material to donate, we would welcome that as well. I am making bench cards for all the plants, so if they know what they are bringing and can tell me at least a week ahead of time... that would be helpful.

As I said before, Children's Miracle Network, on behalf of Children's Hospital Boston, will verify all volunteer hours so they can be credited towards volunteer requirements for the MG's.

Please click the link Join Our All-Volunteer Force (to the right)


View Larger Map

This post will be updated as necessary.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Winter Sown containers



The top picture is our winter sown containers as of 2010.02.09. The bottom picture is the same containers with a nice blanket of snow (as of 2010.02.16).

Monday, February 15, 2010

Plant Sale - Donor Updates

The last 2 days have provided a couple new partners.

Cathy Berlo, of the Garden Patch (59 New State Hwy, Rt 44, Raynham, MA), is on board to give to the sale this year. (She also gave last year.) She has not yet determined what she will contribute.

PLEASANT VIEW GARDENS, INC.
7316 PLEASANT STREET
LOUDON,NH 03307
http://www.pvg.com

PVG is going to donate 10" hanging baskets ready to sell. We will probably feature them for the Mothers' Day Weekend. Unfortunately, PVG says we need to pick up the donation and they are 2+ hours drive from my house. Great donation. Hopefully there is someone closer to Loudon NH that will be willing to deliver them to Avon, MA.