I found them during the holiday season in 2019, where they were sold as indoor plants in December, meant to be discarded when finished blooming. H. niger is one of my favorite perennials for it’s bloom time, evergreen foliage and toughness.

They wintered over in an unheated greenhouse and were planted last spring, later than they should have been. I lost a few to heat and drought, but the plants that survived have persisted. I was pleasantly surprised to see that not only were the blooms still there, a few were young with their white petals in tact. There’s a certain beauty to the older flowers that fade to deep pink. It’s fun to have a winter plant to enjoy before the spring season is upon us.

The post Helleborus niger blooms through winter. The Christmas Rose! appeared first on Doug Oster.

The post Getting amaryllis and paperwhites to rebloom, planting microgreens in Pitt Moss appeared first on Doug Oster.

Creating a foraging route now will have the birds hunting for insects from the garden to feed to their young.

The post Dance of the Snow Birds, feasting at the feeder. appeared first on Doug Oster.

My latest column for the Green Voice explain how to deal with annuals, tender plants and perennials as winter looms. Here’s everything you need to know.

The post How to get your garden ready for winter appeared first on Doug Oster.

The post How to plant garlic this fall for five harvests appeared first on Doug Oster.

“Home for the Holiday’s is a wonderful show filled with traditional holiday plants and whimsical surprises.

This is one of the new, hybrid poinsettias. It sports light pink brachts with white edging. It’s quite striking. In my experience these hybrids preform admiringly on the windowsill all winter long. While discussing the variety on social media, I discovered that it’s actually for sale locally.

The Drew Mathieson Greenhouse at Bidwell Training Center in the Manchester Neighborhood of Pittsburgh. It’s a wonderful place, which offers an amazing horticulture program at no cost for qualifying students out of high school and beyond.

To purchase plants call 412-231-7200 to arrange a curbside pickup.

The post ‘J’Adore Pink’ poinsettia available at Drew Mathieson Greenhouse at Bidwell appeared first on Doug Oster.

I love my Power Planter Garden Auger, it’s what I’ve used to plant thousands of bulbs. I’m not a paid spokesman for the tool, it’s simply the best I’ve ever used.

This is the link to the model I use. You can get 10 percent off by typing in the code WELOVEDOUG.

Now get out there a plant some bulbs!

The post Discount code for Power Planter auger I use appeared first on Doug Oster.

“Since launching online learning in the spring, PRC has received a tremendous amount of feedback concerning how the webinar format is an extremely convenient way to learn from the comfort of home,” according to PRC Education Specialist Nancy Martin.  “And the online format enables individuals throughout the Commonwealth to take part since webinars require no travel to a specific classroom location.”

Participants in the Backyard Composting webinars will receive compost bins following the webinars.  Those living in the greater Philadelphia area will pick up compost bins at Rose Tree Park in Media, Pa., while those living in the greater Pittsburgh area will pick up their compost bins at PRC’s headquarters located on the North Side.

To register for a PRC webinar, visit www.prc.org/programs/webinars or call 412-977-6146.

PRC conservation workshop webinars are sponsored by Green Mountain Energy.

BACKYARD COMPOSTING WEBINARS

Learn the benefits of backyard composting, including the overall process, methods for setting up a compost pile, proper maintenance and ways to use finished compost.  Course fee includes instruction plus a FreeGarden EARTH compost bin, which features an 82-gallon capacity ideal for both urban and suburban settings.  Cost: $70 includes webinar instruction and one compost bin.  Pre-registration is required.

BACKYARD COMPOSTING WEBINAR SESSIONS

Wednesday, November 4, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 10, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 18, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 24, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

BIN DISTRIBUTION IN SOUTHEASTERN AND SOUTHWESTERN PA BY APPOINTMENT

Individuals will register for a time to pick up compost bins after completing online instruction. 

FREE “RECYCLING & WASTE REDUCTION” WEBINAR – OPEN TO RESIDENTS LIVING THROUGHOUT PENNSYLVANIA

PRC will offer a free “Recycling & Waste Reduction” webinar on Tuesday, November 17, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.  The online workshop will answer common questions surrounding recycling issues such as curbside collection, hard-to-recycle materials and pharmaceutical disposal.  Learn recycling best practices by joining the webinar from ANYWHERE in Pennsylvania.  Cost:  FREE but pre-registration is required.

The post PENNSYLVANIA RESOURCES COUNCIL ANNOUNCES NOVEMBER 2020 ONLINE CONSERVATION WORKSHOP SCHEDULE appeared first on Doug Oster.

The post Extending the garden season in the Victory Garden appeared first on Doug Oster.

The post What to do with all those green tomatoes appeared first on Doug Oster.