Casa Mariposa: The Usual Suspects

The Usual Suspects

Tammy and Aunt Marilyn

If you've stumbled across my blog and found this page, welcome! I'm a slightly crazy gardener armed with a cheap shovel, worm compost, and a constant supply of big plans for the organic flower garden and ecosystem I've created. I am often foiled by the weather and the ever-encroaching canopies of mature ash and oak trees that have left me with more dry shade than I'd like. A spot that's slightly moist and sort of sunny one year is dry and shady the next. The lovely lady in the picture with me is my Aunt Marilyn who is featured in the post Dear Aunt Marilyn. Yes, she's real and no, you can't have her.

I love the challenge of gardening and have learned that Mother Nature is the ultmate teacher. Gardening successfully often starts with first learning what the plant doesn't need, observing why the surrounding plants are happy while the others are dead, and just refusing to accept defeat! So take heart that no ones garden is perfect and the best gardeners out there have killed a lot of plants! And if you've ever met a gardener who claims to have a problem-free garden, they're either highly medicated or lying.

The Usual Suspects

I share my garden with five shelter dogs rescued from a no-kill shelter. My ironweed (vernonia) has disappeared and a dog-shaped depression in the soil has taken its place... They are a tight-knit pack and rather mafia-ish in their refusal to admit guilt. Their mob names are in parenthese.

Genie (the Weenie) - beagle mix

I was asleep when it happened. I'm innocent!!!

Scout (Jr) - Genie's son - beagle/golden retriever mix

I was busy snuggling and sleeping.

It wasn't me!

Lucy (the Noodle) - beagle/basset/golden retriever mix

Look into my eyes and repeat after me: "It was the squirrels, I tell ya! Squirrels!!"

Baby (Momma Dog) - dachshund/corgi mix

Are you kidding me?

I am utterly disgusted that you would even consider me a party to such nonsense.

Chance (the Rat) - rat terrier

It was Genie!! It was Genie!! Listen to me! I'm in charge!!

Chance died in March 2012 from liver cancer.

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I've started making a list of the online nurseries that don't use systemic neonicotinoid pesticides. As I have time to make more calls, hopefully I'll be able to add to this list. If you know of a nursery that is systemic-free, please let me know.

Annie's Annuals - CA

Arrowhead Alpines - WI

Bluestone Perennials - OH

Brushwood Vines - GA

Dancing Oaks - OR

Dawn's Wild Things - NY

Digging Dog - CA

EcoTulips - VA

Edible Landscaping - VA

Far Reaches Farm - WA

Forest Farm - OR

Greener Earth Nursery - OR

High Country Gardens - NM/CO

Hostas Direct - MN

Joy Creek Nursery - OR

Lazy S's Farm Nursery - VA

Mountain Valley Growers - CA

Niche Gardens - NC

Prairie Moon Nursery - MN

Prairie Nursery - WI

Rolling River Nursery - CA

Santa Rosa Gardens - FL

Select Seeds - CT (They also sell plants.)

Streambank Gardens - DE

The Tasteful Garden - AL

Tripple Brook Farm - MA

Xera Plants - OR

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Peace Tree Farm/Garden Geek (They're only available for purchase at garden centers but are completely organic.)

Why All the Best Plants Come in a Box!

When I first heard about mail order plants, I mentally stuffed the notion in the same brain file as fake cheese, high waisted pants, and pathetic drug addicted annuals that only thrive when hooked up to a constant horticultural IV of Miracle Grow. I WAS WRONG!!! Although still not a fan of fake cheese, pants that come up to my ribs, or fertilizer addicted annuals, I am IN LOVE with the online nurseries listed in my blog!!! They all have outstanding customer service and incredible plants usually not found in local nurseries.

LAZY S'S FARMS - They sell so many plants, I spend days on their website trying to choose just a few to add to my garden each year. Because they are based in the southeast, I can always rely on them for spot-on accurate advice and planting info about each plant. The plants arrive quickly and in perfect condition. Their lists of special plants, such as plants that do well in dry shade or attract pollinators are especially helpful. They sell plants you won't find anywhere else! When I'm desperate for a particular plant, they are my first stop! They also show pictures of the plants growing in a garden setting which really helps me visualize how they'll look in my garden.

NICHE GARDENS - I stumbled upon Niche Gardens through a Google search, and thus, the love affair began! They are smaller than the other nurseries, but carry many fabulous southeastern natives. The plants always arrive in excellent condition with strong root systems. They sell many plants that thrive in our humid summers instead of collapsing into a mildewy mess. I can always count on them for zone 7 natives and efficient, friendly service. If I purchased every plant from them I have circled in their catalog, I'd have to annex my neighbors yard to grow them all!

PRAIRIE MOON NURSERY - Prairie Moon is a virtual Noah's Ark of native species. They sell bare root plants, potted plants, and wildflower seeds. Reading their catalog is like having a private tutor take you through an ecology/botany lesson. Their bare root plants are incredibly affordable and ALWAYS grow! The roots arrive moist and often with top growth. Even the seeds I've purchased from them sprouted this spring. I have beautiful drifts of various types of milkweed and other wildflowers in my garden thanks to Prairie Moon! Thanks to their affordable prices, I can always buy all the plants I want instead of having to choose just a few.

Meet TS and Come See the Rest of the Garden...

The Usual Suspects