November 02, 2018
Lawn Gone! Book Party and Giveaways!
March 04, 2013Lawn Gone!Have you been waiting for the book-release party to start here at Digging? Well, today’s the day! To celebrate the release of my new book, Lawn Gone! Low-Maintenance, Sustainable, Attractive Alternatives for Your Yard, you’re all invited to my Lawn Gone Book Party – with some very …
What’s with that big pile of dirt? and other garden happenings
March 01, 2013 I am having such a good time in the garden right now. And by right now I mean the past few weeks. My annual Valentine’s Day cut-back of the garden spruced things up and revealed the structure of the garden again, just before spring revs up lush …
My gardening website picks are in HGTV Magazine
February 28, 2013Look for me in this month’s issue of HGTV MagazineWant to know which gardening websites four “experts,” including moi, find indispensable? Then check out the March 2013 issue of HGTV Magazine, page 130. We were asked to name our favorite gardening blog, planting guide, online shop, and app …
It’s gopher season
February 27, 2013Gopher plant ‘Winter Blush’Right after the groundhog makes his appearance in Punxsutawney, the gophers start blazing here in Austin. Gopher plant, that is. Formally, and more elegantly, known as Euphorbia rigida, gopher plant is one of my favorite full-sun, hot-spot plants. Its blue-green foliage visually cools things down …
Lawn Gone needs reader reviews
February 26, 2013 Hey, friends, if you’ve had a chance to read my new book, Lawn Gone!, and you enjoyed it, I’d really appreciate if you’d take the time to leave a review on Amazon. I just noticed that there are no reader reviews yet. You could be the first …
Blooming abutilon and other spring signs
February 25, 2013 Last year I carelessly transplanted this ‘Marilyn’s Choice’ abutilon to the lower garden, making room closer to the house for something I liked better, since ‘Marilyn’ can look pretty scrawny when not in bloom. And now she’s rewarding me—I feel unworthy!—with these charming, red-and-yellow, bell-shaped blossoms, which …
Drive-By Gardens: Cottage updated with modern, no-lawn garden
February 23, 2013 Cruising through north-central Austin’s Brentwood neighborhood last week, I rubbernecked at this newly installed lawnless garden, whose contemporary styling really stands out against the cottagey charm of the home. There are a lot of things to admire about the design: the very drought-tolerant plant palette, which includes …
Brace yourself–spring is coming!
February 21, 2013 Now where did she plant those bulbs last fall? By the way, if you happen to have purchased a copy of my book, Lawn Gone!, I’m collecting images of the book in readers’ gardens or homes. I got the idea after several readers spontaneously shared such photos …
Winter into spring at the Wildflower Center
February 20, 2013 I took a fire-wise landscaping class at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center last week, and I arrived early enough for a leisurely stroll around the gardens. The sunshine and blooming Mexican plums promised spring, but a chill in the air spoke of winter. By the time …
Great audience at my first talk and Lawn Gone signing!
February 18, 2013 The awesome crowd at my talk last Saturday My 7th blogiversary came and went on Valentine’s Day, and I forgot all about it until last night. Seriously, it’s a wonder I remember my own name after the whirlwind ride of last week. My book, Lawn Gone!, debuted …
February leaves glow even when flowers are absent
February 16, 2013 Thank goodness for handsome foliage or my February garden would be sadly bereft of interest, since springtime flowers haven’t kicked into gear yet. Here’s an old favorite for sunny, year-round color, ‘Color Guard’ yucca. ‘Sticks on Fire’ euphorbia glows more brightly in winter, its fleshy stems citrus-tinged …
Come see me at The Natural Gardener tomorrow!
February 15, 2013 Hey, Austin friends! I hope you’ll come on out to The Natural Gardener nursery tomorrow, Saturday the 16th at 10 am, to hear me talk about lawn alternatives for central Texas. I’ll be signing copies of my brand-new book, Lawn Gone!, afterward. Meet me in the big, …
Amorous amaryllis, be my Valentine
February 14, 2013 A sugar-dusted, peppermint-striped, sweetheart of an amaryllis opened up just in time for Valentine’s Day. ‘Apple Blossom’ is her name. Her spring-green throat is silky and touchable. Her cheeks are blushing. She brightens breakfasts and dinners at the end of our kitchen table by the window. And …
Do plants flirt?
February 13, 2013 “My darling, I yearn for your touch.” Can’t you imagine these two getting all lovey-dovey as the elegant ghost plant reaches out to the pretty little agave? “Come on, give us a kiss!” All material © 2006-2013 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited …
