<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="0.92"> <channel><title>BLACK GOLD - All the riches of the earth</title><link>http://www.blackgold.bz</link> <description>All the riches of the earth</description> <lastBuildDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:32:55 +0000</lastBuildDate> <docs>http://backend.userland.com/rss092</docs> <language>en</language><item><title>New OMRI-listed Black Gold Products</title> <description><![CDATA[Great news for organic growers! We are very proud to announce that six more of our great Black Gold® products are now OMRI-listed as well. Here&#8217;s the list and more on what it means to be OMRI-listed… Black Gold® Alfalfa Meal Fertilizer &#124; OMRI Certification Black Gold® Bone Meal Fertilizer &#124; OMRI Certification Black Gold® Blood Meal Fertilizer &#124; OMRI Certification Black Gold® All Purpose Fertilizer &#124; OMRI Certification Black Gold® Citrus, Avocado &#038; Vine Fertilizer &#124; OMRI Certification Black [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/new-omri-listed-black-gold-products?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=new-omri-listed-black-gold-products</link> </item> <item><title>P. Allen Smith Promotes Black Gold in 2012</title> <description><![CDATA[&#8220;Whether it’s houseplants or containers outdoors, Black Gold has a potting soil formulated to provide the ideal growing environment for all your plant projects.” ~P. ALLEN SMITH Visit P. Allen Smith&#8217;s Website Black Gold natural and organic potting soils, amendments and fertilizers weren’t created overnight. The brand was brought to life by a group of dedicated gardeners who had a commitment to sustainability and organic gardening. Our mixes contain rich ingredients, blended to work in balance with nature. OMRI, the [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/p-allen-smith-promotes-black-gold-in-2012?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=p-allen-smith-promotes-black-gold-in-2012</link> </item> <item><title>Paul Parent Garden Club To Feature Black Gold!</title> <description><![CDATA[&#8220;Good Morning, Gardeners!&#8221; is the cheery Sunday morning greeting familiar to over half a million radio listeners in New England and more from the rest of the United States, from &#8220;Mr. Nice Guy&#8221;, Paul Parent. Among other horticultural endeavors, Paul Parent has hosted &#8220;Paul Parent Garden Club&#8221; every Sunday morning from 6-10am on his syndicated talk show on the Genesis Communication network for the last 27 years. Paul&#8217;s expert gardening advice is now heard on stations all over the country [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/paul-parent-garden-club-featuring-black-gold?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=paul-parent-garden-club-featuring-black-gold</link> </item> <item><title>2012 Northwest Flower &amp; Garden Show &#8211; Seattle</title> <description><![CDATA[Thanks to all who joined us February 8th &#8211; 12th, 2012 at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle for this year&#8217;s Northwest Flower &#038; Garden Show. For all the details, be sure to visit the show&#8217;s official website. It felt like spring this year as we are preparing for the Northwest Flower &#038; Garden Show in Seattle this week and for Portland&#8217;s Yard, Garden &#038; Patio Show that was held in that city the following week. Theme this year [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/2012-northwest-flower-garden-show-seattle?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=2012-northwest-flower-garden-show-seattle</link> </item> <item><title>2012 Yard, Garden &amp; Patio Show &#8211; Portland</title> <description><![CDATA[Thanks to all who joined us February 17th &#8211; 19th, 2012 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland for this year&#8217;s Yard, Garden &#038; Patio Show. Show Hours Friday &#038; Saturday: 10am – 7:30pm Sunday: 10am – 5pm For more details, be sure to visit the show&#8217;s official website. It felt like spring as we were preparing for the big upcoming gardening shows in Portland and Seattle! Theme this year was “A Floral Symphony”. Shannon’s booth idea turned out great [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/2012-yard-garden-patio-show-portland?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=2012-yard-garden-patio-show-portland</link> </item> <item><title>Fast Draining Soil for Succulents</title> <description><![CDATA[&#8220;Water applied must drain through the soil in fifteen seconds. If it fails to do so, the soil is too dense.&#8221; Such advice came to me decades ago from an old school nurseryman who specialized in cacti and succulents. Back then I thought this fifteen second law regarding fast draining soil for succulents was ridiculous. After moving to the desert I learned what native cactus ground looks like. Water applied instantly vanishes into the soil. The nurseryman was right. Today [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/fast-draining-soil-for-succulents?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=fast-draining-soil-for-succulents</link> </item> <item><title>Unusual House Plants</title> <description><![CDATA[Often times when we think of house plants, we neglect to think of the many outdoor plants that might make enjoyable and unusual house plants, if given the right conditions. Or if we cannot duplicate the right conditions, many will at least last for several weeks or longer and then taken back outdoors. But during this interval, we have been able to enjoy them indoors. There are many factors involved with growing plants indoors and proper light is probably the most [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/unusual-house-plants?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=unusual-house-plants</link> </item> <item><title>Grow Organic: All or Part</title> <description><![CDATA[Call it botanical profiling. It&#8217;s gone on since the beginnings of agriculture. Tomatoes, corn and lettuce belong in the organic food garden. Flowers grow in the ornamental garden. The primary reason for such a division is that food growers are all about a clean, edible harvest. Flower growers put the emphasis on an abundance of perfect blooms throughout the season. They often use powerful synthetic fertilizers to achieve that end. With Black Gold OMRI-listed, all-organic fertilizers and potting soils, it&#8217;s [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/grow-organic-all-or-part?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=grow-organic-all-or-part</link> </item> <item><title>Donkey Tail</title> <description><![CDATA[With the various growth characteristics, foliage colors and textures of sedums, it is always interesting to see how people use them. Sedum morganianum, often called ‘Donkey Tail’ is a sedum that has long trailing stems. In the Pacific Northwest, it would need to be brought indoors as a house plant in the winter but can easily be grown outdoors during the summer months. Donkey Tail needs fast-draining soil and with the addition of pumice. Black Gold Cactus Mix is ideal for [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/donkey-tail?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=donkey-tail</link> </item> <item><title>Introducing Follow Our Experts</title> <description><![CDATA[Follow Our Experts is a new section on our website consisting of quick tips and recommendations made by our expert garden writers to jumpstart your growing knowledge. You can find the four most recent expert posts on the Black Gold Home Page and search a growing archive of handy gardening tips right here on our Follow Our Experts page, which can also be found under Resources on the menu above. Check back often to see the latest and greatest gardening [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/introducing-follow-our-experts%c2%a0?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=introducing-follow-our-experts%25c2%25a0</link> </item> <item><title>Gold Leaf Nursery Bare Root Planting Seminar</title> <description><![CDATA[A big &#8220;Thank You!&#8221; to all those who joined us for the Gold Leaf Nursery in Redding, California for the Bare Root Planting Seminar back on Saturday, January 28th, 2012. Miranda Kelly spoke about using Black Gold to plant blueberries, strawberries and bare root fruit trees. If you attended this seminar, let us know what you learned by leaving a comment below. For more info on upcoming events at Gold Leaf Nursery and Landscaping visit their website&#8217;s seminar schedule at [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/gold-leaf-nursery-bare-root-planting-seminar?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=gold-leaf-nursery-bare-root-planting-seminar</link> </item> <item><title>March 3rd: Advanced Soil and Garden Supply Customer Appreciation Day</title> <description><![CDATA[Join us Saturday, March 3rd, 2012 for the Advanced Soil and Garden Supply Customer Appreciation Day in Oroville, California. Saturday, March 3rd, Call for Hours Advanced Soil &#038; Garden Supply 350 Oro Dam Blvd. Oroville, CA 95965 (530) 533-2747 map]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/advanced-soil-garden-supply?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=advanced-soil-garden-supply</link> </item> <item><title>April 21st: Sparetime Supply Customer Appreciation Day</title> <description><![CDATA[Join us Saturday, April 21st, 2012 for the Sparetime Supply Customer Appreciation Day in Willits, California. Saturday, April 21st, 9:00am &#8211; 6:00pm Sparetime Supply 208 E. San Francisco Ave. Willits, CA 95490 (707) 459-6791 map]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/sparetime-supply-customer-appreciation-day?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=sparetime-supply-customer-appreciation-day</link> </item> <item><title>April 28th: Weathertop Nursery Customer Appreciation Day</title> <description><![CDATA[Join us Saturday, April 28th, 2012 for the Weathertop Nursery Customer Appreciation Day in Laytonville, California. Saturday, April 21st, Call for Hours Weathertop Nursery 44901 Harmon Dr Laytonville, CA 95454 (707) 984-6385 map]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/weathertop-nursery-customer-appreciation-day?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=weathertop-nursery-customer-appreciation-day</link> </item> <item><title>May 5th: Dazey Days at Dazey’s Supply</title> <description><![CDATA[Join us Saturday, May 5th in Redway, California for Dazey Days at Dazey’s Supply. Watch Dazey Days 2011 Video Saturday, May 5th, Call for Hours Sparetime Supply 3082 Redwood Drive Redway, CA (707) 923-3002 map]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/dazey-days-at-dazeys-supply?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=dazey-days-at-dazeys-supply</link> </item> <item><title>May 19th: Eel River Hydroponics Customer Appreciation Day</title> <description><![CDATA[Join us Saturday, May 19th, 2012 for the Eel River Hydroponics Customer Appreciation Day in Fortuna, California. Saturday, May 19th, 10:00 am &#8211; 5:00 pm Eel River Hydroponics 164 Dinsmore Drive Fortuna, CA 95540 (707) 726-0395 map]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/may-19th-eel-river-hydroponics-customer-appreciation-day?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=may-19th-eel-river-hydroponics-customer-appreciation-day</link> </item> <item><title>House Plant Ideas for Winter</title> <description><![CDATA[While there are always many things we can be doing in our garden during the winter months, it is also a time to give some thought to different house plant ideas. Here in the Pacific Northwest, I have been doing quite a bit of transplanting in my outdoor garden, and as I am probably like many gardeners, I have plants in the wrong places. Short plants are behind tall plants and vice versa. Also, as the garden changes, so does the [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/house-plant-ideas-for-winter?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=house-plant-ideas-for-winter</link> </item> <item><title>Portland Nursery Annual House Plant Event and Sale</title> <description><![CDATA[Portland Nursery held their Annual House Plant Event and Sale on January 20th &#8211; 22nd, 2012 at both of their Portland locations. Our own Donna Wright was their at the Division Street location potting up with Black Gold! Some of the other great perks at this event included: 30% off all houseplants, citrus, indoor bonsai, orchids, cactus 30% off all plant containers (pots) Free pot ups included with the purchase of a pot and a plant Friday &#8211; Sunday, January [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/january-20th-22nd-annual-house-plant-event-and-sale?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=january-20th-22nd-annual-house-plant-event-and-sale</link> </item> <item><title>Keys to Developing Quality Garden Soil</title> <description><![CDATA[Whether you&#8217;re growing a family food garden or cultivating your favorite roses, the key to developing quality garden soil is always organic matter. This material is vital to plant life whether you are growing all organic, partially so, or using standard horticultural practices. Consider this the panacea to many problems that routinely plague home gardens during the growing season. 1. Organic matter is vital to improving soil structure. When mixed into clay soils it opens up the tiny particles of [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/keys-to-developing-quality-garden-soil?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=keys-to-developing-quality-garden-soil</link> </item> <item><title>Spotlight On Fancy Leaf Begonias</title> <description><![CDATA[Begonias have always hovered in the shadows. They cluster beneath trees, in slotted shade of lath houses and on sun-deprived exposures. These unique plants, beloved by grandmothers everywhere, fell out of favor in the last few decades. Sure, I used Begonia richmondensis in hanging baskets and little wax begonias were a staple for shaded bedding areas, but these simply solved problems in shaded landscapes. Then I paid a visit to Ball Horticulture&#8217;s demonstration garden some years ago, and was so [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/spotlight-on-fancy-leaf-begonias?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=spotlight-on-fancy-leaf-begonias</link> </item> <item><title>Natural &amp; Organic Soil Builder</title> <description><![CDATA[Blended from nutrient rich compost and aged forest products, this pH adjusted soil builder mix will improve the soil in your garden by adding organic matter, promoting proper aeration, and increasing moisture retention and drainage. Use when preparing a new or existing garden bed, or when planting perennials, shrubs or trees. Applications: Use to amend new or existing beds; install trees, shrubs, and perennials; or whenever you need to improve any type of soil. Available – 1.5 cf. bags This [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/natural-organic-soil-builder?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=natural-organic-soil-builder</link> </item> <item><title>Wrap Up with Climbing Rex Begonia Vine</title> <description><![CDATA[If you are excited by the prospect of growing a unique vine indoors, there is none more interesting than the climbing Rex Begonia Vine, Cissus discolor. The leaves of this quick-growing vine are deep green, decorated uniformly with silvery brushstrokes, and when flipped, the leaves reveal surprising burgundy-red backsides matching its stems and tendrils. For the best results, give Rex Begonia Vine adequate support, allow it to dry slightly between waterings, and place it near your brightest windows.]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/wrap-up-with-climbing-rex-begonia-vine?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=wrap-up-with-climbing-rex-begonia-vine</link> </item> <item><title>Succulents Squared</title> <description><![CDATA[There are many fun things to do with succulents and a recent trend is to use them as pockets in a wall or planted in a wooden ‘picture’ frame and used either vertical or horizontal. In this particular photo, the wooden frame of succulents is part of a fence and notice the variety of colors and leaf shapes that have been used. This same succulent square could be used as a centerpiece on an outdoor table.]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/succulents-squared?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=succulents-squared</link> </item> <item><title>Re-Hydrating Potted Plants</title> <description><![CDATA[Watering potted plants is easy, but getting the whole root ball wet is hard. When you let the root ball dry out it shrinks away from the inner walls of the pot. If you pour on water, it goes straight down this gap and out the drain hole. The best way to rehydrate a plant in peat based potting soils wets the entire root ball, encouraging roots to travel into the center. You can do it on the kitchen counter [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/re-hydrating-potted-plants?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=re-hydrating-potted-plants</link> </item> <item><title>Colorful Crotons For Indoors Now and Outside Later</title> <description><![CDATA[Eye-catching Crotons easily chase away wintertime blues because the warm colors of their variegated leaves intensifies in cooler temperatures and bright sunlight. During winter months keep Crotons out of drafts and fluctuating temperatures to avoid leaf drop, hold back on fertilizer until spring, and remember to only use tepid water. You can begin moving your Crotons outdoors for vacation once nighttime temperatures remain around 50 degrees fahrenheit and higher.]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/colorful-crotons-for-indoors-now-and-outside-later?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=colorful-crotons-for-indoors-now-and-outside-later</link> </item> <item><title>Odd Poppy Seed Heads</title> <description><![CDATA[Gardening should be fun and I love visiting a garden and seeing the unexpected. I especially like it when it makes be smile. These might be considered as odd looking poppy seed heads, and they certainly are. The owner of this garden painted them purple to compliment some purple flowers in the background. I have seen people stop and ponder these seeds heads and then ask the owner what variety they are!]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/odd-poppy-seed-heads?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=odd-poppy-seed-heads</link> </item> <item><title>Abutilons as House Plants</title> <description><![CDATA[Surprise your guests with an Abutilon in bloom as a house plant. As long as these Abutilons have a good light source, they perform well indoors and then can be planted outside in the spring. This particular Abutilon is called ‘Red Tiger’ and the flowers look like fine cut glass. It is an outstanding plant in a pot, either in a house or on a deck, and when people visit my garden and see this in bloom, they are amazed at [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/abutilons-as-house-plants?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=abutilons-as-house-plants</link> </item> <item><title>Spiky, Snaky, Sensational Snake Plants</title> <description><![CDATA[Sansevieria (aka Snake Plants or Mother-in-law’s tongue) are architecturally dramatic houseplants. Native from environs as extreme as the nutrient-competitive jungle floor to arid deserts, this plant definitely doesn’t need pampering. Sansevieria thrive indoors in bright to low light, with minimal watering, so be sure to grow them in a porous potting soil, such as Black Gold Cactus Mix.]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/spiky-snaky-sensational-snake-plants?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=spiky-snaky-sensational-snake-plants</link> </item> <item><title>Create a Seasonal Green Roof</title> <description><![CDATA[This isn&#8217;t a true green roof but it offers a whole new way to plant succulents for your summer garden. You can turn the roof of any garden shed into a new place to grow succulents. Simply apply a edging on top of the fascia, then spread a layer of thick plastic sheeting on top of the roofing material. Poke small drain holes where you want it to drain. On top of this spread shallow layer (4&#8243; min.) of Black [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/create-a-seasonal-green-roof?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=create-a-seasonal-green-roof</link> </item> <item><title>Schefflera delavayi</title> <description><![CDATA[Many of us are familiar with the houseplant Schefflera as it is fairly common and easy to grow. Several years ago I was given Schefflera delavayi and was told it was an outdoor plant that would grow in my Pacific Northwest garden. I was skeptical but planted it outside. Now, after several very cold winters, my plant is thriving with no winter damage, shiny green leaves, and growth to about six feet. It gets morning sun but is protected from hot afternoon [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/schefflera-delavayi?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=schefflera-delavayi</link> </item> <item><title>Growing Herbs On Your Winter Windowsill</title> <description><![CDATA[Growing herbs on your winter windowsill during these colder months begins with repotting the plants you purchased from your local garden center or even the supermarket. At this time of the year your potted herbs will come to you in a 2 or 3 inch pot, great for starting seedlings but too small for growing and harvesting portions of the plant for cooking or salads. Herbs need room for the roots to grow properly so they can collect food and [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/growing-herbs-on-your-winter-windowsill?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=growing-herbs-on-your-winter-windowsill</link> </item> <item><title>Lucky or Curly Bamboo</title> <description><![CDATA[In my January Black Gold Featured Article, House Plant Ideas for Winter, I mentioned the houseplant Lucky Bamboo or Curly Bamboo (Dracaena sanderana), and that this is an excellent plant to use to encourage children to get involved with some of the wonders of gardening. Not only is the twisted stem a novelty but once the stems are placed in water, they quickly begin to form roots. I have found that children are often fascinated with this because rarely do they have an [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/lucky-or-curly-bamboo?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=lucky-or-curly-bamboo</link> </item> <item><title>Spa Treatment for Your Houseplants</title> <description><![CDATA[January is the perfect time to wash away dust that may have accumulated on the leaves of your houseplants by giving them a gentle hosing with tepid water in your tub or shower. This refreshing bath is especially beneficial to smooth-leafed houseplants, but not recommended for succulents or hairy-leafed plants such as African Violets.]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/spa-treatment-for-your-houseplants?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=spa-treatment-for-your-houseplants</link> </item> <item><title>Harvest Mosses for Container Plants</title> <description><![CDATA[Cool, damp winter temperatures bring mosses out in all their glory. This amazing spore bearing plant often grows on rocks, in shaded tree dells, the north side of a house, and anywhere else it&#8217;s wet enough. This moss is perfect for using in glass terrarium containers and as a surface covering for bonsai specimens. To harvest free mosses for container plants from your yard, gently lift it off the surface with your fingers so that it comes up in large [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/harvest-mosses-for-container-plants?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=harvest-mosses-for-container-plants</link> </item> <item><title>Getting The Fruit Back In Fruit Trees</title> <description><![CDATA[In the hoity toity world of landscape architecture, small flowering trees known as &#8220;accents&#8221; are often fruit trees bred to enhance the flowers but eliminate the fruit. The Japanese flowering cherry is a famous example in Washington DC. The Bradford pear has become a favorite white accent for urban gardens. But times have changed and my clients are all clamoring to get the fruit back without sacrificing beautiful flowers. January is a perfect time to think through the kinds of [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/getting-the-fruit-back-in-fruit-trees?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=getting-the-fruit-back-in-fruit-trees</link> </item> <item><title>Soil, Seed and Supplies:  Planning Your 2012 Garden</title> <description><![CDATA[One of the best things about backyard food gardening is that it demands we live by the seasons. Spring is for preparation. Summer demands maintenance. Autumn is the harvest. Most important of all is winter &#8211; the time for planning. Just as a landscape architect creates a garden on paper before it&#8217;s bid or built, it saves a lot of money and time to use January to plan your own food garden with research, notes and sketches. Do it right [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/soil-seed-and-supplies-planning-your-2012-garden?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=soil-seed-and-supplies-planning-your-2012-garden</link> </item> <item><title>Christmas Trees, Wreaths, Paperwhites</title> <description><![CDATA[Cut Christmas Trees When buying a cut tree at a lot, keep in mind that the tree has probably been cut for several weeks and it could even be several months. When the tree is cut, it is a natural response for it to seal off the cut in order to conserve moisture. Since the butt end is sealed, it can only absorb  a small amount of water, if any. This is the reason it is so important to make a [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/christmas-trees-wreaths-paperwhites?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=christmas-trees-wreaths-paperwhites</link> </item> <item><title>Air Plants</title> <description><![CDATA[One of the easiest house plants to take care of is the Tillandsia or often referred to as ‘air plants’. These will grow with no soil and as long as they are given light (not direct sun) and a weekly spray of water, will live for many years. Try placing them in a vase, as in the photo. There are many varieties of air plants to choose from and some will have much larger leaves than the group shown in the photo.]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/air-plants?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=air-plants</link> </item> <item><title>Quintessential Camellias</title> <description><![CDATA[Camellias are indispensable broadleaf evergreens in Southeastern landscapes. Varying in height from 3-foot rounded dwarfs to towering pyramidal trees, their irresistible wintertime blooms are a pleasure to enjoy in situ or indoors in arrangements. A traditional method of displaying cut Camellia flowers is to float the blooms in shallow bowls. Simply remember to refresh the water regularly and keep your arrangement out of direct sunlight in order to keep them fresh and lovely. &#160; &#160;]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/quintessential-camellias?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=quintessential-camellias</link> </item> <item><title>Hydrangea &#8216;Shooting Star&#8217;</title> <description><![CDATA[I think a plant makes an especially nice winter gift for the gardener if it is blooming and so can be enjoyed indoors and then later planted in the garden. Hydrangeas from a garden center (not a florist) are usually good choices. One of my favorites is Hydrangea ‘Shooting Star’. It blooms for a long period indoors and once spring has arrived, can be planted in the garden as a permanent plant.]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/hydrangea-shooting-star?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=hydrangea-shooting-star</link> </item> <item><title>Amaryllis After Care</title> <description><![CDATA[If you have any gorgeous, red amaryllis left over from the holidays, treat it well and it will reward you with blooms again next year. After the current flower fades, cut the stem off at the base but leave any newly forming leaves to remain. The foliage carries on photosynthesis to store energy in the bulb before it goes dormant. Move the potted bulb to new sunny location and keep it adequately watered until the leaves die back naturally. Then [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/amaryllis-after-care?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=amaryllis-after-care</link> </item> <item><title>The Visitors: Garden Art</title> <description><![CDATA[Garden art comes in many shapes, sizes and forms and often can reflect to something about the gardener. I love visiting gardens and seeing creative garden art that has been found, bought, or made. This past year one of the most original pieces I saw was a group of colored mannequin heads mounted on posts. In this garden, they looked as though they belonged and the owner titled them “The Visitors”. Make a resolution for 2012 to collect something unique [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/the-visitors-garden-art?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-visitors-garden-art</link> </item> <item><title>Saint Fiacre &#8211; Patron Saint of Gardening</title> <description><![CDATA[The world of gardening is full of legends and one of my favorites is that of Saint Fiacre, the Irish Patron Saint of Gardening. Here he is in my garden among the fall color of a hydrangea. He has a prominent place and welcomes visitors. With our cool and wet weather, he has developed moss on his face which adds more character. This holiday season, I send you good wishes and happy gardening in 2012!]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/saint-fiacre-patron-saint-of-gardening?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=saint-fiacre-patron-saint-of-gardening</link> </item> <item><title>Organic Solution for Spindly Palms</title> <description><![CDATA[If your palm is not growing vigorously, it may require fertilizer. Just like your lawn, palm trees love nitrogen and certain trace elements. These are all present in Black Gold Palm, Cactus &#38; Tropical fertilizer. Because it&#8217;s organic, the nutrients take time to become available to your palm. Fortunately, once available they remain so far longer than synthetic plant food. For those in Florida and other warm climates, help poor-doers indoors and out by feeding generously. You&#8217;ll have nutrients in [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/organic-solution-for-spindly-palms?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=organic-solution-for-spindly-palms</link> </item> <item><title>Teaming With Microbes</title> <description><![CDATA[With organic gardening, it&#8217;s all about soil microbes. What we do to enrich our soils with organic matter and humus helps to feed this population of invisible organisms. Their presence enhances fertility to help plants grow healthier with a stronger root and immune system. To truly understand how important this microbe-plant relationship is to your food garden, read Jeff Lowenfels&#8217; outstanding book: Teaming with Microbes (Timber Press). It is the modern gardener&#8217;s guide to the soil food web, what it [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/teaming-with-microbes?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=teaming-with-microbes</link> </item> <item><title>A Gift Idea for the Gardener In Your Life</title> <description><![CDATA[If you have a garden friend on your list that is needing a gift, think about Hydrangea ‘Limelight’.  Here in the Pacific Northwest, this particular garden gift idea has proven to be an easy to grow and spectacular blooming plant and your garden friend will thank you next summer. In my garden, I mix Black Gold Soil Conditioner into the soil when planting.]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/gift-idea-for-the-gardener-in-your-life?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=gift-idea-for-the-gardener-in-your-life</link> </item> <item><title>Bulbs Accent Off Season Food Gardens</title> <description><![CDATA[We rarely blend bulbs with food plants, but they make a great pick-me-up for off season gardens. I found this lovely garden in Germany, where they&#8217;d laid out a traditional four square design, but when not planted, this geometry doesn&#8217;t show. These smart gardeners elected to plant small bulbs in line to emphasize the design with foliage and flowers before it warms enough to plant the early spring crops. Don&#8217;t forget to plant them with Black Gold Bone Meal for [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/bulbs-accent-off-season-food-gardens?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=bulbs-accent-off-season-food-gardens</link> </item> <item><title>Rose Pruning for Fall</title> <description><![CDATA[Fall is the time for rose pruning. Trim your roses to about waist high (3 ft). I like to take off the old leaves if they are still on the plant. Prune out any dead or diseased canes. Wait until mid February for the severe pruning of cutting canes to about 18 inches.]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/rose-pruning-for-fall?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=rose-pruning-for-fall</link> </item> <item><title>Fine Tune Ferns for Formaldehyde Phytoremediation</title> <description><![CDATA[Formaldehyde is a problem in some newer homes. The emerging science of phytoremediation uses plants to filter toxins from air and soil. Studies revealed that ferns are a natural for absorbing formaldehyde from the air inside your home. As they transpire, the formaldehyde is taken into the plant with carbon dioxide, then only oxygen is released to filter air naturally. So if you haven&#8217;t repotted that old fern, or if you&#8217;re on a budget, buy lots of smaller ones and [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/fine-tune-ferns-for-formaldehyde-phytoremediation?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=fine-tune-ferns-for-formaldehyde-phytoremediation</link> </item> <item><title>Keeping Christmas Trees Fresh</title> <description><![CDATA[If you are planning on getting a cut Christmas tree, before bringing it indoors, make a fresh cut about one inch from the butt. Immediately submerge in fresh water. No need to add a preservative, just don’t let the reservoir in the tree stand run out of water. Christmas trees will ‘drink’ heavily for first few days.]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/keeping-christmas-trees-fresh?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=keeping-christmas-trees-fresh</link> </item> <item><title>Plant Shoes for Low Cost Holiday Gifts</title> <description><![CDATA[You can plant succulents in any container that holds soil and drains well. Those little shoes the kids grew out of make charming low cost holiday gifts for friends and family. Simply punch a few holes in the sole with a hammer and large nail. Then fill with Black Gold Cactus Mix and plant with lots of very small, inexpensive succulent seedlings. This idea is great for ladies&#8217; high heels too. This makes for a fun, green family project that [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/plant-shoes-for-low-cost-holiday-gifts?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=plant-shoes-for-low-cost-holiday-gifts</link> </item> <item><title>Sun Gro Receives Valued Supplier Award</title> <description><![CDATA[Sun Gro was recently honored with the Valued Supplier Award by the Northwest Nursery Buyers Association for superior service to retail members.]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/sun-gro-receives-valued-supplier-award?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=sun-gro-receives-valued-supplier-award</link> </item> <item><title>Lion&#8217;s Tail and Itoh Peony</title> <description><![CDATA[November is a great gardening month here in the Pacific Northwest. While we usually have some rain, we still get rain-less days making it ideal to work outside. This year has been no exception and while we have had rain, we have also had some sunny days. The rain has added much needed moisture to the soil and has made it easy to dig and cultivate. Since we have not had cold temperatures, the soil temperature is still relatively warm. This kind of [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/lions-tail-and-itoh-peony?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=lions-tail-and-itoh-peony</link> </item> <item><title>Dietary Habits of Annuals</title> <description><![CDATA[“Annual, biennial, perennial,” sounds like an incantation from a Harry Potter movie. But it’s gardener lingo that divides up the whole bedding plant world. If you’re new to gardening, these three terms may seem confusing, particularly when they are misused so often. Simply put, all relate to the life span of the plant. While their definitions are straight forward, it is the annuals that we plant and grow more than any other kind of plant. Annual is derived from the [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/dietary-habits-of-annuals?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=dietary-habits-of-annuals</link> </item> <item><title>Indoor Gardening With Black Gold®</title> <description><![CDATA[There is no reason we need to stop gardening just because summer is ending and winter will soon be here. Many gardeners that I know &#8216;switch gears&#8217; and set up a special place where they can continue to garden indoors. It might take a little more effort but it is worth it, not only with what you can grow, but the idea you have accomplished what some perceive as difficult. Think for a moment of the many summer herbs we [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/indoor-gardening-with-black-gold%c2%ae?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=indoor-gardening-with-black-gold%25c2%25ae</link> </item> <item><title>Bio-Solids and Secret Toxins</title> <description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s always scary looking at labels on junk food. They&#8217;re rife with unpronounceable chemicals and altered foods such as hydrolyzed oils. These would go unmentioned if the government didn&#8217;t require detailed breakdown on exactly what&#8217;s used in the creation of edible products. And it&#8217;s this analysis that is used to determine whether or not a food product contains substances the USDA has deemed unhealthy for humans. The world of organic foods and certified organic growers provides alternatives to consumers unwilling [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/bio-solids-and-secret-toxins?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=bio-solids-and-secret-toxins</link> </item> <item><title>Weeping Larch</title> <description><![CDATA[~by Mike Darcy In my own garden, I have very few conifers, but I recently added a weeping larch (Larix deciduas ‘Pendula’). A deciduous conifer with a beautiful weeping form, soft needles, and wonderful fall color. This is a specimen tree &#8211; good for even a small garden. Plant it where you can see it all year.]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/weeping-larch?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=weeping-larch</link> </item> <item><title>Fall Color of Coral Bark Maple</title> <description><![CDATA[~by Mike Darcy The fall leaf color this year is truly outstanding. A good example is Acer palmatum ‘Sango Kaku’ (Coral Bark Maple) which is a four season plant. Coral colored branches in winter, bright green leaves in summer which turn to golden yellow and make a striking contrast against the red bark. A good tree for a small garden; plant Coral Bark Maple where you can see it in winter.]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/fall-color-of-coral-bark-maple?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=fall-color-of-coral-bark-maple</link> </item> <item><title>Fall Perennial Strategies</title> <description><![CDATA[~by Maureen Gilmer Planting a perennial in spring is a lot like moving from Maine to Florida in June. You&#8217;d have to adjust to the heat and humidity at the worst time of year. Bring a Maine resident to Florida in November, and that snowbird will relish every day of welcome sunshine. When you plant spring blooming perennials in the fall, they root actively into the warm soil. Roots will form quickly and help it become established before the short [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/fall-perennial-strategies?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=fall-perennial-strategies</link> </item> <item><title>Leafy Holly for Holiday Clipping</title> <description><![CDATA[~by Maureen Gilmer After the leaves fall, hollies stand out all over your neighborhood with their bright red fruit. The holly is a locally proven species making it the best choice for planting in your garden too. Hollies prefer well drained acidic soil, so amend your planting soil with Black Gold Peat Moss Plus. If you already have hollies growing in your landscape, use Black Gold Azalea, Camellia and Rhododendron fertilizer because it&#8217;s formulated for acidic conditions. This will encourage [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/leafy-holly-for-holiday-clipping?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=leafy-holly-for-holiday-clipping</link> </item> <item><title>Ginkgo Biloba &#8216;Majestic Butterflies&#8217;</title> <description><![CDATA[~by Mike Darcy Often when we think of a Ginkgo tree, we think of a very large, street-type tree that is not appropriate for many of today’s smaller gardens. Recently some new types have been developed that are very slow growing and even referred to as ‘dwarf’. A favorite of mine is Ginkgo biloba ‘Majestic Butterflies’, with beautiful variegated foliage; an excellent choice for a container.]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/ginkgo-biloba-majestic-butterflies?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=ginkgo-biloba-majestic-butterflies</link> </item> <item><title>Budget Gardeners Buy Indian Corn</title> <description><![CDATA[~by Maureen Gilmer Indian corn now in the supermarket isn&#8217;t just a Thanksgiving decoration. It&#8217;s viable seed ready to plant in your garden next year. Select colors and sizes of small popcorn, strawberry flint corn and the big boldly colored ears for decorations. When the holidays are over, simply pry the kernels off the cob and store in a cool dry place. Come planting time, fortify the soil with nitrogen rich Black Gold Blood Meal. This all-organic fertilizer contains a [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/budget-gardeners-buy-indian-corn?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=budget-gardeners-buy-indian-corn</link> </item> <item><title>Prepare Your Garden for Fall Planting</title> <description><![CDATA[~by Mike Darcy Here in the Pacific Northwest, autumn is certainly here. Temperatures are cooler, rains have begun (hopefully not continuously), and plants are beginning to show signs that their season is over. This is a wonderful time to visit an arboretum, if you have one, and absorb some of the fall colors. It is also an opportunity to visit your local garden center and see what is still looking good. You might be surprised at the color awaiting you [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/prepare-your-garden-for-fall-planting?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=prepare-your-garden-for-fall-planting</link> </item> <item><title>Salvia &#8216;Wendy&#8217;s Wish&#8217;</title> <description><![CDATA[Salvia ‘Wendy’s Wish’  This year I was introduced to a salvia called ‘Wendy’s Wish’. I have it in a container and in a location with full sun. It began blooming in June and it is still in flower now in early November. Discovered in the Australian garden of salvia enthusiast Wendy Smith, the flowers are deep rose fuchsia and have proven to be a hummingbird magnet.]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/salvia-wendys-wish?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=salvia-wendys-wish</link> </item> <item><title>Black Gold Natural &amp; Organic Fertilizers</title> <description><![CDATA[View Black Gold&#8217;s Complete Selection of Natural &#38; Organic Fertilizers Black Gold fertilizers are the organic gardener&#8217;s best friend. Each one offers specific nutrients that build your soil so it can better feed your plants a naturally balanced diet. With our easy-to-pour boxes, fertilizing your organic garden is quick and easy. There&#8217;s a formula for all your plants from food garden to palm tree, so each group receives the exact balance it needs. Best of all, Black Gold Natural &#38; [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/black-gold-natural-organic-fertilizers?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=black-gold-natural-organic-fertilizers</link> </item> <item><title>Pot Garden Plants for Winter Joy</title> <description><![CDATA[Autumn brings an end to the summer garden, but you need not say good-bye to everything you planted this year. It&#8217;s an age-old practice to pot garden plants of certain varieties to bring indoors where they live on for months, and some may even survive the winter to grow for another year. Zonal geraniums are favorite garden variety Pelargoniums that grandmother traditionally dug from the soil, potted up into red clay, and set upon the window sill. These will remain [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/pot-garden-plants-for-winter-joy?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=pot-garden-plants-for-winter-joy</link> </item> <item><title>Triple Threat: Reusing Growing Media</title> <description><![CDATA[~Written by Maureen Gilmer. Would you risk your crop to save $25? Of course not, so why would you reuse growing media that may prove less than ideal for your valuable plants? This is the question every grower weighs after harvest: Whether to replace the growing media or reuse it another time. If you&#8217;re still not sure, consider the triple threat: Three very important reasons why fresh Sunshine Advanced soilless media will always perform. Threat #1 Decomposition Eventually all organic [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/triple-threat-reusing-growing-media?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=triple-threat-reusing-growing-media</link> </item> <item><title>Planting Your Organic Garden</title> <description><![CDATA[Once your soil is fed and tilled, will you grow your veggies from seed or seedlings? The answer depends on the kinds of plants you choose to grow. Fast growing plants that have large seeds planted deeper down are usually sown directly into garden soil. These include corn, squash, cucumbers, melons, sunflowers, beans or peas. When you buy your seed, know that every packet is marked with its year just like a food expiration date. Make sure yours is labeled [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/planting-your-organic-garden?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=planting-your-organic-garden</link> </item> <item><title>Tending Your Organic Garden</title> <description><![CDATA[Ever wonder why some people can grow fabulous gardens and others can&#8217;t?  The answer is simple: they spend more time with their plants.  Experienced gardeners know that frequent inspection allows them to see the first signs of trouble, whether it&#8217;s wilt, broken limbs, a digging dog or caterpillars.  These can be remedied immediately before damage occurs, and without the need for chemicals. Great gardeners do it each day. Sometimes it&#8217;s with a cup of morning coffee, a glass of wine [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/tending-your-organic-garden?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=tending-your-organic-garden</link> </item> <item><title>Proof of Life: There May Be Mold in Our Soils</title> <description><![CDATA[Written by Maureen Gilmer If you find white mold in a bag of our potting soil, don&#8217;t think it&#8217;s spoiled like moldy bread. Consider this white webby material the ultimate proof of life. It is an undeniable sign that our potting soils are perfectly blended to create a bio-active root environment. Even while that bag sat at the garden center, a great deal of activity was going on in our living soils, and the mold proves it. This is a [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/proof-of-life-there-may-be-mold-in-our-soils?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=proof-of-life-there-may-be-mold-in-our-soils</link> </item> <item><title>Bulbs Do Better With Phosphorus at Planting</title> <description><![CDATA[Phosphorus has long been added when planting bulbs to encourage faster rooting before winter sets in. This nutrient is found in bone meal, a long lasting organic source. When planting, add one tablespoon of Black Gold Bone Meal to the bottom of the planting hole and mix it in with some loose soil. If planting small bulbs like crocus, use just a half tablespoon. Set the bulb down gently into the soft bottom of the hole and cover it up.]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/bulbs-do-better-with-phosphorus-at-planting?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=bulbs-do-better-with-phosphorus-at-planting</link> </item> <item><title>Divide Perennials For Free Plants</title> <description><![CDATA[October is a fine time to dig and divide clumps of perennials that are so old they fail to bloom like they should. Lift the plant with a fork, wash it off to see the stem and root structure, then divide perennials at the natural points with a sharp knife. Soften the soil at the new planting locations with Black Gold Soil Conditioner to make it easier for the divisions to strike new roots for bountiful displays come spring. &#160;]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/divide-perennials-for-free-plants?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=divide-perennials-for-free-plants</link> </item> <item><title>Top Off Your Outdoor-Indoor Potted Plants</title> <description><![CDATA[If your tender potted plants have been outdoors all summer, watering them with the hose often results in overflow and lost of soil. Now is a great time to add Black Gold Earthworm Castings as a top dressing to improve bioactivity in the pot and cover newly exposed roots. Be sure to leave enough space between soil and pot rim to be able to fill it with a generous amount of water.]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/top-off-your-outdoor-indoor-plants?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=top-off-your-outdoor-indoor-plants</link> </item> <item><title>Super Organic Leaf Mold</title> <description><![CDATA[Fall leaves are an important source of organic matter that decomposes into soft, rich leaf mold. To harvest, create a corral using woven wire to contain the leaves. Fill with a foot deep layer of leaves, wet it, then pack down tightly. Sprinkle Black Gold All Purpose Fertilizer on top and dump in any left over potting soil from this year. Repeat layering over and over as leaves fall, adding more fertilizer to speed decomposition and increase your leaf mold [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/super-organic-leaf-mold?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=super-organic-leaf-mold</link> </item> <item><title>Cure Late Season Malaise</title> <description><![CDATA[~ Written by Maureen Gilmer Eat a doughnut for breakfast and you start the morning on a sugar high.  Then the inevitable follows.   Blood sugar plummets leaving you foggy and sluggish.  If you eat another doughnut to refire your system, you&#8217;ll only crash all over again.  But if you eat a balanced meal you&#8217;ll feel better, natural energy returns, and this time it lasts. In August your food garden plants slow down.  This malaise is attributed to the heat, but [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/cure-late-season-malaise?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=cure-late-season-malaise</link> </item> <item><title>Bayside Garden Supply Customer Appreciation Day</title> <description><![CDATA[Saturday, November 5th, 2011 was Bayside Garden Supply Customer Appreciation Day in Arcata, California! Saturday, November 5th, All Day Bayside Garden Supply 4061 N Highway 101 Arcata, CA 95521 (707) 826-7435 map]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/bayside-garden-supply-customer-appreciation-day?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=bayside-garden-supply-customer-appreciation-day</link> </item> <item><title>No Upcoming Events Posted at This Time</title> <description><![CDATA[Check back again soon for new and exciting upcoming Black Gold events, or view a list of some of our Past Events.]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/no-upcoming-events-posted-at-this-time?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=no-upcoming-events-posted-at-this-time</link> </item> <item><title>Wisdom of Planting Trees in the Fall</title> <description><![CDATA[~Written by Maureen Gilmer. Planting in the fall is counterintuitive. It goes against the grain. We&#8217;re hardwired to do our gardening in spring. But there is great wisdom in planting trees in the fall. This gives them all winter and spring to root deeply before the heat and drought of summer tries their stamina. So whether it&#8217;s a fruit tree or a shade tree or a beautiful flowering accent, take your time in this beautiful autumn weather to give it [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/wisdom-of-planting-trees-in-the-fall?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=wisdom-of-planting-trees-in-the-fall</link> </item> <item><title>The Garden in September</title> <description><![CDATA[~Written by Mike Darcy. Once September arrives and school starts, I consider summer over. I realize it is not “officially” over yet, but September is a time to relax and enjoy the garden and perhaps a time to scale back. Living here in the Pacific Northwest, some people will say that we had no summer, but we did, it just arrived late. Our spring was so wet and cool, it seemed as though summer did not happen until July. The [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/the-garden-in-september?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-garden-in-september</link> </item> <item><title>Black Gold Soil Plants Hope Along With Veggies</title> <description><![CDATA[Black Gold®, manufacturer of potting soils, amendments and fertilizers, is accustomed to helping gardeners of all kinds plant herbs and veggies, but they also help others plant hope. Recently, a large donation was made to Portland Rescue Mission, a Portland-based non-profit organization that provides assistance to local homeless men, women and children. The donation, consisting of over 3 pallets of soil and fertilizer with a value of over $2,300, will be used at the Portland Rescue Mission women’s shelter, Shepherd’s [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/black-gold-soil-plants-hope-along-with-veggies?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=black-gold-soil-plants-hope-along-with-veggies</link> </item> <item><title>A Fertile World Customer Appreciation Extravaganza &#8211; Fortuna!</title> <description><![CDATA[Join us Sunday, September 18th, 2011 at A Fertile World Customer Appreciation Extravaganza in Fortuna, California! Afertileworld.com &#38; Humboldtnutrients.com Sunday, Sept 18th 610 7th Street Fortuna, CA]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/a-fertile-world-customer-appreciation-extravaganza-fortuna?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=a-fertile-world-customer-appreciation-extravaganza-fortuna</link> </item> <item><title>A Fertile World Customer Appreciation Extravaganza &#8211; Arcata!</title> <description><![CDATA[Join us Saturday, September 17th at A Fertile World Customer Appreciation Extravaganza in Arcata, California! Afertileworld.com &#38; Humboldtnutrients.com Saturday, September 17th, 2011 5565 West End Ave Arcata, CA]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/a-fertile-world-customer-appreciation-extravaganza-arcata?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=a-fertile-world-customer-appreciation-extravaganza-arcata</link> </item> <item><title>When To Fertilize</title> <description><![CDATA[Remember to use Black Gold® Fertilizer only as directed. For best results, mix fertilizers with your garden or potting soil and water after you are done planting. Avoid over-feeding your plants &#8211; a little extra might not be a good thing. ALL PURPOSE FERTILIZER Plant Type Application Rate Frequency Vegetables, Annual Flowers and Perennials New Plantings: 4 cups per 50 sq. ft. 2 cups per 25 foot row Fertilize at time of planting and every 6-8 weeks throughout the growing [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/when-to-fertilize?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=when-to-fertilize</link> </item> <item><title>Enjoying Summer Gardening</title> <description><![CDATA[Here it is July and summer has finally arrived in the Pacific Northwest.  It took quite a long time for this to happen as our spring was one of the coolest and wettest on record.  But now that summer is here, what a glorious time of year it is.  As some garden friends have told me; this is why we live here and perhaps it is because we have had such a gloomy winter that when we do see sun, [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/enjoying-summer-gardening?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=enjoying-summer-gardening</link> </item> <item><title>Don&#8217;t Miss Black Gold at IGC Chicago Both 1129</title> <description><![CDATA[Click here to download and print PDF]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/dont-miss-black-gold-at-igc-chicago-both-1129?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=dont-miss-black-gold-at-igc-chicago-both-1129</link> </item> <item><title>Thriving Purple Oxalis</title> <description><![CDATA[Hi, I want to tell you I think your BLACK GOLD potting soil is the best! I would routinely purchase a national branded potting mix, thinking it lived up to its advertising&#8230; but it doesn&#8217;t. One of my favorite houseplants, Purple Oxalis, has struggled for years and years. It would produce a few scrawny leaves and they&#8217;d be brown and crispy at the edges. I bought some BLACK GOLD soil and transplanted the Oxalis and watered it only with distilled [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/thriving-purple-oxalis?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=thriving-purple-oxalis</link> </item> <item><title>Tips &amp; Recipes</title> <description><![CDATA[Black Gold® &#8220;Ivory Towers&#8221; Container Garden Black Gold® &#8221;Spring Zinger&#8221; Container Garden Black Gold® &#8221;Purple Parfait&#8221; Container Garden Black Gold® Fresh Edible and Easy Tiered Herb Planter Black Gold® Living Wreath Black Gold® Spring Bulb Planter]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/tips-recipes?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=tips-recipes</link> </item> <item><title>Education</title> <description><![CDATA[FOR KIDS! Download our Kids Activity Sheet. Your kids can learn more about gardening and have lots of fun doing it! &#160; YOUTUBE Check out Sun Gro Horticulture&#8217;s new presence on YouTube.com. Watch videos on organic gardening, learn water saving tips and much more!]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/education?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=education</link> </item> <item><title>FAQ</title> <description><![CDATA[What is the CSPMA? Founded in 1988 to promote the benefits of peat moss to horticulturists and home gardeners throughout North America, the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association is comprised of 18 peat moss producers and marketers representing 95 percent of Canada&#8217;s total production. What is OMRI? The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) is a national nonprofit organization that determines which input products are allowed for use in organic production and processing. OMRI Listed—or approved—products may be used on operations [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/faq?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=faq</link> </item> <item><title>Links</title> <description><![CDATA[AAS - All-America Selections The mission of AAS is to promote new garden seed varieties with superior garden performance judged in impartial trials in North America. Our purpose is three-fold: to test new, unsold cultivars, to inform gardeners about the AAS Winners, and to earn gardeners&#8217; trust in the AAS Winners CSPMA - Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association The CSPMA logo ensures that the peat you buy is from a bog where strict environmental guidelines are in place and that Sun Gro Horticulture has [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/links?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=links</link> </item> <item><title>BLACK GOLD® Waterhold Cocoblend Potting Soil</title> <description><![CDATA[Waterhold Cocoblend Potting Soil is the sustainable solution for container gardens in arid climates or wherever water is in short supply.  Its unique moisture retention ability means you water less often, and conserve more of it throughout the season.  If you&#8217;ve had difficulties keeping your vegetables hydrated during the hot summer months, don&#8217;t give up on growing your own food.  Give it another try with this potting soil carefully blended to solve your unique set of problems. This potting soil [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/black-gold-waterhold-cocoblend?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=black-gold-waterhold-cocoblend</link> </item> <item><title>BLACK GOLD® Natural &amp; Organic Potting Soil</title> <description><![CDATA[~Written by Maureen Gilmer Black Gold Natural &#38; Organic potting soil is so versatile it works for everything from hanging baskets to raised vegetable beds. This is not just any soil, it&#8217;s a precise blend of everything your plants need to look their best and produce abundantly. Because it&#8217;s listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute, you can be sure your organic food crops grown in this enriched soil remain blessedly chemical free. The scientists at Black Gold have worked [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/black-gold-natural-organic-potting-soil-2?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=black-gold-natural-organic-potting-soil-2</link> </item> <item><title>Heavy Pumpkin in Utah</title> <description><![CDATA[Check out the pumpkin I grew this year in a 400 square foot patch!  It was the 4th heaviest in Utah this year at 855 pounds.  This is my 5th year of growing and my previous best was 404 pounds in 2007. One of the only things I did differently than previous years is add 160 quarts (10 bags) of Black Gold Earthworm Castings into the top 6 inches of soil.  Please don’t tell anybody!  Thank you! Sincerely, Russ, Utah [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/heavy-pumpkin-in-utah?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=heavy-pumpkin-in-utah</link> </item> <item><title>Very Excellent Soil</title> <description><![CDATA[Black Gold® All Purpose Soil is a “very excellent” soil. In the past I used another soil &#38; it killed my pansies so I tried the Black Gold® All Purpose &#38; within 2 weeks they were bigger than the ones in the other soil that had been in it for over 2 months. Thank you and don’t ever change the formula because it works great!” -Allan, Portland, OR &#160;]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/very-excellent-soil?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=very-excellent-soil</link> </item> <item><title>Black Gold® Soil Conditioner Reviewed in Gresham</title> <description><![CDATA[I worked at a garden center in Gresham, Oregon and that is where I tried the Black Gold Soil Conditioner. I live in an area near Mt Hood that has a lot of sand and fir needles in my soil, so I thought I would try this product since I sold the product at the garden center, and I felt I needed to know how it worked. I started using it in my flower pots. I planted my flowers in [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/black-gold%c2%ae-soil-conditioner-reviewed-in-gresham?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=black-gold%25c2%25ae-soil-conditioner-reviewed-in-gresham</link> </item> <item><title>Recommendation from Nat Lichten</title> <description><![CDATA[I&#8217;ve attached the first few photos we&#8217;ve gotten of Home Gardens Program participants&#8217; container gardens.  All these beautiful veggies are being grown in Black Gold potting soil! I&#8217;ll pass on more photos as the season continues.  Thank you and everyone else at Sun Gro so much for all your support in helping low-income Portlanders grow their own food! Best, Nat Lichten Home Garden Coordinator NWSA AmeriCorps &#160; &#160;]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/recommendation-from-nat-lichten?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=recommendation-from-nat-lichten</link> </item> <item><title>3-2-1 GERMINATION!!!</title> <description><![CDATA[Bill Bird, who writes the Sacramento Vegetable Gardening blog, raved recently about Black Gold seed starting mix. His tomato seeds sprouted in six days!]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/3-2-1-germination?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=3-2-1-germination</link> </item> <item><title>Thanks to Black Gold®</title> <description><![CDATA[Jeanne writes, I wanted to let you know that received the Black Gold gardening apron and the Black Gold potting mix and transplant fertilizer.  Thank you so much!  I added those items to other gardening products in a basket to be auctioned off for charity this Saturday.  I&#8217;m intending to bid on the basket, but in any case the basket will go to a gardening enthusiast and the money will go to a good cause.  Black Gold gardening products has been [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/thanks-to-black-gold%c2%ae?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=thanks-to-black-gold%25c2%25ae</link> </item> <item><title>Black Gold® Recommended by Fine Gardening Magazine</title> <description><![CDATA[Black Gold® Recommended by Fine Gardening Magazine In the January/ February 2009 edition of Fine Gardening Magazine, Black Gold® was recommended by the article’s author as “great container soil”. Black Gold® was his choice because we offer a “high-quality organic alternative to larger, mass-produced products”. We appreciate those kind words, and we hope that all of our customers feel the same. &#160;]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/black-gold%c2%ae-recommended-by-fine-gardening-magazine?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=black-gold%25c2%25ae-recommended-by-fine-gardening-magazine</link> </item> <item><title>Black Gold® Receives Recognition from Home Gardeners</title> <description><![CDATA[Black Gold® Receives Recognition from Home Gardeners Black Gold® All Purpose w/Multicote, Black Gold® Natural &#38; Organic and Black Gold® Waterhold Cocoblend have just received the National Home Garden Club Seal of approval. Last summer and fall several hundred members of the National Home Garden club in the western United States tested the three potting soils. The producttesters were asked to use the sample in their home garden and determine if it would be a product they would recommend. We [...]]]></description><link>http://www.blackgold.bz/black-gold%c2%ae-receives-recognition-from-home-gardeners?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=black-gold%25c2%25ae-receives-recognition-from-home-gardeners</link> </item> </channel> </rss>
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