Sly Stone makes me buy blueberries
Posted on April 29th, 2008 – 8:35 AMBy Jaime Chismar
Why, Sly, why did you cancel your show? Did you see the extended forecast and decide against our frosty northern climes? Are you and your blonde mohawk afraid of a little sleet and snow? No thinsulate in your bedazzled polyester jumpsuit? Your fans in Zone 4 neeeeeed the funk to cope with our funky weather.
Fine.
This greengirl’s refundable $65 ticket just bought her a whole lot of blueberry bushes, raspberry canes, strawberry plants and three dwarf cherry trees — All bought in a retail therapy rush from Stark Bros.
Friday night, I’m trading my pair of hot pants for a pair of gardening gloves. By summer’s end I’ll be listening to “There’s a Riot Goin’ On” and drowning my disappointment in a big bowl of antioxidants.
I also bought two Neil Diamond tickets. Seriously, if he cancels, the BF will have to hide my credit card. I might just buy an apple orchard.
7 Responses to "Sly Stone makes me buy blueberries"
GG, Sly’s loss is the gardening community’s gain.
Can you or any of your intrepid commenters recommend a small tree or bush that’s native to the Hennepin County area that would be nice for a backyard memorial for Theo? Something pretty that won’t take up a ton of room?
Hey Geri!
Do you want a deciduous or a conifer tree? If you are open to shrubs, red osier dogwood would look great in your yard. Birds love it, too.
I ordered three dwarf cherry trees, if you’re interested. Not exactly native, but perfect for pies. (I know you’d rather have the pie.)
I also called the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for some real suggestions. Hopefully, they will get back to me today.
So, Jaime. Lemme get this straight. You ribbed me without mercy when I bought Bon Jovi tickets. But you bought Neil Diamond tickets?
If we are talking small tree or bush there are always the members of the spirea family, several leaf color variations, big (bridal wreath) to small ( I have a cute one that gets 2′ tall by 2′ wide) cute flowers that last and interesting foilage.
“I also bought two Neil Diamond tickets. Seriously, if he cancels, the BF will have to hide my credit card. I might just buy an apple orchard.”
That makes me wonder if anyone is planning on spending their economic stimulus check on the garden? Ours is going towards a deck, but the deck will surely require new landscaping as well…
Great question, bsimon. I’ll post it to the front tomorrow - Thanks!
Hey Geri!
I got the 411 from the Arboretum. Here’s a list of small native trees they recommended for your memorial to Theo:
- Serviceberry
- Blue beech
- Redbud (I would love to have this tree in my yard — Stunning!)
- Eastern wahoo (Wahoo is waaay too fun to say)
- Snowy mountain ash
- Pagoda dogwood (Dogwood — A fittign tribute to your four-legged BFF)
- Hawthorn
The U of M Extension Service also had list of native trees you may find helpful.
Not only does it specify height and preferred growing conditions, but includes descriptions of what the foliage will look like in the fall!
Greengirls Jaime Chismar, Connie Nelson, and Robyn Dochterman are dishin' the dirt from the backyard garden and beyond. Whether you're a greenthumb or greenhorn, they're eager to learn from your misshaps, mistakes -- and most importantly, your sweet successes -- all growing season long.
You can also send your questions, ideas, tips and tricks to greengirls@startribune.com.
Subscribe to Greengirls
Learn more about RSS
Garden resources
Categories
- Apples, Plums + Tree fruits (14)
- Asparagus (2)
- Beans + Peas (6)
- Bees (9)
- Beets, Carrots + Root veggies (4)
- Berries (6)
- Books + Resources (12)
- Chickens (6)
- Compost (7)
- Container gardening (6)
- Corn (1)
- Critters + vermin (20)
- Cucumbers + Melons (12)
- Farmer's Markets (1)
- Flowers + Grasses (26)
- Garlic (4)
- Greens + Lettuces (7)
- Herbs (6)
- Lawn care (8)
- Mulch (7)
- Mystery plants (8)
- Potatoes (9)
- Preserving (6)
- Rain gardens (1)
- Seed starting (16)
- Soil care (3)
- Squashes + gourds (1)
- Succulents (2)
- Tomatoes, Peppers + Eggplant (31)
- Tools, gloves, rain barrels + more (13)
- Transplanting (1)
- Tree + shrub care (3)
- Uncategorized (71)
- Water gardens (3)
- Weather woes (23)
- Weeds (9)
- Weekend to-dos (9)