Honoring Mom in the garden on Mother's Day

Our two daughters were home to help us plant the garden this week. They are grown ups now, for the most part. It's really nice that they want to come back and help in the garden. When they were younger, they tried to avoid garden labor. Since they're planning to have a farm together, I'm glad they have developed the work ethic required.
On this Mother's Day, I think of my late Mom and her garden and how hard she worked to keep it healthy and productive. It nearly always paid off.
I am honored that my daughters are carrying on with the family heritage and I know their grandmother is honored as well.
Happy Mother's Day to her and to all Moms everywhere!

Goldner Walsh offers garden style entertainment

Goldner Walsh Garden & Home is planning a number of activities for adults and children. The garden center is at 559 Orchard Lake Road, Pontiac.

Seed Bombing for Kids! is 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 18 for children ages 5 and up to learn how seeds are spread in nature. They will make a handful of their very own seed bombs to take home and learn how to responsibly distribute them in an urban, suburban or country environment. It will include hiking through the grounds of Goldner Walsh. The fee is $15 per child.

Herbs 101: Growing, Cooking, Creating is 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 18. Join resident natural foods expert and farmer Grace Seeley in exploring how to grow, store, and use the most prolific and multifunctional herbs for the area. Samples of teas and culinary treats will be provided along with recipes, care and harvesting information. The cost is $30 per person. Two or more in your group reduces the cost to $25 each.

The annual Containers and Cocktails is 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 23. Join the Goldner Walsh Garden & Home designers for an inspirational night of beautiful blooms and tips and tricks to care for container gardens. Bring a planter, or buy one, then shop our greenhouses full of unique and colorful plants all while sipping sangria. Potting soil and refreshments will be provided. The cost is $20 per person.

Register for any of the classes by calling 248-332-6430.  For more information, visit goldnerwalsh.com.

Oakland Tech hosts garden-center sale

Oakland Schools Technical Campus Southwest is hosting its 41st annual garden-center sale of annuals at the campus, 1000 Beck Road, Wixom. The garden center is open for walk-in sales, 8 to 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, May 6 to June 14. It is also open 9 a.m. to  noon Sunday, May 12 and Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19. Call 248-668-5634 or email bailey.garwood@oaklandk12.mi.us for information.

Crazy weather challenges farmers and gardeners

The weather has certainly not been very conducive to planting and getting out in the garden. On a greater scale, farmers of the region are having unusual challenges this Spring. It was too cold to plant and then the rain wouldn't stop, so they could plant. Things are finally settling down and hopefully the fertile soil from all the rain, will help it be a bumper crop year.

Here's a story by Molly Tippen of the Macomb Daily.

Uncertain weather challenging local farmers

Useful links, ready to click

There are several useful links on this blog in the right column. I mention this, because I just went to google the weather and then remembered I had it linked here. Also, the Farmer's Almanac and Oakland County MSU Extension websites have a wealth of information. Just look to the right for the Useful links list.

Several farmers markets to open in May

April showers bring May flowers and farmers markets. Several markets in the county are opening up and/or extending hours, offering fresh flowers, transplants and other items. Here’s a list of markets that are opening in May:

• Birmingham Farmers Market, 660 N. Old Woodward Ave., Parking Lot No. 6 N. Old Woodward Ave., north of Harmon, opening with extended hours this year, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, May 5, 248-530-1200, www.birminghamfarmersmarket.org.
• Farmington Farmers and Artisans Market. Because of construction on Grove Street, the market will be relocated to a temporary location on Orchard Street at Farmington Road, behind Fitness 19. Enter off Farmington Road. Open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, May 4- Nov. 9, 248-473-7276, ext. 13, downtownfarmington.org/Downtown-Events/Whats-Happening/Farmers-Artisans-Market.
• Milford Farmers Market, on East Liberty Street between South Main Street and Union Street, open 3 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, May 9 to Oct. 24, 248-496-7056, www.milfordfarmersmarket.org.
• Northville Downs Track, Seven Mile and Sheldon roads, open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays, May 2-Oct. 31, 248-349-7640, www.northville.org/Events_Calendar/Content/Farmers_Market.
• Oakland County Farmers Market, 2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford Township, open 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, May to December and Saturdays year-round.
• Rochester Farmers Market, East Third and Water Street, open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, May 4-Oct. 26, 248-656-0060, downtownrochestermi.com/events/farmers-market.
• Royal Oak Farmers Market, 316 E. 11 Mile, open 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, May to December, 248-246-3276, http://www.ci.royal-oak.mi.us/portal/community-links/farmers-market. Open all year.
• Walled Lake Farmers Market, 1499 E. W. Maple, Walled Lake, open 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, May through October, 248-926-9004, local-farmers-markets.com/market/2527/walled-lake/walled-lake-farmers-market.

Plant and seed swap to be hosted in Farmington Hills

The Farmington Hills annual plant and seed swap plus perennial plant sale is 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 11 at Heritage Park Visitor’s Center parking lot, off Farmington Road between 10 and 11 Mile Roads. Every year, gardeners gather to swap plants from their gardens with others. Attendees are advised to bring gloves, wagons and plants and seeds to exchange. The Beautification Commission, garden club members and master gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and provide refreshments. For more information, call Charmaine Kettler-Schmult at 248-871-2543.