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Sept 22, 2012: Fall GardenPalooza 2012 in Aurora, OR

Thanks for joining Black Gold on September 22nd, 2012 for the first-ever Fall GardenPalooza at Fir Point Farms in Aurora, Oregon! The Spring GardenPalooza was so much fun and our first-ever Fall GardenPalooza was equally as great with over 25 local nurseries and garden vendors participating.

Black Gold’s own Donna Wright was there GardenPalooza all day, building Dirt Babies with Black Gold Natural & Organic Potting Soil and handing them out – always a lot of fun for the kids. The event was held at Fir Point Farms in Aurora, Oregon. Thanks for attending and having a blast with us!

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Aug 5th, 2012: Super RAD PDX Craft Show at Portland Nursery

Back on Sunday, August 5th, Black Gold had the opportunity to participate in the always unique, always fun Super RAD PDX Craft Show, which took place at Portland Nursery’s Division street location. Amidst all the fun, summer- and garden-related crafts was our very our Black Gold booth offering adults and youngsters alike the chance to make their very own Dirt Baby out of some of the best soil on earth – Black Gold Natural & Organic Potting Soil.

We had a great time as you can see from the photos. There was even a silent auction benefitting Harper’s Playground. Hope to see you all again next year for some more fun!

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Swanky Succulent Container Gardens

 

Succulents - Maureen Gilmer - Feature Image
Succulents: Elegant pedestal urns feature rounded mounds of succulent plants topped with a crown of spiky leaves.

Nestled into opulent coastal southern California is a nursery where I go to find out what’s hot in the world of container gardening. Decades ago Rogers Gardens was founded on flower-filled hanging color baskets so fabulous they draw tour buses daily. I worked there in the early 80s and today I return to see how they display every hot trend in container gardening. Most of what I see can be recreated using Black Gold specialty potting soils to make your home garden just as exciting this year.

Mesclun - Maureen Gilmer
Mesclun: Integrating colorful lettuce into pots and gardens makes more opportunity to snip for dinner.

GREENS

Edible greens are proving to be one of the most interesting plants for both ornamental and food gardens. At Rogers they are displayed in glorious color from purple kale to pastel mesclun mixes of curious gourmet lettuce and greens. Potting them into decorative containers is easy when you use Black Gold Natural & Organic Potting Soil. Blend these with edible flowers and culinary herbs for beauty you can snip and pinch into salads, soups and as decorative garish.

Flax - Maureen Gilmer
Flax: Latest looks include dark burgundy Aeonium and bright red striped Phormium combine in terra cotta.

SUCCULENTS

Growing succulents in containers demands fast draining Black Gold Cactus Mix. Such porosity allows you to cram dozens of colorful rosettes into the same pot without concern for rot setting in. The latest look is combining vivid autumn colored foliage plants such as New Zealand flax hybrids with gobs of succulents for perfect compatibility.

Mediterranean - Maureen Gilmer
Mediterranean: Woody rosemary topiary sits atop high-contrast succulents.

MEDITERRANEANS

Demand for drought resistant plants and popularity of Spanish inspired architecture puts Mediterranean species front and center. The creation of topiaries from rosemary and fruitless olive provides excellent form and fragrance with other less European selections. Fruitless olive and its dwarf cousin ‘Little Ollie’ are hot right now to accent Mediterranean inspired architecture. Blend them with succulents or low profile herbs in traditional terra cotta pots for focal points on patio and terrace. Use Waterhold Cocoa Blend Potting Soil to retain moisture and reduce the need to water often, making these creations even more water conservative than Mother Nature planned.

Herb Box - Maureen Gilmer
Herb Box: Old boxes repurposed at Rogers for a small space herb garden or a super gift idea.

HERBS

Every foodie needs an herb garden filled with the best culinary species. At Rogers this year they’ve used old wood crates to create rustic herb gardens perfect for an apartment balcony, a condo courtyard or even a small roof garden. It’s truly amazing how useful they are when ganged together like this, offering lots to pinch and pluck. Since so many herbs come from arid climates that lack summer rainfall, try Hy Porosity Natural and Organic Potting Soil which helps them stay high and dry during rainy summers.

During my years at Rogers I learned that one potting soil doesn’t fit all plants. That’s why Black Gold offers so many options. Use the right ones so you can be just as successful with your succulents, Mediterraneans, edibles and herbs no matter where you live.

Plant A Row for the Hungry – Sun Gro Supports Hunger Relief with In-Kind Donation

Inter-Faith Food Shuttle Picks Up Donated Garden Produce and Delivers to People Facing Food Insecurity in the NC Triangle

RALEIGH, NC—Sun Gro Horticulture is donating one pallet (240 bags) of 8qt. Black Gold Natural & Organic Potting Soil to support Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s Plant a Row for the Hungry program.
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