Doug's Blog

Doug at all four Giant Eagle Market District stores Sunday 5/20/12

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:39:57 +0000

I’ll be at all four Giant Eagle Market District stores with my radio partner Jessica Walliser this Sunday 5/20/12 for a free gardening/cooking demonstration.
We’re presenting “Ideas for Growing a Healthier Garden’”- we’ll cover organic growing techniques like switching to Earth-friendly fertilizers, eliminating chemical pesticides, and caring for plants through proper cultural techniques. We will discuss more organic gardening options including new books, products, and seed and plant sources.
THEN THE FOOD!
Jess has outdone herself on the recipes-
Salmon Bisque with Spring Onion Garnish starter
Stuffed Chicken Breast with Vodka Sauce
Creamy Cappuccino Cheesecake desert
We’re at the Bethel Park store at 9:30am
Robinson at 12 noon
Shadyside at 2:30pm
Pine at 5pm
Hope to see you there.

Making Gardening Easier as seen on KDKA’s PTL

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:11:28 +0000

Let the LawnBott 1500 do the work for you.

Jon Burnett and I had a blast talking about products to make your life easier in the garden.
The LawnBott 1500 makes mowing the lawn a breeze. Once the perimeter wire is installed the machine will take care of everything.
Dramm is making some of the most innovative products for gardeners.

I love the compact and comfortable Dramm ColorPoint Hand Pruner

I love their ColorPoint hand pruner and Telescoping Loppers along with their Revolver hose end sprayer.
A simple kneeling pad is a great tool for gardeners and there are two plants that are my favorites to make gardening easy and fun. The first is the ‘Bonfire’ begonia.

'Bonfire' begonia is a real winner in the garden and blooms like crazy all season.

It’s a beautiful trailing plant with orange tubular flowers that is filled with prolific blooms all season.
‘Gryphon’ begonia is grown for its pretty silver and green foliage. The plant is perfect for containers and will get three feet wide and tall.
Lazy Man Lawn Doctor is a revolutionary product that will fertilize, de-thatch and aerate the lawn without having the rent machines.
Pearl’s Grass Seed is the ultimate low maintenance grass seed. It’s the perfect blend of seed for gardeners who don’t have time to baby their lawns.
Deer Off will make a gardener’s life much easier, it will keep those cute looking garden pests at bay.
Can’t fence the deer out, try Spray Away. It’s a motion sensitive sprinkler that will have the deer running and also works on the neighborhood kids who sneak into the garden!

Dividing Perennials as seen on KDKA-TV’s PTL

admin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 23:21:36 +0000

When hostas poke through the soil, it's time to split them.

This is the perfect time to divide perennials. Hostas and many other plants will benefit from dividing.
Get into the soil, dig around the plant then pull the whole thing out and brutally cut it in half or into quarters.
Most perennials will be revitalized by the dividing. It’s a great way to make more plants, trade with friends or can be the perfect gift for fellow gardeners.
Here’s a good list of perennials that explains how often to divide them.
Yarrow (Achillea species and hybrids). Divide every 2-3 years in the spring. Discard woody core.

Columbine (Aquilegia species and hybrids). can be divided for propagation in the spring. Plants may take a while to recover after division.

Asters (Aster species). Divide every 2-3 years in the spring or fall. Replant small healthy pieces from outside of the clump.

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum species) Divide every 2-3 years in the spring when new shoots are 3-6 inches tall.

Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum and hybrids) Divide every 2-3 years in spring or fall when new foliage is 3-6 inches tall. Discard central portion.

Coreopsis (Coreopsis species). Divide every 2-3 years in the spring or early fall.

Pampas Grass (Cortederia sellonana). Plant 6 feet apart and they may never need division.

Delphinium (Delphinium species and hybrids) Divide every2-3 years in the spring

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra eimia or D.spectabilis). Divide every 3-4 years in the spring. Handle carefully as roots are brittle.

Ferns (various genus and species). Many grow from rhizomes. Propagate by root division or crown division.

Hellebore (Helleborus species and hybrids). Allow 3-5 years before dividing when in bloom or immediately after they stop flowering.

Daylily (Hemerocallis species and hybrids). Divide every 4-6 years in the spring or immediately after flowering for spacing and for heavier blooms

Hosta (Hosta species and hybrids). Plant at least three feet apart and they will never need division.

Red-Hot Poker (Kniphofia species and hybrids). Divide for propagation in the spring or fall, otherwise they do not need division.

Monarda or Bee Balm (Monarda species and hybrids). Divide every 3-4 years in the spring.

Phlox (phlox species and hybrids). Divide in later spring after flowers have faded. Before replanting, cut foliage down to half current height. The root system is sparse.

Sedum or Stonecrop (Sedum species and hybrids). Divide only for propagation in the spring.

Sempervivum or Hen and Chicks (Sempervivum species). In the spring or fall remove new offsets around crown margins. Cut the lateral stem between the parent and offshoot. Allow the cut portion to dry and form a callus before covering with soil.

Spring Planting as seen on KDKA’s PTL

admin — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 11:13:23 +0000

Here's a close up of a pea sprouting. That's a sign of spring! Photo by Doug Oster

When I first started gardening, my mother would march us out to the garden on Memorial Day. We’d weed, turn over the soil and plant everything that day. On Labor Day the garden was finished and we ripped everything out.

Fast forward a few decades and now my garden season is almost year round, and yours can be too.

Choosing the right crops, giving them some protection and getting a little lucky with the weather can have you picking things before many gardeners have begun to plant.

Here’s a partial list of things that can be planted now-

Lettuce, greens, peas, beets, carrots, radishes, arugula, kale, Swiss chard and spinach. All of these plants tolerate frost and enjoy cool weather.
Don’t forget about pansies and snapdragons either for quick color.

It’s still pretty cold during March and April, so I protect the crops with a floating row cover. It’s a spun bound lightweight translucent fabric that acts like a greenhouse for the plants.

There’s a risk in planting some of these crops right now, it might stay cold enough so they wouldn’t germinate, but that rarely happens. We’re just risking our time and the cost of a seed packet.

Since the ground is still too wet to work, just get some compost from a garden center and pour it on the planting area. Now just spread the seeds out on the compost as detailed in the Digging with Doug video at this link.

Don’t wait until May to plant, get something in now to enjoy the first harvest of the neighborhood.

Clean Air Plants as seen on KDKA’ PTL

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:34:48 +0000

I wrote about clean air plants in the Post-Gazette last year here. Be sure to watch this video, it’s an interview with Kelly Ogrodnik, Phipps’ sustainable design and programs manager. She’s done a lot of research about what’s in our air and how plants can filter the bad stuff.
Here’s a list of plants grown indoors that will help take toxins out of our indoor air-

English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Golden pothos (Scindapsus aures or Epipremnum aureum)
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum ‘Mauna Loa’)
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)
Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)
Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata‘Laurentii’)
Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron oxycardium, syn. Philodendron cordatum)
Selloum philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum, syn. Philodendron selloum)
Elephant ear philodendron (Philodendron domesticum)
Red-edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata)
Cornstalk dracaena (Dracaena fragans ‘Massangeana’)
Janet Craig dracaena (Dracaena deremensis ‘Janet Craig’)
Warneck dracaena (Dracaena deremensis ‘Warneckii’)
Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
Pot Mum (Chrysantheium morifolium)
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

Attracting Birds to the Garden as seen on KDKA PTL

admin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:44:13 +0000

Black Capped Chickodees are a common bird around the feeder. Photos by Doug Oster

I got an e-mail the other day from my friend Steve Repasky from Burgh Bees. He’s also a wildlife biologist for the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Earlier in the day he stopped over unexpectedly while I was filming a Digging with Doug about attracting birds to the garden. It was a news release all about feeding the birds. It talked about the importance of building a habitat to feed the birds as opposed to just throwing out some seed for them to eat.
It went on to say that feeder birds can be easy prey for hawks looking for a quick meal. Five minutes later I was walking in the garden with my camera and I heard some squawking. As I turned around three cardinals were flying right towards me being chased by a Cooper’s Hawk (I think), and the last cardinal was grabbed by the hawk.

This Cooper's Hawk caught a cardinal right in front of me.

I feed the birds for a couple reasons, first I love watching them. Even in cold weather, I’ll go out to my hidden chair behind a couple hemlocks to watch and listen to the birds. There’s something wonderful and calming seeing birds at the feeder. By bringing them into the yard, they will stick around when the weatehr breaks and feast on a variety of insects too.
It was both amazing and sad, but nature can be a cruel mistriss. The hawk sat for a minute over its prize and flew off as I tried to get a better camera angle.

Here are some of the highlights of the PGC release, read the entire thing here-

First a poignant question, “is inviting songbirds – and indirectly, other wildlife – closer to our homes a smart move? Are we compelling wild birds to become more dependent on or unnecessarily comfortable with people? Does feeding birds in winter create health risks for songbirds at a time of unquestioned vulnerability?”
Game commission biologists recommend planting native habitat for the birds, but realize not everyone has a few acres to plant, so yes, feeding the birds is OK.

Be sure the feeder is placed at least 15 feet from a window and close enough to some cover so birds can escape a hawk or cat.

Use a diverse range of foods for the birds, it’s good for them and you’ll attract a wider variety of birds. Black oil sunflower seeds, suet, corn, fruits, peanuts and more will make the birds happy.

If you feed in the winter, continue through the rest of the season. The birds get used to the feeder and make it part of their foraging route.

Keep feeders clean, they can spread diseases to the birds.

You can find Cole’s products locally here.
Below is a video that goes along with the release.
Birdfeeder video

Recipe for Hope as seen on KDKA’s PTL

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:32:36 +0000

On February 11th I’ll be one of many celebrities participating in Recipe for Hope a fundraiser for Hair Peace Charities. The organization helps women with cancer.

Here’s a link with all the information about the event Recipe for Hope. It’s a great night and you’ll eat like a king or queen!
Here’s the recipe for what I’m making-
Seafood Stuffed Shells
1lbs of jumbo pasta shells cooked al dente
For filling
Mix the following ingredients
1 lb ricotta cheese
1 cup grated romano cheese
8 oz cooked shrimp
8 oz grated Italian six blend cheeses
4 oz fresh chopped spinach
2 garlic cloves minced

Sauce
Cook 2 chopped onions in 2 Tbs of olive oil on low heat for 10 minutes or until transparent. Add 8 cloves minced garlic and cool for two more minutes.
Add 1/2 cup butter
1-1/2 cups half and half
8oz fontina cheese grated
1 cup of chopped cherry tomatoes
3 Tbs chopped flat parsley
Use filling to stuff the shells in a baking dish, cover with sauce and back for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Here’s a video that tells you all about Hair Peace. Hair Peace Video

Terrariums are back! As seen on KDKA’s Pittsburgh Today Live

admin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:33:25 +0000

Terrariums come in all shapes and sizes.

Remember the 1970′s? Terrariums were big back then and they were so groovy. Well what comes around goes around and they are hot again.
Nothing could be easier than making a terrarium, they can be made with anything from an old fish tank to a beautiful container bought from a nursery. Even a two liter soda bottle can be converted into a terrarium.
Terrariums are a closed growing system, so they only need a little water every few weeks. The first layer is gravel, some charcoal which keeps the air clean and then a growing medium. One trick that Matt from Chapon’s Greenhouse alerted me to was to moisten the planting mix first to get it right where you want it instead of drowning the soil with water.
You can design either a dry or wet terrarium depending on what you like to grow. I love both.
Succulents are used for the dry one, and bog plants are used for the wet environment. Both are easy to find at a good nursery.
All the terrariums and plants came from Chapon’s Greenhouse in Baldwin. I’m so thrilled to rind terrariums again that I think I’m going to make a bunch. They have everything you need. Chapon’s is located at 4846 Streets Run Road Pittsburgh, PA 15236, (412) 881-1520. It’s a wonderful place to explore during the winter, it’s filled with plants you’ve never seen before. The staff is very helpful and friendly.

Doug’s Books on Sale as seen on KDKA’s PTL

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:38:56 +0000

Tomatoes Garlic Basil and Grow Organic on sale for $17 each and A Gardener’s Notebook for $13, free shipping for a limited time only. All will be signed and personalized as requested.
Send checks to-

Doug Oster
PO 11013
Pittsburgh, Pa 15237

A Gardener’s Notebook is intended to help you record all the crazy details of life with your garden. We’ve both been journaling for years but we’ve never found the perfect journal, so we worked with our publisher, St. Lynn’s Press, to develop one.

Grow Organic teaches gardeners how to have a garden without chemicals. It covers flowers, vegetables, landscaping, fruits and berries, lawns and more.

Tomatoes Garlic Basil is Doug’s latest book is filled with great organic growing information for his three favorite plants. The book also includes 31 recipes, many have a deep connection to his family. Tomatoes Garlic Basil is also filled with wonderful stories from Doug’s life in the garden.

Indoor Flowers Bridge the Gap Until Spring as seen on KDKA’s PTL

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:32:21 +0000

Once winter arrives, gardeners need something to keep them going until spring. Growing flowering plants on the windowsill will do just that.
There are lots of plants that are tough and will bloom through the winter.

Flowering Maple

One of my favorites is Flowering Maple. It’s not really a maple, but it does really flower. The leaves resemble a maple and the plants can flower with orange, red or white flowers.

African violets have a reputation for being fussy. Grow them on the dry side in good light, water from the bottom and the plant will last a lifetime. Some of the more recent varieties also have variegated foliage, which is a bonus.

Cyclamen

Cylcamen are one of the few house plants you can’t let dry out. Keep them moist and they will bloom for months.

One of my favorite indoor plants is the Shamrock Plant, named for its four leaf cloveresque leaves. They are indestructible and will bloom all winter. some have cool, variegated foliage too.

Goldfish Plant

The Goldfish plant sports pretty orange flowers most of the winter.
I put many of these plants out in the garden in a shady spot after all chance of frost has passed. The will often double in size and then can return to the windowsill in the fall.
All the plants used in the segment came from Chapon’s Greenhouse on Streets Run Road in Baldwin, (412)881-1520. Their winter greenhouse is unparallelled, filled with amazing plants. You might even find a winter tomato in there!