I have been stuck thinking of a topic to write about this month. Should I tell about the NEW FENCE (finally!) between my beloved neighbor and my yards; how about the devastation the builders left in their wake – a partly buried dry creek (I know that the rocks are somewhere under that dirt); or perhaps my shock of how my poor pink jasmine and purple trumpet vines were tromped nearly to a pulp? Nah, a little too disheartening for such a day as this. Let me tell you all about my favorite plant information websites instead. Yes, the folks who put these how-to's on the web would like for you to buy something, but that's not why you should check them out!

Burpee's gardens give some wonderful and timely tips on growing things, especially from their seeds, but they have given great information on tomato tips and growing garlic. I actually save those goodies so I have them to refer to.

The Cook's Garden keeps me abreast on how and when to plant various fruits and vegetables in my home garden. A little light on the sell and heavy on the information.

Extra Dirt which I haven't seen for awhile (and I didn't look) is nothing but gardening tips and instructions. One of my favorite as this site follows many of the Master Gardener tenets about using IPM and using organic methods. Lots of good ideas there!

Hirt's Gardens is a on-line nursery with some interesting plants such as Nephrolepis exaltata ‘variegata'                otherwise known as a “tiger fern” such each leaflet dark and light green striped. Good sized plants for reasonable and not bad shipping costs. I realize that this a plug but good folks to deal with!

Sign up for John Scheeper's kitchen garden horticultural newsletter! It's free(!) and chock full of tidbits for the home gardener. Want to buy certain vegetable seeds? You can do that or not; just wonderful hints and tips!

Mid-City Nursery has a newsletter that give you up to date information and is close enough to visit. I've learned a lot from this local newsletter which is so easy to read and use. Sometimes there are coupons as well.

Pleasant Valley Supply in Grass Valley has a most interesting newsletter to read and save. How to grow, when to plant, and most importantly, doing all of this organically. Want to swap out that lawn and grow your own drought-tolerant meadow instead? Peaceful Valley can give all the info you need. I keep all of these emails in a special folder on the hard drive just so I can look up the information as I need it.

IPM West from UCD is a fabulous free newsletter which come straight to your reading device. Lots of local, scientific reading for the layperson about the newest bits about IPM as well as weeds/insects to be on the lookout for. Keep them to re-read in the future.

Taylor's Clematis which is not a selling site but a great fount of information about clematis and companion planting. I really loved the last issue which showed how well this nursery did at the Chelsea Garden Show in England.

Vintage Gardens the nursery may be gone, it's now a rose collection, but the newsletter whose editor is, none other than our own, Darrell Schramm is wonderful. They have open work days where you can volunteer to do weeding and such. The garden is located in Sebastopol in Sonoma County which is actually God's Country for roses. Sign up if you wish or even join! Either day, it is fun!

My last choice for plant information is VanEngelen Wholesale Flower Bulbs. They have all sorts of information for the growing of all things “bulbs”. Daffodils, tulips, amaryllis and the like – tips and ideas are given freely!

UCDavis beenews@ucdavis.edu is a great public newsletter for us all to sign up to get. Ideas to attract bees and other beneficial insects to the yard AND tips and instructions for us all to follow to help these most important pollinators. If you haven't read a copy, please do; very enlightening and informative.

Well, that's all the inbox space I suggest you fill up, but do give them a look see. I think you like them!