tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54668663880666284102024-03-13T11:06:21.647-05:00The Flingbringing garden social media togetherPam/Digging https://www.penick.net/digginghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816325728373530024noreply@blogger.comBlogger413125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-6147079538198288492022-11-22T01:26:00.004-06:002022-11-22T01:28:25.235-06:00Our site has moved!<p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkE-No2xIA1X3mxeQACkiEwxeDhJqUEddv5Wuv3oKW7TpHYBh0sk4t1_GIU4gE8BAj3piFYIn0t2uzvDdQTIfm2_1smI5rs7gcJJpWFDelIwXpz7D8dbfOp6Ncf34Hd8tz7UdYxV8JOhhl0izmPBICcTUHKSwIfEjHREUxRjnHpsu21-q17k5L_Sge/s2880/TheFlingHomepage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1606" data-original-width="2880" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkE-No2xIA1X3mxeQACkiEwxeDhJqUEddv5Wuv3oKW7TpHYBh0sk4t1_GIU4gE8BAj3piFYIn0t2uzvDdQTIfm2_1smI5rs7gcJJpWFDelIwXpz7D8dbfOp6Ncf34Hd8tz7UdYxV8JOhhl0izmPBICcTUHKSwIfEjHREUxRjnHpsu21-q17k5L_Sge/w640-h357/TheFlingHomepage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have a new website! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please visit our new site at <a href="http://www.gardenfling.org">www.gardenfling.org</a> to keep up </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">with news and upcoming Fling events. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are now The Fling, previously called the Garden Bloggers Fling. </span><br /></p>Pam/Digging https://www.penick.net/digginghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816325728373530024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-77114878984993091942022-06-28T16:22:00.046-05:002022-08-19T14:48:54.334-05:00Madison Fling 2022: Blog Posts and Other Coverage<div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChlSIVQRyA-hwW0QXlPBklTPr_XbYYxjWVkN7JwPbYLWgc44o-jv6cLwsgigbWaTXKVxL99X00uew_I129An0tQKlDZkrsprVLgLvjYFhipzPsEp1zAeRVkvjClbpKCxwXvcJGn5AsIFGungzBPeWak0VNnuurdy6B3S2eW4wXc_SHdA9gLxszAotsg/s2048/2022%20Flingers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="2048" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChlSIVQRyA-hwW0QXlPBklTPr_XbYYxjWVkN7JwPbYLWgc44o-jv6cLwsgigbWaTXKVxL99X00uew_I129An0tQKlDZkrsprVLgLvjYFhipzPsEp1zAeRVkvjClbpKCxwXvcJGn5AsIFGungzBPeWak0VNnuurdy6B3S2eW4wXc_SHdA9gLxszAotsg/w640-h288/2022%20Flingers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-size: 10.4px;">2022 Madison Fling attendees at the UW-Madison Arboretum</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thanks for joining us! We love reading your posts about the Madison Fling, and so do other bloggers and communicators, our tour's garden owners and sponsors, and the gardening public. To help us find your posts as you publish them during the weeks and months ahead, please tag them on Facebook and Instagram with our hashtag <b>#gbfling2022</b>. Also, please share your links on <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/gardenbloggersfling" target="_blank">our official Facebook page</a></b>, and you can send them to <b><i>madisongbfling@gmail.com</i></b>.<br />
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Stay tuned for more. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">We'll be collecting your coverage here (see below) so your fellow bloggers and social media communicators—as well as the garden owners, sponsors, and anyone interested in the Madison Fling—can read them. Check back periodically to find the newest links. Seeing different perspectives about the gardens after the Fling ends keeps the fun going!</span><div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Madison Fling Instagram, Facebook, and other social media:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/gbfling2022/" target="_blank">Follow and search for #gbfling2022</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/gbfling2022/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImUBA-9ChOY1FaQwk9h9gtViI0LyXqJcyJHIfLGuUhloSyHWlNYOKHdO0iqL_SculXZTP0EXf62LZGjBldeyv9FztEmiDTFF-Jsbvk0CYj85cnqLrzn9QHjErdtxvXmUqzwg12o8ySZMC_FRdppWZ9WeOhpS8zSCQ5hzqmkrDKuZ6BMWmBmv-Q5a5gQ/s1600/icons8-instagram-150a.png" width="100" /> </a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/theflingtour" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtml1h_OYG_bkAfwGMxIcmvpXESXiIYvD5EmoaehNpVeiToKehRm-Weat0hODp4pnv1GsxQELyMHDiN_9IG-smJILXklBMEjYjub-x-X6G0fZlH5l8DCWSnuglI1zENPoljAX94uTvbUhrvlhSkhnNrebBTHOK9jjaJl0qRnv69hDWf8uoD-bKS019Q/s1600/icons8-facebook-150a.png" width="100" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Madison Fling blog posts:</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Natural Gardening: <a href="https://naturalgardening.blogspot.com/2022/06/allen-centennial-garden.html" target="_blank">Allen Centennial Garden</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Garden Rant: <a href="https://gardenrant.com/2022/06/report-from-madison-green-as-far-as-the-eye-can-see.html" target="_blank">Report From Madison: Green as Far as the Eye Can See</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">PlantPostings: <a href="https://plantpostings.blogspot.com/2022/06/on-plants-and-people-at-2022-garden.html" target="_blank">On Plants and People at the 2022 Garden Bloggers Fling</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Good Environmental News: <a href="https://www.ijdesign.com/blog/native-plants-in-wisconsin/?fbclid=IwAR2l0pB7f83LTV1FWJ0WO5ow27eJ5wzhNRB_bOyIECdUPk_OLsyZsSjcQXY" target="_blank">Native Plants in Wisconsin</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">My Garden Zone: <a href="https://sherikaz.wixsite.com/mygardenzone/post/gbfling2022-wow" target="_blank">#GBFling2022 WOW!!!</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Queen of Seaford: <a href="https://thequeenofseaford.blogspot.com/2022/07/back-to-flings-lets-start-with-trees.html" target="_blank">Back to Flings—Let's Start With Trees</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Digging: <a href="https://www.penick.net/digging/?p=82427" target="_blank">Kicking Off Madison Fling: People, Badgers, Barns, and a Bountiful Rooftop Garden</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">PlantPostings: <a href="https://plantpostings.blogspot.com/2022/07/first-days-of-2022-fling-prairies-ponds.html" target="_blank">First Days of the 2022 Fling: Prairies, Ponds, Edibles, and Ornamentals</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Digging: <a href="https://www.penick.net/digging/?p=82515" target="_blank">East Meets Midwest in the Garden of Linda Brazill and Mark Golbach, Part 1</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nuts for Natives: <a href="https://www.nutsfornatives.com/post/native-garden-design-ideas-paths" target="_blank">Native Garden Design Ideas: Paths</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Digging: <a href="https://www.penick.net/digging/?p=82573" target="_blank">Japanese-Inspired Garden of Linda Brazill and Mark Golbach, Part 2</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Through the Greenhouse Glass: <a href="https://plantoftheweek.com/plant-of-the-week-lollipop-crabapple/" target="_blank">Plant of the Week: LOLLIPOP® Crabapple</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Digging: <a href="https://www.penick.net/digging/?p=82656" target="_blank">Foliage-Rich Pond Garden: Kuster Garden at Madison Fling</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">PlantPostings: <a href="https://plantpostings.blogspot.com/2022/07/saturday-at-2022-fling-artful-displays.html" target="_blank">Saturday at the 2022 Fling: Artful Displays and Fabulous Foliage</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nuts for Natives: <a href="https://www.nutsfornatives.com/post/native-plants-the-2022-garden-bloggers-fling" target="_blank">Native Plants: The 2022 Garden Bloggers Fling</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Digging: <a href="https://www.penick.net/digging/?p=82680" target="_blank">Native Prairie Garden Replaces Half the Lawn in the Grosz Garden</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Digging: </span><a class="_self cvplbd" href="https://www.penick.net/digging/?p=82733" style="border-bottom: medium none; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3; outline: currentcolor none 0px; pointer-events: auto;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Nearly extinct American chestnut – a vision from America’s past – at UW Arboretum</span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">PlantPostings: <a href="https://plantpostings.blogspot.com/2022/07/sunday-at-2022-fling-perfect-weather.html" target="_blank">Sunday at the 2022 Fling: Perfect Weather and More Great Gardens</a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Digging: <a href="https://www.penick.net/digging/?p=82758" target="_blank">Allen Centennial Garden on UW–Madison campus</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Digging: <a href="https://www.penick.net/digging/?p=82792" target="_blank">Constellations of clematis at Janet Aaberg Garden</a> </span></div><br style="font-family: verdana;" /><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Digging: </span><a href="https://www.penick.net/digging/?p=82818" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">Shady oasis with folk art and inviting central patio: Jim Ottney and Jay Hatheway's garden</a></div><br style="font-family: verdana;" /><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Digging: </span><a href="https://www.penick.net/digging/?p=82866" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">In the moment at Rotary Botanical Gardens</a></div><br style="font-family: verdana;" /><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Digging: </span><a href="https://www.penick.net/digging/?p=82898" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">A sun-to-shade retreat in the garden of Rita Thomas</a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div>Digging: <a href="https://www.penick.net/digging/?p=82929" target="_blank">Epic Systems Campus: A Fantasyland of Gardens and Architecture, Part I</a></span><div></div><div></div><div> </div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Digging: <a href="https://www.penick.net/digging/?p=82982" target="_blank">Green-roof prairie and fantasy gardens at Epic Systems, Part 2</a></span></span><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Digging: <a href="https://www.penick.net/digging/?p=83061" target="_blank">A garden on wheels and colorful decor convert driveway into patio garden: Jane and Duane Miller Garden</a></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">My Garden Zone: <a href="https://sherikaz.wixsite.com/mygardenzone/post/natural-garden-hacks-for-weeds" target="_blank">Natural Garden Hacks for Weeds</a> (Fling raffle and Cobrahead featured)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Digging: <a href="https://www.penick.net/digging/?p=83137" target="_blank">Ann Munson’s woodland garden invites mystery and play</a></span><br /><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Digging: <a href="https://www.penick.net/digging/?p=83197" target="_blank">Cindy Fillingame’s glowing, rainy-day garden</a><br /> </span><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Digging: <a href="https://www.penick.net/digging/?p=83269" target="_blank">Snapshots from Olbrich Botanical Gardens’ meadow, event, and herb gardens</a></span><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Digging: <a href="https://www.penick.net/digging/?p=83315" target="_blank">Planted plaza, fountains, and rose garden at Olbrich Botanical Gardens</a></span><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">And let's recognize our first-time Flingers!</b></div><div><div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Thanks for joining us! It's great to make new friends, and we hope you'll join us again.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><span style="color: #333333;">Rachel Balk (IL) </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">–</span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/gardenrach/" style="color: #d52a33; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Small Boots Gardening</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Connie Cottingham (GA)</span></span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;">–</span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"> <a href="https://gardentravelexperiences.com/" style="color: #d52a33; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Garden Travel Experiences</a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;">Mark Dwyer (WI) – </span><a href="https://www.landscapeprescriptionsmd.com/" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #d52a33; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Landscape Prescriptions by MD</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;">Amy Free (WI) – </span><a href="https://www.createecology.net/" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #d52a33; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Create Ecology</a><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;">Karl Gercens (PA) – <a href="https://longwoodgardens.org/blog" style="color: #d52a33; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Longwood Gardens Blog</a></span><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;">Sharron Johnson (TN) – </span><a href="https://www.cooperyounggardenclub.org/" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #d52a33; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Cooper-Young Garden Club</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;">Sheri Kaz (WI) –</span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"> </span><a href="https://sherikaz.wixsite.com/mygardenzone" style="color: #d52a33; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">My Garden Zone</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;">Susan Martin (MI)</span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"> – </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/gardenersuesnews" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #d52a33; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Gardener Sue's News</a><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"> and </span><a href="https://www.gardencrossings.com/blog/" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #d52a33; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Garden Crossings</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ann Munson (WI)</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">–</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/moorgardens/" style="color: #d52a33; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Moorgardens</a></span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;">Natasha Nicholes (IL) – </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/wesowwegrow/" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #d52a33; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">We Sow We Grow</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;">Camille Paulsen (WA) – </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tahomaflora/" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #d52a33; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Tahomaflora</a></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">Megan Speckmann (WI) </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">– <a href="https://faroutflora.com/" style="color: #d52a33; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Far Out Flora</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;">Chan M. Stroman (WI) – </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bookishgardener/" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #d52a33; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Bookish Gardener</a></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Judy Valdes (WI) – <a href="https://blog.cobrahead.com/" target="_blank">Cobrahead Blog</a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Noel Valdes (WI)</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> – </span><a href="https://blog.cobrahead.com/" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">Cobrahead Blog</a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;">Danniel Ward-Packard (WI) – </span><a href="https://botanicawisconsin.com/" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #d52a33; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Botanica</a> and <a href="https://ward-packard.com/" target="_blank">Obsessed Midwest Danniel</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Andy Young (WI)</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> – </span><a href="https://blog.cobrahead.com/" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">Cobrahead Blog</a></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-34142652445086495882022-06-21T15:39:00.001-05:002022-06-21T15:41:14.839-05:00Welcome to Madison!<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><b>Opening Night: Thursday, June 23</b></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>4:30 to 5:30 pm:</b> Stop by our table in the Concourse Hotel lobby, to pick up your ID badge and your swag bag. Wear your badge every day; it's your ticket to board the bus.
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If you miss the registration time, contact Anneliese or Beth at the welcome reception (Madison Children's Museum at 6 p.m.) and we'll find a time after the reception to get your things.
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The swag bag will contain lots of goodies PLUS the tour routes and garden descriptions; be sure to find them in the bag and take them with you on the bus.
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Daily Departures and Arrivals
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<br /><b>DEPARTURES</b><br />
Buses board promptly at 8 a.m. on Friday and Sunday; and at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>ARRIVALS</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Friday:</b> We hope to be back at the Concourse at 7:15-7:30 pm. (Our promptness loading and unloading the buses and traffic conditions could affect the time.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Saturday:</b> We plan to be back at the Concourse at about 6 pm.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Sunday:</b> We plan to be back at 6:45-7 pm.
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Weather forecast as of Tuesday 6/21:</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8IOX31JyZYFeej3nLEQlT2Znd_8j2ZwHzsqALA8apU_XLpd7wJXzDRUb87c0_E8KpSFEX4nhKxf3DjTtNFxqPFq6DS5s25AmZ9hyZZmS4rgGdJo5XRnNkvLRKlg945rw-kEVF5zb970GiROTZwdqWg1oIrhTV3_YziFyyjDEvifyqmYPDN0bqILnDvA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="443" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8IOX31JyZYFeej3nLEQlT2Znd_8j2ZwHzsqALA8apU_XLpd7wJXzDRUb87c0_E8KpSFEX4nhKxf3DjTtNFxqPFq6DS5s25AmZ9hyZZmS4rgGdJo5XRnNkvLRKlg945rw-kEVF5zb970GiROTZwdqWg1oIrhTV3_YziFyyjDEvifyqmYPDN0bqILnDvA=w400-h160" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><span>It will be warm Thursday through Saturday, but quite comfortable on Sunday. We'll have plenty of water to drink. The nights will be comfy, though. Restaurants may have their A/C kicked up high, so plan to bring along a sweater or a light jacket.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/2022/05/full-itinerary-for-2022-fling.html" target="_blank">Visit this link for a reminder of the full itinerary</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Time to Fling!</b></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-72641533390312379312022-06-17T15:40:00.006-05:002022-06-18T19:08:37.151-05:00Planning Your Trip to Madison<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZ2vX7dRh_UoMyQxMGdH8IuUH9xJolulhI_EF1YTeWtHt23TUNPWSg2z9BRh7PmtZqPVGte8DJOOrm0FVWgO-KcPSBhkN8R4Hf1qNZBQmLLM0Fq4qgt3pOaTI5EpwXDM-G4EGKw2bwlJSl-wJuqIwYrgx2_eXPgQHL3ln92AR2JzU0qpa74z4fnlzeg/s1728/MononaTerraceClose.jpg" style="clear: right; font-family: verdana; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1728" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZ2vX7dRh_UoMyQxMGdH8IuUH9xJolulhI_EF1YTeWtHt23TUNPWSg2z9BRh7PmtZqPVGte8DJOOrm0FVWgO-KcPSBhkN8R4Hf1qNZBQmLLM0Fq4qgt3pOaTI5EpwXDM-G4EGKw2bwlJSl-wJuqIwYrgx2_eXPgQHL3ln92AR2JzU0qpa74z4fnlzeg/s320/MononaTerraceClose.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo via <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MononaTerraceClose.jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We've thrown a lot of Fling information at you during the past few months (and years ;-) ), and it can be hard to find all the information you're looking for. So here's a list of important links and information you'll need for making final arrangements for your trip to Madison next week.</span></div></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Communication</span></b><br /><b style="font-family: verdana;">
#hashtag</b><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Our hashtag for the 2022 Garden Bloggers Fling is </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">#gbFling2022</b><span style="font-family: verdana;">. Please be sure to use that every time you post something about the Fling on your favorite social media site. It's a great way for sponsors, garden owners, and fellow Flingers to follow along on our adventures.
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Facebook Group</b><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">
It's also important to note that </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">all our communication during the busy days of the Fling is done through our Facebook group</i><span style="font-family: verdana;">. If you're coming to the Fling, but you're not a member of that group yet, please </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/gardenbloggersfling" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">click here and request to join</a><span style="font-family: verdana;">. Then turn on the FB notifications, and keep your eyes peeled for important announcements from now all the way through the Fling (and afterward as people start posting pictures and blog links about the Fling!)
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Important Links</b></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/p/2020-madison.html" target="_blank">General overall information</a><br /><a href="https://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/2022/06/things-to-pack-and-what-to-wear.html" target="_blank">Things to pack and what to wear</a><br /><a href="https://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/2022/05/full-itinerary-for-2022-fling.html" target="_blank">What will we do during the Madison Fling?</a><br /><br /><b>
Hotel</b><br /><a href="https://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/2019/10/our-hotel-for-madison-garden-bloggers.html" target="_blank">Info about our hotel for the Madison Fling</a><br />
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Transportation</b><br /><a href="https://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/search?q=dane+county+airport" target="_blank">Information about transport around the city, and to and from the airport</a><br />
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Food</b><br />
Some of your food will be provided, but not all of it. Here's a list so you know what to expect:
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Thursday:</b><br />*A wealth of appetizers and beverages at our welcome event</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">*<b><i>If you're still hungry,</i></b> check out the nearby restaurants for a light snack<br /><b><br />
</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Friday:</b><br />*<b><i>You're on your own for breakfast</i></b><br />*Lunch<br />*Snacks on the bus<br />*<b><i>You're on your own for dinner</i></b>; we won't be back until early evening<br /><b><br />
</b></span></div><div><span><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Saturday:</b><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">*</span><b style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">You're on your own for breakfast,</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">but eat lightly</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">—we'll provide a buffet brunch</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">*Brunch<br />*Snacks on the bus<br />*Banquet dinner<br /><b><br />
</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Sunday:</b><br />*<b><i>You're on your own for breakfast</i></b><br />*Lunch<br />*Snacks on the bus<br />*<b><i>You're on your own for dinner</i></b><br /><br /><b>
Your hosts for the Madison Garden Bloggers Fling:</b><br />
Please remember that each Fling is planned, coordinated, and run by volunteers. This is not our full-time job. So please, please be patient if you experience any glitches during the Fling. We'll do our best to make sure everything goes as planned, but with every BIG event, there's always something. So, patience and understanding are always appreciated!
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Beth Stetenfeld of <a href="https://plantpostings.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">PlantPostings.com</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Anneliese Valdes of <a href="https://blog.cobrahead.com/" target="_blank">Cobrahead Blog</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Thank you! See you soon!</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-1239689504948379872022-06-15T10:25:00.005-05:002022-06-29T10:27:58.782-05:00Our 2022 Sponsor Directory Is Now Online<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/z9s7pz6humj1m7h/2022GardenBloggersFling-SponsorGuide-8.5x11-WebSinglePages.pdf?dl=0" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="568" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNO3ac4KdQ_vfIo2bRvkPVCw73wRvxaC4fsDZ8rhK20YCrUEcsCFCwXWJxRFp_xczSgDaJQqr-D_Lg3erg_K3TkZljoP5XhYKWBue6nnbBW-8zNGMf6QpsNMDR2hyJgtPcWBrgPvwTsTkee09WnE_VNlhutVsFWMJCPCxszX83wnbGXXuAZ2RV5-DzcA/w309-h400/Directory%20Cover.png" width="309" /></a></div>We can't thank our 2022 sponsors enough for their support of the Madison Fling! For their financial support and in-kind donations, sponsors received (in addition to other benefits) a listing and/or ad space in our sponsor directory. Each blogger who attends the Madison Fling will receive a printed copy.
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Our 2022 sponsor directory is online and viewable as a pdf. You can <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/z9s7pz6humj1m7h/2022GardenBloggersFling-SponsorGuide-8.5x11-WebSinglePages.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">click here to see it</a>. Please enjoy perusing the gardener-friendly companies whose support is helping us to present our fun-filled event and keep costs low. If you like what you find, please support them in return with likes, links, and shout-outs on your blog and other social media.
<br /><br />Thanks to the Austin Fling Committee for the template, and to Idelle Fisher of <a href="https://www.picklewix.com/" target="_blank">PickleWix.com</a> for the graphic design!</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Our bloom-level sponsors for the major events, in order of event:<br /><br /><div><b>Opening Reception</b> – Proven Winners/Spring Meadow Nursery</div><div><b>Lunch at UW-Madison Arboretum</b> – CobraHead</div><div><b>Demonstration and Giveaway</b> – DRAMM</div><div><b>Brunch at Goodman Community Center</b> – The Great Grow Along</div><div><b>Banquet and Auction</b> – Bailey Nurseries, Elizabeth Licata/Garden Rant, John & Bob’s Smart Soil Solutions</div><div><b>Lunch at Rotary Botanical Gardens</b> – Monrovia</div><div><b>Ice Cream and Social at Allen Centennial Garden</b> – J. Berry Nursery</div><div><b>The Sponsor Directories</b> – Pickle-Wix Web Design</div><br />
Thanks to all our amazing sponsors! You make the Fling possible!</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-24132940529600724792022-06-05T15:23:00.004-05:002022-06-13T20:13:05.196-05:00Things to Pack and What to Wear<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Madison Fling is just over two weeks away!
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What should you bring, and what should you wear? Here are a few suggestions:
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Things to Pack:</span></b><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjLM9rl8-_acUF3Doy_uECi6cxg4lm8ez5uR2fKNb9u2WiUTaSA1U_XA5MFR4L2Yn6KPhkbBt1ykQT90oAEhVfMnQjP9zbipTiJMnbmMHiRNZJ57_tLucaRE8ybYAEFl-ke0deu08WSDgzyjWbL56UauRAqQxRfoQMtd3qnzO8yBGRc5dB-xGG5JuTA/s2500/what%20to%20bring.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1875" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjLM9rl8-_acUF3Doy_uECi6cxg4lm8ez5uR2fKNb9u2WiUTaSA1U_XA5MFR4L2Yn6KPhkbBt1ykQT90oAEhVfMnQjP9zbipTiJMnbmMHiRNZJ57_tLucaRE8ybYAEFl-ke0deu08WSDgzyjWbL56UauRAqQxRfoQMtd3qnzO8yBGRc5dB-xGG5JuTA/w300-h400/what%20to%20bring.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Camera!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Extra camera batteries and memory card</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">
COVID masks (we'll include one in your swag bag, and we'll have a few extras)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Proof of COVID vaccination (you'll be asked at registration)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Hat</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Phone and camera chargers</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">
An umbrella to protect your camera in case of rain</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mosquito/tick repellent</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sunscreen</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Sunglasses</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Your Fling buttons if you've been to the Fling before (don't worry newbies, we've got you covered!)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Business cards
</span></li></ul>
<div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div>Note: These are just a few suggestions and recommendations; there are many other things you, personally, will want to bring. Be sure to leave lots of extra space in your suitcase for your swag! You'll get lots of freebies, so consider bringing an extra carry-on bag for the trip home.<br />
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What to Wear:</span></b></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b>
Wear comfy clothes during the day for the garden tours. If you feel like dressing up for dinner, then bring a change of clothes for each night. (Our banquet dinner on Saturday night will be at the hotel.)
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Wisconsin's weather can be unpredictable, even in summer. While "normal" late June highs are in the low 80s F, and "normal" lows are in the 60s, daytime temps can range anywhere from dry 70s all the way on up to very humid and low 100s </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">(unlikely based on our forecast this summer, but be prepared)</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
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We'll share the forecast on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/gardenbloggersfling" target="_blank"><b>our Facebook page</b></a> a few days before the Fling to help you decide what to pack, although the weather can change, and a full range of things can happen quickly (strong winds, thunderstorms, perfect days, rainbows). Fortunately, most June storms hit in the evening, so our days (fingers crossed) are more likely to be "calm and partly cloudy."
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The A/C tends to be cranked up pretty high at most indoor places in the Midwest. While we'll be mostly outside, our brunch on Saturday and our banquet dinner on Saturday night will be indoors. So, be sure to bring a sweater or a light jacket for these events or for dinners at indoor restaurants.
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As Fling veterans know, we walk, walk, and then walk some more during the Fling. Bring comfy shoes! We'll be walking through gardens, over lawns, up and down hills, through the streets of Madison, and more. Plan accordingly.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Meals:</span></b></span><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">You’ll be on your own for breakfast each day. Lunch will be included with your registration. We’ll also provide daily snacks to fuel your energy for garden tours. We’ll have a banquet on Saturday, but you’ll also have a chance to dine out on other nights.<br />
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Our previous post covered the planned itinerary in case you missed it: <a href="https://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/2022/05/full-itinerary-for-2022-fling.html" target="_blank"><b>Madison Fling Itinerary Preview</b></a>.
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Safe travels! See you soon!</span></b></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-19050063670416596532022-05-27T19:00:00.003-05:002022-06-11T20:03:31.064-05:00Full Itinerary for the 2022 Fling<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span>Only four weeks until the Fling!</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span>T</span><span>here's still room for a few more, and it’s going to be great!</span></b></span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyN9yRvedAg40nwWPjBt93BkroOoslFY8xEzWrOl14OTmgrxGVRneaHW2odhbo00jj7OyZToWMTPCl53feYnOCbe9AVzpnCwAvXSAL01E1iVZPf8WrKECjhtNLTHzSwzbE6p8ATlRjhVFfSacOb08i5QRTQA4NlfOxd8JCZtqYiBBvJ2xKexooDztrSA/s2048/Downtown%20Madison-Isthmus.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyN9yRvedAg40nwWPjBt93BkroOoslFY8xEzWrOl14OTmgrxGVRneaHW2odhbo00jj7OyZToWMTPCl53feYnOCbe9AVzpnCwAvXSAL01E1iVZPf8WrKECjhtNLTHzSwzbE6p8ATlRjhVFfSacOb08i5QRTQA4NlfOxd8JCZtqYiBBvJ2xKexooDztrSA/w640-h428/Downtown%20Madison-Isthmus.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">Photo courtesy The Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">Here are the highlights:</div></b></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><u><b>Thursday, June 23</b></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><u><b>4:30 to 5:30 p.m.</b></u>: Stop by our table in the <b><a href="https://www.concoursehotel.com/" target="_blank">Concourse Hotel</a></b> lobby to pick up your <b>ID badge</b> and get your <b>swag bag</b>. Wear your badge every day; it’s your ticket to board the bus. If you miss the pick-up time, contact Beth or Anneliese at the reception, and we'll find a time after the reception to get your things.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><u><b>6 to 8:30 p.m.</b></u>: <b>Welcome reception</b> at the <b><a href="https://madisonchildrensmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Madison Children’s Museum</a></b>, just a couple of blocks from the hotel. You won’t want to miss the yummy goodies and happy conversations with your fellow plant people. We’ll meet rain or shine, but if the weather is fair, we’ll eat and visit outdoors on the rooftop garden area.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Friday, June 24</u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><u><b>8 a.m.</b></u>: Time to load buses, bright and early, at the Concourse Hotel. This will be a busy day, so we need to stick to the schedule as much as possible.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">First, we’ll head to Middleton, west of Madison, to tour <b>Betsy True and Danny Aerts’</b> mostly edible garden. They've been owners since 1999, and their house was remodeled to include a passive solar sun room, solar hot water, solar photovoltaic and geothermal heat/air conditioning. Betsy and Danny have put in significant work in the last decade, including garden fencing, raised beds, and cold frames. They also have sizeable woodland and prairie environments with lots of native plants, and they keep chickens and bees.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Next, we visit another Middleton garden at the home of <b>Linda and Phil Grosz</b>. They built the house 25 years ago, and at that time the only vegetation on the lot was weeds and a row of old box elders. An acre of native prairie was installed by Prairie Nursery in 1998 and a pond was built soon after. Since that time, Linda has created plantings around the pond, a huge berm with a tapestry of hostas and other shade-loving plants, a rock garden, a decorative vegetable garden, a miniature garden, and a new sculpture garden.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCB3ALytTslIpR2pFZs2RQBY_eLl1YtGxEel5iv07uDKYr9ppE3STfPCcgO-yfscpvac3ijp9dkG1jaEeVYAf3rFs6KdYsFff0F91yq_r0j0Yq2oaz3atNant_N51NQ8BCqPhssQ6aml1dDOxY6m0NuF-GaAJr-HXJ6VTGqbLckiF3YCEtsSMei1UZA/s2502/plant%20hut.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1877" data-original-width="2502" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCB3ALytTslIpR2pFZs2RQBY_eLl1YtGxEel5iv07uDKYr9ppE3STfPCcgO-yfscpvac3ijp9dkG1jaEeVYAf3rFs6KdYsFff0F91yq_r0j0Yq2oaz3atNant_N51NQ8BCqPhssQ6aml1dDOxY6m0NuF-GaAJr-HXJ6VTGqbLckiF3YCEtsSMei1UZA/s320/plant%20hut.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>For lunch, we head to the <b><a href="https://arboretum.wisc.edu/" target="_blank">UW-Madison Arboretum</a></b>. We’ll take our group photo, eat lunch, and then break into groups to tour <b>Curtis Prairie</b>, the site of the world’s first ecological restoration; the <b>Native Plant Garden</b>, home to plentiful native grasses, wildflowers, and pollinators; and the <b>Longenecker Horticultural Gardens</b>, a 35-acre collection of trees, shrubs, and vines, and more than 2,500 kinds of plants, including more than 100 species of Wisconsin native woody plants.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Next, we head to Fitchburg, south of Madison, to visit the garden of <b>Rita Thomas</b>, who started gardening at her current location 35 years ago, when she “knew nothing about plants or garden design.” A plant collector, Rita seeks out the unusual, the best of the species, or the latest introductions. A couple of years ago, she added 20 new trees and 15 herbaceous peonies to her garden. She also tends orchids, native woodland plants, daylilies, and irises.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The former Flower Factory nursery, now the private garden of <b>Nancy and David Nedveck</b>, is our next destination. Near Oregon and Stoughton, the Nedveck’s property is expansive. Once home to more than 4,000 perennial varieties, the nursery was one of the premiere garden centers of the Upper Midwest. Begun by the Nedvecks in 1984, the nursery was enlarged in 1988, and was a common stop for bus tours. Nancy and David closed the business in 2020, and have been scaling back, although they still garden and sell plants at the Dane County Farmers’ Market.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebVAuniaqGmGxc10R-17KUZ_kglODCeVQ_oPYWl6wpdq_k4dix4tPfgPK--tjR_qgGsUca_sDDpLYcHHPdnvWd_OOjdJlDDQTXxgObqENaEq42AC7XRvWpX7FpmjwiQne6SC6aWplROG7zFakXX_FsIIrg_WqNogPO7VaMOOUxxFVJ5hTkmVNSD8yEQ/s2048/epic.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebVAuniaqGmGxc10R-17KUZ_kglODCeVQ_oPYWl6wpdq_k4dix4tPfgPK--tjR_qgGsUca_sDDpLYcHHPdnvWd_OOjdJlDDQTXxgObqENaEq42AC7XRvWpX7FpmjwiQne6SC6aWplROG7zFakXX_FsIIrg_WqNogPO7VaMOOUxxFVJ5hTkmVNSD8yEQ/s320/epic.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Our final stop of the day will be the grounds of <b><a href="http://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/2019/" target="_blank">Epic Systems</a></b>, near the suburb of Verona. Epic is one of the healthcare industry’s leading information technology companies, serving many of the world’s largest hospitals and healthcare systems. Our tour leader will be one of the gardens’ landscape designers, Jeff Epping, of Epping Design & Consulting. It’s hard to describe this place because it’s so unique. Among other things, we’ll see gravel gardens, storybook gardens, and expansive prairie/savanna views of the surrounding countryside.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">(Note: We won’t be back to the hotel until after 7 p.m. We won’t be serving an evening meal, so be sure to stock up on snacks and plan to stop at a restaurant near the hotel when we get back.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Saturday, June 25</u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><u><b>6 to 9:30 a.m.</b></u>: Sleep in, if you wish. This will be a slightly more relaxed day. You’re on your own to tour the <b><a href="https://dcfm.org/" target="_blank">Dane County Farmers’ Market</a></b>, just a block from our hotel, from 6 a.m. until 9:30 a.m., when we’ll load the buses for our day’s events.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A hearty brunch at the <b><a href="https://www.goodmancenter.org/rooms-catering/catering" target="_blank">Goodman Community Center</a></b>, on the near East side of Madison, will be the fare mid-morning. The Goodman Center is a private, nonprofit that serves the entire community through programs such as early childhood education, its TEENworks high school program, older adult activities, and many others. We’ll be served through the center’s Working Class Catering participants—a “classroom” of young people who work and learn alongside food service professionals.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxcmKQMzBvYkwoQX2V1DoOlzjj5cN0twYmcVllhH48v82kOmtKqKWzYMi0z9CRu1xjqiujOcQRVxwnw2sqH9C_mA8b4XX989khr_YayUI00jsHr5SXr2GbOYimbW_6ax81SlGiNJxu1pgRdhL-eLfIoh-3wHihNDTO5H5g2u6uKFH8gj6MX23dHun8w/s2048/thai%20pavilion.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxcmKQMzBvYkwoQX2V1DoOlzjj5cN0twYmcVllhH48v82kOmtKqKWzYMi0z9CRu1xjqiujOcQRVxwnw2sqH9C_mA8b4XX989khr_YayUI00jsHr5SXr2GbOYimbW_6ax81SlGiNJxu1pgRdhL-eLfIoh-3wHihNDTO5H5g2u6uKFH8gj6MX23dHun8w/s320/thai%20pavilion.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>After brunch, you have a choice: You can walk a half-mile portion of the Capital City Trail to <b><a href="http://www.olbrich.org/" target="_blank">Olbrich Botanical Gardens</a></b>, our next destination. Or, you can ride the bus to Olbrich. If you walk the trail, you’ll see community gardens planted and tended by area residents. Plan for about 10 to 20 minutes, depending on your pace. If you take the bus, you’ll have a little more time at Olbrich.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Olbrich Botanical Gardens is a nationally recognized botanical garden. It was voted one of the top 10 most inspiring gardens in North America by <i>Horticulture</i> magazine, and it has received the American Public Gardens Association’s Garden of Excellence Award. Among other highlights is Olbrich’s Thai pavilion, a gift to UW-Madison from the Thai government and the Thai chapter of the Wisconsin Alumni Association.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">After our Olbrich visit, we’re off to tour three Madison private gardens, not necessarily in this order:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Linda Brazill and Mark Golbach</b> moved to their half-acre lot 28 years ago, as it was a perfect canvas on which to create a garden: a sloping site with trees and shrubs mostly at its edges. Their goal was to walk out their back door and be in a tranquil retreat, marrying the contemplative qualities of Eastern gardens with the pines and perennials of Wisconsin. They’ve planted some 200 trees and shrubs, and used more than 200 tons of stone in walls, paths, and boulder groupings. The garden has real and symbolic water features, unusual trees and conifers, a birch glade, woodland peonies, and a Japanese teahouse.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Cindy Fillingame</b> added her first raised bed in 2004, out of a desire to improve the garden’s drainage. She chose concrete retaining wall blocks, which allowed her to create fluid lines and to adjust the height and enrich the soil. As her gardening knowledge has grown, she’s created diverse garden beds that have something to offer in each season of the year. Visitors will see many newly planted trees and shrubs, as well as older established trees and shrubs. Lilies, including Martagon, Asiatic, and Orienpets, join garden sculptures to provide vertical accents among a wide variety of perennials.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Tom and Cheryl Kuster</b> have been gardening at their current property for 22 years. The yard had been professionally landscaped in 1968 when the house was built, including a small pond and waterfall. In 2004, the Kusters asked Steve Lesch, of Landscape Designs Nursery, to help them create a new plan. Tom describes himself as a “collector of plants,” with more than 600 different varieties. The garden is divided into 20 sections—each with its own genera of species. Areas include miniature and dwarf conifers; a Tufa rock garden with various alpines, hens and chicks, and woodies; and a Japanese garden.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We’ll end the day at the Concourse Hotel for our banquet and auction. Be prepared for some fancy fixings, socializing, and fun with gardening giveaways.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Sunday, June 26</u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><u><b>8 a.m.</b></u>: Time to load buses, bright and early again, for another day full of amazing garden tours. We start on Madison’s east side for tours of two unique gardens.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Ann Munson</b>, who’ll be joining us for her first Fling, has been gardening at her current Monona property for 43 years. She started with a small vegetable garden, and gradually expanded to include all of her ¾-acre suburban lot—it now has no lawn, and paths wander throughout a collection of sun and shade gardens. More than 250 trees and shrubs—all but six of the trees on the lot—were planted by Ann and her husband. Wood chip paths connect the gardens of sun and shade. Two ponds and a connecting stream provide water for wildlife and stimulation of the senses. Ann recycles as much from the land as possible, and incorporates interesting items as she finds them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Jane and Duane Miller</b> have an urban garden within Madison’s isthmus that showcases very creative use of a small lot. During the growing season, they repurpose their driveway as a pathway and patio into the garden. Plants in rolling pots—along with garden furniture, portable fences, planters, and umbrellas—come out to form a wonderful dining and entertaining space. Since many things are on wheels, they can rearrange spaces or create a parking spot, if needed. A wood pergola on one side and a secret garden nestled between two garages in back form the other garden rooms. A colorful bowling ball collection lines the front garden. Arbors and fencing divide the property into gardening “rooms” filled with colorful annuals, dramatic foliage plants, and decorative surprises around every corner.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Before lunch, we’ll make a quick stop at <b><a href="https://kopkesgreenhouse.com/" target="_blank">Kopke’s Greenhouse</a></b>, in Oregon. The business, which started in the 1980s, now has 28 buildings; plentiful garden decorations, tools, and supplies; and more than 1,000 plant varieties of perennials, annuals, and edibles.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGk4s0-_DEdi6WveqydQ4FFVosxMZuwhaVG1pmvzMWwPsvK2y5j-wQMXmlKUQIdlED8Axr9gCJ2S-vhLmRa87w_C49djUXRTO-622WTIQlXiARelIToONvm60LKsj9qx-nZKPsERxkQHxt-TiEYvp_q0NdQngL_iLDZtUdMlcvGHfNOjK0Kmnh34OlFg/s2048/rotary.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGk4s0-_DEdi6WveqydQ4FFVosxMZuwhaVG1pmvzMWwPsvK2y5j-wQMXmlKUQIdlED8Axr9gCJ2S-vhLmRa87w_C49djUXRTO-622WTIQlXiARelIToONvm60LKsj9qx-nZKPsERxkQHxt-TiEYvp_q0NdQngL_iLDZtUdMlcvGHfNOjK0Kmnh34OlFg/s320/rotary.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Next, we’ll drive to Janesville, south of Madison, to visit <b><a href="https://rotarybotanicalgardens.org/" target="_blank">Rotary Botanical Gardens</a></b>. We’ll eat lunch here, and then we’ll be free to roam the gardens at our own pace. Rotary has 20 acres of gardens, with 26 different styles and 4,000 varieties of plants. During our visit, the gardens will have about 38 whimsical turtles for a Garden Art project. Each will be labelled with artist, title, and a short description. Please give credit to the artists if you photograph their work. Volunteers also designed and installed a Story Walk, titled, “Except Antarctica” by Todd Sturgell. It’s about a turtle traveling to Antarctica.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">On the way back to Madison, we’ll stop in Stoughton for our two final private garden visits—also very unique!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The garden of <b>Jim Ottney and Jay Hatheway</b> started as an untended field of weeds, an oil change sand pit, piles of old tires, clotheslines, volunteer trees at random locations, and various invasive plants. When they purchased the home and property in the mid-1990s, they turned over the entire lot by hand, and transformed it into a lush garden laced with pathways and seating areas, incorporating a newer central pergola over the original patio, a metal gazebo in the back, a deck overlooking the entire garden, garden art distributed throughout, and a flagstone open space in one section. Jim describes it as a “private escape and a space where we can entertain small groups of friends.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Janet Aaberg</b> has owned her home for 30 years. The first eight, she had a few basic plantings, but it was after the death of her spouse in 1999 that she started digging gardens, which she’s continued for 22 years. She created one garden at a time, planted one plant at a time, made many mistakes, and has had many successes. She’s taken master gardener training, worked at Kopke’s Greenhouse for a few years, and has belonged to several botanical societies. She now tends 18 large perennial beds, and has a diverse selection of perennials, including 32 varieties of Clematis, some of which should be blooming when we visit.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVtT6ZiTaz4PD-HFvJJ5y8ekQsmE_vQOlaCxrffn0l9XthkmhApcAqDDhzmuVrNx1WwTt4E9j0gSr8vtCdMcuJno2ede4T-IuUlMz1LcPama_AloqXrSedgv2oPB9u_S2lVHYOowRIr1cvil3ZchMS9vIBWzFlOVzQJE8x3d-yHjhDstcjwKYh6O4Zw/s2048/_DSC5799.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1361" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVtT6ZiTaz4PD-HFvJJ5y8ekQsmE_vQOlaCxrffn0l9XthkmhApcAqDDhzmuVrNx1WwTt4E9j0gSr8vtCdMcuJno2ede4T-IuUlMz1LcPama_AloqXrSedgv2oPB9u_S2lVHYOowRIr1cvil3ZchMS9vIBWzFlOVzQJE8x3d-yHjhDstcjwKYh6O4Zw/s320/_DSC5799.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">Photo courtesy Allen Centennial Garden</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Our final destination of the Madison Fling is <b><a href="https://allencentennialgarden.wisc.edu/" target="_blank">Allen Centennial Garden</a></b>, on the UW-Madison campus. Located on a cozy 2.5 acres surrounding the historic Dean's Residence, the gardens were designed to complement the home and its existing plantings. The garden is built around a stately Victorian gothic house, which was one of the first buildings on the agricultural campus and served as home for the first four deans. It's divided into 14 distinct areas—from English cottage gardens, to an iris meadow, to a Japanese garden, and a Wisconsin woodland garden. The property serves as an outdoor classroom for UW-Madison students and surrounding communities, providing learning opportunities for visitors of all ages.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>** And there’s a small <i>secret surprise</i> at the end…shhh…you won’t know what it is until the end. See you soon in Madison! **</b></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-23964529491887228232022-05-24T14:29:00.001-05:002022-05-24T17:31:59.310-05:00Great Grow Along: Supporting Sponsor of the Madison Fling<div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1B2hZZI2_JesT3zlK3CH9QK9YfNS_DmlPXEf80j4T8LsIKYsdwkAOHZRfdE4ScYJ1dUzzm7OHGLysdrYQjTSz-O1ngzCIegzD-u5dAgRaQTcLBw8288Ce2kQ6C9xChmHmzzGzsv26luD5B-_GiiYSQzMC8BwCYi0_Wshv3rktHDElWTe2wBf23Hv9FQ/s1073/GGA%202023%20logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="1073" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1B2hZZI2_JesT3zlK3CH9QK9YfNS_DmlPXEf80j4T8LsIKYsdwkAOHZRfdE4ScYJ1dUzzm7OHGLysdrYQjTSz-O1ngzCIegzD-u5dAgRaQTcLBw8288Ce2kQ6C9xChmHmzzGzsv26luD5B-_GiiYSQzMC8BwCYi0_Wshv3rktHDElWTe2wBf23Hv9FQ/s320/GGA%202023%20logo.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div><b style="font-family: verdana;">Let’s hear it</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> for another 2022 Fling bloom-level sponsor: <a href="https://greatgrowalong.com/" target="_blank">The Great Grow Along</a>!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
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Great Grow Along is a media channel for cutting-edge content of today’s gardening world. Designed by gardeners, for gardeners, the goal is to unite a nation of gardeners who know no state or country lines, but share the goodness gardening can bring to all.
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A team of industry pros, nonprofit leaders, technologists, and educators—who also happen to be gardeners of all varieties—join together to provide great gardening content. The next Great Grow Along Virtual Garden Festival is scheduled for March 10-19, 2023. On-demand content is available year-round.
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Find them online:
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Website:</b> <a href="https://greatgrowalong.com" target="_blank">greatgrowalong.com</a></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Facebook:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/greatgrowalong" target="_blank">@greatgrowalong</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Twitter:</b> <a href="https://twitter.com/greatgrowalong" target="_blank">@greatgrowalong</a><br />
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*** The Garden Bloggers Fling is a non-profit organization; we’d be nowhere without our generous sponsors! Please let them know how much they mean to us—big "thank-yous" to each and every one! ***</b></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-55769681864470106592022-05-16T21:59:00.015-05:002022-06-27T21:25:53.234-05:00Who's Who at the Madison Fling<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
Whatever drives you to blog or communicate on social media about gardening, there's a place for you at the Garden Bloggers Fling, as evidenced by the diverse group of people planning to attend the Madison Fling in June.</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;">Below are short profiles of participants and what they're all about. </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><b>Note:</b> I</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">f you haven't submitted y</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">our photo and information</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;"> yet, please do so when you're ready; </span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">w</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">e'll add your profile right on up to the start of the Fling. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">(</span><a href="https://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/2022/03/whos-attending-madison-fling.html" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank"><i>Click here for the full list of attendees, organized by location</i></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">.)</span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">We're sure you'll find kindred spirits here, as well as reasons to reach out to people with </span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">interesting</span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana;"> and unique projects and activities. And if you need a little extra help putting names to faces, you may also find this a helpful reference once you arrive in Madison, so <b><i>bookmark this page</i></b>!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span>
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</span><div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphwnJoUvh3eQ_ZhF1kPYQh9rCmM00ijLrV3RE9uIvMzI4ou8bNtDwuXK1Evj0HH8CkM-I6HVdczG5j9_Bosw9SixL6cy3FHGbqhsbRy5KhHluJP9TpYKCfahOXheuCCUB0yGaLIDjrm1r8wcGvICOTRXbvrO5jxxTJ88GYR1y836ZWkWb5ia1BoXMVA/s320/Rachel%20Balk.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="237" data-original-width="320" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphwnJoUvh3eQ_ZhF1kPYQh9rCmM00ijLrV3RE9uIvMzI4ou8bNtDwuXK1Evj0HH8CkM-I6HVdczG5j9_Bosw9SixL6cy3FHGbqhsbRy5KhHluJP9TpYKCfahOXheuCCUB0yGaLIDjrm1r8wcGvICOTRXbvrO5jxxTJ88GYR1y836ZWkWb5ia1BoXMVA/w200-h148/Rachel%20Balk.png" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Rachel Balk</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Blog and/or handle:</b> <a href="https://rachbalk.wixsite.com/smallbootsgardening" target="_blank">Small Boots Gardening</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Buffalo Grove, Illinois</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I design and install gardens for Chicagoland families, so they can enjoy their outdoor spaces. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's called Garden Snippets: How 10 minutes in the garden can transform your outdoor space. I also love to sketch and take visual notes to help people see the possibilities for their space. I offer gardening workshops, ad hoc. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I offer online and in-person garden consultations. I also purchase and install plants for people who are local. This includes non-gardeners and people who once were avid gardeners but now need a helping hand. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9l3bQVuvUerhtjm2qSxYAss4bR9DBuDgyTVkJLFVaVGy7MlOF5x8N0WpyxtAYCu4BcnfLsFdluRdVTAFyQ8QO1VADDiuLkYk9vzF4g8JXDz9Ts19PA_SnGYBiw8gnQPOGmWnKar1eXcimIPVYC65MPEXlJ2svjYBVsCFUpWj_FWv397K5ia0VYyHVw/s2500/Maya%20Bartolf.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1875" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9l3bQVuvUerhtjm2qSxYAss4bR9DBuDgyTVkJLFVaVGy7MlOF5x8N0WpyxtAYCu4BcnfLsFdluRdVTAFyQ8QO1VADDiuLkYk9vzF4g8JXDz9Ts19PA_SnGYBiw8gnQPOGmWnKar1eXcimIPVYC65MPEXlJ2svjYBVsCFUpWj_FWv397K5ia0VYyHVw/w150-h200/Maya%20Bartolf.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Maya Bartolf</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Blog and/or handle:</b> <a href="https://www.flowersandgrapes.com" target="_blank">Flowers & Grapes</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/flowers_n_grapes/" target="_blank">@flowers_n_grapes</a>; Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/flowers_grapes" target="_blank">@flowers_grapes</a>; Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/flowersandgrapes" target="_blank">@flowersandgrapes</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Northern California Wine Country</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Flowers and Grapes</i> is my ad-free online indie magazine for gardeners, flower fanatics, wine country enthusiasts, and nature lovers in Northern California. It's an independent magazine that celebrates the seasons and the region, and encourages you to get out and explore the wine country. Published quarterly in spring, summer, fall, and winter, each issue is packed with natural beauty and regional focus to inspire gardening, sustainability, entertaining, cooking, travel, and living a rich life in Northern California. You can read c</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">urrent and past issues of </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">Flowers and Grapes</i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> for free at </span><a href="http://flowersandgrapes.com" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">flowersandgrapes.com</a><span style="font-family: verdana;">. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">It can grow only with your support! In one year, it has grown its audience to more than 5,000 readers worldwide, and our fans have generously crowdfunded the publishing of this unique ad-free quarterly magazine with their generous contributions on Patreon. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXjp6sbOgWnmCUF-hagjKx5-RPZLDexHe7-64eBs4M-X_0mMLWW1cbOKezLP0rvwkvkxEjyrwnM6m1QpXGQLuEgkFQcuaU-jF-xKmgjWLRtA4OD98SUyIO3SxRet9HSP6-e-7V145ESp4ulHQUmh8L-jtl78dcX1uibsKbjd94lkN47LG4pB9RETQ9Q/s2944/Vicki%20Blachman.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXjp6sbOgWnmCUF-hagjKx5-RPZLDexHe7-64eBs4M-X_0mMLWW1cbOKezLP0rvwkvkxEjyrwnM6m1QpXGQLuEgkFQcuaU-jF-xKmgjWLRtA4OD98SUyIO3SxRet9HSP6-e-7V145ESp4ulHQUmh8L-jtl78dcX1uibsKbjd94lkN47LG4pB9RETQ9Q/w150-h200/Vicki%20Blachman.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Vicki Blachman</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Blog </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana;">and/or </b><b style="font-family: verdana;">handle:</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <a href="https://playinoutside.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Playin' Outside</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">and <a href="https://pollinATX.blogspot.com" target="_blank">PollinATX</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Austin, Texas</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Playin' Outside is a collection of photos and observations in my own pollinator-centered garden.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">PollinATX is what's happening around Austin related to our becoming a Xerces-certified <a href="https://beecityusa.org/" target="_blank">Bee City USA</a> and ongoing projects to retain that coveted certification. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">My biggest project for two years has been getting Austin certified a Bee City USA. Now I'm working with <a href="https://ktb.org/" target="_blank">Keep Texas Beautiful</a> (KTB) to encourage KTB affiliates to become Bee Cities. I'm also working with Xerces and Monarch Watch to establish a pollinator corridor through Texas, and with AgriLife Extension to establish an official Pollinator Garden certification.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbGfQ5zGnYV8XsiSn7iCT6eAOCwD2Jt8GZ3-EXm_vUybaePNCGxpwAcP4FZxsxVoXRYLu8MJQFJieE2N5GC0teortH2WLPUr19csSk3BNW7nzjXnwwwi_e2-v0Rmm8xePT3RARssu7cbT4T8W0T_KorzPsOjDmb8MvmkvbEnCOE6hKtCLUGNMeyZSKA/s871/Natalie%20Carmolli.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="871" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbGfQ5zGnYV8XsiSn7iCT6eAOCwD2Jt8GZ3-EXm_vUybaePNCGxpwAcP4FZxsxVoXRYLu8MJQFJieE2N5GC0teortH2WLPUr19csSk3BNW7nzjXnwwwi_e2-v0Rmm8xePT3RARssu7cbT4T8W0T_KorzPsOjDmb8MvmkvbEnCOE6hKtCLUGNMeyZSKA/w200-h200/Natalie%20Carmolli.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo: Adriana Robinson</span></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Natalie Carmolli</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Blog</b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana;">and/or </b><b style="font-family: verdana;">handle:</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Plant of the Week</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://plantoftheweek.com/" target="_blank">Through the Greenhouse Glass</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Grand Haven, Michigan – along the lovely shores of Lake Michigan!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The purpose of my blog is to provide gardeners and garden communicators with information and inspiration for their next gardening-related project. Just as Alice found a whole new world when she stepped Through the Looking-Glass, the hope is that my blog introduces gardeners and garden communicators to the fantastical world of flowering shrubs, whether viewing them Through the Greenhouse Glass, or in their own backyards. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I’m also an actor! During the shutdown, my husband and I performed a one-act play called "A Betrothal" that was filmed where we played breeders at an iris show. I've also recently filmed an “unconventional garden tour” of the display gardens for Spring Meadow Nursery. Ask me for the link! </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've been having a great time travelling the region this spring, speaking to groups about Proven Winners® ColorChoice® shrubs and how to use them in their landscape plans.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZLIiXDyut0eucCDjRH83OsH5Por14lTs2He_O2egWWLUeqUIfFQ3ceDv69AvDqo2p5Il447ab9CI6fAFRIW6bwxqkVRMA3O1jD_QmdBEJuVbHXM4NbKDiiFKZ10lB2hDZCF29lEyLn48mtzFf2z1l0GeRz8ddgQpnGWpqcGd9QabrdFpAKQP4zqa9A/s709/Connie%20Cottingham.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="704" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZLIiXDyut0eucCDjRH83OsH5Por14lTs2He_O2egWWLUeqUIfFQ3ceDv69AvDqo2p5Il447ab9CI6fAFRIW6bwxqkVRMA3O1jD_QmdBEJuVbHXM4NbKDiiFKZ10lB2hDZCF29lEyLn48mtzFf2z1l0GeRz8ddgQpnGWpqcGd9QabrdFpAKQP4zqa9A/w199-h200/Connie%20Cottingham.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>Connie Cottingham</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Blog</b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana;">and/or </b><b style="font-family: verdana;">handle:</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <a href="https://gardentravelexperiences.com/" target="_blank">Garden Travel Experiences</a> and <a href="https://travelthesouthbloggers.com/author/connie-cottingham/" target="_blank">Travel the South</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Athens, Georgia (soon Northwest Arkansas)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm a travel writer who loves public
gardens and pedestrian spaces. I'm also a destination expert at
<a href="https://travelthesouthbloggers.com" target="_blank">travelthesouthbloggers.com</a>, and a garden writer, blogger, and speaker. In
Summer 2022, this Southern girl is moving from Athens, Georgia, to her roots—Northwest Arkansas. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Follow </span><a href="https://gardentravelexperiences.com/" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">GardenTravel Experiences</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> gardening and garden travels blog and sign up for "Love
Notes from the Garden"—short, weekly gardening emails interwoven with history
and humor.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mt0t37n1WBBksm5pHyVkut0Bc6y-NMnmOGl6UvVHllGuqBqsOSO4CeufzRm-bKPchv_2QbyZFHXLsgVd-Py5zWCbElPtWxO6ffAyZxVsyJx6WC6g35cg7-puSNH6-RLgIRpuUIwPPaZOAR7yFjzHTkfBUT-gHvAG248ZbER0rjGl_jHdPXxGgndf7g/s4982/Mark%20Dwyer.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4982" data-original-width="3321" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mt0t37n1WBBksm5pHyVkut0Bc6y-NMnmOGl6UvVHllGuqBqsOSO4CeufzRm-bKPchv_2QbyZFHXLsgVd-Py5zWCbElPtWxO6ffAyZxVsyJx6WC6g35cg7-puSNH6-RLgIRpuUIwPPaZOAR7yFjzHTkfBUT-gHvAG248ZbER0rjGl_jHdPXxGgndf7g/w133-h200/Mark%20Dwyer.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>Mark Dwyer</b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Blog</b></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana;">and/or </b><b style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">handle:</b><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana;"> <a href="https://www.landscapeprescriptionsmd.com/" target="_blank">Landscape Prescriptions by MD</a></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Janesville, Wisconsin</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm the garden manager for the Edgerton, Wis., Hospital Healing Garden, which I designed in 2011. Previously I was director of horticulture at Rotary Botanical Gardens (Janesville, Wis.) for 21 years, where I did a very regular horticulture blog (3,000 posts) for more than 12 years. I also operate my own landscape design company, Landscape Prescriptions by MD, offer many presentations and garden writing projects, and spend time with my family in Janesville, Wis. </span></span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">Gardening in Wisconsin is an exciting adventure each year. I try not to worry about what I can't control from Mother Nature (deer, inclement weather, Japanese beetle damage, etc.). I like to focus on the rewards of immersing myself in the garden, and the excitement of observing seasonal transitions, pollinator activity, vegetables ripening, cloying fragrances, and so much more.</span></div></div><div><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkW1Y9MWWux7XAZkon-Qd1nDHuIjxcArwRGdTaB-T_LjHqHAIkqJut9vPMmPiHSJ036sZuSfXmwSTXxAe4mkx-OsaWu_3uuuNwUKyvTg0Jzgn_BJj2_OmTuY2JOOjXK0BZ1VU1xB5vSKLmmJywzpfJYq7Cw0UHXYDP8Ot0-ycUM8l8F5OuwmC1lgctQ/s2070/Jane%20Finch-Howell.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; font-family: verdana; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2070" data-original-width="1797" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkW1Y9MWWux7XAZkon-Qd1nDHuIjxcArwRGdTaB-T_LjHqHAIkqJut9vPMmPiHSJ036sZuSfXmwSTXxAe4mkx-OsaWu_3uuuNwUKyvTg0Jzgn_BJj2_OmTuY2JOOjXK0BZ1VU1xB5vSKLmmJywzpfJYq7Cw0UHXYDP8Ot0-ycUM8l8F5OuwmC1lgctQ/w174-h200/Jane%20Finch-Howell.jpg" width="174" /></a>Jane Finch-Howell</b></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Blog</b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana;">and/or </b><b style="font-family: verdana;">handle:</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <a href="https://mulchmaid.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">MulchMaid</a>: Muckraking at Longview Ranch </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/MulchMaid/" target="_blank">MulchMaid</a>; Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MulchMaid" target="_blank">Jane Finch-Howell</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Portland, Oregon, and Astoria, Oregon</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I blog about my mostly evergreen garden in Portland, and occasionally from Astoria, Oregon. I've been blogging for more than 13 years, but these days it's often on the 15th of the month for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. I have a special affinity for agaves and aloes, native and drought-tolerant plants, pushing my zonal envelope, and for all-season trees and shrubs, though my modest city gardens can only hold so many of those! </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm currently working on creating a new garden in Astoria, while keeping up on my Portland garden, as well. I recently added two small community garden beds to the mix in Astoria, so I'm getting my vegetable mojo back. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm just a gardener who happens to blog about it. ;-)</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvE8WbkNfxg0XOve-X41sN-oBioLTXiPWgDgBTWJvnY63jZkb42F3r0g_br1k0PBf-azNCvyWJptMTuGHBFsk8az7my3DxY96bqG8tsRhyvQfUo6u5DYchmns3wplR11vgaQ256OPFjn5C6MK62gj5PNJ8rqpjgomwMGcqSnvfr6epxb3fryWSgFRSQ/s1280/Idelle%20Fisher.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="863" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvE8WbkNfxg0XOve-X41sN-oBioLTXiPWgDgBTWJvnY63jZkb42F3r0g_br1k0PBf-azNCvyWJptMTuGHBFsk8az7my3DxY96bqG8tsRhyvQfUo6u5DYchmns3wplR11vgaQ256OPFjn5C6MK62gj5PNJ8rqpjgomwMGcqSnvfr6epxb3fryWSgFRSQ/w135-h200/Idelle%20Fisher.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>Idelle Fisher</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Blog</b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana;">and/or </b><b style="font-family: verdana;">handle:</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <a href="https://www.ijdesign.com/blog/" target="_blank">Good Environmental News Blog</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">and <a href="https://www.sandiaseed.com/blogs/news" target="_blank">Sandia Seed’s Blog</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Denver, Colorado</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">My personal blog is about good news about the environment—I wanted to share only good news for a change! </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sandia Seed’s blog is all about growing peppers and vegetables organically. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Recent projects I’m proud of: </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have my own website design business and I love working with clients making a difference. I redesigned the <a href="https://www.peopleandpollinators.org/" target="_blank">People and Pollinators</a> website to be visually engaging and packed full of beautiful photos and info on how people can help make Colorado a safer place for all. Lots of my photos are included in the site, as well, including the Bumblebee Goldenrod image on the first slide. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was also super happy to work with Garden Blogger Flinger Shari Wilson on redesigning her amazing blog, <a href="https://www.nutsfornatives.com/" target="_blank">Nuts for Natives</a>. Her blog is about native plants for the Chesapeake Bay region, packed with great info and resources, and featuring her beautiful photos!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Amy Free</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Blog</b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana;">and/or </b><b style="font-family: verdana;">handle:</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <a href="https://createecology.net" target="_blank">Create Ecology</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Wisconsin</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">My blog focus is, "Your place is their place." I encourage readers to notice the ecology where they live, and to engage in efforts—none too small!—to foster a healthy, diverse ecology. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am an award-winning science-themed <a href="https://www.theopennotebook.com/2022/04/18/take-a-peep-at-the-winners-of-peepyourscience-2022/" target="_blank">Peeps dioramist</a>! </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I also provide community education as a master composter.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2nVzak4lQO0yNx4zAc0kVB5M3NbFzBj6v2YyNrZBPlmMu5dx6RNYD_3vuDHl80XGnfaDTPWerYhQR9hs2560vXqvFEePbrPy4FUlruqRI0SLYlUgER0tPF1UIOr2degrI2h5vNYPbtSjlM9P4ChKObD1wedVkT6RXMSkqWwKIVGNAU9rGrLh9qHrpA/s400/Kevin%20Gepford.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2nVzak4lQO0yNx4zAc0kVB5M3NbFzBj6v2YyNrZBPlmMu5dx6RNYD_3vuDHl80XGnfaDTPWerYhQR9hs2560vXqvFEePbrPy4FUlruqRI0SLYlUgER0tPF1UIOr2degrI2h5vNYPbtSjlM9P4ChKObD1wedVkT6RXMSkqWwKIVGNAU9rGrLh9qHrpA/w200-h200/Kevin%20Gepford.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Kevin Gepford</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Blog</b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana;">and/or </b><b style="font-family: verdana;">handle:</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> The Fuchsia+Blog at <a href="https://fuchsietum.com/" target="_blank">The Fuchsietum</a> | A Garden in Portland and</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://thetortoiseproject.com/" target="_blank">The Tortoise Project</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Instagram: </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">@TheTortoiseProj</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/TheTortoiseProj" target="_blank">@TheTortoiseProj</a></span></div><div><b style="font-family: verdana;">Location:</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Portland, Oregon</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm the behind the-scenes muscle as photographer, editor, and invaluable technical supporter at The Fuchsietum. I recently started The Tortoise Project, a journey that will culminate in "Tortoise," a single-topic book on the world’s most popular reptile.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3XDY7dP1kT4Es6OoNBhaSW8k7fNMd6dRszJMVuhbe2gSi_o2eifVTWuU_RWn_Q7T4Wj1nqoww-qzEFM4Byot40j7AM0TzLIPLSdF6oVbwSp-u27jG1ZwLgOF3AHMEWOCnEB_ipyaWY7kmOu1HzgJHPuQTtyOtjKZdfJ_NjhcHCBdo0XyYJGunZMsiA/s1845/Stefanie-Gilmour.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="1845" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3XDY7dP1kT4Es6OoNBhaSW8k7fNMd6dRszJMVuhbe2gSi_o2eifVTWuU_RWn_Q7T4Wj1nqoww-qzEFM4Byot40j7AM0TzLIPLSdF6oVbwSp-u27jG1ZwLgOF3AHMEWOCnEB_ipyaWY7kmOu1HzgJHPuQTtyOtjKZdfJ_NjhcHCBdo0XyYJGunZMsiA/w200-h166/Stefanie-Gilmour.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Stefanie Gilmour</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Blog</b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> </b></span><b>and/or </b><b>handle:</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <a href="https://www.seejanedig.com/" target="_blank">See Jane Dig</a></span></div><div>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/seejanedig/" target="_blank">@seejanedig</a></div><div><b>Location:</b> Michigan</div><div>My blog and feed focus on urban gardening, gardens for wildlife, and the science behind gardening.</div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicst78NR-UXpdFkAQnvD3KGM6CXjkS-kZ47N4eaQsmkZnNYQqkka3NdTYv1i3his8gfskvFHKLyA9O2NbZDnaXux_Xsc4iX0RHF7EOXmWYPsmWhBkm5I40-v83fc0OdeGv-DpmDbDCrP0isehlKoz6HpqSZFewtPeml-1qMLdOHlyHt2K-HKIk5b_uPg/s536/Kim%20Halyak.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="536" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicst78NR-UXpdFkAQnvD3KGM6CXjkS-kZ47N4eaQsmkZnNYQqkka3NdTYv1i3his8gfskvFHKLyA9O2NbZDnaXux_Xsc4iX0RHF7EOXmWYPsmWhBkm5I40-v83fc0OdeGv-DpmDbDCrP0isehlKoz6HpqSZFewtPeml-1qMLdOHlyHt2K-HKIk5b_uPg/w200-h197/Kim%20Halyak.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo: Olivia Flasdick</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;">Kim Halyak</span></b></div><div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Blog</b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana;">and/or </b><b style="font-family: verdana;">handle: </b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.cooperyounggardenclub.org/blog" target="_blank">Cooper-Young Garden Club</a>: Beautifying Our City One Garden at a Time</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">and <a href="https://www.cooperyounggardenclub.org/cooper-young-garden-walk" target="_blank">Cooper-Young Garden Walk</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Memphis, Tennessee</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I focus on club beautification projects, yard of the month, and general garden topics. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our annual garden walk, now in its 7th year, is our huge fundraiser to beautify our neighborhood and fund beautification grants. We started with 23 gardens in 2016 and now have 100 gardens on tour, along with educational booths, garden speakers, art vendors, musicians, and the Backbeat Tours Shuttle. We're the largest garden walk in the South. Our goal is to go citywide with open gardens in Memphis in 2023. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I talk in my community about garden tourism, adding curb appeal, ways to beautify the neighborhood, and so on.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEisDpgv8IPiJBULNzW2-gGrITD2oA-KbKSrBXuCiV1iPU0fVKeYOh_31zxvRZJW4upQmR9CYrSyO3A1VjTxzJS3l-OQe1X2cLq-TzUZQzFnmTieXEpgkBax7f7gJvxAqNLGUjWVxIUrHFGR80KoBjP-5X1ztDHs__Xa8Kx5UWjGY-Xyupt3OkcARXw/s746/Kathleen%20Hennessy.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="524" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEisDpgv8IPiJBULNzW2-gGrITD2oA-KbKSrBXuCiV1iPU0fVKeYOh_31zxvRZJW4upQmR9CYrSyO3A1VjTxzJS3l-OQe1X2cLq-TzUZQzFnmTieXEpgkBax7f7gJvxAqNLGUjWVxIUrHFGR80KoBjP-5X1ztDHs__Xa8Kx5UWjGY-Xyupt3OkcARXw/w141-h200/Kathleen%20Hennessy.jpeg" width="141" /></a></div>Kathleen Hennessy</span></b></div><div><b>Blog and/or handle:</b> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bold_north_home/" target="_blank">Bold_North_Home</a></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div>New blog coming soon: BoldNorthHome.com</div><div>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/29mingardener" target="_blank">@29mingardener</a></div><div><b>Location:</b> Oakdale, Minnesota</div><div>Hello fellow Flingers! My blog and Instagram account focus on gardening and home improvement. I’m a confessed rose and hydrangea fanatic who's lucky enough to cultivate my love of gardening in both my personal and professional lives. My “real” job is in horticulture marketing. I work with Monrovia Nurseries helping their team with public relations and marketing tasks. I also work with Danziger, a global breeding company based in Israel. I’ve written for consumer and horticulture industry trade magazines and spent a few years as a television news journalist. In 2016 I was part of the team that brought the Fling to Minneapolis. </div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFss3r4Ax-GRPKwMAzptmksSxCXqk8B1f990BsaH_Vu4Uf5VDmvgHwDWJj0d9yz98vMVgKyhJSeAoix2PShPHebLh-cq5X8CT9uD_PVV8cTr5JGM-fq2dhO83M92gIPgoNoDh0PXS4H5raaOhMKlHdeMwp_weT9LuyZ-IxVNDSKdLldWlUObmXI9WODw/s1118/Caroline%20Homer.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="945" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFss3r4Ax-GRPKwMAzptmksSxCXqk8B1f990BsaH_Vu4Uf5VDmvgHwDWJj0d9yz98vMVgKyhJSeAoix2PShPHebLh-cq5X8CT9uD_PVV8cTr5JGM-fq2dhO83M92gIPgoNoDh0PXS4H5raaOhMKlHdeMwp_weT9LuyZ-IxVNDSKdLldWlUObmXI9WODw/w169-h200/Caroline%20Homer.jpeg" width="169" /></a></div>Caroline Homer</span></b> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Blog</b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana;">and/or </b><b style="font-family: verdana;">handle:</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://shovelreadygarden.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Shovel-Ready Garden</a> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">and</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/carolinehomerphotography/" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">Caroline Homer Photography</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> on Flickr</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Austin, Texas</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I focus on gardening (vegetables, citrus, ornamentals, annuals, perennials, bulbs), travel (Fling, urban farm tours, national parks, Europe), and DIY garden projects.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I’ve been a Travis County master gardener since 2012 and a registered dietitian since 1989, currently working in neonatal intensive care.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYUm-2NPZPQFrRp-TMPLKRF_J2dkBwLy0jwkEo_Q2QbBxiQ68c8v30ti2K0OcrVly6jKbnrA2jmDNIBYLf5H0lc51N83SAYY-sC8PMD17TrDZUbUxy0vWsl0yyt-LHRG5H_TToHAg9tTVCQJvG2eGJs6flQbS8PVdX_SbUZYSZVlRxhNeZMAnGcbM9g/s2500/Kathy%20Jentz.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1875" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYUm-2NPZPQFrRp-TMPLKRF_J2dkBwLy0jwkEo_Q2QbBxiQ68c8v30ti2K0OcrVly6jKbnrA2jmDNIBYLf5H0lc51N83SAYY-sC8PMD17TrDZUbUxy0vWsl0yyt-LHRG5H_TToHAg9tTVCQJvG2eGJs6flQbS8PVdX_SbUZYSZVlRxhNeZMAnGcbM9g/w150-h200/Kathy%20Jentz.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Kathy Jentz</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Blog</b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana;">and/or </b><b style="font-family: verdana;">handle:</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <a href="https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Washington Gardener Magazine</a>,</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> the award-wining publication for Mid-Atlantic gardeners, </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">and</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://catsingardens.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cats in Gardens</a>, featuring p</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">hotos and art of cats in garden settings</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Silver Spring, Maryland </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">(Washington DC area)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm frugal and I practice small space gardening. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm working on a new book, but not allowed yet by the publisher to discuss it: Hopefully, I can tell everyone at Fling time! I also</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> started National Seed Swap Day several years ago (the last Saturday of January), trying to spread the word to have seed swaps hosted everywhere that day (or around that date) and to get it converted to a nonprofit. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our new book is just out: "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Urban-Garden-Ways-Grow-Beauty/dp/0760373019?dchild=1&keywords=The+Urban+Garden&qid=1624294911&s=books&sr=1-11&linkCode=sl1&tag=wdc0f1-20&linkId=9615a9a5caf72d651f65b3980021a310&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" target="_blank">The Urban Garden</a>: 101 Ways to Grow Food and Beauty in the City," by Kathy Jentz and Teri Speight. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm also available for speaking on many topics and am happy to do so on Zoom for garden clubs and groups outside my region. My most popular talks are "Winning the War on Weeds," and "Dealing with Gardening Mammals (Deer, Rabbits, etc.)." You can see more about my speaking and reviews at <a href="https://greatgardenspeakers.org/user/kathymj/" target="_blank">Great Garden Speakers</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1AZRONimTH2mPAZe5vb2VUYyA0ADMD_5MnvokXdw-bng7p2OQiFvJe72pQRNkI8aSvEnzmlpb6p_mtlFjE9XNrzqNDcr8eewMBEIIC1laYQumzhPnnt-W0qy-rKcH9QMx18LhU3EauGF07bZuvSl08kGu13hBVEBqcZ53Js1RsYbnfEkRD5iSDFgpw/s3088/Sharron%20Johnson.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1AZRONimTH2mPAZe5vb2VUYyA0ADMD_5MnvokXdw-bng7p2OQiFvJe72pQRNkI8aSvEnzmlpb6p_mtlFjE9XNrzqNDcr8eewMBEIIC1laYQumzhPnnt-W0qy-rKcH9QMx18LhU3EauGF07bZuvSl08kGu13hBVEBqcZ53Js1RsYbnfEkRD5iSDFgpw/w150-h200/Sharron%20Johnson.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div>Sharron Johnson</span></b></span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Blog</b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> </b></span><b style="font-family: verdana;">and/or </b><b style="font-family: verdana;">handle: </b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.cooperyounggardenclub.org/blog" style="color: #d52a33; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Cooper-Young Garden Club</a>: Beautifying Our City One Garden at a Time</span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">and <a href="https://www.cooperyounggardenclub.org/cooper-young-garden-walk" style="color: #d52a33; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Cooper-Young Garden Walk</a></span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Memphis, Tennessee</span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span style="color: #333333;">I write the "Yard of the Month" articles for the Cooper Young Garden Club. One of the projects I’m working on is “Making Memphis Beautiful Again.” I’m the president of the Cooper Young Garden Club and co-chair of the Cooper Young Garden Walk. Beautification of public spaces is my passion.</span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span style="color: #333333;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPl7pC-0p13KICZZKAbofNBQs2ZUKEW13YohFghzCl2KRl0VbZ-nKF_5VuOuuOFHdEGO0rFNY2KPJxH2-vYbRqOHgAElUbU3mJDRb-w60a648p0i_weE7zO2gPRbOh9zDQI8LpAlDCgbUi3P4XGMF7CKxO76TIxPyMHyK79BHYrTHrwJJ1T-m_oIkAg/s1627/Cat%20Jones.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1627" data-original-width="1288" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPl7pC-0p13KICZZKAbofNBQs2ZUKEW13YohFghzCl2KRl0VbZ-nKF_5VuOuuOFHdEGO0rFNY2KPJxH2-vYbRqOHgAElUbU3mJDRb-w60a648p0i_weE7zO2gPRbOh9zDQI8LpAlDCgbUi3P4XGMF7CKxO76TIxPyMHyK79BHYrTHrwJJ1T-m_oIkAg/w158-h200/Cat%20Jones.jpg" width="158" /></a></div>Cat Jones</b></span></div></span><span style="color: #333333;"><div><b>Blog</b><b> </b><b>and/or </b><b>handle: </b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/cat_jones_atx/" target="_blank">cat_jones_atx</a></div><div>and <a href="http://thewhimsicalgardener.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Whimsical Gardener</a></div><div><b>Location:</b> Austin, Texas</div><div>I’m a nature enthusiast and a photographer. These two passions intersect on my Instagram page, where I encourage others to take time to reflect on the beauty of small moments to be found in the ordinary. I garden for wildlife, and while I can’t say I like them all, all are welcome.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98MXKoAktWndaAuGw3wvUqOpOyjhtha042OnFKXYLwaNYxr69oA--xlwtZV6HyDkpOjxgoNWv-gG0yJV_VFZ0Ur3z3KiUg5YsyYo_j6-VbpceujQzqOV-5WtDL1Ua64Jj738FXO273dNG0aaZ9Ivmj9UVlr1-BB0zF8XxTUfpsISPZtTeJALtSex1lw/s600/Sheri_Kaz.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98MXKoAktWndaAuGw3wvUqOpOyjhtha042OnFKXYLwaNYxr69oA--xlwtZV6HyDkpOjxgoNWv-gG0yJV_VFZ0Ur3z3KiUg5YsyYo_j6-VbpceujQzqOV-5WtDL1Ua64Jj738FXO273dNG0aaZ9Ivmj9UVlr1-BB0zF8XxTUfpsISPZtTeJALtSex1lw/w160-h200/Sheri_Kaz.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">Photo: Eric Weber</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Sheri Kaz</span></b></div></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Blog</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">and/or </span></b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>handle:</b> <a href="https://sherikaz.wixsite.com/mygardenzone" target="_blank">My Garden Zone</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Greenfield, Wisconsin</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I focus on organic vegetable gardening, pollinator-friendly landscaping, and strawbale gardening. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Vegetable gardening has been my hobby since I was a young girl growing up on a farm in Wisconsin. In 2010, I transformed a vacant lot into the Historic Montclair Community Garden (in Denver). When I recently moved back to Wisconsin, my wonderful (fellow garden blogger) pal Idelle Fischer took on the responsibility of the Denver community garden. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm currently a member of the City of Greenfield Pollinator Committee and I enjoy learning about native plants and flowers. Before becoming an interior designer, I was a writer, producer, and director, working in television and advertising.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dmVJTa7VazKxlMu7_Kn6khrUxq4a3D6JHlwzCe1Z_LGH-oTYXFJJ-2RhsdG4nqGq0oYt0m2WgPmon0lIMx3EOzWCzckSmCRyq7dibQvko-K2svnHs7NHlZRBdF4Sp2DWDS8Mm5ApwXs6126n-9IgZeABMHorDNyE3wwvwr01WmyQVejQPDdc_n-4JQ/s771/Diana%20Kirby.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="717" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dmVJTa7VazKxlMu7_Kn6khrUxq4a3D6JHlwzCe1Z_LGH-oTYXFJJ-2RhsdG4nqGq0oYt0m2WgPmon0lIMx3EOzWCzckSmCRyq7dibQvko-K2svnHs7NHlZRBdF4Sp2DWDS8Mm5ApwXs6126n-9IgZeABMHorDNyE3wwvwr01WmyQVejQPDdc_n-4JQ/w186-h200/Diana%20Kirby.jpg" width="186" /></a></div>Diana Kirby</span></b></div><div><b>Blog and/or handle:</b> <a href="https://www.dianasdesignsaustin.com" target="_blank">Diana’s Designs</a></div><div><b>Location:</b> Austin, Texas</div><div>I enjoy communicating about landscape design, plants, gardening, and wildlife. In addition to my design/build landscaping business, I teach design classes in several county master gardener programs in Texas. I do speaking engagements to local groups and nurseries.</div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9m6c_LZ7vxIziaUOn6ZMwtCVJQ8TZpgB3Xw1Jiu-hOTFpjXXC9B51rCiPQDIU24scIj2ix1scrHbGAa7zFuSI8LCRJWfdymKJpjQXUntCtPZrmmC_A7JnO4f7cXu_Mo9birQ_dBFkVAw1O6mC9z_81gMJiH4F6ct0zj-RRAUNGtUVNo3HXttu27FtKQ/s2038/Janet%20Ledebuhr.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2038" data-original-width="1571" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9m6c_LZ7vxIziaUOn6ZMwtCVJQ8TZpgB3Xw1Jiu-hOTFpjXXC9B51rCiPQDIU24scIj2ix1scrHbGAa7zFuSI8LCRJWfdymKJpjQXUntCtPZrmmC_A7JnO4f7cXu_Mo9birQ_dBFkVAw1O6mC9z_81gMJiH4F6ct0zj-RRAUNGtUVNo3HXttu27FtKQ/w154-h200/Janet%20Ledebuhr.jpg" width="154" /></a></div>Janet Ledebuhr</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Blog</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span>and/or </b><b>handle: </b><a href="https://thequeenofseaford.blogspot.com " target="_blank">The Queen of Seaford</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Hodges, South Carolina</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I focus on gardening with shade, deer, rabbits, and mature trees on a sloped lot. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm working on a bird photo book of birds in my neighborhood.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUUsovRrx2wAxzhUFNUtigXzZb5V7DecXn-T_WCdbL43bW0kf4kN6qJZjW0vgO2eusUBSQUaomY007JOeOMPqIT3ertbWxLVrO__9nmvD2nyg7XuXpvfMkEVSXbH0KGpEC5QrFf38x2CVop5fDiZEN_Sm_RbA0FIvjqehogSIR1QtsX-TZPQm0dLKAQ/s400/Elizabeth%20Licata.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUUsovRrx2wAxzhUFNUtigXzZb5V7DecXn-T_WCdbL43bW0kf4kN6qJZjW0vgO2eusUBSQUaomY007JOeOMPqIT3ertbWxLVrO__9nmvD2nyg7XuXpvfMkEVSXbH0KGpEC5QrFf38x2CVop5fDiZEN_Sm_RbA0FIvjqehogSIR1QtsX-TZPQm0dLKAQ/w200-h200/Elizabeth%20Licata.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Elizabeth Licata</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Blog</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span>and/or </b><b>handle: </b><a href="https://gardenrant.com/" target="_blank">Garden Rant</a></div><div><b>Location:</b> Buffalo, New York</div><div>I’ve been a regular writer for Garden Rant since 2007, after contributing a guest rant about the overuse of American flags in front gardens. I live and garden in Buffalo, which, far from the frozen wasteland many assume it to be, is a lush paradise of gardens, historic architecture, galleries, museums, theaters, and fun. As editor of <i>Buffalo Spree</i> magazine, I help keep Western New Yorkers apprised about what’s happening in their region. I’m also a freelance writer and art curator. I’ve been published in <i>Fine Gardening</i>, <i>Horticulture</i>, <i>ArtNews</i>, <i>Art in America</i>, the <i>Village Voice</i>, and many other publications. I also do regular radio segments for the local NPR affiliate, WBFO. And I’m involved with Garden Walk Buffalo—the largest free garden tour in the U.S., and possibly the world. And I’ve written the text for a book about Garden Walk, and written and edited several art-related books.</div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrDm2pkUaHFVMRaymATONVBunnDa5xMgyNYV6Zi7nFMl5MjJkMv48UyblkH8lEgvHDjMo2zwz3YCB2UXwk6JOf5kr_Mox56XSBo1iMzm63JEj-FEV6xR9oLcCi6agkXrFd7uPMW9D9TAs5klMOMP84-Fj91Oo-KOUHc2nhWhrNG4-kvMceKx09axyDyA/s400/Theo%20Margelony.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrDm2pkUaHFVMRaymATONVBunnDa5xMgyNYV6Zi7nFMl5MjJkMv48UyblkH8lEgvHDjMo2zwz3YCB2UXwk6JOf5kr_Mox56XSBo1iMzm63JEj-FEV6xR9oLcCi6agkXrFd7uPMW9D9TAs5klMOMP84-Fj91Oo-KOUHc2nhWhrNG4-kvMceKx09axyDyA/w200-h200/Theo%20Margelony.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Theo Margelony</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Blog</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span>and/or </b><b>handle: </b>The Fuchsia+Blog at <a href="https://fuchsietum.com/" target="_blank">The Fuchsietum</a> | A Garden in Portland</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Twitter: </span><a href="https://twitter.com/Fuchsiarius" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">@Fuchsiarius</a><span style="font-family: verdana;">; Instagram: </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/fuchsiarius/" target="_blank">@Fuchsiarius</a>; Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Fuchsietum/" target="_blank">The Fuchsietum</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Portland, Oregon</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I blog about fuchsias, the garden, horticulture, plants, nature, history, and travels far and wide. My website was formerly called Fuchsias in the City, while living in Manhattan, but was changed to The Fuchsietum after I was transplanted to Portland, Oregon, a couple of years ago. A whole new garden is in development. I'm currently vice president of the Oregon Fuchsia Society, and I give talks on Zoom about fuchsias, their culture, and their history to fuchsiaphile groups all over. Just ask me and I’ll Zoom in!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg20BMXe5lecKvDxI9YhrNGy897WGSOgUlINquKT0B7HLmRSy-aHJ3649wnrNoBxsX-XXed5bRA058ousg_ufc85RocPAz6vlUBiKwxth91EhmxrSHSftD2YzY0s14rAVGPr-0fVs5NYU3ZXP0P32QN9FgzJLd5yKvlmwAEVtz7eB2zE5orOfKG46zGw/s1100/Susan%20Martin.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg20BMXe5lecKvDxI9YhrNGy897WGSOgUlINquKT0B7HLmRSy-aHJ3649wnrNoBxsX-XXed5bRA058ousg_ufc85RocPAz6vlUBiKwxth91EhmxrSHSftD2YzY0s14rAVGPr-0fVs5NYU3ZXP0P32QN9FgzJLd5yKvlmwAEVtz7eB2zE5orOfKG46zGw/w164-h200/Susan%20Martin.jpg" width="164" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Photo: Laura Robles,<br />Robles Photography</b></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Susan Martin</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Blog</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span>and/or </b><b>handle: </b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/gardenersuesnews/" target="_blank">Gardener Sue’s News</a></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gardenersuenews" target="_blank">@gardenersuesnews</a>; </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.gardencrossings.com/blog/" target="_blank">Garden Crossings</a> retail garden center blog </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.provenwinners.com/ " target="_blank">Proven Winners</a> and Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/provenwinners/" target="_blank">@provenwinners</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://stonehousenursery.com/" target="_blank">Stonehouse Nursery</a> wholesale perennial grower </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.plantskydd.com/" target="_blank">Plantskydd</a> animal repellent</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Holland, Michigan</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">A few gardening topics I’m passionate about: p</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">lant breeding and new introductions, s</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">hade gardening, c</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">ontainer gardening, and g</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">eneral gardening how-to topics. I'</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">m a full-time freelance garden communicator, content producer, consultant, and marketing specialist servicing a select group of clients in the horticulture industry, including Proven Winners; as well as wholesale and retail growers, plant breeders, and manufacturers of gardening-related products. This year marks my 22nd anniversary of working in the business of horticulture.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEw0heOfykJh1FCqfA1EWHC_u7Qys9x3FbvyLzmScnwz1Nx4zsQLDYhZ88tWTfoOncW6wYkIzPt0VrvlmIsUFU38tYGkOLhkATY2jmH3c3mhcTHmTJxEFCRsRUzk0vbNsvZ_sWNvlURoQCOdj0ARMpIg6312mdSN7qaU2B6wwZSNv8G2RUj-W9xbtpg/s1096/Jean%20McWeeney.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="724" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEw0heOfykJh1FCqfA1EWHC_u7Qys9x3FbvyLzmScnwz1Nx4zsQLDYhZ88tWTfoOncW6wYkIzPt0VrvlmIsUFU38tYGkOLhkATY2jmH3c3mhcTHmTJxEFCRsRUzk0vbNsvZ_sWNvlURoQCOdj0ARMpIg6312mdSN7qaU2B6wwZSNv8G2RUj-W9xbtpg/w132-h200/Jean%20McWeeney.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>Jean McWeeney</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Blog</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span>and/or </b><b>handle: </b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jean_mcweeney/" target="_blank">@jean_mcweeney</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.diggrowcompostblog.com/" target="_blank">Dig, Grow, Compost, Blog</a> (blog now archived)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Houston, Texas</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I focus mostly on pollinator plants, and I'm currently growing in containers. I also post about traveling (pre-pandemic), especially if I’m visiting gardens; and birds and other wildlife. And food. :-) </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm on the board of directors for the nonprofit <a href="https://plantitforward.farm/" target="_blank">Plant It Forward</a> (PIF), which empowers refugees to develop sustainable urban farming businesses that produce fresh, healthy food for our community. Our organization secures land, trains and mentors farmers, and facilitates sales to local markets. Located throughout Houston, our farms are cultivated with sustainable practices that enrich the land and support the surrounding community. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I give the occasional talk to garden clubs about growing gardens sustainably, planting for wildlife, and inspirations from garden travel. I also have a garden coaching business.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazFxKYLbwIBX6nf5k7p4j9gC9e3_Ek4KNk94Z2vANS7dUJA8pYEjVA1yGzS7N15AhOkKiFfpyz_5K2MjMDufpuuQDcnip0p8DjDSEAjSQqRAP_8HrpJnCOD6Hjgwa58fn9bybPDT2jkgyySLkaGccrn1NKXYazntimaX2HCtIRIET1pn005e0I2JzkQ/s2500/Margaret%20Mishra.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="2500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazFxKYLbwIBX6nf5k7p4j9gC9e3_Ek4KNk94Z2vANS7dUJA8pYEjVA1yGzS7N15AhOkKiFfpyz_5K2MjMDufpuuQDcnip0p8DjDSEAjSQqRAP_8HrpJnCOD6Hjgwa58fn9bybPDT2jkgyySLkaGccrn1NKXYazntimaX2HCtIRIET1pn005e0I2JzkQ/w200-h200/Margaret%20Mishra.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Margaret Mishra</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Blog</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span>and/or </b><b>handle: </b><a href="https://www.thegardeningme.com/" target="_blank">The Gardening Me</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thegardeningme/" target="_blank">@thegardeningme</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Southern Ontario</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">My blog focuses on edibles, with an ever-increasing interest in ornamentals. I also LOVE growing from seed. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I’m in the middle of renovating the raised bed vegetable garden, and expanding a number of perennial/mixed borders.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUpnKhBmNm1G8dfJtxQKogUQ5iq3vptm-aX9suAn3bUrrdsMP5XVzCXOMuplHZjgn75U-fszucraB2nIHRvX9RDr4uuNTDur2ss4onC-if08wlkfbGCLE3p22K82WWzBFeUAkTO4DcJ9qLzR3jG9ExAThn4C9PNqlSKenvlOR5dZYM5Oyj7ifSKs3xw/s871/Ann%20Munson.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="638" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUpnKhBmNm1G8dfJtxQKogUQ5iq3vptm-aX9suAn3bUrrdsMP5XVzCXOMuplHZjgn75U-fszucraB2nIHRvX9RDr4uuNTDur2ss4onC-if08wlkfbGCLE3p22K82WWzBFeUAkTO4DcJ9qLzR3jG9ExAThn4C9PNqlSKenvlOR5dZYM5Oyj7ifSKs3xw/w146-h200/Ann%20Munson.jpg" width="146" /></a></div>Ann Munson</span></b> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Blog</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span>and/or </b><b>handle: </b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/moorgardens/" target="_blank">@moorgardens</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Monona, Wisconsin</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">My focus is perennial gardens, garden design, recycling organic matter back into the gardens, and creating habitats for birds and other critters. I also collect vintage garden artifacts. My c</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">urrent project is getting gardens ready for the tour by 2022 Madison Garden Flingers!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div><br /></div><div></div><div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4r1hv282ptp6FMIx5SpUddDsJOqMEiLmh430G0UXmDLmeY9qdmTrenT81pRCwctqgB4G8FRcrNw9rDyL7MF5C2fgQQXduwRj0bGRN_R-5CuQnvUGHyBH40rw_4DXwSKbNGjcRzsw3CpfghBU2Ad-mwUi4ZCuYFK7zIcpbcxaa-7urQkV8KIMrHYvEQ/s1080/Natasha%20Nicholes.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4r1hv282ptp6FMIx5SpUddDsJOqMEiLmh430G0UXmDLmeY9qdmTrenT81pRCwctqgB4G8FRcrNw9rDyL7MF5C2fgQQXduwRj0bGRN_R-5CuQnvUGHyBH40rw_4DXwSKbNGjcRzsw3CpfghBU2Ad-mwUi4ZCuYFK7zIcpbcxaa-7urQkV8KIMrHYvEQ/w133-h200/Natasha%20Nicholes.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>Natasha Nicholes</span></b> </div><div><b>Blog and/or handle:</b> <a href="https://wesowwegrow.org" target="_blank">We Sow We Grow</a>: Growing Gardeners Globally & Getting Dirty by Nature</div><div><b>Location:</b> Chicago, IL </div><div>We focus on helping people with self-proclaimed "black thumbs" grow into accomplished gardeners through community efforts and support. We’re hosting our third annual “We Sow We Grow Summit,” October 7-9, and we're actively looking for speakers. I'm also available to speak virtually and in person. We have a private gardening community and are offering a three-month trial to community members. We love connecting with gardeners and growers from ALL zones and would love to help foster our community through grassroots efforts like this garden Fling!</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-weight: bold; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBufhFqS3KG5qK87_u__5xW6VTjjrS6PYUnLHLexAVAYlcciLhKGxeMI6Cw3ZRVaLFQjGkuc9BQ7kNPDzk_IyXovLSgoy9b1lGFWHlwE0JwCL1QEXXqIFvXE43CAKDJKxJoDwzWA05CuoYKHLWoL4epcjjDmRgjjzI8yLkvQcFUnVGUSRy3e0zk_zAA/s3411/Camille%20Paulsen.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3411" data-original-width="2557" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBufhFqS3KG5qK87_u__5xW6VTjjrS6PYUnLHLexAVAYlcciLhKGxeMI6Cw3ZRVaLFQjGkuc9BQ7kNPDzk_IyXovLSgoy9b1lGFWHlwE0JwCL1QEXXqIFvXE43CAKDJKxJoDwzWA05CuoYKHLWoL4epcjjDmRgjjzI8yLkvQcFUnVGUSRy3e0zk_zAA/w150-h200/Camille%20Paulsen.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Photo: Jeanne Everts</b></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Camille Paulsen</span></b></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Blog and/or handle:</b> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tahomaflora/" target="_blank">@tahomaflora</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Location:</b> Puyallup, Washington</div><div style="text-align: left;">I enjoy sharing photos, plant knowledge, and inspiration from my own garden, and from other gardens in the Pacific Northwest and farther afield. I’m actively involved in several educational gardening organizations, including the Northwest Perennial Alliance, the Lakewold Gardens Horticulture Committee, and the Tacoma Garden Club. As a member of the Puget Sound Garden Bloggers Fling committee, I’m excited about bringing the Fling to the beautiful Pacific Northwest.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></span></div></span></div><div><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapV3sZIfm157qiWhDwDEwhCLVu7rTWFUbshA_LXw7Fs4fnHND-gGZj2S5VC9paPZzn_o2tJBwTIngkE8_mAfxpDABvYXcyCob4dloz5AGe5kF-hmLnuXFbP_u0L9aZGLzgi2WZ20ZdL0bzjMFzyKDT_WEYDFD6xA8It3tNZtLh3QAuiPqZ9CYMT4Suw/s1650/Pam_Penick.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1208" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapV3sZIfm157qiWhDwDEwhCLVu7rTWFUbshA_LXw7Fs4fnHND-gGZj2S5VC9paPZzn_o2tJBwTIngkE8_mAfxpDABvYXcyCob4dloz5AGe5kF-hmLnuXFbP_u0L9aZGLzgi2WZ20ZdL0bzjMFzyKDT_WEYDFD6xA8It3tNZtLh3QAuiPqZ9CYMT4Suw/w146-h200/Pam_Penick.JPG" width="146" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">Photo: David Penick</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Pam Penick</b></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Blog</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span>and/or </b><b>handle:</b> <a href="https://www.penick.net/digging" target="_blank">Digging</a>: C</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">ool Gardens in a Hot Climate</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pamdigging/" target="_blank">@pamdigging</a>; Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PamPenickDigging" target="_blank">Pam Penick - Digging</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Austin, Texas</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I enjoy writing about all the gardening goodness I can dig up! My emphasis is on great garden design, tours of gardens I visit, waterwise gardening, agave love, Texas native plants, and lawn alternatives. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm a freelance writer and the author of two books, "Lawn Gone!" and "The Water-Saving Garden." For five years I've organized the Garden Spark speaker series of talks about garden design. I was a planner for both the 2008 and 2018 Austin Flings. But blogging is my first love and where I began this second career as a garden writer and occasional designer (my first career, pre-kids, was in publishing). Find me at Digging, where I've been writing about Texas gardening and beyond for 16 years, and on Instagram and Facebook.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu29w3Ws96b-BcAexB1g2_E3UBO6oyR-7TVv1GNEEzY0rITdL199TWc0P1Z2MuxbX4BKvESQd8W6yVVCbxUWExjdG-_45AzY42iVpFR9F4uUZVFG5BeXy44WWhryeRz0TAm3uNTGN4AfWhUZ-8KMNuQsBC7X66tCE92khf6uitVMiqh1wMG9ejd8xgmw/s455/Kathy%20Purdy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="391" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu29w3Ws96b-BcAexB1g2_E3UBO6oyR-7TVv1GNEEzY0rITdL199TWc0P1Z2MuxbX4BKvESQd8W6yVVCbxUWExjdG-_45AzY42iVpFR9F4uUZVFG5BeXy44WWhryeRz0TAm3uNTGN4AfWhUZ-8KMNuQsBC7X66tCE92khf6uitVMiqh1wMG9ejd8xgmw/w172-h200/Kathy%20Purdy.jpg" width="172" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">Photo: Aiko Purdy</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Kathy Purdy</span></b></div><div><b>Blog and/or handle:</b> <a href="http://www.coldclimategardening.com/" target="_blank">Cold Climate Gardening</a>: Hardy plants for hardy souls.</div><div><b>Location:</b> Oxford, New York</div><div>I provide information for people gardening in USDA Zones 5 and colder: plant profiles, garden design, book reviews, native plants, coping strategies, and anything that strikes my fancy. My 20th blogiversary is coming up in August. I have one of the longest-running garden blogs published on the Internet.</div><div>I write for <i>Northern Gardener</i> magazine, and have written for <i>Fine Gardening</i>, <i>Horticulture</i>, <i>Garden Gate</i>, <i>The American Gardener</i>, U<i>pstate Gardeners' Journal</i>, and <i>The Rock Garden Quarterly</i>.</div></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana;"><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCC3M_g6uyj_XqRqiC-qPgXEQVcZ2wohgvz_injYdz9GqUJRBJggVVbMgO25zK8BqPDTf4RoMxcChx7I_RUWmrBCuB5QruSX8of6wBUbckksg8K21eQQD7lQ3DGGD_FFFIg1L9m2WPBRNVVeRY2nf_XS42eSJK5jEiLgKQF4pa-ctDuTWSJsmXfLlCg/s618/Judy%20Seaborn.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="564" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCC3M_g6uyj_XqRqiC-qPgXEQVcZ2wohgvz_injYdz9GqUJRBJggVVbMgO25zK8BqPDTf4RoMxcChx7I_RUWmrBCuB5QruSX8of6wBUbckksg8K21eQQD7lQ3DGGD_FFFIg1L9m2WPBRNVVeRY2nf_XS42eSJK5jEiLgKQF4pa-ctDuTWSJsmXfLlCg/w183-h200/Judy%20Seaborn.png" width="183" /></a></div>Judy Seaborn</span></b> </div><div><b style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Blog</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">and/or </span></b><b style="color: black;">handle:</b> <a href="https://www.botanicalinterests.com/category/Botanical-Interests-Blog-From-The-Garden" target="_blank">Botanical Interests Blog</a></div><div><b>Location:</b> Broomfield, Colorado</div><div>My passion is helping gardeners learn the joy of gardening, starting with a seed. Our blog provides readers with organic seed gardening tips and tricks, delicious garden-to-table recipes using homegrown herbs and vegetables, and DIY projects for craft-lovers.</div></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana;"><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpIoqg2LRAIPYb2EA4o81ue6b-TfDYH4PBiro7etezV39L5roHshhAublDbjNzONA0KMA2yDp2GpV9zRwJcCEfIZI_W4jfNKYs2ycjIX-v5HNBTGvKjpl7MRDJgPp_YNrV57zF1plHftRTgBNWM4QZYKBnBbctrie4zdoU4PUSWbqjuCORiwQNoBolA/s1703/Teresa%20Speight.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1592" data-original-width="1703" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpIoqg2LRAIPYb2EA4o81ue6b-TfDYH4PBiro7etezV39L5roHshhAublDbjNzONA0KMA2yDp2GpV9zRwJcCEfIZI_W4jfNKYs2ycjIX-v5HNBTGvKjpl7MRDJgPp_YNrV57zF1plHftRTgBNWM4QZYKBnBbctrie4zdoU4PUSWbqjuCORiwQNoBolA/w200-h187/Teresa%20Speight.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Teresa (Teri) Speight</span></b></div><div><b>Blog and/or handle:</b> <a href="https://cottageinthecourt.com/" target="_blank">Cottage in the Court</a></div><div><b>Location:</b> Prince Georges County, Maryland</div><div>I write about musings from the garden, book reviews, garden travel, and gardens I visit. I've written my first book, "Black Flora," and co-authored a second book, "The Urban Garden: 101 Ways to Grow Food and Beauty in the City," with Kathy Jentz. I also have published featured articles as a freelance writer. I'm co-chair of the Fiesta Place Community Garden, and have served as Urban Garden Chairperson for National Garden Clubs since 2020. I'm also founder of Jabali Amani Collective—a garden club focused on building communities by connecting with the earth in the African American community.</div><div>I'm a Great Garden Speaker, and I feature talks on small space gardening, perennials, gardens imitating life, children’s gardening, and more. I also give talks about my book, "Black Flora," and "African Americans in Horticulture." I'm also working on a fiction book about the garden and having faith in the earth.</div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYNyORPH5Z2kXflks2ii5bJYZBk3V7NVxOD7IVLOpRo2cyvfETInzLwCek38Ym4PFHB_tudJDBKsdsPIyUcHo4pFS7evGw8_TNYT8cV9Mcs7Fpmrp2yElmRaCiYM-ZATjz6JRnfRUgXD2vecNiLOGI6DBge9XTLiV_tmB5jXy1ipJrwhdO7rGX3C1RQ/s2500/Beth%20Stetenfeld.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1875" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYNyORPH5Z2kXflks2ii5bJYZBk3V7NVxOD7IVLOpRo2cyvfETInzLwCek38Ym4PFHB_tudJDBKsdsPIyUcHo4pFS7evGw8_TNYT8cV9Mcs7Fpmrp2yElmRaCiYM-ZATjz6JRnfRUgXD2vecNiLOGI6DBge9XTLiV_tmB5jXy1ipJrwhdO7rGX3C1RQ/w150-h200/Beth%20Stetenfeld.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Beth Stetenfeld</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Blog</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span>and/or </b><b style="background-color: transparent;">handle:</b><span style="background-color: transparent;"> <a href="https://plantpostings.blogspot.com" target="_blank">PlantPostings</a></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/plantposter/" target="_blank">@plantposter</a>; Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PlantPostings-118115634923181" target="_blank">PlantPostings</a></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b>Location:</b> McFarland, Wisconsin</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;">I'm a writer, editor, and master naturalist volunteer and instructor. I started my botanical/nature/gardening blog, </span><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;">PlantPostings.com</i><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;">, in 2010. I write and edit for numerous clients, including </span><i style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;">Northern Gardener</i><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;">, Olbrich Botanical Gardens, independent book writers, and many more. Through my Wisconsin Master Naturalist program involvement, I participate in continuing education, wildlife surveys, and promotional projects. </span></span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">Gardening in Southern Wisconsin is mostly pure joy. The soil, the warm summers, the plants that thrive here—they all contribute to experiences that induce deep peace and contentment. Most days during May through October, I can’t imagine anything more enjoyable than gardening, hiking, and spending time outdoors in this part of the world. And from November through April, there’s a little break for enjoying other hobbies, caring for indoor and overwintered plants, and planning for the next growing season.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzkySjzAvGbFa6YU0hpJ0pHnYCuwMNKd0CCvNFwnDCX5WIvmX8IvyB5_l0cv9xTSlJmceyi6W3G3zou6-gh3P1RMS-2k-f7ErSqludDrrL9-7-XSditKomoGoZvgn5ictjaYIZAG17foow7w32x9sKa-CpkHlLeFZswOqV0EaHbFMy0q0DBzfSk8f9g/s661/Jennifer%20Stocker.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="661" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzkySjzAvGbFa6YU0hpJ0pHnYCuwMNKd0CCvNFwnDCX5WIvmX8IvyB5_l0cv9xTSlJmceyi6W3G3zou6-gh3P1RMS-2k-f7ErSqludDrrL9-7-XSditKomoGoZvgn5ictjaYIZAG17foow7w32x9sKa-CpkHlLeFZswOqV0EaHbFMy0q0DBzfSk8f9g/w200-h176/Jennifer%20Stocker.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Jenny and David Stocker</b></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Blog</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">and/or </span></b><b>handle: </b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://wwwrockrose.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Rock Rose</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jennyrockrose/" target="_blank">@jennyrockrose</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Tucson, Arizona</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">We are just down-to-earth, do-it-yourself gardeners, who for 21 years worked on creating the garden areas surrounding our Austin house, situated on a rocky hillside seven miles outside the city. It was truly a labor of love, and David never shied away from helping fulfill the dream. After meeting Pam Penick at a garden tour and learning about the rewards of blogging, we joined the garden blogging community. That, and the Austin gardening community, enriched our garden experience while living in Austin.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0A7ZTbRfDhjV7B1DXcaU3W5OO1xbR9rHXPKw2L-zIzRMUwBnGquGBSRczgE156awkEESVEZq-EaBPW-AogZ9Zl2UxV4fWf8oOZNfKg3qarhsVkrH8hh02zulxH_EO8_F0AOrDKpc8D0J3HXw33I_InADBoRneCEuCSSPWLFXH74mIpGplTfYioqdMg/s623/David%20Stocker.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="523" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0A7ZTbRfDhjV7B1DXcaU3W5OO1xbR9rHXPKw2L-zIzRMUwBnGquGBSRczgE156awkEESVEZq-EaBPW-AogZ9Zl2UxV4fWf8oOZNfKg3qarhsVkrH8hh02zulxH_EO8_F0AOrDKpc8D0J3HXw33I_InADBoRneCEuCSSPWLFXH74mIpGplTfYioqdMg/w168-h200/David%20Stocker.jpg" width="168" /></a></div>Our lives changed dramatically last year when we sold the house and moved to the desert city of Tucson. We now have a smaller property, with little space to garden, more appropriate for our age. Needless to say, we seem not to be short of things to do—many of which require some hard labor, once more. We do it all ourselves. The desert and its critters are a challenge. Only time will tell if we're getting it right. I’m sticking with the Rock Rose blog title as this garden definitely has plenty of rocks, with more being added each week.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5An9xxJcJsaaVdoGyiVB63gaTWPuqEoGHN7lQ3vw1_Nzgg0bbP6ZzWilLwHVpXpoVK3cZtby1zLAk5FXLPlVypJZOuYF77wLl-AIEF-zSWhvxeDBCdHz1-v8fsymTqfUQm36v5U5F3WkuOwg2OsUF3eq05Zeexsi8bXKcraBCV27nmCeuzuOnDY-FQ/s640/Chan%20Stroman.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5An9xxJcJsaaVdoGyiVB63gaTWPuqEoGHN7lQ3vw1_Nzgg0bbP6ZzWilLwHVpXpoVK3cZtby1zLAk5FXLPlVypJZOuYF77wLl-AIEF-zSWhvxeDBCdHz1-v8fsymTqfUQm36v5U5F3WkuOwg2OsUF3eq05Zeexsi8bXKcraBCV27nmCeuzuOnDY-FQ/w150-h200/Chan%20Stroman.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Chan Stroman</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Blog and/or handle:</b> <a href="https://www.bookishgardener.com/" target="_blank">Bookish Gardener</a> and </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bookishgardener/" target="_blank">@bookishgardener</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Madison, Wisconsin</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I love to garden and read, avocationally.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1iKuULfDbM0qlTn_fnYu68xmGRWPZ7nEFmOie1UZlvJ_haZ1vu2JuBGdVceJb0LvM6X1CRJLHdQok2j85qURn1-la3rX5EUsQDkP-_BdZTHknimYbtUGItxbNBAvs-yTyyGHJGy1CvPSEk5XtWPpljNkSZGgG09iXfrq8YZL1G_JvhMtsEjONYOuOg/s2500/Anneliese%20Valdes.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1875" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1iKuULfDbM0qlTn_fnYu68xmGRWPZ7nEFmOie1UZlvJ_haZ1vu2JuBGdVceJb0LvM6X1CRJLHdQok2j85qURn1-la3rX5EUsQDkP-_BdZTHknimYbtUGItxbNBAvs-yTyyGHJGy1CvPSEk5XtWPpljNkSZGgG09iXfrq8YZL1G_JvhMtsEjONYOuOg/w150-h200/Anneliese%20Valdes.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Anneliese Valdes</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Blog</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">and/or </span></b><b>handle:</b> <a href="https://blog.cobrahead.com/" target="_blank">The CobraHead Blog</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;"><b>Location:</b> Cambridge, Wisconsin</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333;">I'm part of the Cobrahead LLC family team, serving in sales marketing, and shipping, among other areas. Our company was formed to develop and market the Cobrahead Weeder and Cultivator—a multi-purpose hand tool for use in gardening, horticulture, and agriculture. I'm also a part-time musician, and a member of the indie/pop band, Gentle Brontosaurus. </span></span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana;">Wisconsin's winters are long and often harsh, but we still manage to have great gardens each year. The summer days are long and warm, and water is abundant. Growing up with my dad's vegetable garden right outside spoiled me for food variety, and I think folks would be surprised at just how many crops we can grow in such a short season. I just wish I could grow citrus here!</span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana;"><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SUlgitnUQyXaQlt5TLsI5AHPdK_ULO9jJUaehOupXwLGpFi9FJ1Uo8xy0LpG2nqW4hviG-aDpd_7xWAV8swdJQrdQxIPqTEZqmNFguJ8Vfae-UoaQNMquCTf07EKz5F-rfjwH9FT81OuTtoRCZk_QKFKchTyBYZwRKjXiEtUA0YefpS1oogI9hkg4g/s2048/Judy%20Valdes.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SUlgitnUQyXaQlt5TLsI5AHPdK_ULO9jJUaehOupXwLGpFi9FJ1Uo8xy0LpG2nqW4hviG-aDpd_7xWAV8swdJQrdQxIPqTEZqmNFguJ8Vfae-UoaQNMquCTf07EKz5F-rfjwH9FT81OuTtoRCZk_QKFKchTyBYZwRKjXiEtUA0YefpS1oogI9hkg4g/w200-h200/Judy%20Valdes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Judy Valdes</span></b></div><div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Blog</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">and/or </span></b><b>handle:</b> <a href="https://blog.cobrahead.com/" target="_blank">The CobraHead Blog</a></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #333333;"><b>Location:</b> Cambridge, Wisconsin</span></span></div></div><div>I blog on recipes, always featuring the fruits and vegetables produced from our garden. We publish a newsletter once a month which reaches 10,000 subscribers for Cobrahead Garden Tools.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXNRk-h0odsOc2UqkGe_5CVCdSO_T2MqHDe7PEDe8r0nlGwQrAqvDdfCrVpgi8xDMtrz0uj3MCj1KFqjgrwKsA8jRTC5tPvufGmM7F--y7mV6nRk3FPWXFQQ45sFb2lSRwS4cPFTn5J149wP61y9JLRTSUY7g6k1r6AYNBdERX1stUbQsNg43NBAChA/s2048/Noel%20Valdes.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXNRk-h0odsOc2UqkGe_5CVCdSO_T2MqHDe7PEDe8r0nlGwQrAqvDdfCrVpgi8xDMtrz0uj3MCj1KFqjgrwKsA8jRTC5tPvufGmM7F--y7mV6nRk3FPWXFQQ45sFb2lSRwS4cPFTn5J149wP61y9JLRTSUY7g6k1r6AYNBdERX1stUbQsNg43NBAChA/w200-h200/Noel%20Valdes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Noel Valdes</span></b></div><div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Blog</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">and/or </span></b><b>handle:</b> <a href="https://blog.cobrahead.com/" target="_blank">The CobraHead Blog</a></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #333333;"><b>Location:</b> Cambridge, Wisconsin</span></span></div></div><div>I blog on sustainable, small-scale vegetable growing, with an emphasis on the use of open raised beds and maximizing food production in small areas. I speak at garden shows, garden clubs, and master gardener events. All of my writing and speaking efforts are part of publicity for CobraHead Tools, which I started in 2002.</div><div><br /></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXOTkCSlfo6fZ3ZIKOvnfSkcSeYSrZDqrquLXCcD-zRocH94JmfpxaQUyl92cHynFAPnhFWK96V8w_CGx9q_QPzXKoslE4OVUqbuMYbSsVuHdq75Wb3S5jqgf6Kwnh2puG1TSJHuZ7kdphhQWvJQxiI1puZh1cT79qku-06SiyG0FvYJR7xkV3kpp1Q/s4032/Lisa%20Wagner.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXOTkCSlfo6fZ3ZIKOvnfSkcSeYSrZDqrquLXCcD-zRocH94JmfpxaQUyl92cHynFAPnhFWK96V8w_CGx9q_QPzXKoslE4OVUqbuMYbSsVuHdq75Wb3S5jqgf6Kwnh2puG1TSJHuZ7kdphhQWvJQxiI1puZh1cT79qku-06SiyG0FvYJR7xkV3kpp1Q/w150-h200/Lisa%20Wagner.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: x-small;"><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo: Tim Spira</span></b></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;">Lisa Wagner</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Blog</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">and/or </span></b><b>handle:</b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><a href="https://naturalgardening.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Natural Gardening</a><span style="font-size: small;"> and</span></span></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://placesofthespirit.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Places of the Spirit</a></span></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Asheville, North Carolina and Le Bic, Quebec</span></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I write in my blogs about gardening with natives, vegetable gardening, nature observations, and sense of place. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">My current project is a book about the improbable acquisition of our cottage in Quebec four years ago—by two Americans who didn’t speak any French at the time, but loved the magical, natural landscape nearby and the historic place that we acquired. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I often do presentations about gardening for nature, pollinator-friendly gardening, and four-season vegetable gardening, as well as other topics.</span></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaV4RDxFDHnOCd9WJhVPsRK6mta6-YFK4tZc4R0ie47NnvHPBBJvyWMnCJVg6GRoAClyOOXqdCI_sUAm7seMnGuqJQ-NaQGYipku8WeGTvYeqBL22SxHYYnMJsL43YB5mpynL1a4Q6i86oeOCj9URN0bQNf-fU-sB9ZBLh6zVzMELVe-LSEjvPl91hw/s312/Donna%20Waters.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="299" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaV4RDxFDHnOCd9WJhVPsRK6mta6-YFK4tZc4R0ie47NnvHPBBJvyWMnCJVg6GRoAClyOOXqdCI_sUAm7seMnGuqJQ-NaQGYipku8WeGTvYeqBL22SxHYYnMJsL43YB5mpynL1a4Q6i86oeOCj9URN0bQNf-fU-sB9ZBLh6zVzMELVe-LSEjvPl91hw/w192-h200/Donna%20Waters.jpg" width="192" /></a></span></div></span></div><div style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Donna Waters</span></span></b></div></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Blog</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span>and/or </b><b>handle:</b> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUuFkguvuelf5z_1oINGCsQ" target="_blank">Sun and Snow</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Boulder County, Colorado</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I focus on edible gardening and preserving in the Rockies, and I host</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> an annual plant swap in May. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">When I’m not gardening, I design optics at Proof of Concept Optical Engineering.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzqX72IX72abhCEvGNUxl_ofUVR4HLYSTtddRo21XSpWdWp3uPMVgDtn5uNbDVZBF7baeocUI1i_WFEF1Hbi1kcIm6iLZmk6colUJts1mx63rOKHT6ptdC_3p7ACRfCSN31vDj4xChqd59C7L8m6AhCkkK87bBOkHFv9OnS3Kn1mzNeje7643O7h7PQ/s4032/Shari%20Wilson.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzqX72IX72abhCEvGNUxl_ofUVR4HLYSTtddRo21XSpWdWp3uPMVgDtn5uNbDVZBF7baeocUI1i_WFEF1Hbi1kcIm6iLZmk6colUJts1mx63rOKHT6ptdC_3p7ACRfCSN31vDj4xChqd59C7L8m6AhCkkK87bBOkHFv9OnS3Kn1mzNeje7643O7h7PQ/w150-h200/Shari%20Wilson.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Shari Wilson</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Blog</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span>and/or </b><b>handle:</b> <a href="https://www.nutsfornatives.com/" target="_blank">Nuts For Natives</a>: Gardening for the Chesapeake!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Washington, D.C.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have fun with native plants, and I share tips, design, how-tos, and plants, and more plants! It's not for any profit; just promoting native plants. I d</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">o lots of talks. The most popular page on my website is "Where to Buy Natives"</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">—</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">an always up-to-date link to places selling native plants available now! My website was designed by fellow Flinger Idelle Fisher of <a href="https://www.picklewix.com/" target="_blank">PickleWix Web Design</a>!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-7dcuCMUdjZQUn83M1DIgfKZ-77_Sb2bYtCXuTO9w-lOlTMQkZQtF1S3mNDZL4FHmXcuTYa4tyqcXvn-sTCv3PZ5iXdwLPRSxAAU2fRLH8hZrkE_hRE6VvDgmcsQ59qUvsPCBh0qx5PgFo37wxO7jbj0qYc_tPlpi4i7xCXJ5XjFT3I8nPh6ozp6xg/s928/Barbara%20Wise.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="854" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-7dcuCMUdjZQUn83M1DIgfKZ-77_Sb2bYtCXuTO9w-lOlTMQkZQtF1S3mNDZL4FHmXcuTYa4tyqcXvn-sTCv3PZ5iXdwLPRSxAAU2fRLH8hZrkE_hRE6VvDgmcsQ59qUvsPCBh0qx5PgFo37wxO7jbj0qYc_tPlpi4i7xCXJ5XjFT3I8nPh6ozp6xg/w184-h200/Barbara%20Wise.jpg" width="184" /></a></div>Barbara Wise</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Blog</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">and/or </span></b><b>handle:</b> <a href="http://www.bwisegardening.com/" target="_blank">B Wise Gardening</a> and</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.crescentgarden.com/blog/" target="_blank">Crescent Garden Blog</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Location:</b> Nashville, Tennessee</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I focus on container gardening, life lessons from the garden, and t</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">eaching gardening skills to a new generation of young gardeners.</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-49993577012503162912022-05-10T11:33:00.004-05:002022-05-10T14:11:29.795-05:00A Note About Room Reservations at the Madison Concourse Hotel<p> </p><p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K9yjWkTqOOw/XZ_MWt1tbGI/AAAAAAAALTM/XbnMZ0iar1UWXi2JV_O43-rh7yqpjA2ZACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Madison%2BConcourse%2BHotel%2BExterior-Capitol.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="1600" height="467" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K9yjWkTqOOw/XZ_MWt1tbGI/AAAAAAAALTM/XbnMZ0iar1UWXi2JV_O43-rh7yqpjA2ZACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Madison%2BConcourse%2BHotel%2BExterior-Capitol.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Our room rates at the Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club, are guaranteed only through <b>Wednesday, May 24</b>. Our headquarters hotel is located at 1 West Dayton Street, Madison, WI, 53703. This is where we'll board our buses every morning and drop off at the end of the day. Once registered for the Fling, <b>use the unique code we sent/send you to book your room</b> at our special rates. Use this link to learn more about the hotel: <a href="https://www.concoursehotel.com/" target="_blank">Madison Concourse Hotel</a>. Don't miss out!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X3f2M18-4DY/XZ_M9d5gN0I/AAAAAAAALTk/EYFuF-qA3hkyDKOd7v-UWNTfo6d4N2VNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Downtown%2BMadison-Isthmus.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X3f2M18-4DY/XZ_M9d5gN0I/AAAAAAAALTk/EYFuF-qA3hkyDKOd7v-UWNTfo6d4N2VNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Downtown%2BMadison-Isthmus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Downtown Madison is known for easy walk-ability, bike paths for miles, delightful festivals, an awe-inspiring farmers’ market, dozens of live music venues, world-class restaurants, and art museums—all nestled on an isthmus between two sapphire lakes and steps from the Concourse Hotel.</span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">The hotel is also located just a short walking distance from the pedestrian-only State Street, the State Capitol, and the waterfront summer hangout <a href="https://union.wisc.edu/visit/terrace-at-the-memorial-union/" target="_blank">Memorial Union Terrace</a>.</span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">The entire isthmus is a busy, vibrant area full of opportunities to explore and enjoy!</span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SUjTrSILDbM/XZ_M60_zS3I/AAAAAAAALTw/2wMw1F-3xU4hitEQ2ytaR1b7q04p4p8hACEwYBhgL/s1600/Concourse%2BPremier.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1600" height="237" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SUjTrSILDbM/XZ_M60_zS3I/AAAAAAAALTw/2wMw1F-3xU4hitEQ2ytaR1b7q04p4p8hACEwYBhgL/s320/Concourse%2BPremier.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Each room at the Concourse has complimentary wifi access, making it easy to check in on social media and connect with friends and family. An indoor pool and fitness center are also available if you’re so inclined.</span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oH9FJwheftM/XZ_M3uXlGLI/AAAAAAAALTo/Bo7_nbzrXag-ClH0Zl9tHDHXulv15i_4gCEwYBhgL/s1600/CIRC.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oH9FJwheftM/XZ_M3uXlGLI/AAAAAAAALTo/Bo7_nbzrXag-ClH0Zl9tHDHXulv15i_4gCEwYBhgL/s320/CIRC.jpg" width="320" /></a><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">You’ll find contemporary American dining at the <a href="https://www.concoursehotel.com/dining" target="_blank">CIRC restaurant</a>, which crafts seasonal dishes featuring ingredients from local farmers and producers.</span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><a href="https://www.concoursehotel.com/bar" target="_blank">The Bar</a>, located on the first floor near the lobby, offers an extensive wine list, an impressive craft beer selection, and artisan cocktails. In addition, a full-service Starbucks is adjacent to the lobby.</span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">The Concourse offers gathering spaces throughout the lobby—perfect for relaxing and catching up with other Flingers.</span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQ4WBcNQEBk/XZ_M4glZPRI/AAAAAAAALTs/wpqu6M7jo-USERNiZpWavvOYIcfw4BC7ACEwYBhgL/s1600/Farmer%2527s%2BMarket.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQ4WBcNQEBk/XZ_M4glZPRI/AAAAAAAALTs/wpqu6M7jo-USERNiZpWavvOYIcfw4BC7ACEwYBhgL/s640/Farmer%2527s%2BMarket.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><a href="https://www.travelwisconsin.com/media-gallery/media/state-street-77287" target="_blank">State Street</a> is just around the corner from the hotel, and you’ll want to explore this seven-block, bustling pedestrian thoroughfare for shopping, dining, or simply people-watching. We're also planning some time on Saturday morning to explore the <a href="https://dcfm.org/markets/saturday-on-the-square" target="_blank">Dane County Farmers' Mark</a></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><a href="https://dcfm.org/markets/saturday-on-the-square" target="_blank">et</a>, </span><span style="background-color: white;">conveniently located on the tree-lined grounds surrounding the Wisconsin State Capitol building, near the hotel.</span></span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">If you're planning on an extended stay, <a href="https://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/search/label/Madison%20Fling" target="_blank">we've also provided information</a> about additional plant shopping, garden visiting, sightseeing, and entertainment opportunities in Madison and the surrounding area. Consider adding a day or two on the front or the end of the Fling dates.</span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jYFyQZ1w_CA/XZ_M9FsyFGI/AAAAAAAALTw/aok4H9ctnFQRpd28NoLdjDwsxp_6SkFZwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Lobby.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jYFyQZ1w_CA/XZ_M9FsyFGI/AAAAAAAALTw/aok4H9ctnFQRpd28NoLdjDwsxp_6SkFZwCEwYBhgL/s320/Lobby.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; text-align: center;">Our reserved (limited number of rooms) room rate is $179/night for single and double; $189 for triple; and $199 for quad. At registration time, you had/have access to the special rates</span>.</span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>Don't miss out on these special rates!</b></span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="font-size: xx-small;">Photos courtesy The Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-54332558727482196532022-05-05T20:21:00.000-05:002022-05-05T20:21:08.801-05:00CobraHead: Supporting Sponsor of the Madison Fling<div class="post-header" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5248698112707233315" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 756px;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--skMEPYfRAc/XmPXb9PD9tI/AAAAAAAALzw/2S6scScn_F4JCmjG03BnBAbwXllt_mT1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Cobrahead_Original.jpg" style="clear: left; color: #d52a33; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><br /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--skMEPYfRAc/XmPXb9PD9tI/AAAAAAAALzw/2S6scScn_F4JCmjG03BnBAbwXllt_mT1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Cobrahead_Original.jpg" style="clear: left; color: #d52a33; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--skMEPYfRAc/XmPXb9PD9tI/AAAAAAAALzw/2S6scScn_F4JCmjG03BnBAbwXllt_mT1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Cobrahead_Original.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="240" /></a><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span>Cheers to <b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><a href="https://cobrahead.com/" style="color: #d52a33; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">CobraHead</a></b><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">, another bloom-level sponsor that has been with us from the start! Since 2002, the CobraHead Weeder & Cultivator has been the ultimate garden tool for weeding and gardening.</span><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AIzEpSL05JQ/XmPZBBUd37I/AAAAAAAAL0Y/OOw5CrHhQ-IzqDfAQqm2lqVZSzPfLHwHQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/CobraHead-collage.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #d52a33; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;"><br /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AIzEpSL05JQ/XmPZBBUd37I/AAAAAAAAL0Y/OOw5CrHhQ-IzqDfAQqm2lqVZSzPfLHwHQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/CobraHead-collage.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #d52a33; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1217" data-original-width="1600" height="303" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AIzEpSL05JQ/XmPZBBUd37I/AAAAAAAAL0Y/OOw5CrHhQ-IzqDfAQqm2lqVZSzPfLHwHQCPcBGAYYCw/s400/CobraHead-collage.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--skMEPYfRAc/XmPXb9PD9tI/AAAAAAAALzw/2S6scScn_F4JCmjG03BnBAbwXllt_mT1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Cobrahead_Original.jpg" style="clear: left; color: #d52a33; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AIzEpSL05JQ/XmPZBBUd37I/AAAAAAAAL0U/FBZXSTIrPogfi8WJ_k7RXGt0n3zLSaWiACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/CobraHead-collage.jpg" style="clear: left; color: #d52a33; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--skMEPYfRAc/XmPXb9PD9tI/AAAAAAAALzw/2S6scScn_F4JCmjG03BnBAbwXllt_mT1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Cobrahead_Original.jpg" style="clear: left; color: #d52a33; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><br /></a><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span><br /><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">The CobraHead is a multipurpose hand tool for use in gardening, horticulture, and agriculture that's superior to all similar tools on the market.</span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QTivlX0iweY/XmPXcgFctZI/AAAAAAAAL0I/HL-0tHvVPGIJKGFZZg8hayQjEG2Yo4JuwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Three%2BLong%2BSizes%2Bdown%2Bsquare.jpg" style="color: #d52a33; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QTivlX0iweY/XmPXcgFctZI/AAAAAAAAL0I/HL-0tHvVPGIJKGFZZg8hayQjEG2Yo4JuwCEwYBhgL/s400/Three%2BLong%2BSizes%2Bdown%2Bsquare.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">The CobraHead team has designed a line of gardening products to help all landscapers and gardeners weed more efficiently. CobraHead’s goal is to “offer you the best tools in earth.” The complete line of CobraHead Weeder & Cultivators make weeding easier and put the joy back in gardening!</span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Find them online:</span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"> Website: <a href="https://cobrahead.com/" style="color: #d52a33; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">CobraHead.com</a></span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"> Facebook: <a href="https://facebook.com/CobraHead" style="color: #d52a33; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">facebook.com/CobraHead</a></span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"> Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/cobrahead" style="color: #d52a33; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">twitter.com/cobrahead</a></span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"> Instagram: <a href="https://instagram.com/cobrahead" style="color: #d52a33; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">instagram.com/cobrahead</a></span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"> YouTube: <a href="https://youtube.com/user/cobraheadtools" style="color: #d52a33; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">youtube.com/user/cobraheadtools</a></span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><b>*** The Garden Bloggers Fling is a non-profit organization; we’d be nowhere without our generous sponsors! Please let them know how much they mean to us—big "thank-yous" to each and every one! ***</b></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-27183921889835516552022-05-03T10:44:00.000-05:002022-05-03T10:44:38.268-05:00John & Bob's Smart Soil Solutions: Supporting Sponsor of the Madison Fling<div class="separator"></div><div class="separator"></div><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Another sponsor that's been with us since the start is John & Bob's Smart Soil Solutions. Thank you, John & Bob's!</span>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">The secret to lush gardens, lawns, productive flowers, fruits, and vegetables lies in the health of the soil. Nature's most powerful organic ingredients infuse your soil with life. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">John & Bob's four-product system of Optimize, Nourish-Biosol, Maximize, and Penetrate is the easy, effective, and organic way to make your soil healthy.</span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: verdana; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="1600" height="243" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qp_Ozl8aymQ/XfqQUdle7UI/AAAAAAAALhM/X3GzzgRJtzkzJzlsVPUAIUTPHXcWJG6IACPcBGAYYCw/s400/NatureGardening-KitCropped.png" width="400" /></span>John & Bob's system feeds beneficial soil organisms with its unique blend of organic compounds, minerals, and microbes. John & Bob's formulations use the same strategy that benefits self-sustaining plant communities all over the world.</span><br /></span><div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Find them online:</span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>Website:</b> <a href="https://johnandbobs.com/" target="_blank">johnandbobs.com</a></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"> </span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>Facebook:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JohnandBobs" target="_blank">facebook.com/johnandbobs</a> </span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>Twitter:</b> <a href="https://twitter.com/johnandbobs" target="_blank">twitter.com/johnandbobs</a></span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>Instagram:</b> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/johnandbobs" target="_blank">instagram.com/johnandbobs</a></span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>YouTube:</b> <a href="https://bit.ly/2PSwqwc" target="_blank">bit.ly/2PSwqwc</a></span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>*** The Garden Bloggers Fling is a non-profit organization; we’d be nowhere without our generous sponsors! Please let them know how much they mean to us—big "thank-yous" to each and every one! ***</b></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-69171618339236328872022-05-01T20:03:00.000-05:002022-05-01T20:03:35.451-05:00What Plants Will We See at the Madison Fling?<div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_l5hsAzyX1JL79QQHaM2x0YIGaQQN2w_uEqc1L1ulElZldxjayED7JRrB9IcSvknsDhaYzp2TlwDs0V7mNBasYL7kfRU0CDTlY5lbvsvphUYr7W77np1ztGhZncfIzi8RgB1f-q_VK_rHeQqS8t1d1TSlW_jNztCyOES2idvsc6Qv8B_8DJXloD59VA/s2000/blooms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_l5hsAzyX1JL79QQHaM2x0YIGaQQN2w_uEqc1L1ulElZldxjayED7JRrB9IcSvknsDhaYzp2TlwDs0V7mNBasYL7kfRU0CDTlY5lbvsvphUYr7W77np1ztGhZncfIzi8RgB1f-q_VK_rHeQqS8t1d1TSlW_jNztCyOES2idvsc6Qv8B_8DJXloD59VA/w640-h640/blooms.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clockwise from top left: <i>Tradescantia virginiana, Geranium maculatum, Syringa spp.,<br />Aquilegia canadensis, Baptisia alba, Magnolia spp. </i>Center:<i> Anemone canadensis.<br /></i>(Unfortunately, the <i>Syringas</i> and <i>Magnolias</i> will be finished blooming at Fling time.)</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
What plants will be blooming and peaking during the Fling? We don't know for sure, but we touched on a few of the likely stars in our <b><a href="https://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/2021/10/tell-me-more-about-madison.html" target="_blank">FAQ post back in October</a></b>. And we thought it might be helpful to share some of the plant lists from several of our host gardens.</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3z5uDuOrUvVTuqp6Xn8O2DJ_NC8kSqJ-Bk5acI3mRfN0vmF8P1MM6U0z-nOY_aDFVxuxb628x6yA55QQwELnZvERdB8yTTO6qYI7u-4xuxhtw9724nAUJ-U596_g8bt5Qa2AUAp1XCqKI9DEiQpoH7XQhvoXjYj0wBkEyOFP50d0RO-3HXoqhfwQIiw/s1794/bergamot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1794" data-original-width="1440" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3z5uDuOrUvVTuqp6Xn8O2DJ_NC8kSqJ-Bk5acI3mRfN0vmF8P1MM6U0z-nOY_aDFVxuxb628x6yA55QQwELnZvERdB8yTTO6qYI7u-4xuxhtw9724nAUJ-U596_g8bt5Qa2AUAp1XCqKI9DEiQpoH7XQhvoXjYj0wBkEyOFP50d0RO-3HXoqhfwQIiw/w161-h200/bergamot.jpg" width="161" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Monarda fistulosa</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://www.olbrich.org/" target="_blank">Olbrich Botanical Gardens</a> shares <b><a href="http://www.olbrich.org/visit/documents/AutumnMeadowPlantListSeasons.pdf" target="_blank">plant lists by seasons</a></b> that can be found in its Autumn Meadow.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://allencentennialgarden.wisc.edu/" target="_blank">Allen Centennial Garden</a> provides <a href="https://apps.allencentennialgarden.wisc.edu/" target="_blank"><b>a virtual map</b></a> that you can click on to find information about plants in various locations.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://rotarybotanicalgardens.org/" target="_blank">Rotary Botanical Gardens</a> offers this <b><a href="https://youtu.be/SAY55yaHcmk" target="_blank">beautiful video of its grounds</a></b> and plant collections.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://arboretum.wisc.edu/" target="_blank">UW-Madison Arboretum</a> shares its <b><a href="https://arboretum.wisc.edu/get-involved/friends/native-plant-sale/plant-info-sheets/" target="_blank">list of native plant species</a></b>, some of which will be blooming and peaking during our visit.<br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwW2RLT9Jowpk9CJud0f9408IoB-uLZi4vvE3YH2-HlzETDvlM1RQVOZwA_JNyrfjGzIWBAJmYExsGsj8hvloWG7WAwhkXUsjXZ9THoMGaJarFuuG1MCd8tvpv-Pko2O4eDoJUdfGxW5ztRz9Xm9ztyDjQJNHSj0F44z98SN3h1JW6ho7DNh_-2mLyIg/s4608/IMG_6882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwW2RLT9Jowpk9CJud0f9408IoB-uLZi4vvE3YH2-HlzETDvlM1RQVOZwA_JNyrfjGzIWBAJmYExsGsj8hvloWG7WAwhkXUsjXZ9THoMGaJarFuuG1MCd8tvpv-Pko2O4eDoJUdfGxW5ztRz9Xm9ztyDjQJNHSj0F44z98SN3h1JW6ho7DNh_-2mLyIg/w200-h150/IMG_6882.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Z</i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><i>izia aurea</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is just a little tease. Our private gardeners will have so many amazing displays, too. And the end of June is a beautiful time of year to visit Southern Wisconsin, for the plants, the weather, and so many other reasons.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>The Fling is just around the corner! If you're signed up, we can't wait to see you! If not, we still have room on our second bus. To sign up, <b><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A6cv8BmDubHazFL_bFDEYonwOxki5ClF/edit" target="_blank">visit this link</a></b>.</i></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-36642743070953793592022-04-28T16:57:00.000-05:002022-04-28T16:57:37.408-05:00Proven Winners® ColorChoice®: Supporting Sponsor of the Madison Fling<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQErGulyUcIlMNSMU__wjkBEXIg481CCUlzflRGu_OSh5xaB3H_IwHJX8G3QNKJ-lLaH17qYilB6t5a_ld-3qG2OK7CoIjtv0SN-2eXT-IkpuMSvU9IKxAUbCk3IToCaQiU0ovsPHRrak_v_4yjmPeujSoSadkvFSXci2fbOwcX-XxvfIP67c0XFFBLg/s881/PWCC%20Full%20Color%20CMYK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="738" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQErGulyUcIlMNSMU__wjkBEXIg481CCUlzflRGu_OSh5xaB3H_IwHJX8G3QNKJ-lLaH17qYilB6t5a_ld-3qG2OK7CoIjtv0SN-2eXT-IkpuMSvU9IKxAUbCk3IToCaQiU0ovsPHRrak_v_4yjmPeujSoSadkvFSXci2fbOwcX-XxvfIP67c0XFFBLg/w168-h200/PWCC%20Full%20Color%20CMYK.jpg" width="168" /></a></div>We’d like to give <b>special thanks</b> to the sponsors that have stayed with us for more than two years! We start with <a href="https://www.mypwcolorchoices.com/" target="_blank">Proven Winners® ColorChoice®</a> flowering shrubs, a 2022 Fling Bloom Level Sponsor! A nine-year Fling sponsor, Proven Winners ColorChoice has also generously agreed to sponsor our opening night reception!
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Proven Winners ColorChoice is known for hydrangeas that are easy to grow and packed with bigger, more vibrant blooms that are held up on strong, supportive stems. It’s no wonder Proven Winners ColorChoice varieties like ‘Limelight’, Little Lime®, Incrediball®, and Invincibelle® Spirit II have become household names.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26fLVpmpI_VTlvrn3KZwhEhP07yGS5qtSac0NNw2rY60UKdZGmqvB0w9uGxqk6Bf8LoA0LO9S7nFNy2h8gGKiZWfElVW1LMio3vwJCzFvfnPjBCgJX6IMAbspTFqM6RXlNip5xHhbKydN_6GWQxt7e0y4_DiA0FnNaFt1CURL7IKF6o937o500HaFsw/s1200/Hydrangea%20paniculata%20Fire%20Light%20Tidbit%20IMG_0114-1200x630-b6fc47d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26fLVpmpI_VTlvrn3KZwhEhP07yGS5qtSac0NNw2rY60UKdZGmqvB0w9uGxqk6Bf8LoA0LO9S7nFNy2h8gGKiZWfElVW1LMio3vwJCzFvfnPjBCgJX6IMAbspTFqM6RXlNip5xHhbKydN_6GWQxt7e0y4_DiA0FnNaFt1CURL7IKF6o937o500HaFsw/w400-h210/Hydrangea%20paniculata%20Fire%20Light%20Tidbit%20IMG_0114-1200x630-b6fc47d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>One of their newest introductions, <a href="https://www.mypwcolorchoices.com/product/fire-light-tidbit-hardy-hydrangea/" target="_blank">Fire Light Tidbit®</a> is the smallest panicle hydrangea on the market, at just 2’-3’ tall and 3’ wide! Each large, rounded bloom emerges frothy lime green, matures to white, blushes to pink, and finishes vibrant dragon fruit pink. Its foliage is at work in the autumn providing the “fire” by blending into hues of orange, maroon, and red. When it comes to front-of-the-border beauty, this dwarf hydrangea provides the captivating display you’re looking for. Hardy in USDA zones 3-8.
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Year after year, nurseries big and small look to Proven Winners ColorChoice for new shrub introductions that perform better. And Proven Winners ColorChoice looks to garden communicators of all types, like the Flingers, to spread the word about their experiences with these new plants. This expert advice helps consumers make informed choices about what they grow, and helps our network of growers and garden centers experience greater sales success.
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“Not Just New, Better” means growers, garden centers, landscapers and home gardeners will all feel like winners when they choose Proven Winners plants—a brand synonymous with quality and consistency.
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Find them online:
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Website:</b> <a href="http://www.mypwcolorchoices.com/" target="_blank">www.MyPWColorChoices.com</a></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Facebook:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NatalieGardenPR" target="_blank">@NatalieGardenPR</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Facebook:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pwcolorchoice" target="_blank">@pwcolorchoice</a></span></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>
Twitter:</b> <a href="https://twitter.com/pwcolorchoice" target="_blank">@pwcolorchoice</a><br /><b>
Instagram:</b> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pwcolorchoice/" target="_blank">@pwcolorchoice</a><br /><b>
TikTok:</b> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@pwcolorchoice" target="_blank">@pwcolorchoice</a><br /><b>
You Tube:</b> <a href="https://bit.ly/ColorChoiceVideos" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/ColorChoiceVideos</a></span></div></blockquote><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><b>
*** The Garden Bloggers Fling is a non-profit organization; we’d be nowhere without our generous sponsors! Please let them know how much they mean to us—big "thank-yous" to each and every one! ***
</b></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-92201084585178448412022-04-26T15:29:00.002-05:002022-04-26T16:37:11.952-05:00Madison Food: Surprisingly Diverse<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />We're re-posting this culinary information for the new Fling registrants and </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">as a reminder for all:</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> When you visit Madison, be prepared to be surprised by the quality of the food in this mid-size Midwestern city. The variety and types of foods range widely, too. From high-end to typical supper club food, you can find just about any cuisine you desire. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">In addition to boasting numerous <a href="https://www.visitmadison.com/restaurants/featured/james-beard-awards-timeline/" target="_blank">James Beard award-winners</a>, Madison (more broadly Wisconsin) is home to some unique culinary traditions, including:</span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vzpoLClS_48/XYLiWRKteuI/AAAAAAAALRA/JI-MICVbaTgCjpJMbcCE6xypBxiWfxdsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/cheeses.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vzpoLClS_48/XYLiWRKteuI/AAAAAAAALRA/JI-MICVbaTgCjpJMbcCE6xypBxiWfxdsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/cheeses.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Cheeses:</b><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"> Yes, you can get some of the best cheeses in the world here. At the <a href="https://www.nbc15.com/content/news/Wisconsin-cheesemakers-take-home-30-awards-at-World-Cheese-Awards-501019651.html" target="_blank">2018 World Cheese Awards</a>, for example, Wisconsin captured 30 awards, more than any other state or country in the world. If you have a chance to try them, fried cheese curds are pretty special, too.</span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>Sausages:</b> You may have heard about Wisconsin bratwurst and, while it is tasty, other Wisconsin sausages are top-quality, too. European settlers—German, Italian, Polish, and others—brought their old-world <a href="https://recollectionwisconsin.org/sausage" target="_blank">recipes and link-making methods</a> with them to Wisconsin.</span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><b><br /></b></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: verdana; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5s9j4YDXGVs/XYLjAaO1ctI/AAAAAAAALRI/l-GotNwXpmU-CT-oywayDSwBQLQ49oJOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/cranberries-on-a-plate.jpg" width="320" /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Cranberries:</b><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"> Wisconsin is the <a href="https://www.channel3000.com/news/wisconsin-celebrates-25-years-as-nation-s-top-cranberry-grower/1109273722" target="_blank">#1 producer in the world</a> of this tart fruit, best known as a side or condiment for the traditional holiday meal. Wisconsinites find creative ways to use cranberries, though—as craisins, in salsa, in orange-cranberry bread, and many other recipes.</span><br /></span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5s9j4YDXGVs/XYLjAaO1ctI/AAAAAAAALRI/l-GotNwXpmU-CT-oywayDSwBQLQ49oJOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/cranberries-on-a-plate.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>Cornish Pasties:</b> Wisconsin is one of the few states where you can commonly find these <a href="https://shepherdexpress.com/food/dining-preview/cornwall-s-gift-midwest-pasty/" target="_blank">meat-filled, folded pocket pastries</a>. They became a traditional Wisconsin offering back in the 1800s, when Cornish miners and their families settled in Mineral Point, about 50 miles southwest of Madison. </span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: verdana; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8mDhMaEWlR0/XYLjHYqVYPI/AAAAAAAALRM/RCUS71ZGgKo8t8kq6VuP9oNcbNl2HWCwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/ice-cream-cone.jpg" width="320" /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>Ice cream and frozen custard:</b> Of course, the dairy state offers the best ice cream and frozen custard in the world! Madison has its share of delicious <a href="https://www.channel3000.com/madison-magazine/dining-and-drink/9-places-serving-delicious-ice-cream/727642382" target="_blank">frozen dessert shops</a>. Save some room after your meal for your favorite flavor.</span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8mDhMaEWlR0/XYLjHYqVYPI/AAAAAAAALRM/RCUS71ZGgKo8t8kq6VuP9oNcbNl2HWCwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ice-cream-cone.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">These are just a few examples of fun food experiences in Madison. While some of these items will be available during our group meals, you can find others as you explore the city during free times. You’ll be on your own for breakfast each day. Lunch will be included with your registration. We’ll also provide daily snacks to fuel your energy for garden tours. We’ll have a banquet on one of the evenings, but you’ll also have a chance to dine out on other nights.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Please note at registration if you have special dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian or gluten-free (we're making note of these preferences and restrictions). And make sure to bring your appetite with you to Madison!</span></span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="font-size: xx-small;">Photos courtesy <i>goodfreephotos.com</i>.</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-24268346881673464932022-04-21T11:54:00.001-05:002022-04-21T11:56:13.730-05:00Monrovia: Supporting Sponsor of the Madison Fling<div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XRb6mj_OGt2eW4wrCC0U1oMD2ed-DfCfkeVXiYBIpQ_t5hoFu8E1-Dh6uu4ypidFgjbLsaOooOuXrgxjjpObkohSGX3nqYV_5RinOtgVu6BzLD8t4ylF0I0WifJLQUdUKXMms87xD6GzxrKxJf6nT3GpIbMeCur_oUZKaEYvK3V9LiLHiUp1nR6-Sw/s588/Monrovia_Green_GB.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="588" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XRb6mj_OGt2eW4wrCC0U1oMD2ed-DfCfkeVXiYBIpQ_t5hoFu8E1-Dh6uu4ypidFgjbLsaOooOuXrgxjjpObkohSGX3nqYV_5RinOtgVu6BzLD8t4ylF0I0WifJLQUdUKXMms87xD6GzxrKxJf6nT3GpIbMeCur_oUZKaEYvK3V9LiLHiUp1nR6-Sw/w400-h199/Monrovia_Green_GB.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /></span><div><b style="font-family: verdana;">Let’s hear it</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> for another Bloom Level sponsor of the </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">2022 Fling</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: Monrovia!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
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Inspired by the beauty of plants, gardens, and landscapes everywhere, Harry E. Rosedale, Sr., founded Monrovia in 1926. Since then, the company has become a premier grower of shrubs, trees, edibles, perennials, and houseplants, growing more than 4,000 varieties. Monrovia collaborates with breeders around the world to introduce improved plant varieties to North America. Monrovia’s nursery locations in Oregon, California, Georgia, and Connecticut provide premium-quality plants helping gardeners Grow Beautifully™.
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A selection of our top exclusive plants includes Seaside Serenade® Hydrangeas, Evolution™ Coneflower Series, Jurassic™ Fern Collection, Summerlasting™ Crape Myrtles, Grace N’ Grit™ Shrub Roses, Nitty Gritty™ Groundcover Roses, Bountiful™ Blueberry Collection and Craftsmen-grown Topiary, Peonies, Japanese Maples, and Camellias.
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More information on Monrovia’s 2022 Distinctive Plants can be found <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/2r4h0bq1d95t17u/2022 DistinctiveSelectionsGuide_FINAL 11.1.21.pdf?dl=0&utm_campaign=Monrovia+22+Distinctive+Selections" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Find them online: <i><a href="https://www.monrovia.com/" target="_blank">www.Monrovia.com</a></i><br />
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Website:</b> <a href="https://www.monrovia.com/" target="_blank">Monrovia.com</a></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Facebook:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/monroviaplants" target="_blank">@monroviaplants</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Twitter:</b> <a href="https://twitter.com/monroviaplants" target="_blank">@monroviaplants</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Instagram:</b> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/monroviaplants/" target="_blank">monroviaplants</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>YouTube:</b> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/MonroviaPlants" target="_blank">youtube.com/c/MonroviaPlants</a></span></div></blockquote><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><b>
*** The Garden Bloggers Fling is a non-profit organization; we’d be nowhere without our generous sponsors! Please let them know how much they mean to us—big "thank-yous" to each and every one! ***</b></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-51261641558052406222022-04-16T07:38:00.001-05:002022-04-16T07:41:01.535-05:00What's It Like to Garden in Southern Wisconsin?<span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>
<b>We think it's a special place! Here are some brief thoughts from the Fling planning committee about gardening in our little part of the world:</b><br />
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<br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIXs_XwveJ470nHFum2SmBGNMI4fhpIuNRTUSCiKZIdEbO9x6HlHqtFvpzgJH2vygcqitAOkVlofy2PsdG7d11T1Za5aK5OGi6GWEvxJGF0kb9qE8f0bQnxJ0X7c3KTYczhYelz8sTWAyWnqn89duDXrHFgoPI8s2cn3utX-bHS3-3qAgv71Mrq6ZiA/s1880/Anneliese.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1880" data-original-width="1343" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIXs_XwveJ470nHFum2SmBGNMI4fhpIuNRTUSCiKZIdEbO9x6HlHqtFvpzgJH2vygcqitAOkVlofy2PsdG7d11T1Za5aK5OGi6GWEvxJGF0kb9qE8f0bQnxJ0X7c3KTYczhYelz8sTWAyWnqn89duDXrHFgoPI8s2cn3utX-bHS3-3qAgv71Mrq6ZiA/s320/Anneliese.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>Anneliese Valdes</b> is part of the Cobrahead LLC family team, serving in sales marketing and shipping, among other areas. The Cambridge, Wis., company was formed to develop and market the Cobrahead Weeder and Cultivator—a multi-purpose hand tool for use in gardening, horticulture, and agriculture. Anneliese is also a talented musician, and member of the indie/pop band, Gentle Brontosaurus.
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“Wisconsin's winters are long and often harsh, but we still manage to have great gardens each year," she says. "The summer days are long and warm, and water is abundant. Growing up with my dad's vegetable garden right outside spoiled me for food variety, and I think folks would be surprised at just how many crops we can grow in such a short season. I just wish I could grow citrus here!”</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwS7gmzP4W4zX17uBttU7h2Gfj3J6pFw_ek3CtMR4QKTTbLJU4WcApl1mYjeRXlAwGJBSD8AzPlctBe610Ty8OoqK7tp4IhQhgXTJ2hI9XYeLrMQ3EMyrOHV6T2rX-WxSA2x2C_AcfTOG2QSKu-MsqzCVAiQxFMXW8aG63DVU_Z2yGlhK9shSApVP6UA/s4982/Mark.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4982" data-original-width="3321" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwS7gmzP4W4zX17uBttU7h2Gfj3J6pFw_ek3CtMR4QKTTbLJU4WcApl1mYjeRXlAwGJBSD8AzPlctBe610Ty8OoqK7tp4IhQhgXTJ2hI9XYeLrMQ3EMyrOHV6T2rX-WxSA2x2C_AcfTOG2QSKu-MsqzCVAiQxFMXW8aG63DVU_Z2yGlhK9shSApVP6UA/s320/Mark.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Mark Dwyer</b> is the garden manager for the Edgerton, Wis., Hospital Healing Garden, which he designed in 2011. Mark was formerly director of horticulture at Rotary Botanical Gardens (Janesville, Wis.) for 21 years, where he did a very regular horticulture blog (3,000 posts) for more than 12 years. Mark also operates his own landscape design company, Landscape Prescriptions by MD, does many presentations and garden writing projects, and spends time with his family in Janesville, Wis., with a laser focus on his new grandson, Miles.
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“Gardening in Wisconsin is an exciting adventure each year,” says Mark. “I try not to worry about what I can't control from Mother Nature (deer, inclement weather, Japanese beetle damage, etc.). I like to focus on the rewards of immersing myself in the garden, and the excitement of observing seasonal transitions, pollinator activity, vegetables ripening, cloying fragrances, and so much more. While the act of gardening has its own rewards, the goal of inspiring and encouraging children to garden continues every year with my children (two daughters) and grandson. Wisconsin is a fabulous state with beautiful public gardens, parks, and a long agricultural history.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLC6ShoTL77XfksmtuNoe6qKNJMJWebUv1aOrbgNA7ElNmxApTkALhesFQKjtS2cIpx-7cbBqdgTbZOCJXpHmaDoktbxwBJM6cCTfxg8uJLV2S9diSMWxS08UjIPo2UlVrJRP0i3OC_nyvEfkCzXcGkNwFMCR0Iq4qBC1bOk2D2AMXPxYI000dqa03Sw/s800/Lucy.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLC6ShoTL77XfksmtuNoe6qKNJMJWebUv1aOrbgNA7ElNmxApTkALhesFQKjtS2cIpx-7cbBqdgTbZOCJXpHmaDoktbxwBJM6cCTfxg8uJLV2S9diSMWxS08UjIPo2UlVrJRP0i3OC_nyvEfkCzXcGkNwFMCR0Iq4qBC1bOk2D2AMXPxYI000dqa03Sw/s320/Lucy.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Lucy Saunders</b> is a food and beer writer, and author of five cookbooks, including “The Best of American Beer & Food” and “Dinner in the Beer Garden” (available on Kindle), which includes destination profiles of some of the most amazing beer gardens in the U.S. She has volunteered at the Madison Garden Show and the Great Taste of the Midwest (one of Madison's biggest and best beer festivals). And she serves on the board for the beer education program at the College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, Ill.
<br /><br />“In addition to writing, teaching, and cooking,” she says, “I also love gardening and growing herbs, fruits, and vegetables. And sharing these with friends through beer pairings and recipes, which is just what ‘Dinner in the Beer Garden’ is all about.”<br /><br />
</span><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKMHUnYK9fCX2K86p9OUyipogRCrfrGbbRpnBKAK0_rErMOAU3WSo7qf48HlrT_aQ2pA370jg_u7nRtDpae2MwY_vduYnN6y5KZUI6ruHcdCSQpJ2FNqX-eYHg7un1tUOsLvx4iAoYdQaEyKGwa7gIk6mj95a-L3riL0YGwATn4fqKdRGTZOrnnhplg/s2502/Beth.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2502" data-original-width="1877" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKMHUnYK9fCX2K86p9OUyipogRCrfrGbbRpnBKAK0_rErMOAU3WSo7qf48HlrT_aQ2pA370jg_u7nRtDpae2MwY_vduYnN6y5KZUI6ruHcdCSQpJ2FNqX-eYHg7un1tUOsLvx4iAoYdQaEyKGwa7gIk6mj95a-L3riL0YGwATn4fqKdRGTZOrnnhplg/s320/Beth.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><b>Beth Stetenfeld</b> is a writer, editor, and master naturalist volunteer and instructor. She began her botanical/nature/gardening blog, <i>PlantPostings.com</i>, in 2010. Beth writes and edits for numerous clients, including <i>Northern Gardener</i>, Olbrich Botanical Gardens, independent book writers, and many more. Through her Wisconsin Master Naturalist program involvement, she participates in continuing education, wildlife surveys, and promotional projects.
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“Gardening in Southern Wisconsin is mostly pure joy," she describes. "The soil, the warm summers, the plants that thrive here—they all contribute to experiences that induce deep peace and contentment. Most days during May through October, I can’t imagine anything more enjoyable than gardening, hiking, and spending time outdoors in this part of the world. And from November through April, there’s a little break for enjoying other hobbies, caring for indoor and overwintered plants, and planning for the next growing season."</span><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A6cv8BmDubHazFL_bFDEYonwOxki5ClF/edit" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #d52a33; font-size: x-large; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>Visit this link</b></a><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"> to register for the Madison Fling!</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-54387970447137709422022-04-10T10:16:00.002-05:002022-04-10T14:14:20.607-05:00The Award-Winning Public Gardens of the Madison Fling<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5TV98IYM0ZJgUw1im50RbTcgQXs54u9nNICzHE4bwf0lW2Xcra85HImHShtQm8pO65NwMvhYhBq0Yl1fP5vBpJPVvHg1Yj7nwwuJecP1n_EaQ8AsmXFfQ4NbceLphFn8YK6OtIvD-DT6LtSDpWGrq3Rgg3BuknymEen6a1Hq6Z88-t1NmtpU2KR8bA/s2500/Olbrich%20arbor.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1875" data-original-width="2500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5TV98IYM0ZJgUw1im50RbTcgQXs54u9nNICzHE4bwf0lW2Xcra85HImHShtQm8pO65NwMvhYhBq0Yl1fP5vBpJPVvHg1Yj7nwwuJecP1n_EaQ8AsmXFfQ4NbceLphFn8YK6OtIvD-DT6LtSDpWGrq3Rgg3BuknymEen6a1Hq6Z88-t1NmtpU2KR8bA/w640-h480/Olbrich%20arbor.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An arbor-covered walkway at Olbrich Botanical Gardens</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">We’ve recently reviewed the fabulous <i>private</i> gardens you’ll see at the Madison Fling in June, so let’s take another peek at the <i>public</i> gardens on our tour. (<i>Click on the links below to learn more about each garden.</i>)<br />
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We’ll start with The Urb Garden and the Rooftop Ramble at the <a href="https://madisonchildrensmuseum.org/exhibits/" target="_blank">Madison Children’s Museum</a>, the venue for our opening gathering on Thursday evening, June 23. The Urb Garden is a three-season learning area on an outdoor deck. Visitors can learn about aquaponics in a tilapia tank, watch worms turn food waste into rich compost, and observe plant growth in the custom greenhouse-treehouse. And from the Rooftop, visitors get a bird’s eye view of downtown Madison.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRKQ_RHZHeDP_LHNwbgfa5srgw1PzcPUd_bPguM3cGVWit9vQg2Vdi3jP2pE0UkiH1FiYrkVF9eBSbWCmK8eQlWdOFJh2_HkhQSIdhkmm8bwD9Op4_YxobZBT7-FlgTstt7d6wAZTX17rE87DNitj-IYqoZSX6bT5dfwGucgxKQwSMEg31otE9rk2Fg/s2502/Arb%20horticultural%20garden.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1877" data-original-width="2502" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRKQ_RHZHeDP_LHNwbgfa5srgw1PzcPUd_bPguM3cGVWit9vQg2Vdi3jP2pE0UkiH1FiYrkVF9eBSbWCmK8eQlWdOFJh2_HkhQSIdhkmm8bwD9Op4_YxobZBT7-FlgTstt7d6wAZTX17rE87DNitj-IYqoZSX6bT5dfwGucgxKQwSMEg31otE9rk2Fg/w400-h300/Arb%20horticultural%20garden.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Metal archway into UW-Madison Arboretum's<br />Longenecker Horticultural Gardens</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div>On Friday, June 24, we’ll head to the <a href="https://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/2019/12/uw-madison-arboretum-renowned-for.html" target="_blank">UW-Madison Arboretum</a>, home of the world’s oldest restored prairie, the Longenecker Horticultural Gardens, the native plant garden including approximately 500 native Wisconsin plants, and an extensive collection of other restored ecosystems. The Arboretum is an oasis of nature surrounded by urban and suburban areas.
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<br /><br /><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5hRZ9HNiAGMdTVCHvaav8cl3-ZpFm0m_XUsz0-L-PCuQsBMT2n0bIObleo_BmagEhFQ1ImtBs-dgRsFWKRJYTlvyaV5UtdjEhs65CTd3BqJYIH5S3Q6pMW78C7q6CzTi7Wae3MxU1EVMZwOY1kAP7Myrbd05mbYLnKjIGeGNZogIOldUSnxtvkMjFg/s1743/Epic%20gravel%20gardens.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1681" data-original-width="1743" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5hRZ9HNiAGMdTVCHvaav8cl3-ZpFm0m_XUsz0-L-PCuQsBMT2n0bIObleo_BmagEhFQ1ImtBs-dgRsFWKRJYTlvyaV5UtdjEhs65CTd3BqJYIH5S3Q6pMW78C7q6CzTi7Wae3MxU1EVMZwOY1kAP7Myrbd05mbYLnKjIGeGNZogIOldUSnxtvkMjFg/w400-h386/Epic%20gravel%20gardens.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gravel gardens at Epic Systems gardens</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div>Our final Friday destination is <a href="https://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/2019/12/epic-systems-campus-whimsical-anomalous.html" target="_blank">Epic Systems gardens</a>, near the suburb of Verona. Epic is a leading healthcare industry information technology company, and the second-largest employer in the Madison metro area. Its campus gardens are whimsical and unique—like a playground of garden types and styles. Epic is on the edge of <a href="https://driftlesswisconsin.com/" target="_blank">Wisconsin’s Driftless Area</a>, too, so the views of the surrounding countryside are dramatic.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMZ8dG290nXzEnX7V46JwtgGumMixMNFQobVQCe2mUpo2FyIa1eFcScq1Fc2BS9pWOxQV7nq2A7iiJdbPnZv8SaI_4f8JpeM1g6vs61n0Rfr_lfeySA4hwZeYARW7BRn35A0W2a-kwuX3TDCZGBzAf47MxKlSOEm216DVsLtgU-92GXl4X2l9IzKlzg/s2502/Olbrich%20thai%20pavilion.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMZ8dG290nXzEnX7V46JwtgGumMixMNFQobVQCe2mUpo2FyIa1eFcScq1Fc2BS9pWOxQV7nq2A7iiJdbPnZv8SaI_4f8JpeM1g6vs61n0Rfr_lfeySA4hwZeYARW7BRn35A0W2a-kwuX3TDCZGBzAf47MxKlSOEm216DVsLtgU-92GXl4X2l9IzKlzg/s2502/Olbrich%20thai%20pavilion.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2502" data-original-width="1877" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMZ8dG290nXzEnX7V46JwtgGumMixMNFQobVQCe2mUpo2FyIa1eFcScq1Fc2BS9pWOxQV7nq2A7iiJdbPnZv8SaI_4f8JpeM1g6vs61n0Rfr_lfeySA4hwZeYARW7BRn35A0W2a-kwuX3TDCZGBzAf47MxKlSOEm216DVsLtgU-92GXl4X2l9IzKlzg/w300-h400/Olbrich%20thai%20pavilion.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The Thai Pavilion at Olbrich Botanical Gardens</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMZ8dG290nXzEnX7V46JwtgGumMixMNFQobVQCe2mUpo2FyIa1eFcScq1Fc2BS9pWOxQV7nq2A7iiJdbPnZv8SaI_4f8JpeM1g6vs61n0Rfr_lfeySA4hwZeYARW7BRn35A0W2a-kwuX3TDCZGBzAf47MxKlSOEm216DVsLtgU-92GXl4X2l9IzKlzg/s2502/Olbrich%20thai%20pavilion.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />Saturday midday, June 25, takes us to <a href="https://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/2020/01/olbrich-botanical-gardens-midwestern.html" target="_blank">Olbrich Botanical Gardens</a>, voted one of the top 10 most inspiring gardens in North America by <i>Horticulture</i> magazine. Olbrich’s 16 acres include an indoor, tropical conservatory, and outdoor sunken, perennial, herb, meadow, rock, wildflower, rain, serenity, shade, hosta, birch, rose, and event gardens.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Olbrich’s Thai pavilion and gardens, tucked beyond a winding pathway, are must-see features, too. The Thai pavilion </span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">was a gift to the University of Wisconsin-Madison from the Thai government and the Thai chapter of the Wisconsin Alumni Association.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirYeh-47keKFu0xYbuNDx7ttf9-BqQFQSUIaj7Qeo2yMHHWURNjkJW6SOjVm5_7treAIKAopEn2Z6fcdNfvaxRA3j_bk3mCvMWuScjWeGWYuJqHGWkVy6cRpPFG_8Cte0F0qRMbG0SXdegEkYYZrKCxLODlavZ-uanYnqI_6b0lP45RNWPaxnsN0rkQ/s2500/Rotary%20mixed.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1875" data-original-width="2500" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirYeh-47keKFu0xYbuNDx7ttf9-BqQFQSUIaj7Qeo2yMHHWURNjkJW6SOjVm5_7treAIKAopEn2Z6fcdNfvaxRA3j_bk3mCvMWuScjWeGWYuJqHGWkVy6cRpPFG_8Cte0F0qRMbG0SXdegEkYYZrKCxLODlavZ-uanYnqI_6b0lP45RNWPaxnsN0rkQ/w400-h300/Rotary%20mixed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Mixed plantings at Rotary Botanical Gardens</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div>On Sunday, June 26, we drive south, with a stop at <a href="https://kopkesgreenhouse.com/" target="_blank">Kopke’s Greenhouse</a>, home to plentiful annuals and perennials.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our midday destination is <a href="https://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/2022/03/rotary-botanical-gardens-good-enough-to.html" target="_blank">Rotary Botanical Gardens</a>, in Janesville, Wis. Rotary is a 20-acre, nonprofit community garden, and a National Display Garden for the American Hosta Society, the American Hemerocallis Society, and the Hardy Fern Foundation. It features 26 distinct garden themes and more than 4,000 types of plants.</div></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1g43rzjjEYrkvmOhn_NTXdNHQijb5b8Lh9Cwl2qYp8H6wNygCaAZ8Nl2seBiAQ_ihixArf12DkWq5hc8QNtkrVuleFj6g2U3y8ntMKzuhqoZLzsJpE4hoQehpdiRuRDkUUpCBSOzGqeetSAbEM9H0Al9DGc3mwj6PJfHJsKsogIVja_of4db5ADJYKA/s2500/Flower%20Factory.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1875" data-original-width="2500" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1g43rzjjEYrkvmOhn_NTXdNHQijb5b8Lh9Cwl2qYp8H6wNygCaAZ8Nl2seBiAQ_ihixArf12DkWq5hc8QNtkrVuleFj6g2U3y8ntMKzuhqoZLzsJpE4hoQehpdiRuRDkUUpCBSOzGqeetSAbEM9H0Al9DGc3mwj6PJfHJsKsogIVja_of4db5ADJYKA/w400-h300/Flower%20Factory.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Train display at The Flower Factory</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">On the way back to Madison, we’ll stop in at </span><a href="https://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/2022/03/a-renowned-destination-for-midwestern.html" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">TheFlower Factory</a><span style="font-family: verdana;">, formerly a public garden and once the source of the Midwest’s largest
selection of perennials, hostas, and ornamental grasses. The owners still
garden, and we’re honored to visit their expansive property.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsX9-xCb1uRyQ77Sb3PncFg-Qn2Kqilxr2EcG5dtNQxShMCODJyIKWZXnoaNvIrqESfrp7lTni8i9T6B--8x-0KwJRdyvQMP2hWoeeI6E5Q-HvBHyHIzV6FmfzbV-2HM-ZSLLMaZ3o6F5fATlc5WiW01025FG3v58iEBAd_U_1Nr4i8StqvsPpI-ztkQ/s2500/Allen%20Victorian.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsX9-xCb1uRyQ77Sb3PncFg-Qn2Kqilxr2EcG5dtNQxShMCODJyIKWZXnoaNvIrqESfrp7lTni8i9T6B--8x-0KwJRdyvQMP2hWoeeI6E5Q-HvBHyHIzV6FmfzbV-2HM-ZSLLMaZ3o6F5fATlc5WiW01025FG3v58iEBAd_U_1Nr4i8StqvsPpI-ztkQ/s2500/Allen%20Victorian.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1875" data-original-width="2500" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsX9-xCb1uRyQ77Sb3PncFg-Qn2Kqilxr2EcG5dtNQxShMCODJyIKWZXnoaNvIrqESfrp7lTni8i9T6B--8x-0KwJRdyvQMP2hWoeeI6E5Q-HvBHyHIzV6FmfzbV-2HM-ZSLLMaZ3o6F5fATlc5WiW01025FG3v58iEBAd_U_1Nr4i8StqvsPpI-ztkQ/w400-h300/Allen%20Victorian.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Victorian house at Allen Centennial Garden</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsX9-xCb1uRyQ77Sb3PncFg-Qn2Kqilxr2EcG5dtNQxShMCODJyIKWZXnoaNvIrqESfrp7lTni8i9T6B--8x-0KwJRdyvQMP2hWoeeI6E5Q-HvBHyHIzV6FmfzbV-2HM-ZSLLMaZ3o6F5fATlc5WiW01025FG3v58iEBAd_U_1Nr4i8StqvsPpI-ztkQ/s2500/Allen%20Victorian.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div>Our final event of the Fling, on Sunday late afternoon, is a visit to <a href="https://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/2019/11/allen-centennial-garden-small-gem-in.html" target="_blank">Allen Centennial Garden</a>, a cozy 2.5-acre garden in the heart of Madison. The garden is built around a stately Victorian gothic house, which was one of the first buildings on the UW-Madison agricultural campus and served as home for the first four deans. Though compact, this garden is divided into 14 distinct areas. It serves as an outdoor classroom for campus students and visitors, alike.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
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Our thanks goes out to the personnel at all of these amazing public gardens. <i><b>They all</b></i> are wonderful Madison-area treasures!
</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A6cv8BmDubHazFL_bFDEYonwOxki5ClF/edit" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #d52a33; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>Visit this link</b></a><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"> to register for the Madison Fling!</span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-71050680144135389392022-04-04T18:12:00.002-05:002022-04-21T11:38:37.590-05:00Bailey Nurseries: Supporting Sponsor of the Madison Fling
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9U01-ZYV2M9zXIOvVt0nqVsjRujGFhK8evklRACQ_bEsTEZre_zdBk82rOo7FPij3HJahqJ0VNUs2xAxMApi3fdx2vAsckcNCyhk96HYRUMlNGdoql1Mwf-OSR5nboOGoKb7Y05YGjnDMz8ye8WnmuFm16TceQYqy_SL_aZdJ4U2GjtwJUVHzBks0Q/s1600/Bailey%20Nurseries.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="958" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9U01-ZYV2M9zXIOvVt0nqVsjRujGFhK8evklRACQ_bEsTEZre_zdBk82rOo7FPij3HJahqJ0VNUs2xAxMApi3fdx2vAsckcNCyhk96HYRUMlNGdoql1Mwf-OSR5nboOGoKb7Y05YGjnDMz8ye8WnmuFm16TceQYqy_SL_aZdJ4U2GjtwJUVHzBks0Q/w240-h400/Bailey%20Nurseries.png" width="240" /></a><b>Time to celebrate</b> another wonderful Fling sponsor! <a href="https://www.baileynurseries.com/" target="_blank">Bailey Nurseries</a>, a bloom-level sponsor, is a fifth-generation, family-owned company driven to help retailers, growers, and landscapers create a world landscape that is more beautiful, diverse, and sustainable. Innovation has always been a company hallmark, with the ultimate aims of fulfilling consumer desire for new varieties and to offer stronger horticultural benefits to customers. Now, more than ever, Bailey Nurseries is focused on what’s next—from proprietary plant breeding and trial programs, to digital-age marketing efforts and technology-driven fulfillment solutions.</div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://firsteditionsplants.com/" target="_blank">First Editions® Shrubs & Trees</a> is Bailey’s premium assortment of regional shrubs, trees, evergreens, vines, and perennials that includes national rock stars, as well as regionally targeted collections. Each variety in the First Editions® collection has been trialed and tested to ensure they are the hardy, unique, diverse, and beautiful plants that home gardeners can rely on. First Editions® Shrubs & Trees is a part of the Bailey family of brands, which also includes <a href="https://endlesssummerblooms.com/" target="_blank">Endless Summer® Hydrangeas</a> and <a href="https://easyeleganceroses.com/" target="_blank">Easy Elegance® Roses</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Find more from First Editions® online at the following links:</span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Website:</b> <a href="https://firsteditionsplants.com/" target="_blank">FirstEditionsPlants.com</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Facebook:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FirstEditionsShrubsTrees" target="_blank">facebook.com/FirstEditionsShrubsTrees</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Instagram:</b> <a href="http://instagram.com/firsteditionsshrubstrees/" target="_blank">instagram.com/FirstEditionsShrubsTrees</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>YouTube:</b> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0TalNc3lrSSiNMa9BEh14Q" target="_blank">youtube.com/FirstEditionsShrubsTrees</a> </span></div></blockquote><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><b>*** The Garden Bloggers Fling is a non-profit organization; we’d be nowhere without our generous sponsors! Please let them know how much they mean to us—big "thank-yous" to all of them! ***</b></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-82359557670033713382022-04-02T10:51:00.001-05:002022-04-09T15:10:15.912-05:00Sunday's Private Gardens: Colorful, Charming, and Creative<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">[<i>Note: Dates have been changed for the 2022 Fling. Gardens may vary slightly.</i>]<br /></span><div><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">We’ve previewed the Madison gardens we’ll visit on <b><a href="https://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/2019/11/fridays-private-gardens-feature.html" target="_blank">Friday</a></b> and <b><a href="http://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/2020/01/saturdays-private-gardens-impressive.html" target="_blank">Saturday</a></b>. On <b>Sunday, June 26</b>, we’ll head east and southeast to visit a garden on Madison’s isthmus, a garden in the suburb of Monona, and two gardens in the small city of Stoughton.</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>Jane and Duane Miller</b> have an urban garden within Madison’s isthmus that showcases very creative use of a small lot. During the growing season, they repurpose their driveway as a pathway and patio into the garden. Plants in rolling pots—along with garden furniture, portable fences, planters, and umbrellas—come out to form a wonderful dining and entertaining space. “Since many things are on wheels,” says Jane, “we can rearrange spaces or create a parking spot if needed. A wood pergola on one side and a secret garden nestled between two garages in back form the other garden rooms in our space.” The couple’s colorful bowling ball collection lines the front garden. Arbors and fencing divide the property into gardening “rooms” filled with colorful annuals, dramatic foliage plants, and decorative surprises around every corner.</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>Ann Munson</b> has planted more than 220 trees and shrubs, and untold numbers of perennials and annuals, since 1980, in her </span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="white-space: nowrap;">¾-acre</span> suburban property. Free of traditional grass lawns, the gardens of sun and shade are connected with rock, stone, and wood chip paths. Two ponds and a connecting stream provide water for wildlife and stimulation of the senses. “I recycle as much from the land as possible, and recycle interesting items as I find them,” says Ann. “My gardens allow me to participate in the ongoing cycle of life—seeking beauty, health, and creativity. I want there to be mystery, excitement, interaction, and health in the garden. I want color, design, natural critters, and the flow of the seasons made real. I want to look out my window at a natural world, and step out my door and do a forest bath.”</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>Jim Ottney</b> and <b>Jay Hatheway</b> have gardened at their Stoughton home since the mid-1990s. When they bought the house, the “yard” was an untended field of weeds, an oil change sand pit, piles of old tires, clotheslines, volunteer trees at random locations, and various invasive plants. They turned over the entire lot by hand, and beginning with several small beds along the fringes and foundation yews, they transformed the lot. The entire garden is laced with pathways and seating areas, incorporating a newer central pergola over the original patio, a metal gazebo in the back, a deck overlooking the entire garden, garden art distributed throughout, and a flagstone open space in one section. “Gardens can be whatever you imagine,” notes Jim. “We wanted a private escape and a space where we could entertain small groups of friends. We worked within the limits we were given and discovered ways to use foliage variety to create interest.”</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>Janet Aaberg’s</b> property had just one tree in the back and one in the front when she moved to her home in 1992. “I added a few shrubs and flowers, but it wasn’t until 2000 after a life-changing event that I really started digging,” she says. “Each year, I either enlarged an existing bed or dug up a new one, and I now tend to 18 large perennial beds.” Janet has a diverse selection of perennials including 32 varieties of Clematis, most of which should be blooming when we visit. “You’ll also see garden art mixed into each garden,” she adds. “I have a very sunny, hot location, and with years of planning, I have something blooming from April through November. My slice of paradise is not only good food for the soul, but also for the critters, pollinators, and insects.”</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Our private gardeners are looking forward to your visit! Stay tuned for more planned highlights of the 2022 Fling. (Note: This schedule may change; we will keep you updated here and on the <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/gardenbloggersfling/" target="_blank">Fling Facebook page</a></b>.)</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-43689387466526796792022-03-31T09:12:00.000-05:002022-03-31T09:12:43.238-05:00Elizabeth Licata/GardenRant: Supporting Sponsor of the Madison Fling<span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdrKadziLPrenD2WbzLHEDir-zGtaZDOLgQay-Ka0Bc04i-x_L7-FjG9EHUc_94gKAV2XYGFkXLuVwT6eXY0X0SVC8ayJKXaQ7DgYnNHNkG-SdbKRkVCq37U_CKL6cHY9kdn1eQmbJsQ7k63p26N_DrwOOA92L_kOREdGAlbvywUmkJmfRLX6q0FPrQ/s300/garden-rant-word-glow.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="300" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdrKadziLPrenD2WbzLHEDir-zGtaZDOLgQay-Ka0Bc04i-x_L7-FjG9EHUc_94gKAV2XYGFkXLuVwT6eXY0X0SVC8ayJKXaQ7DgYnNHNkG-SdbKRkVCq37U_CKL6cHY9kdn1eQmbJsQ7k63p26N_DrwOOA92L_kOREdGAlbvywUmkJmfRLX6q0FPrQ/s1600/garden-rant-word-glow.png" width="300" /></a></div><br />Our thanks goes out to Elizabeth Licata and <a href="https://gardenrant.com/" target="_blank">GardenRant</a>, another bloom-level sponsor! Since 2006, The Rant’s writing team of horticulturists, authors, nursery owners, columnists, ecologists, speakers, and activists have provided an interactive, thought-provoking platform that tackles all aspects of the gardening industry. It engages professional and amateur gardener-readers from all over the world.
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Many voices, many opinions, many subjects. The group’s manifesto: “We are convinced that gardening matters. Bored with perfect magazine gardens; in love with real, rambling, chaotic, dirty, bug-ridden gardens. Turned off by any activities that involve ‘landscaping’ with ‘plant materials.’ Appalled by the chemical warfare in the garden. Flabbergasted at the idea of a ‘no-maintenance garden.’ Delighted by people with a passion for plants. Gardening our asses off. Having a hell of a lot of fun.”
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Besides Elizabeth, <b>Garden Rant</b> is written by Scott Beuerlein, Allen Bush, Susan Harris, Anne Wareham, Marianne Willburn, and many guest posters.
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Find them online:
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Website:</b> <a href="https://gardenrant.com/" target="_blank">GardenRant.com</a><br /><b>
Facebook:</b> <a href="https://facebook.com/GardenRant" target="_blank">facebook.com/GardenRant</a><br /><b>
Twitter:</b> <a href="https://twitter.com/gardenrant" target="_blank">twitter.com/gardenrant</a><br />
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*** The Garden Bloggers Fling is a non-profit organization; we’d be nowhere without our generous sponsors! Please let them know how much they mean to us—big "thank-yous" to each and every one! ***</span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-6700562605461628712022-03-28T10:41:00.001-05:002022-03-28T10:42:55.312-05:00Rotary Botanical Gardens: Good Enough to Show the World!<br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>One of the public gardens we'll visit during the Fling</i><i>—</i><i>on Sunday, June 26—is <a href="https://rotarybotanicalgardens.org/" target="_blank">Rotary Botanical Gardens</a>, in Janesville, Wis., slightly southeast of Madison. Fling team member <b>Mark Dwyer </b>was the director of horticulture of this impressive garden for 21 years, and shares some of its history and uniqueness:</i>
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I was fortunate to work at this wonderful Janesville botanical garden for 21 years (1998-2019) as director of horticulture, and I found my true passion for public horticulture during my tenure at this garden. I enjoyed watching the increasing attention, visitation, and accolades that Rotary Botanical Gardens received—due, not only to the garden developing and expanding, but also through the monumental community support and significant volunteer efforts. These efforts continue to be essential to the success of this 20-acre, nonprofit garden. It has more than 100,000 annual visitors, not including attendance at special events.</span></blockquote>
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<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ritsf1KhWEqfqo-ORezmjYlyuXqo_v2fjG9Clix4No7Ck4aTu7jOCvoklYanukcBtSLRRAZa0DkSqf-LC5ynfqr5I1hfMzBlW0CNdZVjC-IPGvsmRd_YyeWjRgwHsGFmw_aLSqenBHU5jZQ3bfWgcd8bS45H0VARSpT_UkhEaFJfNotn2Gz1R3OE0Q/s2500/Wellness%20Garden.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1875" data-original-width="2500" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ritsf1KhWEqfqo-ORezmjYlyuXqo_v2fjG9Clix4No7Ck4aTu7jOCvoklYanukcBtSLRRAZa0DkSqf-LC5ynfqr5I1hfMzBlW0CNdZVjC-IPGvsmRd_YyeWjRgwHsGFmw_aLSqenBHU5jZQ3bfWgcd8bS45H0VARSpT_UkhEaFJfNotn2Gz1R3OE0Q/w500-h375/Wellness%20Garden.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wellness Garden</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;">The gardens began as an idea by Dr. Robert Yahr (1928-2021), a retired dentist and orthodontist in Janesville. He had walked the site of what would later become the gardens, and formulated a vision for an internationally themed community garden that would be “good enough to show the world” (in his own words!).
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What makes his vision all the more amazing is that he was walking on a derelict, 15-acre piece of land owned by the City of Janesville that was the site of an old sand and gravel pit. Situated on some small ponds that were created when mining operations hit natural springs, the land was strewn with garbage, discarded picnic tables, trash barrels, and more significant debris that had simply been dumped on site. Also on the property were the remnants of an old BMX bike track situated near an abandoned building that was the original offices for the Wilcox Sand and Gravel operation in the early 1900s. That building was slated for demolition.
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Dr. Yahr approached the City of Janesville in 1988 with, not only his vision for a garden (and renovating the Wilcox building), but also some of his own money, additional donor support, and the commitment of both Rotary Clubs in Janesville to help clean up the land and begin what would be called Rotary Botanical Gardens Inc. The organization was given a 100-year lease on the land for $1 from the City of Janesville. And the gardens were officially opened in 1989, with massive community clean-up efforts (including the ponds), tree planting, and the renovation of the old building, which would become the Rath Environmental Center (it was the visitor center for the first 10 years).
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Dr. Yahr was a juggernaut of fundraising. He secured help from area construction firms to help clear the site, bring in topsoil, remove overgrown trees, and clear debris from the pond. The early efforts of both Rotary Clubs were instrumental in many of these efforts, as well, and additional support at this time was provided by nearby General Motors Company (jobs bank program) and the Wisconsin Conservation Corps.
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As an old sand and gravel pit, the land is very well-drained, but the lean soils called for more than 4,000 cubic yards of good soil to be brought on site and distributed in what would shortly become the start of the international gardens. The initial 15-acre garden grew to 20 acres in 2011, with the creation of the new, <nobr>$2 million</nobr> Parker Education Center with funds from the Parker Foundation (Parker Pen was an original Janesville-based company). The new maintenance building, holding yards, and support area also </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">were</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">added at this time.</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: verdana;">
<br /></span><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVIBQB4zHlumy8i0VzAGJS_l3PCNGCAHTu4F7TnPbm5jWkSykBNqxeq2XwTkm8cOEJmPiJghObjoQ1-hAX2nkJ4rjfkj52brzNt5hxe5jRBhtCtzv9qiOHq9RF0h0_FcsKkqNhP59NXjw2PolNgHE2fuo5iXYyosTLJlEkKjdyE6x_kAeCPu-MMIlOA/s2500/Japanese%20Garden.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1875" data-original-width="2500" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVIBQB4zHlumy8i0VzAGJS_l3PCNGCAHTu4F7TnPbm5jWkSykBNqxeq2XwTkm8cOEJmPiJghObjoQ1-hAX2nkJ4rjfkj52brzNt5hxe5jRBhtCtzv9qiOHq9RF0h0_FcsKkqNhP59NXjw2PolNgHE2fuo5iXYyosTLJlEkKjdyE6x_kAeCPu-MMIlOA/w500-h375/Japanese%20Garden.JPG" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Japanese Garden</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;">
The gardens developed quickly in those early years, and were reliant not only on “in-kind” donations but also heavy involvement of volunteers, which continues to this day. It’s important to note that the overall mission of the garden revolves around horticultural education and appreciation. The gardens provide significant educational opportunities—through both adult and youth education, symposia, various lecture series, and strong labeling initiatives.
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Dr. Yahr’s vision of internationally themed gardens began with the simultaneous construction of the Japanese Garden (ranked one of the top 25 in North America), formal gardens, and the gazebo garden. Over many years, different thematic gardens were added to create a series of garden rooms and experiences. While not all the garden spaces have an international theme, they do each reflect a style and/or specific plant palette. Other gardens include the English cottage garden, sunken garden, woodland walk garden, and the relatively new, all-accessible wellness garden. To date, there are 26 distinct garden themes and garden displays with more than 4,000 types of plants.
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Rotary Botanical Gardens has won many awards for plant collections and displays. It continues to be a National Display Garden for the American Hosta Society, American Hemerocallis Society, and the Hardy Fern Foundation. The fern and moss garden (constructed in 2006) has one of the largest fern collections in the country. At one point, the gardens featured more than 150,000 annuals each year in rotating, creative displays. More recent years have seen the important shift to promoting more water-wise and eco-friendly gardening with native perennials.
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Rotary Botanical Gardens hosts more than 80 weddings on an annual basis, in addition to many other events. The very popular Holiday Lights Show (1 million lights) brings in more than 50,000 visitors each winter, and continues to be the largest fundraiser for this garden.
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Rotary Botanical Gardens receives no local, state, or federal support, and is reliant on income from its Friends membership program, a growing endowment fund, admissions, rentals, special events, grants, and other donations. The staff has grown over many years, although the importance of volunteers assisting with gardening, special events, and much more continues to be the primary cornerstone that links the past, present, and future of this amazing small garden.
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The vision of one person, combined with a supportive community, has finally achieved Dr. Yahr’s original vision of having a “community garden good enough to show the world!”
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<div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A6cv8BmDubHazFL_bFDEYonwOxki5ClF/edit" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #d52a33; font-size: x-large; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>Visit this link</b></a><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"> to register for the Madison Fling!</span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-71472861154670881972022-03-25T11:32:00.001-05:002022-03-25T11:37:56.614-05:00DRAMM: Supporting Sponsor of the Madison Fling<div><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdUFhNqNaEmsuHMbWcmuuAtNdAxIy5ACwSplaLjXAxVBQ65um_vwPmY59oQ0Ruw0EclCsEtO9MvMz0gCDSIrcESnevWs4EZeFKeogEaK5aqaQUMm02IYSA3uw3YUCIp7TghcptN03Qq_sjDhChVC68FjWEAtzrnEFF5LHZT0WNspn3GSI2OHC7nWcmw/s463/dramm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="109" data-original-width="463" height="94" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdUFhNqNaEmsuHMbWcmuuAtNdAxIy5ACwSplaLjXAxVBQ65um_vwPmY59oQ0Ruw0EclCsEtO9MvMz0gCDSIrcESnevWs4EZeFKeogEaK5aqaQUMm02IYSA3uw3YUCIp7TghcptN03Qq_sjDhChVC68FjWEAtzrnEFF5LHZT0WNspn3GSI2OHC7nWcmw/w400-h94/dramm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Let’s hear it for another wonderful Fling sponsor! <a href="https://rainwand.com/all-products/" target="_blank">DRAMM Corporation</a>, a bud-level sponsor, has been a leader in watering tools and accessories for 80 years. It began with John Dramm inventing a product to water plants in the greenhouse quickly and efficiently. He designed the 400 Water Breaker® Nozzle, which applied large quantities of water in a soft stream while conserving water.<br /><br />The spirit of innovation and commitment to new ideas and solutions continues today in Dramm’s four business segments: Commercial Greenhouse Equipment, Retail Gardening Products, Drammatic® Organic Fertilizer, and Drammwater for greenhouse water treatment systems.<br /><br />Dramm provides a full line of professional Rain Wands™, sprinklers, watering tools, accessories, and natural fertilizers to nurseries, greenhouses, and avid gardeners nationwide.<br /><br />Find them online:<br /></span><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Website:</b> <a href="https://rainwand.com" target="_blank">Rainwand.com</a><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Facebook:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Dramm-128949141151" target="_blank">facebook.com/dramm -128949141151</a><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Instagram:</b> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/drammgardening/" target="_blank">@drammgardening</a><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>YouTube:</b> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/drammcorp" target="_blank">youtube.com/user/drammcorp</a></span></blockquote><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />*** The Garden Bloggers Fling is a non-profit organization; we’d be nowhere without our generous sponsors! Please let them know how much they mean to us—big "thank-yous" to each and every one! ***</span><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-37506930770853679092022-03-24T00:00:00.001-05:002022-03-24T14:19:48.360-05:00Saturday's Private Gardens: Impressive Urban Retreats<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">[<i>Note: Dates have been changed for the 2022 Fling. Gardens may vary slightly.</i>]<br /></span><div><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Tours of private gardens are huge highlights of any Fling. Earlier, we previewed the <b><a href="https://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/2019/11/fridays-private-gardens-feature.html" target="_blank">Friday gardens</a></b>; now let’s take a quick look at the private gardens we’ll visit on <b>Saturday, June 25</b>. These are on the West and near-West side of Madison.</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>Sue Niesen</b> “started playing in the dirt in 1975" and continues to "love finding worms.” Her gardens include perennials and annuals that she grows in her sunroom from harvested seed from the previous year. “Of course seed catalogs contribute with new species, as I’m curious how they’ll look and grow in my setting,” she describes. “Some not so successful…but I’m always looking for new varieties to add to the gardens.”</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Because of the early indoor start, even large plants like Brugmansias bloom in early summer in her garden. Each year, she features a particular annual throughout the garden—something to watch for when we visit. Sue and her husband, Dick, created all the large concrete stepping stones in their garden, themselves, over the course of a year. Whimsical garden gnomes and decorations are found throughout, and you'll find surprises around every corner.</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>Tom and Cheryl Kuster</b> moved to their home in 1990. The yard had been professionally landscaped in 1968 when the house was built, including a small pond and waterfall. Tom says he didn’t get serious about gardening until 2004 when he asked a local landscape designer to create a plan. “As I started working on the plan and studying various plants, I was amazed at the vast array of plants available for landscaping.</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">“During the past 16 years of gardening, my focus has been on diversity,” he adds. “You might call me a collector of plants, with more than 600 different varieties. I’ve divided our yard into 20 sections—each with its own genera of species.” Areas include miniature and dwarf conifers; a Tufa rock garden with various alpines, hens and chicks, and woodies; and a Japanese garden.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Linda Brazill</b><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"> (also a garden blogger at <b><a href="https://eachlittleworld.typepad.com/" target="_blank">Each Little World</a></b>) and Mark Golbach moved to their half-acre lot 25 years ago. Linda describes it as “a perfect canvas on which to create a garden: a sloping site with trees and shrubs mostly at its edges.</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">“Our goal was to walk out our back door and be in a tranquil retreat that married the rocks, water, moss, and contemplative qualities of Eastern gardens, with the pines and perennials of Wisconsin,” she adds. To do that, the couple planted some 200 trees and shrubs, and used more than 200 tons of stone in walls, paths, and boulder groupings. Their garden has multiple water features, unusual trees and conifers, a birch glade, woodland peonies, a traffic island bed, and a Japanese teahouse. “As we’ve worked to create our retreat,” says Linda, “we’ve also created a gardening partnership that has been a mutual source of heated debates and delight.”</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cindy Fillingame</b><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"> acknowledges that all gardens are shaped by the terrain, exposure to sun, and drainage concerns, and hers is no exception. A desire to improve drainage led to her first raised bed in 2004. “I chose concrete retaining wall blocks as an inexpensive ‘do-it-myself’ solution,” she says. “They proved to be very versatile, allowing me to create fluid lines, and to adjust the height and enrich the soil. This initial success has led to other raised beds designed to solve other issues—namely gardening on a severe slope and defining the property line more clearly.”</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">As Cindy’s gardening knowledge has grown, she’s tried to create diverse garden beds with something to offer in each season of the year. The garden features many newly planted trees and shrubs, including ginkgo, oak leaf hydrangea, pagoda dogwood, beech, and stewartia. Older established trees and shrubs include river birch, Montgomery spruce, and a sprawling juniper pruned to follow the terrain. Lilies, including Martagon, Asiatic, and Orienpets, join garden sculptures to provide vertical accents among a wide variety of perennials.</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Stay tuned for more overviews of the other private and public gardens to be featured as part of the 2022 Fling. This schedule may change; we will keep you updated here and on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/gardenbloggersfling" target="_blank"><b>Fling Facebook page</b></a>.)</span></div><div><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><div style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="background-color: #fefdfa; border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A6cv8BmDubHazFL_bFDEYonwOxki5ClF/edit" style="color: #d52a33; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>Visit this link</b></a><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"> to register for the Madison Fling!</span></span></div></blockquote></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466866388066628410.post-70552348710898221362022-03-21T14:36:00.036-05:002022-06-30T11:48:58.853-05:00Who's Attending the Madison Fling?<div class="separator"></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: verdana; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lOxhPeByFE4/XlhIZj8GcpI/AAAAAAAALvI/5y4Yv6nStlYeAa__Ps6LKyBa8EZfGl0CACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_4174.JPG" width="400" /></span>Will you be part of the fun at the <a href="http://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/2022/03/register-for-madison-fling.html" target="_blank">Madison Garden Bloggers Fling</a>, June 23-26, 2022? <span style="font-weight: normal;">If your name is on this list, you will! If it's not, we'd love to have you join us!</span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""><span face="trebuchet ms, sans-serif">Here are the people who’ve signed up so far for our event, </span></span><span face=""><span face="trebuchet ms, sans-serif">which includes three full days of garden touring and an opening reception in the “Mad City.”</span></span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">We’re happy to announce that many new Flingers will be joining us this year, and they are noted with asterisks (*). If you’re new, you’re part of a great group. If you’re a veteran Flinger, please welcome our new friends.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">We’ll continue to update this list until the Fling. Names and handles will appear here <i>when registrations are completed</i>. (Please email us at </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><i>madisongbfling@gmail.com</i> if you see an error in </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">your name or your blog/vlog/podcast/Instagram handle or link...OR if you think you should be listed here and you are not.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">BONUS: To learn more about our attendees, please visit our <a href="http://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/2022/05/whos-who-at-madison-fling.html" target="_blank">Who's Who at the Fling page</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
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<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /><b>ARIZONA</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><span style="font-family: verdana;">David Stocker – <a href="https://wwwrockrose.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Rock Rose</a><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Jennifer Stocker</span></span> – <a href="https://wwwrockrose.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Rock Rose</a><br /><br /><b>CALIFORNIA</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Maya Bartolf – <a href="https://flowersandgrapes.com/" target="_blank">Flowers & Grapes</a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">John Valentino – <a href="https://www.johnandbobs.com/" target="_blank">John & Bob's Corporation</a><br /><br /></span>
<b><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">COLORADO</span></b><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Idelle Fisher – <a href="http://www.ijdesign.com/blog/" target="_blank">Good Environmental News Blog</a> and <a href="https://www.sandiaseed.com/blogs/news" target="_blank">Sandia Seed</a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Judy Seaborn – <a href="https://www.botanicalinterests.com/category/Botanical-Interests-Blog-From-The-Garden" target="_blank">Botanical Interests From the Garden Blog</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Donna Waters – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUuFkguvuelf5z_1oINGCsQ" target="_blank">Sun&Snow</a><br />
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<b><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA</span></b><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Shari Wilson – <a href="http://nutsfornatives.com/" target="_blank">Nuts for Natives</a></span><br />
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<b><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">GEORGIA</span></b><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Connie Cottingham</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">*</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">–</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <a href="https://gardentravelexperiences.com" target="_blank">Garden Travel Experiences</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
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<b><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">ILLINOIS</span></b><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Rachel Balk</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">*</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">–</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/gardenrach/" target="_blank">Small Boots Gardening</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Natasha Nicholes* – <a href="https://wesowwegrow.org/" target="_blank">We Sow We Grow</a><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span>
<b><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">MARYLAND</span></b><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Kathy Jentz – </span><a href="https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Washington Gardener</a><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"> </span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">and</span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"> </span><a href="http://catsingardens.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cats in Gardens</a><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Teri Speight – </span><a href="https://cottageinthecourt.com/" target="_blank">Cottage in the Court</a><br />
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<b><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">MICHIGAN</span></b><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Natalie Carmolli – <a href="https://greenhouseglass.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Through the Greenhouse Glass</a></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Stefanie Gilmour – <a href="http://www.seejanedig.com/" target="_blank">See Jane Dig</a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Susan Martin</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">*</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> – </span><a href="https://greatgardenspeakers.org/user/smartin/" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">Gardener Sue's News</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> and </span><a href="https://www.gardencrossings.com/blog/" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">Garden Crossings</a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /><b><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">MINNESOTA</span></b><br />Kathleen Hennessy – <a href="https://www.instagram.com/khennessy1/" target="_blank">29MinuteGardener</a><br /><br /></span>
<b><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">NEW YORK</span></b><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Elizabeth Licata – <a href="https://www.gardenrant.com/" target="_blank">Garden Rant</a></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Kathy Purdy – <a href="http://www.coldclimategardening.com/" target="_blank">Cold Climate Gardening</a></span><br />
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<b><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">NORTH CAROLINA</span></b><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Lisa Wagner – <a href="https://naturalgardening.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Natural Gardening</a> and <a href="https://placesofthespirit.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Places of the Spirit</a> (part-time in Quebec)</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><b><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">OHIO</span></b></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Kylee Baumle – <a href="http://ourlittleacre.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Our Little Acre</a></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span><b><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">OREGON</span></b><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Jane Finch-Howell – <a href="https://mulchmaid.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">MulchMaid</a></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Kevin Gepford – </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fuchsietum.com/" target="_blank">The Fuchsietum</a></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Theo Margelony – </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fuchsietum.com/" target="_blank">The Fuchsietum</a></span><br />
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<b><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">PENNSYLVANIA</span></b><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Karl Gercens* – <a href="https://longwoodgardens.org/blog" target="_blank">Longwood Gardens Blog</a></span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span>
<b><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">SOUTH CAROLINA</span></b><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Janet Ledebuhr – <a href="https://thequeenofseaford.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Queen of Seaford</a></span><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span>
<b><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">TENNESSEE</span></b><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Kim Halyak – <a href="https://www.cooperyounggardenclub.org/" target="_blank">Cooper-Young Garden Club</a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sharron Johnson* – </span><a href="https://www.cooperyounggardenclub.org/" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">Cooper-Young Garden Club</a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Barbara Wise – <a href="http://bwisegardening.com/" target="_blank">B Wise Gardening</a> and <a href="https://www.crescentgarden.com/" target="_blank">Crescent Garden</a><br />
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<b><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">TEXAS</span></b><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Vicki Blachman – <a href="https://playinoutside.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Playin’ Outside</a></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Lori Daul – <a href="http://gardenerofgoodandevil.wordpress.com/blog/" target="_blank">The Gardener of Good and Evil</a></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Caroline Homer – <a href="https://shovelreadygarden.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Shovel-Ready Garden</a></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Cat Jones – <a href="http://thewhimsicalgardener.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Whimsical Gardener</a></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Diana Kirby – <a href="http://www.dianasdesignsaustin.com/category/sharing-natures-garden/" target="_blank">Sharing Nature’s Garden</a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Jean McWeeney – <a href="http://www.diggrowcompostblog.com/" target="_blank">Dig, Grow, Compost, Blog</a></span><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Pam Penick – <a href="https://www.penick.net/digging/" target="_blank">Digging</a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Laura Wills – <a href="https://willsfamilyacres.com/" target="_blank">Wills Family Acres</a></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /><b>WASHINGTON</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Camille Paulsen* – <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tahomaflora/" target="_blank">Tahomaflora</a><br /><br /></span>
<b><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">WISCONSIN</span></b><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Mark Dwyer* – <a href="https://www.landscapeprescriptionsmd.com/" target="_blank">Landscape Prescriptions by MD</a> (Planning Committee)</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Amy Free* – <a href="https://www.createecology.net/" target="_blank">Create Ecology</a><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Sheri Kaz* – <a href="https://sherikaz.wixsite.com/mygardenzone" target="_blank">My Garden Zone</a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ann Munson*</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">–</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/moorgardens/" target="_blank">Moorgardens</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Megan Speckmann* </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">– <a href="https://faroutflora.com/" target="_blank">Far Out Flora</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Beth Stetenfeld – </span><a href="https://plantpostings.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">PlantPostings</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> (Planning Committee)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Chan M. Stroman* – <a href="https://www.bookishgardener.com/" target="_blank">Bookish Gardener</a></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Anneliese Valdes – <a href="https://blog.cobrahead.com/" target="_blank">Cobrahead Blog</a> (Planning Committee)</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Judy Valdes* – <a href="https://blog.cobrahead.com/" target="_blank">Cobrahead Blog</a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Noel Valdes*</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> – </span><a href="https://blog.cobrahead.com/" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">Cobrahead Blog</a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Andy Young*</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> – </span><a href="https://blog.cobrahead.com/" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">Cobrahead Blog</a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Danniel Ward-Packard* – <a href="https://botanicawisconsin.com/" target="_blank">Botanica</a></span><br />
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<b><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">CANADA</span></b><br /><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Margaret Mishra – <a href="http://www.thegardeningme.com/" target="_blank">The Gardening Me</a> (Ontario)</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lisa Wagner – <a href="https://naturalgardening.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Natural Gardening</a> and <a href="https://placesofthespirit.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Places of the Spirit</a> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">(Quebec and </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">part-time in North Carolina)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">* denotes new attendee</span></span></div><div>
<center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A6cv8BmDubHazFL_bFDEYonwOxki5ClF/edit" style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #d52a33; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b>Visit this link</b></a><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; text-align: center;"> to register for the Madison Fling!</span></span></span></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div><div><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"><br /></span><center>
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