Award-winning Philadelphia Flower Show designer, horticulturist and garden artist Michael Petrie will deliver a lecture called "The Artist's Garden" at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Sharpless Auditorium at Haverford College.

A life-long Delaware County resident who now owns and operates Michael Petrie's Handmade Gardens in Chester County, Petrie is widely known for his wildly beautiful, unconventional "Best-in-Show"-winning exhibits for the Philadelphia Flower Show. He has been involved with the show since 1981, and has designed and built exhibits for major companies and institutions including the former J. Franklin Styer Nurseries, the Philadelphia Zoo, the Winterthur Museum and Country Estate, the Brandywine River Museum, Burpee and Lamsback Floral Decorators, as well as the Men's Garden Club of Philadelphia, of which he is a charter member.

In March 2009, Petrie will be designing and installing his first Philadelphia Flower Show exhibit for his own retail plant nursery, boutique garden shop and landscape design business, Handmade Gardens, which he opened with Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist and Media, Pa., resident Sue Phillips at 320 W. Uwchlan Avenue in Downingtown in March 2008.

Petrie studied at the Philadelphia College of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts before becoming a horticulturist. He will share his design thought process in this lecture jointly sponsored by the Hardy Plant Society, Mid-Atlantic Chapter and the Henry Foundation for Botanical Research.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information visit www.handmadegardens.net

Now that the price of gas has come way down, it might be a good time to take the trek to Waterloo Gardens. And just in time for their Holiday Open House! Holiday specials will be observed Saturday and Sunday and there will be lots of treats for the kids and adults alike! The open house will be observed at both locations in Devon (on Route 30) and Exton (just off Route 30).

For information, directions and any special coupons, visit www.waterloogardens.com

Have a Great Weekend!

"Life finds a way" - actor Jeff Goldblum, from the film Jurassic Park.

Early this morning I went out back with the dogs for their morning ritual. Sometimes I have to stay out with them or they'll just turn around and follow me back inside. So as I wandered around the patio, I walked over to my secondary water feature, which we call "the fountain."
I'm sure I've mentioned it before. It's just a 20-gallon circular liner sunk into a triangular-shaped flower bed off the patio. It was my "starter water garden." I added it to see if I could be bothered to take care of a fish pond. Obviously it was a success, since I now have a 240-gal. pond with too many fish!
In the summer of 2007 we had a population explosion and doubled our fish. I had 15 and now there are well over 30! The big white fish we suspected to be the birth mother died earlier this summer and I prayed for no more babies. Fortunately, none arrived, at least I didn't think so ...

Back to this morning ... I looked down into the fountain, frowning over all the leaves that have collected in it over the last couple weeks ... and that's when I saw something move!
I usually expect to see at least one startled frog dive suddenly to the depths, but this was not that! I squinted and looked closer - yes, it was a tiny little white fish, only about 3/4 of an inch in size. And as I looked at it, amazed, another, quite larger black fish swam past (about 2 inches)!
And then there was another and another. Four total that I could see, all darting under the floating hyacinths that still linger in the fountain. Great!
How does this happen, when there are no other fish in the fountain? I'm as amazed as you are, but I think it has to do with the hyacinths. You see, they multiply at a fast rate (and are outlawed in some parks because, if left on their own, they will choke the life out of a water source). Anyway, all summer long I'm constantly throwing them out and I usually move some from the pond to the fountain, to keep it from getting green with algae. The floating plants block the sunlight, which counteracts the growth of the algae. Somewhere during this process, I think, the baby fish/eggs are in the feathery roots that hang from these plants and are thus transferred with the plant to the fountain.
So this weekend as I go about draining the fountain and covering it for the winter (I've found that if I don't, the frogs will choose to winter-over there and will die when the fountain freezes - yes, it's happened, that's why I cover it), I'll have to try to catch these babies in a small net and transfer them to the bigger pond. You'd be surprised how quick they are!
Oh well, such is life.

Since I last blogged about raking leaves, I thought these tips on preventing injuries from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons via National Home Gardening Club would be appropriate. Before we all go out this weekend and hurt ourselves!
Walk through your yard. Pick up fallen branches, tree limbs, or debris that may cause you to trip and fall.

Stretch. Warm up muscles for 10 minutes with light exercise. Stretch your muscles after raking to relieve tension.

Pace yourself. Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

Watch what you're raking. Look for large rocks, tree stumps, and uneven surfaces. Wear shoes or boots with slip-resistant soles to prevent falls.

Use a rake that's right for your height and strength. Avoid using a rake that is too short or long. Allow space between your hands on the tool grip to increase leverage. Wear gloves to prevent blisters.

Vary movements. Alternate your leg and arm positions often. When picking up leaves, bend at the knees, not the waist. Keep leaf piles small, so you don't strain your back while gathering.

Follow these steps and reduce the injuries often associated with raking. Your body—and yard—will thank you!

Happy Raking -- if there is such a thing!

It's that time of year again. The leaves are everywhere, blowing in the front door and being trailed in by little paws at the back door. Time to rake it in! Here's a few types to consider via the National Home Gardening Club, plus my personal favorite at the end.

There's a variety of rakes out there, each suited to a different type of leaf collection. Use our guide to finding one that's right for you:
No-clog rake

Description: Durable plastic with wave-shaped teeth.

Advantage: Gentle for use in flower beds.Disadvantage: Design doesn't totally eliminate clogging.

Cost: $15 to $30

Leaf scoops or claws

Description: Tined scoop that fits over hands.

Advantage: Great for large piles of leaves.

Disadvantage: Have to be taken off and on to adjust bags, etc.

Cost: $8 to $20

Adjustable rake

Description: All-purpose with a moveable brace (shown above).

Advantage: Use the same rake for the lawn and in tight spots.

Disadvantage: Flimsy for large jobs.

Cost: $10 to $30

Shrub rake

Description: Short with small, lightweight tines.

Advantage: Perfect for tight spots. Disadvantage: Not for large jobs.

Cost: $5 to $20

Ergonomic rake

Description: Handle puts less strain on your back and shoulders.

Advantage: Fewer aches and pains.

Disadvantage: May feel awkward, depending on your body build.

Cost: $20 to $50

OK, while these all seem capable of getting the job done, my personal favorite is the Garden Grabber featured on QVC. Pictured here the Garden Grabber rake removes leaves, garbage, hedge clippings, and other debris from your lawn or flower bed with ease. The durable yet lightweight tool is made from steel and all functions can be operated without bending, stooping, or touching the pile. Rake, grab and bag all at once.

I can assure you, after using this for at least the last five years, it works. We just bought two more at the QVC Outlet Store in Rehoboth Beach while on vacation this past summer. I don't know how I'd manage without it! For more info or to order visit http://www.qvc.com/scripts/detail.dll?item=M1233

With so many types of rakes to choose from, you'll enjoy raking more when you invest in the perfect rake for your yard, budget, and body. Check your home and garden center for ideas.