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Perennial forget me not blooms twice with right care

Written by Doug Oster on .

blog brunnera 0508My brunnera plant sits right at the entrance to the vegetable garden. It grows in consort with a Japanese painted fern. It's make lots of babies which I plan to move around the garden. Photo by Doug Oster

Gardening truly is a life long learning experience. While appearing with my radio partner Jessica Walliser last month at one of the Giant Eagle Market District stores I learned something I'd never heard before.

We were talking about spring blooming perennials and she brought up one of my favorites; brunerra. It's a perennial which has pretty blue flowers similar to forget me nots.

Anyway, Jess said the entire plant can be hacked to the ground after flowering. When given a little liquid organic fertilizer, brunnera will sprout back up and actually bloom!

I'm looking forward to giving the technique a try.

Another bonus for the plant, it happily self sows, making babies the next spring. I'm not cutting mine back until it drops seeds.

I'll be with Jess on Saturday 5/10/13 at all four Giant Eagle Market District stores for our free monthly gardening/cooking demonstration. This week we're talking about creating stunning hanging baskets and amazing containers for flowers. Then we'll cook three recipes for your pleasure. Everyone gets a taste.

We're making Creamy Fresh Asparagus and Mushroom Soup, Leek and Salmon Pasta with Spring Peas and Lime Tea Cookies. 

We'll be at the Bethel Park Giant Eagle Market District at 9:30am, Robinson and 12 noon, Shadyside at 2:30pm and Pine at 5pm.

Hope to see you there.

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"Vegetable Container Gardening" seminar with Doug tonight

Written by Doug Oster on .

03-29-50 lettuce-in-containers original'Red Sails' lettuce is a great variety for containers. It's beautiful and tasty. Photo by Doug OsterI'll be at Janoski's Farm and Greenhouse tonight at 6pm to present "Vegetable Container Gardening."

The event is only $10 and includes a special gardener's gift, snacks, refreshments and of course...me!

You can grow just about any vegetable in containers. The key is picking the right pot for the right plant.

I'll talk about what soil medium to use, cover self-watering containers and more. We'll also go over what varieties to plant in pots.

Call 724-899-3438 Ext. 1 for more information and to register.

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Mother's Day gift ideas: Make Mom happy with ... new Vera Bradley gardening accessories

Written by Sara Bauknecht on .

VeraBradleyWeb

Getting dirty in the garden just got a lot prettier, thanks to a new line of sun hats, flower pots and gardening gloves and totes from Vera Bradley.

Just in time for Mother’s Day, stores and www.verabradley.com have outdoor items styled in the brand’s signature floral and paisley prints, with mint, pink and orange the predominant colors throughout the collection. The flower pot and gardening gloves are $28, while the sun hat is $38 and the tote is $68. All are pictured below in the Lilli Bell floral print (photos courtesy of Vera Bradley).

Check back tomorrow afternoon for a Mother's Day gift idea from SPANX for the mom-to-be.    

VeraBradley Gloves

VeraBradley FlowerPot

VeraBradley Hat

VeraBradley Tote

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A look back at the red carpet (punk) looks from the Met Gala

Written by Sara Bauknecht on .

MET exhibit

Anyone who's anyone walked the red carpet at the annual Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. 

The Met's "Punk: Chaos to Couture" exhibit, which runs tomorrow through August 14, was at the center of it all. Guests got into the spirit by showcasing their stylish takes on the punk looks with a colorful, edgy array of designer gowns. 

Here's some of the top looks of the night (photos by the Associated Press):

MET Beyonce

Beyonce

 

MET Cyrus

Miley Cyrus

 

MET Hathaway

Anne Hathaway

 

MET Kardashian

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West

 

MET Minaj

Nicki Minaj

 

MET Olsen

Ashley Olsen

 

MET Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker

 

MET Perry

Katy Perry

 

MET Rooney

Rooney Mara

 

MET Stewart

Kristen Stewart

 

MET Wintour

Anna Wintour

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Mother's Day gift ideas: Make Mom happy with ... personalized jewelry

Written by Sara Bauknecht on .

Tiffany Necklace

Mother's Day is May 12 ... are you ready? 

Stylebook is here to help with a daily "make Mom happy with ..." gift idea through Saturday. From jewelry and books to beauty and gardening, we've got you covered. 

Moms truly deserve a medal for all they do.  Take a more stylish approach by hanging a personalized necklace around her neck as a "thank you." Tiffany & Co.'s sterling silver Yours "Mom" heart charm with beaded edge and chain (pictured above) is one option. Engraving is available if you want to add your own message. The charm only is $125, or add the chain for an extra $50.  Look out for it in stores and at www.tiffany.com.

For something different, try a necklace from Isabelle Grace Jewelry, which offers a charm necklace that spells "MOM" on it in braille (pictured below).  Raised 22-carat gold dots provide the look and feel of braille on the sterling silver oval charm. It hangs on a 14-carat gold cable chain necklace (16 and 18-inch options available). It's $89 at www.isabellegracejewelry.com. 

Check back tomorrow afternoon for a gift idea for the mom who loves to garden in style. 

MomBrailleNecklace

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