Master Gardeners seeks garden walk sites

To help others grow in the knowledge of what plants may thrive in local gardens, the Lake County Master Gardeners, with a membership of more than 300, is asking home owners in Dyer, Schererville and St. John to share their gardens with the public for a garden walk planned for June 22.

Snapshots of everyday life

Valparaiso resident Ed Byrne takes photographs of daffodils at Ogden Gardens in Valparaiso last spring.

Imagine warmth: Dream about adding a greenhouse

Now is not the time of year for sowing, unless it's sowing an idea: As the weather turns colder and the landscape becomes washed in grays and browns, imagine a retreat, an oasis of lush greenery and brightly colored flowers suffused in warm, moist air.

Minor bulbs should get more attention

Fall planting is in full swing. As you nestle tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and crocuses into the soil, don't neglect to also plant some minor bulbs — "minor" only because they aren't well known, not because they lack quality.

Michelle Obama gets daughters' approval on new book

Michelle Obama gets a rare thumbs up from her adolescent daughters for publishing her first gardening book.

Small garden 'rooms' offer a variety of pleasures

Now's the perfect time for dreaming about your spring and summer garden. Gather up your seed and garden catalogs, take some notes, visit a garden center, let your imagination loose and put a plan on paper.

Small garden 'rooms' offer variety of pleasures

Now's the perfect time for dreaming about your spring and summer garden. Gather up your seed and garden catalogs, take some notes, visit a garden center, let your imagination loose and put a plan on paper.

WILDPORT - Porter Wild Art

Valparaiso - Valparaiso resident Ed Byrne takes photographs of the spring flowers and scenery at Ogden Gardens in Valparaiso, Tuesday, March 27, 2012.

WILDPORT - Porter Wild Art

Valparaiso - Valparaiso resident Ed Byrne takes photographs of dafodils at Ogden Gardens in Valparaiso, Tuesday, March 27, 2012.

WILDPORT - Porter Wild Art

Valparaiso - Colorful tulips emerge at Ogden Gardens in Valparaiso, Tuesday, March 27, 2012.

Jon L. Hendricks Photography, LLC

Jessica and Matt Miklos in Chesterton, Indiana

Area public gardens are beautiful destinations for an early fall getaway

Public gardens are beautiful, educational and the perfect destinations for late summer and early fall trips -- and Northwest Indiana is just the right distance away from some spectacular examples.

'Living walls' great backdrops for floral tapestry

When landscaper Darien Ball began building a "living wall" to highlight the Tiffany stained-glass lamp exhibit at the Biltmore Estate this summer, he reached for some drafting paper first, then garden tools. Ball sketched a simple schematic and then brought it to life with colorful foliage.

Growing recognition: Brincka-Cross Gardens in Porter County attracting attention with programs

Porter County Parks and Recreation superintendent Walter Lenckos calls it a "lush landscape of lasting memories."

Fawn over deer? Not likely if you're a gardener

Sometimes even a doe-eyed Bambi will wear out its welcome. Deer have been banned from many gardens, orchards and woodlots because they damage or destroy so many tender shoots, fragile saplings and emerging blooms.

Community gardens encourage more than growing vegetables

Right now, the plot of vacant land across from St. Timothy Community Church in Gary is empty. But when A'Lelia Johnson sees the land, she envisions tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, eggplant, butternut squash and maybe some cucumbers growing there.

St. Joseph County: Shop and Dine

Shiojiri Gardens

Garden Walk 2010 just around the corner

VALPARAISO | The Master Gardeners Association and Purdue Extension, Porter County, will host a Garden Walk from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 17 Nine locations in and around Valparaiso/Porter County will be on display. Points of interest will be visually identified in each garden and described in Wa…