Garden Photo of the Day

The GPOD’s 2nd birthday!

2 WAYS TO ENLARGE!Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.  
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Jane Horn

Happy birthday to us!! The GPOD was “born” exactly two years ago today, on January 4th, 2010. Whew–that’s more than 500 posts! I kinda need a nap… Take a minute to go back to the beginning. It’s interesting to see how much we’ve changed! We started with one, maybe two photos per day, without a lot of detailed information.

2 WAYS TO ENLARGE!Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Jane Horn

Today I think the blog is a lot richer, with multiple photos a day (not always), lots more info, and most exciting, lots and lots of reader submissions. I’d love to continue the trend, and feature more of your gardens. Send me some pics, whydontcha? Email me (be sure to introduce yourself and tell me a bit about your garden and the photos) at [email protected]. And, once again, I’ll only respond if I plan to use your photos.

2 WAYS TO ENLARGE!Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Jane Horn

OK, back to business. On Monday, I asked you all to comment with your gardening resolutions for 2012. You guys have some ambitious and exciting plans! I chose a winner randomly, though not scientifically (um…I counted how many comments we had and called over the wall to my coworker, Danielle, and asked her to pick a number between 1 and 48), and the winner of a free one-year subscription to FG is oilpainter! Congrats, Lona, and Happy New Year!

2 WAYS TO ENLARGE!Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Jane Horn

Just to prove that you CAN keep your gardening resolutions, check out what Jane Horn of Prior Lake, Minnesota, did in these photos.

Jane says, “My New Years resolution in 2008 was to create a garden on our asphalt driveway.  We dumped two piles of dirt from a backyard project and my vision began to take form.  I used Zone 4 plants that would tolerate the sun and minimal water.  When the snow melts in the spring it is already green.  It has become one of my favorite gardens.” So great, Jane! Thanks so much for sending in your photos.

2 WAYS TO ENLARGE!Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.
Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Jane Horn
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Comments

  1. Annedean 01/04/2012

    Two years-- congratulations! I enjoy my online garden "visit" early every morning, marveling at what your readers have created, noting public gardens to enjoy someday, and of course getting lots of ideas for our garden. Thank you, Michelle-- and all who have shared photos and comments.

  2. shy_gardener 01/04/2012

    My morning starts with a visit to the pics of the day and a cup of coffee. Saturday and Sunday always seem like they are missing something. It is now my time (with coffee in hand) to catch up on all the great comments. I call some of the regulars my gardening friends. Thanks for what you do and keep them coming!

  3. Kris_at_Blithewold 01/04/2012

    Happy Blogiversary! GPOD has become a habit for me too and an inspiration. Please keep on keeping on! (But by all means, go ahead and grab that nap first.)

  4. JulieBW 01/04/2012

    I love GFOD, what a great way to start my day. I recommend it frequently to gardening friends, and during my Master Gardener presentations.

  5. User avater
    meander_michaele 01/04/2012

    Sincerest thanks to Fine Gardening and Michelle for this very enjoyable feature.Yes, I, too, look forward to starting my day with great gardening pics and a cup of coffee. I have been inspired and humbled by the efforts of others. I love how Jane has softened her expanse of asphalt with such an interesting collection of plants.

  6. wittyone 01/04/2012

    Wow, Jane, this is really amazing. You mean that there is asphalt underneath these plantings, you didn't dig out the asphalt and then pile the dirt? It's hard to believe that these are growing and thriving with so little dirt to support them!

  7. Wife_Mother_Gardener 01/04/2012

    What a wonderful idea, Jane! I love how you have turned a large, unused section of driveway into a beautiful dry garden. Inspiring!

  8. user-7006912 01/04/2012

    Wittyone: Yes, this garden is right on the asphalt, no digging required. Consider this trick as a way to cover broken sidewalk or any unsightly area. Low growing sedum is amazing and needs very little soil. That's why I used it for the edging.

  9. pattyspencer 01/04/2012

    I too love starting my day visiting this blog (and miss it on weekends). With coffee in hand I look upon the gardens green with envy wishing I had the talent - insight - and capabilities that is being presented to us. My talents seem to be more weed gardening than true gardening - lol A garden in asphalt! Who knew!! What a bold thing to do - I love it!

  10. GreenGrammy 01/04/2012

    I've only recently become aware of GFOD, signing up as an antidote to the long winter months. Congratulations on your two years! It must be a lot of work, but I know I'm not the only one who deeply appreciates it. Many thanks, to Michelle and to all who have shared their gardens and comments. I look forward each morning to the beauty that awaits!

  11. Tate85 01/04/2012

    Jane, can you please tell me what's this tuft of blue flowers on the first picture? Very beautiful.

  12. user-7006912 01/04/2012

    Tate85: The plant with blue blooms is Linum lewisii (Blue Flax) Zones 3-9. It likes lean well-drained soil and is short lived. The wind or perhaps a bird planted it in my garden. It survived about five years in no more than one-inch of soil.

  13. Lindath 01/04/2012

    I think it would be very helpful if, when submitting a photo, flowers and plants were identified. I know a wide range of plants/flowers on sight, but certainly not all. Sometimes the photos are taken from a distance that it's hard to identify even the flowers that we might know. Just a suggestion -- I love the photos of the day where the flowers and plants are listed.

  14. Tate85 01/04/2012

    Thanks, Jane!

  15. n2hostas 01/04/2012

    Happy Birthday then.

  16. perenniallycrazy 01/04/2012

    Happy 2nd Birthday GPOD! My day is not complete without it. Thank you and may you have many more blogs to come.

  17. oilpainter 01/05/2012

    Happy Birthday, GPOD! I look forward to the photo each day, and love the variety of gardens shown. Today's garden is just wonderful. It gives hope to those of us living on top of rock!

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