Garden Detective

If you're like me -- despite concerns about the environment, insects, deer and plant diseases -- you secretly were thrilled that last winter wasn't much of a winter at all.

Winter's simply not my thing. The snow is beautiful when it's flurrying from the sky. And maybe for a day afterward. And then -- wham! -- dirty, gray, exhaust-fume-stained, slushy slop. And that's what we're left with for...

We have a winner!

The 6th annual Great Long Island Tomato Challenge was held with much fanfare Friday evening, with gardeners from all over Long Island gathering in Newsday's Melville auditorium to spend a couple of hours with me, share their growing secrets, their jokes and compete for the title of Long Island Tomato King or Queen.

Gary Schaffer of Lindenhurst took top honors for his...

I'm dusting off my trusty scale and getting prizes together -- it's Great Long Island Tomato Challenge day! No need to register, just show up with your biggest, baddest tomato at 235 Pinelawn Rd. in Melville at 7 p.m. Follow the red balloons to the entrance. I'm looking forward to a fun evening of tips and tomato camaraderie with readers before weighing tomatoes and naming a winner. See you tonight!...

Looking for something to do tonight? Farmingdale State University's Professor Richard Iversen will give a twilight tour of the campus' nationally recognized Tropical Garden at 5 p.m., followed by a presentation on the Amazon Tropical Forest by Professor Eric Morgan. 

This year's heat hasn't been kind to my annuals, but it's just what those tropicals crave, so they're in top form for the...

Saturday, Aug. 11

11 a.m.: Cherry Grove Garden Club meeting

All are welcome, and actually having your own garden is not a requirement. On the agenda: a discussion of the proposed garden maintenance plan for the Community House, planning for an early fall garden cleanup day and a fall walking tour. (202 Surf Walk, Cherry Grove)

Aug. 15 

7 p.m.: Picnic Pops at Old Westbury...

This week's column looks at the growing deer population and what it means for gardeners (destroyed plants) and residents in general (lots of ticks, Lyme and other disease risks).

I'm very well aware of the issues and challenges created by deer in not-too-distant lands, but (and I would never gloat -- just stating a fact), my neighbors and I are completely unaffected, as I live in western Nassau....