I'll admit I like to watch shows about gardening. I'm not talking about your "garden variety" shows on the Home and Garden channel (HGTV), which feature landscapers putting some shrubs around a pool or competing to see who has the best design. I'm talking about DVD's like Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn, where she strolls through different gardens and you actually learn something about the gardens and they show outstanding footage of gardens that can truly inspire you.I also got a new … [Read more...] about DVD’s for Gardeners!
Mealybugs!
I must confess I am battling mealybugs in my sun room. The little buggers are mostly attacking the clivia lilies, amaryllis, and aloe plants. I think they hitched a ride on some African violets that I got at either WalMart or Frank's or maybe a jade plant that I bought on clearance. Those violets and the jade plant perished last year and I took measures to clean things up, but I see I've not quite finished the job.Of particular concern to me right now is one of the clivia's. I've noticed the … [Read more...] about Mealybugs!
Bulbs!
About a week before Christmas, I realized I had not purchased any hyacinth bulbs for forcing in hyacinth vases. I checked several 'discount' stores to see if they had some still in stock, but no luck. So, on a bright Sunday afternoon, I went to a local greenhouse and they still had some bulbs that they were planning to also start in vases. I bought two packs, which was about 20 bulbs, and also purchased a bag of crocus corms for forcing, oh and an amaryllis bulb even though I had already … [Read more...] about Bulbs!
Spring has sprung
What a beautiful day! I got out and cleaned up two of the raised beds in the vegetable garden and planted spring vegetables in one and sweet peas in another. For the vegetables, I divided a 4' x 8' raised bed into 1 foot squares. I planted peas along the one long side, and then 1 square each of bibb lettuce, black-seeded simpson lettuce, spinach, mesclun, radishes , and beets. I'm going to plant a new square of each every week so I have a more continuous harvest and don't have to try to … [Read more...] about Spring has sprung
Spring Day!
We finally had a sunny day after several days of gray, cold weather. I didn't think it would be so nice, as the day started out rainy and overcast, but by early afternoon, the clouds were gone and it was a pretty, sunny spring day. I got a few more pansies and planted them in where the frost had nipped the ones I planted a few weeks ago. I also continued the cleaning up old perennials. I've filled two of my three compost bins and have much more to clean up. I don't know what I'll do with all the … [Read more...] about Spring Day!
Settling In
I've nearly completed the clean up in the garden. I've mowed the lawn at a lower setting (twice) hoping that soon it will stop growing. I think I'll need to mow one more time before winter starts. I also need to cut back perennials, but that's a task that if I don't get it done, it won't be the end of the garden. … [Read more...] about Settling In
