Yesterday, we set a new weather record by having the lowest recorded high temperature for May 12th... 49 degrees. The previous record was 52 degrees. Since it didn't frost or freeze, the plants are fine, though most of them aren't exactly going to grow and thrive under these conditions.I am sure that the garden centers aren't moving as many plants over Mother's Day weekend as they had hoped. And I'm glad I'm not in charge out at the motor speedway, trying to figure out when they will have "pole … [Read more...] about New weather record set and some gardening babble

I'd describe today as gray and drizzly and cold. This isn't the weather I had hoped for but I'll have to make do, because nothing I do is going to change it. Tomorrow, I hope for just cold so I can finish planting the containers. At this point, I'll hold off on the vegetable garden until the ground dries out a little and the weather stabilizes.When I do plant my vegetable garden, I am going to try to grow a 'three sisters' garden in at least one, maybe two, plots. The native Americans planted … [Read more...] about Sisters in the Garden

I wish that you could smell these Miss Kim lilacs! I think everyone should find a spot or two for these shrubs in their landscape. Right now, they are very fragrant, as are my Meyer lilacs. I am definitely happy I chose these shrubs for spots in my garden. These particular shrubs are shaded for part of the day, but that doesn't seem to affect their bloom, as you can see. (For more on lilacs, check out this earlier post.)Speaking of bloom, check out My Garden Pictures for pictures of Spiderwort, … [Read more...] about Smells So Good!

This is my new hosta. It's a passalong plant that I got from my sister. They got it in a package of 'assorted hostas' several years ago, so we don't know what variety it is. What we do know is that it has giant leaves and for that reason it now has a special place in my garden.I dug up the original plant and divided it a few weeks ago, leaving them with two new plants and me with one. Such a deal. I still need to 'underplant' this with something or add some mulch.However, as you can see from the … [Read more...] about Giant Hosta

This is a picture of a columbine in bloom mixed in with some other perennials. It is not a specific variety, as far as I know, just plain, simple, regular columbine.I like this time of year because everything is so green and new. Speaking of new, I have spent the better part of the last two days acquiring new plants for containers and a few other places. I've been to growers, greenhouses, garden centers, and big box retail stores and for the most part, I found plants at each one to purchase. I … [Read more...] about Buying and Planting

I made up this sign several years ago to put in my raised bed vegetable garden. It also serves as a tool rest. I attach it to the end of one of the raised beds, and then as I am working, I can lean my tools up against it.In this raised bed are my early spring vegetables. I've harvested some radishes, but I'm still waiting on the lettuce. The grid you see is my attempt at the square foot gardening method. This is the only bed I do this in, the rest of the beds I will just plant.The screening in … [Read more...] about Signs in the Garden