We are having a warm winter. I don't know if it is unusual, but we are on pace to have the 3rd warmest January since they started to keep records. I don't like this. I want it to be cold, I want some snow, I want some freezing and thawing. I think all of that is good for a garden (except maybe the freezing and thawing which can uproot some plants). But the rest helps the garden rest and recuperate and prepare itself for spring. Yes, I'm in zone 5. Yes, I know there are people in zones 6 and … [Read more...] about Winter Where Art Though?
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May Dreams Gardens
Indoor Gardening
Okay, some evenings, it's easy to come home, eat, and then sit and watch TV and surf the 'net without any real direction or purpose. In between surfing and TV viewing, I might check work email to see if I can douse a fire or two or get a step or two ahead by sending some replies. I know some of my co-workers are doing the same thing, because I get replies from them within a matter of minutes. Not a good way to spend an evening.So tonight, after eating, putting out the weekly trash, watching some … [Read more...] about Indoor Gardening
DVD’s for Gardeners!
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
