I've truly enjoyed the sunflowers this year. I sowed seeds for 'Van Gogh's Fantasy' mix from Sunflower Steve Seed Co along my back fence. I marked where I sowed each seed with a popsicle stick so later I could go back and fill in any gaps where a seed didn't germinate. I also secretly hoped that the popsicle sticks would keep a rabbit from eating all the seedlings. The seeds weren't cheap! If the rabbits had eaten all the seedlings it would have been like owning a fancy restaurant, … [Read more...] about Sunflowers Still Standing Tall
seasons
Get Your Bearings: You’re in the Middle!
With a quick glance back to my usual frost-free day of spring and a long-lingering look to my expected first frost day of fall, I got my bearings. Where am I? Right in the middle of the growing season. August 1st is 77 days after my usual frost-free date of May 15, and 76 days before my usual first frost date of October 15th. Wherever you garden, I bet you are in the middle of your growing season, too (unless you're in Australia... then I hope you are enjoying a lovely … [Read more...] about Get Your Bearings: You’re in the Middle!
Go, go, go. Buzz, buzz, buzz.
We could learn a few things from the bees. They were out in full force on Friday, the first full day of spring. They buzzed from hellebores to crocuses and then from crocus to crocus. I'm sure they visited the irises and snowdrops, too. The bees know a sunny day shouldn't be wasted in the springtime. They know the pollen from those early spring flowers isn't going to be there forever until they get around to it. This is not the lazy season. When the sun is shining and those flowers are open … [Read more...] about Go, go, go. Buzz, buzz, buzz.
Floral Flotsam
I have finally come across a phrase to describe those blooms that hang on well past their season or show up after their season is over. Floral flotsam. The season for these blooms, this flotsam of the garden, has sailed away, leaving them to hang on for as long as they are able. In the early summer, there is not much floral flotsam left over from spring. Or perhaps there is some floral flotsam among the tulips and we are just too busy with all the other blooms that seem to come in rapid … [Read more...] about Floral Flotsam
I’m Ready!
A pansy from another spring, in the past I'm ready! I have seeds. I have new gardening gloves. I have a new hoe. I have increased my knowledge of gardening, finding tidbits and treasures down winding halls and behind hidden doors in the rabbit hole of old gardening books. I'm ready for spring. Where is Spring? Spring is in the wings, waiting and watching Winter make what we all hope is her last grand stand, a lovely performance featuring a coating of ice, which should melt by mid-day … [Read more...] about I’m Ready!
Hello Fall of ’12!
Hello Fall of '12! Good bye and good riddance Summer of '12. Wherever you came from, please don't come back. You were a season of stealth. Day by day, hour by hour you robbed my garden of all that is good about summer with your record high temperatures and your stinginess with rain. But you are in the past, Summer of '12, and Fall of '12 already seems one hundred times better, though it is only been here for a few hours officially. The temperatures are … [Read more...] about Hello Fall of ’12!
