| Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 11:47 pm: |   
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My first entry....I thought I would put my thoughts and ideas here and free up my mind for something else.
Was a bit warmer today. Went out and surveyed the damage. Everything looked good except the Dicentra and Penstemon which had decided to grow through the winter. The frost killed them back to the ground, silly plants.
My garage plants/cuttings are looking better. Some damage from the snow. I am glad I got them back in as soon as I did. I am wanting them back out but can't risk losing my cuttings to a freeze. The bedroom seedlings will have to wait to get hardened off.
Sowed 2 trays of seeds Friday. I already have some anxious Dahlias poking out. That was fast!
Seeds Sown...
*Digitalis ferruginea
Asarina antirrhiniflora 'Violacea'
*Digitalis laevigata 'Graeca'
*Asarina erubescens
*Stonecress
*Digitalis purpurea cream w/burgundy spots
*Tovara 'Painters Palette'
*Asarina maurandyo
*Digitalis lanata
*Rhodochiton
*Cephalophera
Antirrhinum 'Night and Day'
*Campanula vidali (note: find proper spelling)
*Digitalis purpurea cream w/ gold spots
*Viola 'Bambini'
*Mimulus 'Mystic Red'
*Digitalis lutea
*Dahlia, Large red/white
Digitalis purpurea alba
Antirrhinum 'Black Prince'
*Digitalis viridiflora
*Digitalis parviflora
*Digitalis thapsi
Ceratotheca triloba
*Ceratotheca triloba alba
*Dahlia 'Bishops Children'
*Nemesia, white fragrant
Petunia, my fragrant purple
*Dahlia 'Unwins mix'
Nicotiana langsdorfii
*Petunia 'Balcony'
Nicotiana mutabilis
*Dahlia, lavender dark foliage
*Nicotiana 'Tinkerbell'
*Dahlia, red w/yellow streaks
*Pelargonium 'Scarlet Border'
*Antirrhinum 'Royal Bride'
Nicotiana paniculata
*Petunia 'Laura Bush'
*Begonia grandis, white
*Pelargonium 'Paintbox Mix'
*Petunia 'Old Fashioned Vining'
Nicotiana, pale green cross
*Petunia, 'Kentucky Old Fashioned'
Begonia grandis
*new for me this year
I am very anxious for the Digitalis to germinate. It will be a long year waiting for the bloom but well worth it. Suttons Apricot, Strawberry and D. Grandiflora will bloom this year for the first time.
Next will be the Cosmos, Marigolds, Campanulas and such. Also need to get the Poppies, Larkspur, Limnanthes and Adenophora sown outdoors.
Hebes and shrub cuttings as well as early sown seedlings.
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| Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 01:44 am: |
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I need to get out and pot up some plants. The Green Elephant is Saturday and I am not ready. It always seems like it will never get here and suddenly its on top of you. It would be better if the rain would stop.
After all these months, I just realized why I was so late in November. I had it in my head it started at 11. I will try to get there by 9:30 this year and help Jim set up.
I really don't have much to bring. After moving and leaving extras behind, all I have are the plants that spread quite a bit. I don't know if anyone will have them. I am not taking the Hebe's after all. I think they should wait until May. They will be bigger by then anyway. I'll have to go poke around tomorrow. Also, email Suzy and see what she would like me to set aside for her.
This evening I noticed my Wanda primrose bloomed. I got it at Teresa's swap but can't remember from whom. It is a beautiful purple with a yellow center though the bloom is small. Probably my poor soil. I will take a pic when it's light out. |
| Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 11:35 pm: |
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Im lurking :-) The Wanda Primrose was probably from Doris. I keep my lists if I remember so I can go back and remember! I got a couple too, but I don't think mine are blooming. Will have to investigate a little closer. |
| Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 11:43 pm: |
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Well after a day of high winds and Jessica sick, and a day of rain/snow, it was a sunny, fairly warm day today.
I managed to pot up everything I am taking to the GE and found some others out there to go along also.
The chickens came over for a visit. I am sure they liked being out in good weather also.
I went ahead and put the garage plants outside except my cuttings Brugmansia and Hibiscus. Moved the bedroom plants in there and moved the sprouters into the bedroom under lights. I checked my outdoor trays, nothing up yet.
I was thinking of widening the shade bed tomorrow but probably should wait until after the swap so I am not stooped over and sore. Maybe I'll just do a little bit.
Checked my large sunny bed. a lot of my plant markers have blown out and about and now there are a bunch of mystery plants coming up. I don't remember where I put everything when we moved in. It will be a spring/summer of surprises.
I am very excited for Saturday. I love the swaps. Its always fun seeing everyone again. The May swaps will be even better. There is a lot more variety in May or September than there is in March or November.
Ah, if it isn't windy tomorrow, sow outdoor seeds. Need to get those out while its still cool.
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| Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 11:14 am: |
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Beautiful day today. The sun is shining and the frost of the grass is melting, making it shimmer.
Just sitting here looking out the window while I drink my coffee. The squirrels are running all over and Fritz is laying in front of the slider watching them. I don't know what he thinks he would do if he came face to face with one. I do, nothing.
I made it out yesterday and cleaned up the pots I am taking to the GE the best I could without actually washing them.
The swap is tomorrow and I am so excited. Suzy is bringing me a rose cutting and maybe something else. I am getting a Daylily from Sangeeta and some Pelargoniums from Jacqueline.
Not very much pretrading this year. I am sure despite that, I will come home with a bunch of plats. I need to label the plants I am bringing and may go out and see if there is anything else....
I hope the weather holds out. They did call for rain tomorrow but since it rained on us in November....I hope we get a break and have a sunny day. It would be that much more fun. |
| Posted on Saturday, March 04, 2006 - 08:54 pm: |
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The swap was great! The weather was even better. I was expecting rain. Instead, sunny and warm.
It was great seeing everyone again. I brought home some neat stuff
Sisyrinchium striatum
Sedums
Rose, the variety is eluding me...
Hellebore
Ribbon Grass
Hair Grass
Maroon Primrose,Ashley picked it out
Tiger Lily
Yellow Daylily
Iris
Campanula Waterfall? I will have to check, I should have written it down.
Moses in a boat cuttings
Unknown Silver Shrub cuttings
Yellow Easter Cactus starts
Another houseplant, don't know the name
And my favorite...the rose cutting from Suzy, name eludes me at the moment.
Oh.A groundcover from Suzy also, will have to go look at the tag. I planted it under my new rose bush.
I think thats it.
I did get a bit mad. Several times I left my plants to look around. Everytime I came back, someone had taken some of the plants. I saw one woman walk off with 2 Geraniums I brought for Sangeeta. I chased after her and called then took them back. The Phlox I brought for Doris, gone.
Finally Becky said she would stand guard, but at that point all that was left were freebies anyway. Suzy said she keeps her pretrades and on site trades in the trunk. I guess I will do this next time. They should emphasize this is a SWAP and not a free-for-all. I just think it is good manners to ask if you are not sure. I can't imagine just going up and taking something.In the trunk next time.....
Well, despite my complaining, I had a good time. I am glad Becky came with me. Not into gardening but was happy with a couple of houseplants, split the Campanula with her and trying to root the Moses in a Boat for her (and me) she gets the best one since she spotted them. They sure are a great color! I hope they root! .
Oh well. I will bring Doris a Phlox in May and the Bleeding Heart. I don't feel she got much for her lovely rosebush.
Suzy and I both forgot our cameras. It would have been nice to have a pic for GB. Her dog is adorable and soooo soft. What a face and very well behaved.
Stayed at Beckys for lunch afterword, visited, the girls played. Got home and did up my cuttings and got everything planted. On the same day as the swap??? That is a new one for me, lol
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| Posted on Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 03:23 pm: |
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Well, I slept late today. I don't know why. I went to bed at 10:30, an early Saturday night. A very busy day yesterday and I was tired. I am so out of shape.
I did get all my plants in yesterday. Not much of a feat. I didn't come home with as much but did get some nice things. 3 were Pelargoniums that were already potted, they went on the front patio, then the rest house plants. I gloated a bit on GW. A first for me. I still have plants waiting to get planted from the November swap....Whoops!!
Most of the seedlings are up including all the Digitalis. I am very pleased about that. The D. parviflora was the last of my seed and not one of the easier ones to find again.
I am hoping they will be decent size by the May swaps. I have already thinned once. I will once more then keep the rest for the swap.
I really need to get out and plant those seeds!! I will do it Monday morning. I am glad I didn't already as the chickens were over again Friday. They came up on the front patio. I think they will gobble them up.
Well, best get going...Becky should be here soon to pot her ivy. She is so funny. She was scooping some of Jim's compost into a pot for her indoor ivy. I had to tell her that worms in soil are not good for indoors. I have a bag of potting mix mom gave me. She is hauling the plant and pot up here. Will help her pot it up.
Not a gardener but I think she enjoyed herself yesterday. I am so glad she drove me or I would have missed it. Fine time for our car to break down.
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| Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 04:38 pm: |
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Well, at the library. The computer is down and it is driving me nuts. I didn't realize how addicted I was to my gardening sites.
Left Monday morning to Hillsboro for Aunt Ellens funeral. The service was beautiful and it was really nice seeing all of the cousins and Great Aunt Julie again. Came back Tuesday evening. I wish we could have stayed longer.
The last few days/nights have been unbelieveable. Snow and very cold. I put bedsheets over my potted plants outside. I wonder what the neighbors think? Sunny and beautiful today. I hope that cold snap was the last of it.
My tray of seedlings is doing well. Lots of true leaves coming on. The tray I moved into the garage is also doing well. I thought I might lose them from the cold but switched the lights to be on at night to keep them warmer. I think the flannel sheet helped also. Transplanted the other tray of seedlings into individual cells. Soon they can go into the garage and I can start another tray.
I went through my seeds last night and got them divided into when to sow and where. I am going to be sowing seeds for most of the summer from the looks of it. I am doing the best first so I have more extras for the May swaps. I will have to start them this week to have some size on them before then.
No pictures this time. |
| Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 10:02 pm: |
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Sowed another tray yesterday. I can't type them in. I didn't bring my list to the library. I want my computer back!!!
From memory (very unreliable)
Salvia Victoria
Salvia lyrata
Salvia merjamie
Blue love grass
Blue Oat grass
lots of other grasses
Black Mondo grass
Lots of other Salvias
Eucomis
Camassia
others I can't remember.
My Primroses are blooming great guns. I have to log off, 3 minutes left on the computer. |
| Posted on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 01:41 am: |
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Ok. I am over at Mel's house and I brought my list....
The tray I had outdoors I brought in to force germination. Not much up though. These were sown..
Geranium Mrs. Kendall Clark
Francoa appendiculata
Heuchera Dales Strain (up)
Tanacetum niveum (up)
Saxifraga Purple Robe (up)
Heuchera, green, unnamed
Phlox Franz Schubert
Anemone coronaria The Bride
Heuchera Green Spice
Tanacetum Selma Star
Francoa sonchifolia alba
Heuchera Bressingham Hybrids
Heuchera Crispy Curly
Ratibida columnifera (up)
Fritillaria camschatcensis
Cimicifuga racemosa Brunette
Tiarella wherryi
Saxifraga Londons Pride
Geranium Claridge Druce
Heuchera Palace Purple
Anemone multifida rubra
Geranium platyanthium
Sisyrinchium macrocarpum
Ligularia dentata Othello
Smilacina racemosa
Anemone japonica
Heuchera Coral Bells
Anemone September Charm
Geranium sanguineum
Anemone rupicola
Sisyrinchium californicum
Phlox David
Bergenia cordifolia
Sisyrinchium striatum
My new tray has
Carex grayi
Eragrastis elliotii
Chasmanthium latifolium
Salvia verticilata Purple Rain
Ornagathum
Salvia East Friesland
Maiden Grass
Salvia apiana
Little Bluestem Grass
Mule Grass
Pennisteum Black Moudry
Black Mondo Grass
Salvia roemeriana
Camassia
Deschampsia cespistosa
Saliva forskaohlei
Muhlenbergia capillaris
Salvia viscosa
Salvia verticilata alba
Gladiolus byzantinus
Salvia merjamie
Salvia lyrata
Fountain Grass
Salvia pratensis
Kirengeshoma palmata
Salvia superba
Salvia May Night
Salvia transylvatica
Salvia farinacea Victoria
Salvia azurea ssp. pitcherii
Salvia yunnanensis
Salvia elegans
Salvia hormirium Claryssa
Eucomis comosa
Geum Nova Scotia native from Emmy
I am stuck for a bit. The 4 trays in the bedroom are very small seedlings or have not germinated. I think the ones in the garage can go out at the end of the month. I think we may have a few more frosts but this has been a very odd season so who knows?
I have yet to start my sow and grow annuals. I need to do it tomorrow morning or will have to wait another week.
Alex and I cut Olin and Gales grass for them. they should be back for the spring. When I went back to dump it, what should I find popping out of the pile...a Pulmonaria, a Tulip and some other bulbs, I think those blue bells, I can't think of the name. I know Cheila dumps her yard waste there. She has the same Pulmonarias at home and the blue bell flowers she complained were taking over her yard. Great find, I took them home.
I was going to bring home a load of the compost as I know they don't use it, just dump the wastes down the back hill. Great stuff, was loading up and I found Bindweed in it. I am glad I didn't put that in my beds. I never could get rid of it at the other house and I know Cheila had it also. It would come through the fence from her side. I know Olin won't miss them. They just have shrubs in the yard. Thank you Cheila!!
Have a bit more blooming. The candytuft is budding out, the Arabis has blooms and lots of buds. Primroses are still going, Pulmonarias, it is nice to see them. I wasn't sure what i had. I got them at Teresa swap. I have a white, pink one like Suzy's, a blue from Olin's and another that hasn't bloomed. The foliage sure is nice on that one though. Oh! My Anemone bulbs. The foliage has been up for awhile but I noticed buds on them yesterday. 3 kinds, from memory..the windflower type, De Caen? anyway they are doubles and the poppy type. All mixed colors. I had little hope. I got them from the dollar store. If they come up nice, I may have to do more bulb shopping there in the future.
I am really getting anxious. So much foliage popping up. Before I know it, I will be out there every day. I have to find a way to sow more seeds indoors. I am currently out of flats and light space.
I have some Passifloras in the dining room over the heat vent. After my successful advice to someone else, I sure am having a hard time getting them to come up. The P. morifolia is up. I think I have 5 others.
I am very excited for the swaps in May. I have made several trades already. I can't help it! Everyone is listing their plants now. If I wait, the really good stuff will be gone. I am urging my seedlings to hurry up and grow!!!!
Note...dig 10 more flower beds before May |
| Posted on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 02:47 am: |
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Up at Melanies again. This room is soooooo cold. Heater is broken. I have the portable blasting away on my legs but my hands are starting to resemble claws. Really happy to use the computer though!!!
Several Salvias are up. Didn't bring a list. No grasses yet. The flats I gave up on have something germinating yesterday. Unfortunately, it is one of the cell where I removed the label. I have no idea! Another came up today. What are they?????
Did a bit of weeding yesterday. I really need to get that back bed finished. It is covered in them. Weeds all winter is no fair.
I went for a walk in the woods behind the house also with Jess. Fun for her, looking for plants for me. There are some Cotoneaster back there like the ones at the old house. I was so happy to see them. I always loved those and my cuttings never took. I may dig one up for the yard. There are many. I saw something that looked like a bleeding heart but will have to wait until it emerges a bit more. Many ferns back there getting buried by the Blackberries. When I get the other shade bed done, I will go rescue them. At the bottom of the hill in a little grove I saw 3 plants that I am sure are Geum. The leaves look like my Mrs. Bradshaw. I looked up wild types (Avens) and the foliage is completely different. Maybe triflorum? I will have to move them before the stickers get thick. There is no way I can get back in there then.
I sat on the front patio and transplanted a bunch of seedlings into 4-in pots. The sun felt so good. I was worried about them because we had frost last night. Another clear night tonight and cold. I put them next to the railing and hung bedsheets over it and tucked the flats in. It looks like a couple of pup tents on the front porch. I promised Alex I would take them down at the crack of dawn (if the frost is gone ). Back up tomorrow night if its clear.
The Heucheras are growing fast, well about half. The other half is lagging. They were the seeds from 'Snow Angel'. They did not come true as predicted but I am pleased with them. They have fine white hairs on the stems and leaves. They range from greeny bronze, reddish (new leaves) and a couple are chocolate colored and beautiful backlit by the evening sun. I am keeping those!
I took all of the succulents out of my 3 hanging baskets that are built into the front railing. I put them mixed in 3 different clay pots. I put my Ivy Geraniums in there instead. I need to get something else trailing going. They look lonely all by themselves. Definitely room for more. One of them has a flower. 2 of those are under the 'pup tents' and the 3rd which had no seedlings on the patio under it is covered with a pillow case. Just in case.....
My Hepatica has a flower bud and my one little Snowdrop that bloomed for me (the rest just foliage so far) opened up all the way today. I also noticed my Armeria Victor Rite is covered with buds. A little porcupine with pink flowers.
Well, after all that transplanting, i was able to free up a flat and enough cells to start some annuals. I also freed up a place under the indoor lights. Yay!!! I will be doing that tomorrow. I have Sweet Peas soaking tonight for sowing tomorrow.
America
Painted Lady
Cupani
Cupid
I can't wait to smell them.
Mel has a few pics I emailed her. Can't figure out how to get the KB's down on her software. I will try. I really like to have pictures on here. Post this first so I don't lose it. |
| Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 06:29 pm: |
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Lets see...I sowed some seeds last night, from memory
Cosmos, yellow garden
Cosmos, daydream
Cosmos, Sonata White
Marigold, Harlequin
Marigold, Mr Majestic
Lavatera, White Cherub
Zaluzianskya capensis
Anchusa capensis, Blue Angel
Thats all I can remember. I sowed a whole flat though.
The trays of seedlings outside are doing well. They got some rain today and it was a bit breezy. It will toughen them up. I put them in the nursery trays with netted bottoms for good drainage.
I went to Fred Meyer the other night. I bought Mazus reptans and Mazus reptans alba and a new Salvia off. to replace the one I left at the old house. I saw a Carex, Japanese Blood Grass, Heuchera and Maidenhair Fern I am going back to get, They are in open box containers. 2 for $7. The price is great. I would have got them but only had a small amount of cash on me which is wise when I am around plants. |
| Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 02:39 am: |
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Had to scroll down quite a bit to get through all this yakking I have been doing!
At Melanies again. I see the space heater isn't in here anymore. I wonder how the power bill was, whoops.
Jessicas birthday today. I made her pancakes and eggs for breakfast and we spent a couple of hours finger painting with her new set. She is good about waiting until her party Saturday to open the rest of her gifts. I did not make her do school work today. Just violin.
Lets see.... its hard to remember what I have been doing when I am only getting here once a week or so.
Last week, Thursday, Hacked out the rest of my shade bed. Four wheelbarrow loads of sod in the compost pile. My other pile wasn't quite done so I sifted through the whole thing into the wheelbarrow with a netted nursery tray. I thought I was going to break in two. My back was killing me. Put compost in the bed. Enough for that day.
Friday, spent the day cleaning/rearranging the garage. I got tired of climbing around stuff, knocking things over getting to my plants in there twice a day. Looks great, back still hurt.
Sunday mom came by. We ran over to her place for a bit and she gave me a piece of her Sedum I like and don't have. I mentioned the Sedum in front of Grandmas old house that has come up on the sidewalk. I saw it on a walk when we lived in the other house. She drove me over there and I pulled several large mats of it up and took them home. The house is still empty. I would love to be turned loose in that yard for cuttings and divisions. Lots of great stuff has survived all these years despite extreme neglect. I will take some to the May swaps.
Moved some of the shade plants around to the new spot. It is difficult as I have bulbs in the I don't want to disturb. Also my markers blew around and I see things coming up, have no idea what they are. Planted the Mazus there today. Also dug up a fern in the woods and the bleeding heart and put them in. Boy those ferns sure hang onto the ground tight. I had to settle for a small one. The big one I wanted would not come up for anything.
I went to Fred Meyer on Tuesday. I got Mother of Thyme, Carex 'Evergold', Japanese Blood Grass, New Zealand Burr, and I thought Corsican Mint. I went to smell it this morning and discovered I had grabbed 2 of the Thyme instead. I was shopping out there in the dark and they do look similar. Now I know why the cashier looked at me wierd when I told her to smell the Mint.
I went back tonight, wow!! They got a shippment in, Fuschia and Geranium starts and all kinds of things. The sales lady tried to talk me into Fuschias but I never prune them right when I start that small. I did get my Corsican Mint, the best smelling mint ever!!and Leptinella x 'Platts Black' a ferny little guy, Sedum album 'Chloroticum', and Lysimachia nummularia, creeping jenny, that one is going in a pot. I had it in the lawn at the old house, out back. It came from Chelias, in her front yard, I will be wary.
I have many more seedlings coming up. Some of the perennial grasses, I thought I would die of old age waiting for those to sprout, Campanulas and Platycodon.
I had started a tray of annuals, of course I didn't bring a list, from memory...
Marigold Mr. Majestic
Marigold Harlequin
Cosmos Double Click, tons, will bring to swap
Cosmos Sonata White
Cosmos Daydream
Anchusa Blue Angel, bring to swap
Evening Scented Stock, swap
Zaluzianskya capensis
Bidens ferruifolia
Salvia Blue Angel
Lavatera White Cherub
Lavatera Tangria?
Pennisteum Hamelin
Love Lies Bleeding
Amaranthus Intense Purple
I know there are more but I can't think of them.
Fritz should be happy he has nine lives. He has been pushing his luck lately. He likes to watch me take care of the seedlings in my bedroom and will always come over and sit there and watch until I am done. I called him my garden cat. He has turned into my garden eating cat.I had squeezed my formosa Lilies back in there to grow faster in warm for the swap. He pulled ut a whole tray of them. I found them laying on the rug, still moist. I repotted them. Next day, on the floor again, dried out. They look pretty shabby now. I am glad I have another tray he can't reach. I cannot take those ugly things to the swap. I hope there is enough in the other tray for what i have already traded. He also bit the leaves off a bunch of my Cosmos seedlings. Just a bunch of stems in the soil. Boy did I yell at him!!!
Have started my Morning Glories, Moonvines, Hyacinth Bean and others. All have germinated. Sweet Peas are getting tall and I think I will harden them off and get them out. I am blocking the whole back slider with plants and heater vents (great for bottom heat)and am running out of room. I just took another heat vent for Pelargonium cuttings.
I still have not sown my Poppies and other outdoor annuals. I am thinking I may be too late. I have to weed and I wanted to move some things around first. I don't want to disturb the seed. Well Jessica is gone until Friday. Best get up early and get it done. I hope the weather cooperates. (and plant my new ones)
I hope the computer is up soon. this is beginning to look like War and Peace.
Until next time. |
| Posted on Sunday, April 02, 2006 - 03:16 am: |
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I finally got the shade bed finished. All of the plants are in their places and I have room to spare. I am puzzled as to where my summer snowdrops disappeared to though. I dug all over the bed and never did find them.
I did find some things that I had no idea what they are. Mysterious root balls. Impatient to see what they are. My Begonia grandis didn't make it. I am missing others also and am hoping they are one of many mystery root balls. I thought all of my ferns were dead as the soil is so poor, but pulled apart the crowns and sure enough, new fronds in there..
Ghost Fern
Japanese Painted Fern
2 Evergreen Ferns (Christmas Ferns??)
Cinnamon Fern
We had Jessicas Birthday party today. I made a chocolate cake, her favorite, Ashley sulked over that, really hates chocolate...Oh well, not her cake.
Dad brought over kites for all the kids. Jessica just loved it. She had it flying great. Dad tied it to the pole and kept it flying while we had cake and ice cream. Unfortunately it crashed into the neighbors tree. Dad got the kite out but the tail was stuck. Alex later got it out with a stick.
It was a nice party. Nobody went overboard this time with the gifts. We got her a Razor scooter and some Play doh, Steph got her a gardening set, a really cute frog planter with some pansy seeds and some Floam, Dad got her the kite, some roller skates, an Uno game and sunglasses, Mom got her 2 really cute skirt sets, Bruce and Debbie got her a gardening set and a keyboard. Mel and Jen will be over later in the week.
The 3 of us played with the Play Doh this evening. Jessica made a man with a yellow head and pink hair,very cute and colorful, Alex made a blue man, raised eyebrow with yellow hair and a handlebar mustache using Jessicas butter knife that goes with her tea set, it was very good! It reminded me of Wyatt Earp. I made a rose (go figure) it turned out pretty good also. We posed for pictures with our creations. Unfortunately with a disposable camera. My camera has disappeared. It is difficult with things blooming now and I can't take picture!! I will get them on disc when I develop them.
Jennie has to put Purdy down tomorrow. From the way it sounds, she has had a stroke and is in terrible shape. I am really going to miss the girl. She has had such a hard time the last 6 months and now this, they just can't put it off any longer. Tequila, Foo Foo and now Purdy all in the last year. I hope they all can be together again. They always had such a good time playing together.
Iberis, Anemone blanda, Armeria blooming. Oh, the Magnolia tree also. I am going to try cuttings of that this year. A beautiful tree and very fragrant. I will get picks. If I move, it's coming with me!!
Well, getting late, at Melanies. Better head home. |
| Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 11:48 pm: |
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Just finished cutting Mel's lawn, well partly. Our lawn mower won't start and she is letting me take hers home for the night. I said I'd do her lawn for her in thanks. I did the front and half of the back. The back was so long, I just ran out of gas (me, not the mower). It was also getting too dark. I raked the front in the dark. It may look terrible but I can't tell. Too dark.
Got the front bed all rearranged yesterday. Tomorrow I will do the back sun bed and sow the seeds. FINALLY!!!! I hope it's not too late.
The Magnolia is gorgeous. I will take pics tomorrow. Have some more mystery stuff coming up in the shade bed. I still have not found my Summer Snowflakes and Lily of The Valley. Maybe they all died.
Have a terrible cough and sniffles. Have to garden with a fair amount of Kleenex in my pocket. I just end up smearing dirt all over my face. I hope I get over it soon.
Putting the Sweet Peas out tomorrow.
I threw some Johny Jump Up seeds in the shade bed. They should do fine there even though they won't bloom until it's hot out. I got one Viola Bowles Black up inside. I finally found the seeds and hope to bring some babies to the swap for Suzy if she still wants them.
Well, Ashley is waiting downstairs and I still have to load up the mower and go to the grocery store. Bye for now. |
| Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 01:05 am: |
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Ashley took pics of the Magnolia for me and a few other flowers but did I bring the camera up here? Of course not. I really want to post some pics!
I have been lazy lately. I have been taking care of my seedlings but several need to be transplanted. I am losing interest in my indoor plants as so much is going on outdoors.
I cut the grass. The first time this year. It looks so nice. Too much lawn though! It took me an hour and a half. It was all I could do to stay upright the rest of the day. It was cool out but the sun came out when I was halfway done. One of the few times I was not happy to see it.
My Anemone blanda is still blooming. It was a mixed pack but only one color came up, blue-violet. Very pretty. My St. Brigid are starting to open and I have two of the De Caen open. One pink and one dark purple. They are just gorgeous. I also have Fritilaria buds and flower buds on my Dicentra spectabilis. Very early for them. Silly things. They were supposed to wait until May/June.
Flower buds on the Chives and my Dianthus Spring Beauty and Stachys byzantina are sending up all kinds of shoots for flowers. I can't wait to smell the Dianthus. Forget me nots are also starting to bloom and Heuchera either 'Firefly' or 'Pink Lipstick'.
I did find one Lily of the Valley pip and my Summer Snowflakes. Some of my Frittilarias are missing though. I have identified 2 rootballs, one Astilbe and one Ageopodium which will be put in a pot tomorrow. It can not stay where it is. At least it is a very small piece.
I don't know if I already wrote this...Maybelle came over and asked if I had pruned the Pear tree. Me...HUH??? The other tree in the backyard is a Pear! It is blooming right now. I will have to ask her if she knows the variety. She also said people steal her pears. Since we have no fence, it would be very easy. I will have to tie a mean dog to the trunk of the tree when they are ripening. I just need to find a mean dog.
Speaking of dogs, Jennie did not put Purdy to sleep. That poor dog.I am trying to make her feel bad and just get it done. She is not thinking about that poor dog. She is in terrible shape. Worse case scenario would be har having another stroke when noone is home and dying alone. I know Jennie would feel horrible about that forever if that happened. She should do it and be there to give her some comfort. I wish I had been able to do that for poor Foo. Bad enough we were away for a week. I wish I had looked harder for him when we came home. He may still have been alive. That just bothers me so much. Just to have a chance to say goodbye and hold them. After 10 years it is the least you can do. I also wish Alex had not let him outside an hour before we got home. I hope he knew how much we loved him and how much we miss him. I don't want that to happen to Purdy or Jennie. Have to stop thinking about it...
Well, Alex said that Anjum wants to go to the swap with me. I think I will take her to Andis. She says she doesn't have much to trade. I think having to keep her plants in pots so long took a toll on their growth. I know she has some great stuff and am hoping to do a trade with her this fall.
Well, I should get home. Have to get up early and get some things done. I am behind from the cold and then a nice stomach flu. Yesterday a weird headache all day. Felt good today, just tired. |
| Posted on Monday, April 17, 2006 - 11:26 pm: |
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Up at Melanies again. Just cut her back lawn. Taking a break before I go home.
Pretty much the same things up as before. The Dicentra spectabilis alba has large buds almost open, one Saxifrage is blooming, one has buds.
My Eucomis comosa germinated yesterday. I was so excited. I had given up on them. Also a bunch of Campanulas and Dianthus are up.
All of the Morning Glories I started have died. I don't know what went wrong. They went great guns for me last year. I am starting some more tonight. I have to bring some to the swaps for the 2 Susans.
I cut my grass today. It was pretty short and not bad to do. It helped that it was cool out.
Finally some sun today. It started raining around 7 though. Weird. I drove down the road about a mile and it was completely dry. Big black cloud over my house though. Over the weekend we had some nasty weather. Hailstorms, thunder and lightning. The thunder was so loud, it sounded like a cannon going off. I prefer it when it is just a rumble. Alex helped me move all of my seedlings undercover when the hail started coming down. He was right behind me out the door to help/ He probably figured if the hail ruined them, he would be hearing about it for a while
On the way here, I saw the most wonderful sight! I had to drive by the mens mission as the bridge is closed for construction. I stopped at the stop sign next to the vacant lot that used to have that old womans house, now torn down. Big clumps of blooming Solomons Seal, up by the road. I didn't have a trowel or shovel with me or I would have jumped out and started digging despite the shady looking men around. I will have Alex go there with me after work tomorrow and get it. I know there is a small rose bush there also. I was going to dig it up but it stopped blooming and I couldn't see it when I drove by the next time. I would really like to get it now but it is getting dark.
Well, going to head home. The weather is supposed to be beautiful this week. I am really looking forward to it. |
| Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 02:25 am: |
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Got a ton of the Solomons Seal. I have to go back and get more. There is still 5 times as much as I took left. They are doing construction on the roads near there so I have to hurry in case they bulldoze the lot. Full of weeds but took them down bare root and cleaned the roots with the hose for good measure. There were some yellow pansies, johnny jump up, Hesperis matronalis and small Rugosa roses there also. HAVE to get there tomorrow.
Have done a bit of plant shopping.
Sempervivum
Saxifage 'Peter Pan'
Golden Oregano
Salvia elegans
Armeria 'Splendens'
Campanula fenestrellata
Carex, dead sedge type
Gladiolus bulbs
Peacock Orchids
onion sets Walla Walla Sweets (YUMMMMMM!!)
I know there is more but my memory is terrible.
I have made some excellent swaps and can't wait until the times comes. I have been potting plants up like a madwoman. I am bringing Becky to the Shoreline swap, I love her but I cringe at the thought. She does not garden and plants promptly die in her care. Oh well, it will be a lot of fun.
I am bringing Anjum to the Bonney Lake swap. I have been trying to get her to go with me forever. She brought it up to Alex. We went over for a barbeque Saturday and she told me she is getting very excited. I hope she leaves with some good stuff. She is going to raid my yard also.
Ashley's birthday this Saturday. She has invited a lot of kids and the place is going to be a mad house. If they all show up, there will be about 19 not including family. I must be crazy. Her first teenage year though so I said ok. I can't believe I am the mother of a teenager (Thursday) I guess I will be getting more white hair. Will have to start using Clairol, lol.
New Plants blooming...
Dicentra spectabilis alba
Bergenia
Anemone sylvestris
Geranium pyrenaicum Bill Wallis
Sweet Woodruff
Heucheras
Solomons Seal
Fritillaria (checker Lily)
Mazus reptans
Primula kiosana
Aquilegias/Peonies and Dicentra (found in the woods ,no idea which it is. Still trying to identify, blooms look purple and pink, no definite bloom shape yet, I hope it is an unusual one!)have buds |
| Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 04:11 am: |
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A busy weekend. Had Ashleys party on Saturday. It poured rain and all of those kids were cooped up indoors. I felt bad for them. It was a bit boring as I had planned all outdoor activities.
She had 3 girlfriends stay overnight. Becky came over for the night and brought Alexandia with her so Jessica had someone to play with.
The boys and family were all gone by 6. Alex left about 7. Too many giggling girls for him. It finally stopped raining so the older girls walked over to the school to play football.
When they came back, we all, including the young girls and Becky and I, played hide and seek in the dark. We left the t.v. on so there was a bit of light. It was so much fun!
I made popcorn, put out chips and soda and then Alex came home. We put the 4 older girls in the living room on the floor, Alexandira and Jessica slept in Ashley's double bed. Jessica read her to sleep. Alex, Becky and I played poker until 3 am. I was on a lucky streak! I took Alex out the first 2 rounds. We all ended up winning one round each. I put Becky in Jessicas bed and we all turned in. A long day!
Made pancakes and eggs for the girls in the morning while Becky and I downed 2 pots of coffee. Alex slept in. All the girls were gone by 2.
At 4 we left for mom's and had dinner. Jennie and Mike were there also. They are so much fun, they perked us up. We were soooooo tired! Jessica had to sit by Mike at dinner. She has such a crush on him! She kept gazing at him. Very sweet. He told her 'I know what you are thinking' and she said 'You can't know what I'm thinking, even if you look in my ear' She says the funniest things. I never know what is going to come out of her mouth. I have a couple of funny girls. We had dessert and more coffee, then mom and I visited while Mike, Alex, Jennie and the girls played Blackjack. Ashley beat them all.
Monday dad came over to see Ashley. He stayed at Stephs so Jennie and I went over there last night and played quad solitare. Dad won. Jennie had a terrible score but had just learned to play that night. She was really speeding up the last few games.
Went and got some manure and compost today and spread them on the front bed. I will have to pick some more up tomorrow for the back beds. On sale at K mart for 1.09 a cubic foot. Nice loamy stuff. It looks so much better. I know my plants will appreciate it.
Snow in Summer started blooming, Corydalis is coming out also. Spanish Lavender is blooming. Gorgeous! Buds on the Yarrow, Dahlias have poked out of the ground. Potted up all the Polygonatum for the swap. Have some more to go. I saved the worst for last. I have to go wrestle some big ferns out of the ground tomorrow. I am almost done. Can't wait for the swaps! |
| Posted on Friday, May 05, 2006 - 02:14 am: |
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Still haven't got the rest potted up for the swap! I keep trading and it just adds more to do, what trades though!!!!
I did a bit of shopping yesterday. I have to stop for a bit. I left the plants in the car and brought them in this morning so I didn't get 'the look' from Alex. I only spent 8 dollars so not too bad. I got a Campanula muralis which I already have but the foliage looks different than mine and I do have to have every Campanula in existence...Lobelia 'Queen Victoria, another I had but it didn't make it, I think that last division for the Nov. GE did it in, Dianthus 'Tiny Rubies' very small but should be able to divide it come fall to share with Suzy if she doesn't have that one (let me know Suzy)and 3 plugs of French Lavender. I think I like the fragrance of Lavender foliage better than the flowers! I got them all in the ground today plus some others. There are so many seedlings I need to get in, I am trying to get as much done as I can before Andi's swap.
I made jam today. I figured I could get the last of the berries out of the freezer plus I gave so much away, we were all out. I ran out of sugar though so only did one batch and will do one tomorrow. I had mostly Blackberries since those are free, a half bag of Loganberries and a half bag Raspberries. I mixed the Loganberries with the blackberries and it came out very good. I made a PB&J sandwich as soon as it cooled. It set up really nice. I got 6 pint jars. I will mix Rasp. and Blackberry tomorrow.
70 degrees today and gorgeous. It is supossed to be warmer tomorrow. I love it but not good weather to plant. I have to get my onions in the ground! |
| Posted on Monday, May 08, 2006 - 01:48 am: |
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Went to the Shoreline swap on Saturday. Shirley and her huband have a wonderful property. She gave us a tour when we got there.
We did some trading and had a great potluck lunch. Suzy brought some fabulous cookies. I need to get the recipe from her!
I will try to remember what I got from memory, yeah right! Here goes...
Geranium macorrhizum
Carex 'Frosty Curls', 3
Bergenia
Saxifrage
Pineapple mint
Stacys byzantina 'Primrose Heron'
Golden Feverfew
Persicaria, a dark patterned purple
Daylily 'Borgig'
Burgundy/yellow primroses, 6
Saxifraga stolonifera
Sedum 'Autumn Joy'
Sedum 'Hope'
Lady Fern
Hacquetia
Golden Hops Vine
Omphalodes
Schizostylus alba
Maple sapling
Juniper
Sisyrinchium californicum
Blue Iris
That is all I can remember. I know there is more but have not planted all. It helps me remember if I imagine where there are in my garden. I will get the rest in as soon as this rain lets up. I still have some big stuff to dig up for the Bonney Lake swap. This cpnstant rain is a blessing in disguise. The digging will be much easier. I am also hoping that we get all rained out by Saturday and the weather is nice for the swap. I hope all of the plants I am bringing will fit in Anjums car. I don't think the Subaru will make it that far and the Kia is useless for these things. Note to self...Buy a large van... |
| Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 02:42 pm: |
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Well. I had a fabulous time at the swap. Anjum said she was so glad she went. I think I may have her hooked.
Alex drove me to her house in the morning. We barely got all of the plants in the car. I had a 5 gallon bucket of Polygonatum rhizomes between my knees and a flat of plants on my lap.
All the way there he kept telling me to decide what I would be sending back home with him. He said, no way would they all fit in Anjums car which is smaller. Well, we got them all in there. I still had the bucket up front but the other flat fit in back.
She was a huge help. She helped me unload all of my plants and bring them around back. She was admiring a Heuchera of Andi's in her greenhouse, asked her where she bought it, Andi pulled a piece out and gave it to her! She was so surprised and excited.
I brought home a bunch of plants. I don't think I will remember them all...
Dicentra 'King of Hearts'
Dicentra spectabilis
Corydalis, don't remember which, pink flower
Asarum
5 different Iris, one wonderfully fragrant!
Peony
Hellebore
Hosta 'Carnival'
Hosta 'Kiwi Treasure Trove'
Hosta 'Golden Sceptor'
Hosta 'Guacamole'
Hosta, a pretty blue
Ligularia dentata 'Othello', I think
Ligularia przewalski
Dianthus from Suzy
Violet, white with blue veining
Omphalodes, 2 different ones
Astrantia, pink
Astrantia, unknown
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
Linaria purpurea
Physotegia, pink
Luzula 'Marginata'
Geranium 'Rozanne'
Sword Fern
Lady Fern
Digitalis grandiflora
Red Hot Poker
Phlox, creeping
Daylily 'Hyperion'
Dalily 'Triple Kwanso'
Brunnera 'Jack Frost'
Brunnera, variegated but not tagged
Anemone nemerosa 'Vestal'
Anemone x hybrida, white
Carex 'Toffee Twist'
2 different Tiarella seedlings
several groundcover Sedums
Akebia quinata
Black Mondo grass
I am sure I am missing a few but am glad I remembered this many. I was planting yesterday and looking at everything!
When we got back to my house, it took us 2 cups of coffee and some sitting down before we even unloaded. The sun just wore us both out and we both got sunburned. My arms have been itchy and prickly feeling but are a bit better today. My face feels tender also. I am so glad it didn't rain though. I guess just not used to that warm of weather yet.
I have been dividing some with Anjum and will take them over this weekend.
It sure was great to see everyone again and Andi has a beautiful yard. I think we looked at all of her plants including getting on our hands and knees to peer under shrubs and see what was there. Can't wait until the next one! I will have to dig a new bed for sure. My current ones are almost full. |
| Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 11:09 pm: |
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It has been |
