| Posted on Saturday, September 06, 2003 - 08:42 am: |   
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I just noticed this and I'm really glad to have this opportunity to journal here. Thanks!
Right now I'm frustrated as there is so much I want to do, but not enough energy and some projects depend on others.
We've had plenty of heat this summer in Boise and that kept us more in my backyard working on my enlarged koi pond's waterfall using rocks that were gathered from the Salmon River and other areas. Most of the stones gathered, I had one or two family members with me and particularly the most enthusiastic one was my 15 year son David, who died last April.
He was an energetic and strong teenager that loved to do outside work. Not weeding, but lifting rocks, dirt, sand, gravel, etc.
It was good to see the waterfall part of my koi pond go up with the stones imbedded in the mortar or made into a wall. My mason/friend needs to come back and stop the leaks and work on the stream part of the waterfall on the other side of the wishing well type catch pool from the Purifalls that has a sheet of water falling into the pool. Then two sides of the catch pool are opened for water to fall.
One area is a series of catch pools and then the water falls off a granite rock into the koi pond and the other side of the wishing well pool will be like a small stream.
David's Pond is ready for its liner and I'm having problems with the tarp company that came over and took measurements. There is some mix up there and I believe they are just swamped and not really telling me the truth that they just don't have it made. I'm still waiting to have the main guy come and remeasure. He mentioned a few times that he would and never did.
But haven't seen him for two weeks. Maybe he is off fishing somewhere or hunting. Who knows? There is still plenty to do, so I can keep myself busy, but I would like to see the liner in this pond so that I can at least enjoy my fish and waterlilies while it is still warm from my living room window.
My perennial flower garden is a disaster, full of weeds. All different kinds. I just need to get out there with Weed B. Gon, but it has been hot lately. After today, we will probably not see the temps in the 90s again this fall. But what do the weathermen know? LOL
So this coming week it will be in the 70's and 80's. Hope to get more done.
I just bought some more plants and need to plant those as well as other plants that are still in pots. I still have some water plants that need potting up too.
The plants I bought from Edwards Nursery in North Boise are: Stanhoe a hardy geranium, Victor Reiter Jr a hardy geranium, new variegated strawberry plant used as a ground cover, don't know if it actually bears fruit or what the flowers will be.
Bought two Clematis at 50% off. One is the white Autumn blooming one called Paniculata and a real pretty one that didn't have a tag. It is a very tiny blue/lavendar flower that looks waxy. I will have to post it on the Clematis forum to see if anyone knows what it is.
Also got some Fall crocus bulbs and a Parfait Pink calla lily bulbs that were already blooming in the pot. I hope to plant these next to my white ones along my east side of my house, next to the house where my white ones with spotted leaves come back every year more abundantly.
So I'll see how well this will do with a colored calla lily.
Also got a new Ajuga called Vanilla Chips. It is variegated and low growing. Very pretty ground cover that I haven't seen before. Also, Sweet Dreams Coreopsis or tickseed. Very pretty and I'll plant it near my Butterfly Blue pincushion plants.
I think I might go back to the nursery and get more of the clematis since they are 50% off and in 2 gallon pots. I made out like a bandit on the autumn one cuz it was in a one gallon square pot and the price was $9.95 and then I found out that the vines were 50% off. I did really good on that one. 
Well, I better take advantage of the cool weather today and see what can be done in my yard. |
| Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 08:36 am: |
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Well, I was able to finally spray the weeds with Weed B. Gon, then my one sprayer quit working right. The pumping mechanism. Then I used my new one that pumps as you walk. I took of the sprayer top and put it down on a stepping stone and when I went to got get it is was gone. So I don't know if I'm losing my mind or a bird picked it up!
So I went a bought a 1 gallon sprayer to finish the mixture I have in the wheel pumping action sprayer. Haven't used it yet.
The weeds are dying, and some look like they need another dose. Still have grass weeds to kill with Round Up.
My 12 year old son and DH got out a fire sprayer or whatever you call it that DH bought a while ago. They went on a mission to burn weeds. After I had sprayed them. Thanks guys. sigh....
I think I'm going to learn how to use it and attack the grasses and weeds behind my irrigation pond.
I still have my plants from Edwards Greenhouse to plant. Was fighting a cold last week and then it was getting close to my birthday and my husband took me to a sports shop where my DD works and I chose a bike.
My DD can get things at cost. So I got me a blue and white Raleigh girl's bike, with 27" tires and they are thin ones, not like a mountain bikes. I understand that my pedal pushing will cover more ground than the mountain bikes so I will go faster. That is good since I am not in shape for pedal pushing. My thighs burn constantly and I need to get them in shape. This pain affects my snow skiing enjoyment too.
I hate getting old!
So now when I ride with my sons or hubby I can at least keep up with them. I can't wait to try the bike out on the Boise River Greenbelt's bike pathway.
I did buy many tulips at Home Depot, so I need to get busy and plant them. I just have to figure where to put them.
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| Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 08:13 am: |
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Monday the 15th, I was called by a former fish club member about some goldfish at her daughter in law's house. Wondered what to do with them.
I asked about what kind they were and size, she said that I can go get them. Free fish always perks me up and makes my day!
I called the DIL up and got her address. Not far from me at all. I gathered my fish nets and 5 gallon buckets with kitchen trash bags to line them and then tie up the available pink ties that are in the liner at the top to keep fish from sloshing out on my drive home.
Off I went and the woman used her net in an oval animal trough, loads of fish were coming out of this soupy green water where I couldn't see a thing. Lots and lots of fish. 10 inches to 1 1/2 inches. Long graceful tail fins and short ones. Bright red sarasas comets with long flowing tails that have a white tip on the fins and tail. Just beautiful. There were white ones too with the graceful tails and then there were the short tails.
There were some red and white patterned ones and then black long finned ones that eventually might turn orange. These are usually the ones I throw into my irrigation pond and then they surprise me by turning white or orange.
I'll put some of these in my upper pool where my 4 large koi died. I don't know from what, but I cleaned it out and put fresh water in it and don't want to test it with my other koi.
I have the fish in some large tanks with a filter and water flow. I added salt to heal any of wounds they might have and some have ich. I want that taken care of before I offer these to the Water Garden and Koi Society.
Another exciting thing happened on the 16th. The Cover Shop that were working on my pond liner for David's Pond, called and said they were coming over. From all my conversations with them, it sounded like they lost the measurements already taken. So I thought they were coming to remeasure. But low and behold, they brought the liner all custom made to slip down into the blocked up pond. I was so happy and feel that it was a blessing from above and pay off for my patience.
I really wanted that up and running before winter sets in. Now I can place my koi and some gold fish in this pond and watch them from our Living Room window. This pond stays very warm as it is sunken and right next to our house/or basement wall and on the south side of the house.
It is like a greenhouse affect there.
Lilies bloom sooner and the fish are more active cuz ice doesn't form much in this pond.
Especially now with the black liner and insulation.  |
| Posted on Friday, December 12, 2003 - 08:34 am: |
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Well, I haven't written for a while and have a lot to catch up on.
As of Thursday, December 11th, I worked on filling up the 4ft blocked wall surrounding my Purifalls filter/waterfall system. The dirt will be planted with plants of my choosing that are weepy looking and tropical. I'm looking at Japanese type junipers or grasses that will hide the Purifalls.TM I also have many types of cannas that will look great there too.
I used the lasagna method to fill this well up. Mixing leaves, grass, newspaper, shredded white paper, old phone books, peat moss, chicken poop that is aged and some regular soil that were in old waterlily pots that seem to be softer soil due to living in pond water and getting fish waste and algae, etc.
I've pour a regular potting mix bag in and continue with my layering, which also includes cardboard. I'm getting it up high enough that I'm deciding what I want to plant there now such as some spring bulbs. The outside of the blocked up retaining wall are the gray blocks, Rod was planning on continuing the river rocks from the river I collected but he is now working for a masonry job.
So I'll probably get him back in spring. But in the meantime, I'm thinking at getting a bamboo type blinds or something to wrap around this area to look better until the stonework can be done.
I know I'll plant some of my small daylilies that will camouflage the Purifalls as well as hostas and I'm looking at getting a small Japanese Maple to place in a bucket that is already in the soil to change out as we haven't prepared a way to reach a valve if needed to cut the water to the purifalls.
So I covered that piping with a dishpan, cardboard, and stryofoam sheets and then a 5 gallon bucket that will be hidden by surrounding soil and bark. Then I'll place the potted Japanese Maple into the bucket. The lines of the maple should have a horizontal and weeping look to it, not too high.
I then will plant some of my many vinca vines to creep over the walls edge. As spring approaches I will have more options and it will be fun to plant up trailing plants such as petunias, nasturtiums, vines, lobelia, and monkey's flower.
Can't wait!
Today I will put in more of my acquire free goldfish in the upper pools of the koi pond. That don't need to be in 32 gallon pots anymore with no circulation or filtration. These aren't my favorite ones, but they will be nice for the club members this coming spring.
I will be putting more of my long finned goldfish in David's Pond out front where I can watch them and they me. They have become quite friendly and follow me as I walk by. They know I have some kind of treat for them. Usually an old box of bran cereal that the family won't eat and that is safe for the fish in the colder temps.
We still get weather in the low 40's, so I'm loving it! As long as I can still work out there and take care of more plantings and getting rid of weeds, the better I feel.
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 18, 2004 - 11:00 am: |
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Well, I've just pulled out my bag of seed starting soil. Ready to begin the work inside.
I worked on a special area in our front property in front of our shop. Which always looks like men and teens live there! LOL
I used a digging fork and dug into the soil that has had grass and leaves dumped on it. It came up easily and there are lots of worms! Yippee! I put a bunch of soil around this guy wire connected to a telephone pole, I guess to hold it up. I haven't see them else where in the neighborhood, although I haven't looked that hard.
I put leaves, and the rotting grasses, chicken manure, coffee grounds, along with some soil around this guy wire. I have always wanted to put morning glories or something vining there to go up. I have tried near the pole for a trumpet vine, but because it is far from my attention areas and water has to be bucketed in, just 5 ft from my neighbor's ditch. It got neglected. (I can work a system that I can have a small ditch dug to have water go there when I'm ready for it, hasn't been a priority in the past).
But I'm more ready for it now as my knowledge and old projects are getting finished for me to have the time to work on this.
I took the liberty of trimming my neighbor's rambling rose that has been neglected and is all over our side of the fence boundaries. I haven't minded, since there was my 15 year old son's old yellow pick up right there that hid all this.
Now the rose branches are hitting my DD's CRX honda. There is still more pruning to do and I already filled up two garbage cans full and my hands and arms became sore after a while.
Anyway, I'm sprucing this area up since it is right by the road and my eldest son is no longer living here and is married with his own acre property worry about, I'm not going to keep the space between the guy and the pole open for him to back up anything, as we have a whole driveway that is 4 cars wide to do this in.
I hope to get some bulbs in right away in the pile surrounding the guy wire. Then I have a big pot to put next to it to have clematis, morning glories and cardinal flower to climb up. I'll either put my lattice across this area horizontally to have structure and interest, plus hide my DD's little white car. (She wasn't happy that we bounced her car from the favored position of our circular driveway to the place near the street and all by its lonesome). lol
It needs fixing, so why should her precious car take up the family that lives in our home prime parking spots in front of our house. She thinks she is the Princess around here. LOL
I think for early color that is quick and easy, I'll transplant some blue flax that is planted all over in a certain area on the edge of my irrigation pond. This plant is so hardy and pretty. Plus doesn't invade like a weed. Larkspur would be fun too.
Well, I guess this was long enough. I didn't get on the computer much yesterday, if I did at all?
Also, it is my eldest son's 25th birthday today, so I need to think of something exciting for him.
He'll be treated pretty well by his inlaws as they love him to pieces and have these super embroidery machines and will probably make him something special like they did for Christmas. Such as a hooded sweatshirt with a guy on a snowmobile on the back of the sweatshirt and his name, etc. in the front.
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 18, 2004 - 11:03 am: |
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Deb, for sure you should get your blue flax back and more!}
Suzy, I love your story! You poor thing! I've done things like that too, more with fish. You can read that story on the pond forum. (Originally posted on the clematis thread.)
I bought potting soil in a bag and had to bring it into the house to defrost to begin my seed planting.
Which has been so fun! Already did the clems. But now I've got Rainbow lobelia coming up, Gallardia T&M pretty mixure of pink, red, yellows and sunset colors, I think a couple either has fungus or fuzzy roots. I raised the plastic lid a bit to let more air in. They popped up real quick. I planted 2/11 and they were up on the 16th when I decided to look.
The Centraus or Jupiter's beard has now 3 seedlings, and the lobelias continues to pop up looking like moss. A good thing.
I planted viola Johnny Jump-Up yesterday and put a aluminum foil over it as the package says it germinates in darkness. I'm testing a 2002 seed packet on one side and a 2004 on the other and see if they both come up.
Then I'm going to plant a few seeds outside where most of my hardy seeds already are coming up. One Johnny Jump Up packet says I would have to wait a year to see flowers and the other doesn't say. But I'm early enough I should get some, and then hopefully get them to reseed again in my yard.
I didn't know Johnny Jump Up was a biennial.
Then I planted some peat pots with Nasturtiums, the climbing type with mottled leaves. I know that this would do fine outside, but I want earlier flowers and I'm experimenting.
Then I planted in the sections of KFC black dish dividers with the plastic clear lid, some gallardia Cherokee Sunset. T&M's double or even ball shaped Sunset colors, then Cosmos-Versailles Tetra, and columbines-The biedmeir type. My first time doing this after 3 weeks of chilling. Only needed 2 weeks.
Now I'll try some larger columbines. I have many seeds to decide whether to plant now or wait. Also, seeds from last year and maybe a few years ago. I'll test them.
Yesterday, we had temps in the 40's and today we will have it supposedly at 50*. Rain afternoon. We had no rain during the day yesterday. So I worked my little tail off!
My hubby said he wouldn't be home until Thursday or Friday. He came home yesterday afternoon. I hate that, because I was working on my room and I use his side of the king size bed to sort things. LIKE, seed Packets, clem books, catalogs, garden websites printed up copies, etc. LOL Plus I brought my cross cut shredder into the bedroom also to shred newspaper and paper.
He spoiled my fun! Once I found out it was warm outside, my determination to pick up in the house went by the wayside.
But I also did yardwork of pruning and taking out garbage cans that my son didn't do. I have this constant battle with him or frustration to do it when I tell him because I need to see if he got all of them. THey are scattered all over the property and he waits until dark and doesn't see them and can't read my mind!
This son definitely needs to graduate and move on. LOL
I also pruned some clematis and it was very hard to cut them back. Sniff....:-( I hope all that our experts have said come true. It was hard and I know it is a tough lesson and also a truly life lesson in growth of our own souls.
I have some more to do as I continue my compost building and clearing up dead weeds and dried plant stocks. I continue my bulb planting too as well as divide a few while I'm digging around.
Okay, I should transfer this to the seed starting or the annual and perennial thread. Hee, hee.
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 05:37 pm: |
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I planted a bunch of seeds too, and they are coming up very early, some in one day!
I'm happy for all the bulbs that are coming up outside. I'll live vicariously through your descriptions until mine do!
My list:
MG-Milky Way
Lobelia-Trailing Rainbow
Cosmos-Cosmic Orange, Versailles Tetra
Columbine-Biedermeier Mixture
Nasturtiums-Jewel of Africa (Climbing with variegated leaves. A specialty of T&M)
Viola-Johnny Jump-Up
Zinnia-Liliput
Rudbecka-Cherokee Sunset
Gaillardia-Yellow/Pink colors
Jupiter's Beard-Red and White
Today I planted:
Tomato-Gold Nugget(early cherry), Siberia(cool weather variety), Sweetie (new cherry sized)
MG-Heavenly Blue, Pearly Gates, Star of Yelta
Sweet Peas: Royal Family, Sweet Dreams Mix
Liatris-Blazing Star
So far they are in front of my scrapbook room's south facing window with an OTT lamp to help.
I bought a shop light from HD at a very good price. $7.98 and then bought different light tubes. It isn't set up yet in my garage. Just need two hooks. LOL
I still have more seeds to plant and I bought some Dahlia tubers. Three so far from HD.
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Karalyn Idaho Zone 6
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| Posted on Wednesday, November 03, 2004 - 08:22 pm: |
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Well, what have I done since February?!
Oh, so much! But right now I'll just post what I have done today and yesterday.
I brought in all my tropical plants from my koi pond and have made a mess of my kitchen which is my potting shed since it is freezing temps outside and my Green house hasn't been built yet. But in due time.
Hubby is gone anyway, so the boys can find their way through the pots, dirt and newspapers on the kitchen floor to the fridge and then the microwave and cupboard. LOL Yikes!
I have now divided my overflowing miniature cypress water plant into 7 divisions and that isn't all the little ones floating in water all over my kitchen counters and window sills.
I have all my cannas in my kitchen/great room taking up space and giving our kitten some lush plants to play with. She really loves the miniature cypress plants since they are so grasslike and have the green hairlike fuzz balls at the end of the stem to bat at and then bends them so that her owner is not too happy with her! 
Anyway, the divisions are potted up and half have been taken down to the basement window sill and placed in a green narrow container that is about as long as the wide windowsill and holds four 1 gallon black pots and water.
Now I have to get the other green container and put the rest in it and place on the other window's sill.
Well, hubby, called to say he was coming home early and that happened to be in 1 half hour. I told him I've been using the kitchen as a potting shed, so beware. This is no secret or surprise for him as I have done that ever since we moved onto this one acre property and he took over the 900sq foot shop and the garage with business stuff and mechanical tools, etc.
When my 25 year old son complained when he was 16 or older about my little seedlings, I warned him that I could take over the shop he tinkers in on his '72 ford pick-up trucks.
I haven't heard anymore from him since then. He was doing the dishes and found it hard to clear the counters around my seedlings. But the kitchen windows are in the corner of the kitchen counters and we place the microwave over there since the sink is in the kitchen's island bar. It is difficult to eat when there are plants all over the bar.
Also, the windows face west and north. So that is the best I can do at the time. Someday I hope to get some greenhouse windows installed, but they are spendy and not a priority as other things are spendy too.
Well, I better go clear up the kitchen before dirt gets all over. I got back from Utah Monday, November 1st, at 3:00 AM and had an appt. with a Rheumatologist at 1:00PM. (My first visit to see why my hands become numb, tingly, warm, and swollen and painful after repetitive activity, especially gardening. The symptoms I've been experiencing is called Carpel Tunnel Syndrome). 
Hubby, helped to drive my father's belongings to my sister's new house to live there from now on. 
I hope he does okay and my sister can tolerate him. As she has 5 little children under the age of 9 1/2 and my Dad is in remission from his Large B-Cell lymphoma and is in the process of selling his house in Boise. My Dad is 92 and dementia is setting in. So it will be a difficult task for her, especially since her house has three stories and Dad is in the basement for the time being. This decision was made when my mother died and he hadn't been diagnosed with cancer.
They are having a trial period before he pays for an addition off their main floor family room. Which would have a handicap bathroom and also they would add to their basement since digging a foundation for this construction is practically as deep as digging deeper for basement space.
There are no bedrooms on the main floor and my Dad is the only one in the basement during the night and part of the day.
But there are little grandchildren that keep him busy and entertained somewhat.
Anyway, my time is freed up now to spend on my own house and gardens, as much as one can now that the temps have gone down to 31 at night and stays close to the mid 40's to mid 50's during the day. Snow on the mountains, but rain in the valley which I'm taking advantage of.
I now have cannas to divide and find a home for which usually is in the livingroom in front of the floor to ceiling southfacing windows. Then when all the weak plants are out of the pond, I will salt it so that the fish go into winter without any parasites on them.
I'm sad to see cold temps  come since my summer was spent at my Dad's house. But I don't regret at all the time I've spent with him and the things I've learned from caring for an elderly parent that use to be so independent and sharp. It is hard to see him so weak and forgetful. I don't know how much longer he will be on this earth.  |
| Karalyn Posted on Sunday, September 30, 2007 - 11:56 am: |
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Wow, here it is 3 years later! I better get busy posting some new happenings around here. But I'll do it later... |
