In walking through the garden today, I was very pleasantly surprised to find that several of the bulb-borne flowers have bloomed. The crocus are to be expected around this time of year, but the daffy daffodils are in full bloom and the first of the hyacinths has also bloomed! It's a sure sign that Spring has arrived. The lawn is going to need a good reseeding as there are quite a few bare patches after the winter. I'll probably need to dig a bit and put down topsoil first as the good old Jersey red clay is showing through. A few weeks ago, we had a nice warm day and I was able to clean-up and prune the roses before they broke bud. They've since broken bud as expected (given our generally mild and rainy winter) and the tiny leaves are already emerging. Hopefully, we will once again have a bumper crop of roses this year! Meanwhile, here's one of the first flowers of the year to whet your appetite!
reBlogged
to daffodils
on Mar 25, 2008, 2:38PM
Posted by ToyTrains1 Reblogged by Old Roses to daffodils on 2008-03-26, 18:15:13
As a member of the Vancouver Guerrilla Gardening Group, and of course, through this blog, I am often privileged to be in contact with guerrilla gardeners around the world - a very cool feeling! The similar challenges we all face - and of course, the differences - are fascinating to me. . . .
reBlogged
to community_garden
on Dec 31, 1969, 6:59PM
Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to community_garden on 2008-03-26, 18:15:00
Do you love to eat peas but don't live near a supermarket? Have you wished you could grow peas in your own garden but never tried because it was just too complicated?
Well wish no more because with the Planting Peas instructional video, you'll be planting peas in no time.
reBlogged
to peas tools
Posted by Anthony Reblogged by Old Roses to peas, tools on 2008-03-26, 18:14:55
Yesterday, on a lovely sunny Monday afternoon I went out for a tramp through the snow in the garden in search of spring. I know that it is here, the calendar says so. It just takes some looking to find it. . ..
I find you can often divide gardeners into two camps: those who started gardening by growing herbs and those who think herbs are too fussy or difficult to grow. ...
reBlogged
to herbs tools
on Mar 25, 2008, 9:01PM
Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to herbs, tools on 2008-03-26, 18:13:14
The other day I posted a picture of my new little Tamarix twigs that I purchased and received from EBay. I was fantasizing about my little twig growing into a beauty like the one below which I was introduced to on last summer's garden walk, and then I got this. . .
reBlogged
to trees
Posted by Gina Reblogged by Old Roses to trees on 2008-03-26, 18:11:58
Many thanks to Kathy for hosting me today! I’m delighted to be a guest at Cold Climate Gardening, to celebrate the launch of Nightshade, the sixteenth China Bayles mystery. China (for those who...
The new brambles I planted are thriving despite the pH level of the soil being too alkaline. The soil is supposed to be between 6.0 and 6.8, so I need to add sulfur, which will make the soil more acidic. If I wanted to make it even more alkaline, I'd add lime.
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to soil
Posted by ldybug Reblogged by Old Roses to soil on 2008-03-26, 18:08:34
Here are instructions for planting a young staghorn fern using spaghum moss and fishing line. I planted three young staghorns: one on a lattice bolted to the side of the house, one on a palm tree, and one on an old palm frond. I purchased these young staghorn ferns for $2 on clearance from Lowes. The bag of spaghum moss was under $5 and was the size of a big dictionary. I used half of it. . . .
reBlogged
to ferns
Posted by ldybug Reblogged by Old Roses to ferns on 2008-03-26, 18:08:10
I've heard that strawberry plants don't produce well beyond the first year. I planted these last year. They spread tremendously, but the fruit never turn completely red. They are very small also. I will rip them out when I get time...it's cheap enough to rebuy new plants each year, so that's what I'll do.
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to berries
Posted by ldybug Reblogged by Old Roses to berries on 2008-03-26, 18:07:45
Since my tomatoes always seem to get wilt disease or leaf curl, I figured I'd elevate and invert them. Here is the upside-down tomato planter I made last year. This year, the planter is home to one of the well-travelled tomato seedlings. I transplanted it today and will track its progress. It will get full sun for part of the day as soon as it begins to grow up the side of the pot...upside-down plants always try to grow up---toward the sun.
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to tomatoes
Posted by ldybug Reblogged by Old Roses to tomatoes on 2008-03-26, 18:07:05
I transplanted the three well-travelled tomato seedlings today. Two are in the ground inside 33" tomato cages. The third is in the upside-down tomato planter I used last year. The drip irrigation system will water them every other day. The seedlings were about 5 inches tall. To promote root growth, I planted them deep...only 2 inches remains above ground now.
The very small seedling at the very front of the photo is a jalapeno seedling I transplanted (probably too soon). Oh well.
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to tomatoes
Posted by ldybug Reblogged by Old Roses to tomatoes on 2008-03-26, 18:06:43
I will pick the first few pole beans tomorrow. I sowed them into the ground 50-60 days ago. I'll post next about the basil and tomato that's also seen in this photo.
The beans get watered every other day for 15 minutes via the drip irrigations system. They get full sun part of the day and filtered light the rest of the day. I just mulched today...they've been baking in the sun and seem a bit stressed...I hope the mulch helps.
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to beans
Posted by ldybug Reblogged by Old Roses to beans on 2008-03-26, 18:06:18
Scionwood is cuttings from a tree of the desired variety that is grafted onto another tree or rootstock. I was on a waiting list for 12 months for these scionwood. I dipped them in rooting hormone, then put them in a large pot. They'll get watered every other day for 15 minutes. They get full sun for a few hours per day. I hope they thrive.
This is orange mint. It spreads rapidly, much like a weed. I figured it would do well in the front planter because it doesn't require much water and will fill the pot in a few months. The top photo was taken two months ago. The bottom photo is from today.
reBlogged
to mint
Posted by ldybug Reblogged by Old Roses to mint on 2008-03-26, 18:05:08
I might fall asleep before I finish this post...
On my second holiday I ventured up Hwy 143 in Carter County, Tn., line to the border of NC @ Carver's Gap. I was hesitant to hike the grassy highland balds alone, but couldn't find a hiking partner. I really missed Harley...but was armed with my camera, backpack and taser. I mounted Round Bald and went all the way to Grassy Ridge Bald. On Jane Bald I stopped and ate an apple and contemplated absolutely nothing of importance but do remember asking myself why anyone needs drugs when they can get high on a mountain? Seriously, the feelings of being so close to what truly is large compared to how immeasurably small one is, seems easy to see on the Appalachian Trail. . .
There were several questions asked on my last early tomato post so I thought I should expound on what has worked well for me. I have grown most of my vegetables and annuals from seed under lights for years. I have made many mistakes along the way and have developed a system that works well for me. There are a few simple tips that I have learned that might be helpful to you.
The five most often overlooked tips for growing successful seedlings. . .
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to seedlings
Posted by Marc Reblogged by Old Roses to seedlings on 2008-03-26, 18:01:37
I've gotten a bit off track lately with my attempts to participate in the 100-ft. Diet Challenge, but the state of the vegetable garden is looking a bit more promising now. . . .
Perhaps many of you received an email from Mother Earth News about their new search tool for seeds and plants but in case you didn't here's some information. . ..
reBlogged
to tools
on Mar 25, 2008, 7:01AM
Posted by Ki Reblogged by Old Roses to tools on 2008-03-26, 18:00:27
Are you a gardener who blogs or a food blogger who gardens? If so, my foodie friend Andrea has a delicious monthly blogging event for you! Grow Your Own "celebrates the foods we grow or raise ourselves and the dishes we make using our homegrown products."
All you have to do is make a dish that uses at least one item from your very own garden or farm and write about it on your blog. You can use something that was given to you, but the giver must have personally grown or raised the item. . ..
The potting area in this yard, designed by Shirley Bovshow, evokes the feeling of a French flower market.
I'm busy preparing for my presentation on "Art in the Garden" at Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival next week on April 4-7. It's a big subject, but I'm narrowing it down to ...
reBlogged
to gardens whimsy
Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens, whimsy on 2008-03-26, 06:15:56
I’m back! Mostly. Pretty much. Almost. Paris was a fantastical and footsore dream and I’d love nothing better than to go back there right now - we’re scheming about finding grants to attend the beekeeping school at Jardin du Luxembourg (me) and Le Cordon Bleu (he). And if I can’t be in Paris, I’d love nothing better than to be checking on spring at Blithewold. But instead I’m home with a bug. (Perhaps intestinal distress was a gift from the woman who shared my seat on the plane - I’ll have to put her on the ThankYou note list - I have a year, right. . .
reBlogged
to gardens
on Mar 25, 2008, 10:21AM
Posted by Kris Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-03-26, 06:14:17
Yes, ten degrees. Ten freaking degrees on March 25th. We're suppose to be somewhere around mid forties during the day, but it ain't happenin'. Global warming, my ass. Yeah, I wish my ass was warm. :)
On the bright side - the sun is shining. Is it a sign when the hubs asks, "What the hell is that strange, bright, shiny, orb thingy in the sky?" I luuurve the sun! Welcome back. (snow is coming but I'm ignoring the forecast - what I don't know, I don't know, ya know?)
The tomatoes are up. . . .
reBlogged
to weather tomatoes
Posted by Tina Reblogged by Old Roses to tomatoes, weather on 2008-03-26, 06:11:28
Only one problem is that all of the labels on the bottles have washed off. I checked my excessive photo records and with luck came up with the one above with the labels showing. So, not only do I have outdoor sprouts, I even know what they are!
For the first time I’ve encountered some difficulty with my seed starting. I must have had a brain cramp when I decided it was a good idea to place my tray of freshly-planted seeds in the back dining room window. You see, that window lets in direct sunlight, and I think that perhaps the temperatures simply got too high in that window for the seedlings. I cooked ‘em. To make matters worse, the tray sat on a heating mat that I bought last season for starting peppers.
Last year’s flat of peppers.
reBlogged
to seeds
on Mar 25, 2008, 1:43PM
Posted by Amy Reblogged by Old Roses to seeds on 2008-03-26, 06:10:46
It is Cherry Blossom Festival madness again in DC. This year, the National Park Service has enraged many locals by announcing no parking will be available at the Tidal Basin. Personally, I think the park service plan is smart -- take away the meager 180 spaces that created a traffic-chocking blockade and instead provide a free shuttle from Hains Point. A free shuttle every 10 minutes from the nearby metro stops would be even better though. If you walk from Smithsonian metro, it is a bit of a hike and you must cross several roads and dodge traffic -- many of those drivers are tourists* gawking at the views and not looking at the road. . . .
This is me and the kid walking home from school. (When your mom is a blogger, any occassion is a photo occassion.) Freezing? Covered in snow? Only half way home? Let's take a photo!. . .
reBlogged
to birds weather
on Mar 25, 2008, 5:40PM
Without further ado My crocus just suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Like, overnight. Magic!~ Every year, I forget where I've got what planted, and every year, I get these nice surprises...! :). . .
via danielle's garden blog on 1969-12-31, 19:00:00
