Posted on 01/20/2012 9:56:41 AM PST by JustaDumbBlonde
It was just a couple of weeks ago that I was really glad that the last of my garden had frozen. Being blessed with a long growing season is not always what it's cracked-up to be. You understand ... gardening is hard work! When it lasts from March or April until December, it can get tedious.
Then, yesterday, my first order of seeds that I don't need came in from John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds. Four beautiful little envelopes that sound like maracas; Baby Lincoln Leeks, Tres Fine Maraichere Endive, Beaumont Broccoli, and Large Fruited Mixture Ornamental Gourds.
I am stoked.
Yep, that's all it takes to get the soil coursing through my veins once again. Newspaper pots are about to be made ... my plastic trays need to be washed in a sudsy bleach solution. Clean off a couple of shelves in the garage and hang up the grow lights. Now, if I could just remember where I put that 55 quart bag of moisture control potting soil ...
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Last week, the Weekly Gardening Thread welcomed the 500th member of the ping list. What a great way to begin our 2012 gardening season! More members = more information to share. Let's grow!
The Weekly Gardening Thread is a weekly gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you.
This thread is non-political, although you will find that most here are conservative folks. No matter what, you won’t be flamed and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked.
It is impossible to hijack the Weekly Gardening Thread ... there is no telling where it will go and that is part of the fun and interest. Jump in and join us!
Weekly Gardening Thread (Catalog Fever) Vol. 1 Jan 6, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Seeds) Vol. 2, January 13, 2012
Next week: Soil types & the importance of soil tests
I got my soil sample ready to mail away. Maybe I will get on with the program this year rather than procrastinating again.
Don’t put it off ... it makes ALL the difference.
My Zone goes up to 11.
Good afternoon, All. We are expectung several inches of snow this afternoon, and it’s beastly cold. I sit here trying to figure out where I’m going to raise the money for my taxes on the 31st of this month. Do I have any vendors who can wait a couple of weeks for their money? Not thinking about the garden at all, and I welcome the respite.
My other concern centers around the nasty, nasty recall elections going on in Wisconsin against our wonderful governor and good state senators. Please hold a good thought that Wisconsin can withstand the barrage of acrimony spread by the unions.
Diana must have known that this recall business was going to be like this because she parked her Wisconsin ping list with me and it’s taking all of my time. LOL.
Strawberries, geraniums, green beans
Hibiscus, snapdragons and red knockout roses
Flowering broccoli, artichokes, soon-to-be-planted bananas, and raspberries
Last week, we doubled the size of the garden last weekend from teeny to small. Still not enough room for everything but it’s now at the max. that will fit around the obstacles in the yard. It looks like a drunk put up the fence what with having to zig zag around the septic. Oh, well, it’s up! Procrastenating on the tilling but that’s on the to do list today.
FYI, cattle panel prices have gone up about a third again from last year.
Thanks, J. Got the newspaper pots made and planted with tomatoes and peppers. Now, if they’ll grow!
Planted some bulbs by the front door to brighten things up. Still don’t know what to do about my berries. Mr. B wants that bed but I’d like to convince him that we can have both his flowers and my berries there together. Last year, don’t know if it was the heat or what, but both plantings of berries died immediately. I’ve had both berries and roses there so it must have been the 100+ temps.
Started a new garden spreadsheet. Hopefully, knock on wood, this one will won’t end up like the last one after the Big Computer Crash I & II of 2011.
My bad! We are not expecting snow. It’s here!
I need to know of a place to send a sample. And how long does it take?
I had to throw out the rosemary plant that we brought in at the end of the season. It had bugs.
I also have 11 bare root trees in the garage that I need to plant. With all of the rain we’ve had, the ground should be soft and make the job a bit easier.
Have a great weekend. God Bless.
Fortunately for me, the county ext service is just a couple of miles from home. When I went in to get my sample kit(bag and information sheet) we discussed varieties and soil conditions. They offered for me to come in with my results and they would explain it all and how it applies to my garden and what to do. They were very helpful and really bend over backwards to assist. I was really impressed with their library, too.
Beautiful!
Howdy, howdy. The weather is thin part of eastern Virginia just won’t make up it’s mind about what season it is. It is currently a dreary, raw 47 and I can’t hang out and chat because I have to shortly go pick my yung’un up from school for a dentist appointment. I look forward to checking back in later!
Huh?!? Thought you were in Florida!
Oooohhhh, I love the Hibiscus!!
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