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!
Praying for your money concerns and your state’s politics. When you grow weary of the snow, come on down to the bayou and we’ll have a good ol’ Lews-e-ann-a cookout!
Isn’t “11” South Florida? Or am I reading the chart BACKWARDS??? LOL!
What’s the Zone for Anaconda, Alligator, cane frog Infested SWAMP???? LOL
The local news said every decade they change the average temperatures. Wonder when they’ll update the zone chart. Not that much will change but it’d be interesting to see. Anyone know if older charts are online? Woo hoo, global warming and all that, don’cha know.
I would suggest that you type in county extension service and the name of your state and see where that takes you, likely to a local office. They are THE source for local gardening information.
We are in a weird repeating cycle of weather here in NE Louisiana ... it gets into the 70's, a cold front comes through and it goes into the 20's at night, and 3 days later it is back into the 70's. I fear that we aren't gonna get much of a winter and that the bugs will be horrendous.
I'm sitting right next to you. Very, very scary how high they've gotten. That's another reason I have to get serious about the garden.
I see from your homepage that you are in Indiana. Heres a like for you:
http://www.ag.purdue.edu/counties/marion/pages/default.aspx
Let Mr. B have the bed. You could compromise BIG time and he could plant edible flowers like Johnny Jump Ups, and have even more beautiful salads!
I think it was last year that my local hardware store put cattle panels on sale for around $20, and I bought what I needed and 10 extra. I've got them in the equipment shed. One thing you can count on these days is that nothing is getting cheaper. [sigh]
It's been up to 80 here, hee hee! But this is Texas where if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes and it'll change.
It is deer season until January 31, and I've yet to bag even one yet! I'm down to muzzleloader season until this weekend, and then it will be bow only until the 31st.
Always good to hear from you, greeneyes. Stay warm and get those seeds ordered! I am so excited about getting things planted.
They really are beautiful, NautiNurse. So tropical and exotic!
Pretty!
How very cool!!
We were battling two species of evil root weevils in December! They have severely damaged the grapefruit trees, killed my well established avocado and the mangroves. I'm armed and ready for them now.
More pics from today:
Tangelo blossom
Can you name this blooming specimen?
Gerbera Daisy
I'm tickled about the gerbera daisies. Went to Lowe's the day after Christmas, and they were selling BIG pots of them for $0.25. So, I bought a baker's dozen.
I love the doubles! A friend of mine owns a little what-not store in our small town, but he has the most fabulous garden center during the summer and fall. He always has hibiscus, both in shrubs and topiary form. Last year, after he had marked everything down for quick sale, he GAVE me anything I wanted. I got several hibiscus and put them around the property. They really took off as the temps cooled and were beautiful right up until Christmas when I let them freeze by accident. I wanted to cover them up, but with a house full of grandkids, it got past me.
Aloe vera!!! I grew a bed of that when I lived in Houston. Was great when we had a burn in the house ... just pick a leaf and split it open. Soothing!
They’re both beautiful! I’ve never seen a double before. I would never have guessed that it’s a hibiscus.
Very good! Aloe is a weed around here. I pull them up in clumps when they get out of hand.
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