Saturday Gardening Thread: February Frivolities [KT]

Hello, Horde. Anything interesting going on in a garden, yard or landscape near you? If you are thinking of taking up garden photography, The Telegraph has chosen winners in its International Garden Photographer of the Year contest. You can see the others, including the grand prize winner, at the link.

And have you ever wondered why there aren't more Anglo-Indian Gardens in Britain? I'm not sure I got the answer, but I did learn something about Rudyard Kipling's father. He was a museum keeper and art school principal in India.

Back in England, Kipling found an enthusiastic patron in Arthur, Duke of Connaught (Queen Victoria's favourite son). Connaught had become enthralled by all things Indian as a child, when one of his playmates at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight was the Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last maharaja of the Punjab. Connaught first met Kipling while on a visit to India.

But back to gardening. Here are some Anglo-Indian Elephant Statues. Not sure they would look quite right in my garden. Do you have any animal statues in your yard?

Our collectivist friends at Fedco Seeds are awarding gift certificates this year in their Cover Coloring Contest.

Meet Magic Molly, our cover's superhero. Trowel and weeder in hand, Magic Molly roams the cosmos rooting out corporate tyranny and planting the seeds of freedom. Channel your inner Kahlo, O'Keefe, or Gentileschi and let your talents and fancies roam the cosmos with Molly.

Better hurry. You only have until the end of the month. Your work could inspire the warehouse staff every day! Here's a patriotic entry.

Magic Molly. Heh. Actually, if you buy a lot of seeds, Fedco can be a pretty good source. Shipping is high on small orders. They have added several varieties of short-season and upland rice this year.

French Marigolds

If coloring seems like too much to handle right now, French Marigolds are a good starter plant for kids or adults. Fedco has added Court Jester marigolds this year. An old variety. I get a kick out of it. If you are not a quantity seed buyer, you can get seeds from Eden Brothers. I also like Naughty Marietta. I think they make a nice couple.

If you are really on a budget, Crosman Seeds carries Dainty Marietta. When it comes to double French Marigolds, I like the Bonita series, especially Carmen, and the Sophia series, like Queen Sophia. I'm not so much into the double cultivars with frilly, crested tops.

This isn't the first year I have had trouble locating Crosman's order form. I haven't ordered from them in a few years, and they have stopped sending me one automatically. If you can find it, you might also want to order some Romanette bush beans. They are about halfway between a Romano and an Oregon Lake bean. One of my favorites, and moderately heat tolerant.

I have never grown Fiesta French Marigold before. Looks pretty nice.

Gardens of The Horde

One of the plants Kindltot looks forward to in spring is Mock Orange. I think it is a native.

There are some flowering trees as well. I am lucky because in my front yard I have a Mock Orange, Philadelphus lewisii. It is nice yard shrub, as long as you keep it under control. Mine is not. Here, in my front yard it is strangling the rhododendron while in turn being strangled by the grape.
The branches are very tough and won't splinter but they tend to shatter if you pull them, especially when they get old, and this one I think I will get back under control with the chainsaw next month. The flowers are so fragrant though, and I hate to cut it back and lose a year of flowers. I can leave the windows open and I get the perfume in my bedroom.

My grandparents had a mock orange shrub in Utah. The fragrance still reminds me of them.

Here in the Central Valley, we are feeling much better about gardening and farming because of the recent rains. We have missed the flooding others nearby have experienced, so far. Vacant lots, plowed or mowed for fire control last spring, are just going from the "golf course" look to the "meadow" look.

I'm going to try Baby Broccoli again this year. Are you planning or planting anything interesting? A new hot pepper for salsa, maybe?

Hope your weather is good enough to spend a little time outdoors this weekend.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 12:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Love that pic at the top.

Posted by: HH at February 04, 2017 12:24 PM (DrCtv)

2 1st?

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at February 04, 2017 12:25 PM (6z9sL)

3 The weather here is temptingly warm and the garden shops are beginning to stock up. It's only February and I'm wondering when I should throw down the weednfeed for the lawn....

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at February 04, 2017 12:26 PM (6z9sL)

4 Good afternoon frozen thumbs.
It came up here why don't greentumbs grow their own tea? Seems you need some space and a nice warm climate, but it is possible.
Any southerners have a tea bush?

Posted by: Skip at February 04, 2017 12:28 PM (Frvrc)

5 What is a Kindltot?

Posted by: eleven at February 04, 2017 12:31 PM (qUNWi)

6 Hello, Horde. Anything interesting going on in a garden, yard or landscape near you?

Well the asshole who married the widow across the street has decided to cut down every tree and bush in the yard and turn the house into an ugly Levit Town row house with no landscaping. He even cut down three full grown bradford pear trees that were simply beautiful in the spring.

All so he would not have to deal with leaves. Even though he has a riding mower he could hook a leaf sweeper to.

So what is the big problem? I have to stare at that ugly crap every time I sit on the front porch.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at February 04, 2017 12:31 PM (mpXpK)

7 I kind of expected to see pictures of gardens, but the subjects and the winners that they chose where nice anyway.

Posted by: goon at February 04, 2017 12:32 PM (EaQ6/)

8 Don't bother entering the coloring contest. I will win it with my trip-a-delic entry.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at February 04, 2017 12:35 PM (EnKk6)

9 The elephants are real nice and everything, but that observation deck up top is special.

Posted by: goon at February 04, 2017 12:36 PM (EaQ6/)

10 Can I send in a picture of my indoor garden?

Posted by: Barry Soetoro at February 04, 2017 12:36 PM (O6j88)

11 I had an employee, years back, who'd bought a house in an all-matching subdivision. Brick half-facade, little spindly starter hedge shrubs in front. And after he'd owned it 4 or 5 years, when the evergreens were just reaching up a bit to where you could square them off and look like something, he had them pulled out, and new spindly little starts put in.

I asked. He wanted the house to keep looking "new." I asked why he didn't also kill his grass every year, and start over with straw and sprinklers. Like a new house.

"It's all sod," was his reasoning.

He lives in an apartment now. His ex got the house. Bushes, grass and all.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at February 04, 2017 12:40 PM (H5rtT)

12 He lives in an apartment now. His ex got the house.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at February 04, 2017 12:40 PM (H5rtT)
----
He kept pulling the bushes and inserting his splindly little starts! Can't blame her.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at February 04, 2017 12:43 PM (EnKk6)

13 Not much going on in Idaho's Banana Belt. 2 mornings with a skiff of snow, one with drizzle. We're actually supposed to have several days above freezing coming up, and my husband spotted robins in the back yard. Might spring eventually come?? (Does anybody know what the Groundhog predicted?) It would be extremely nice if the ice on my street melted so we could have 2 full lanes again!!

My hope is that my planter pots, the ones stuck by ice onto the cement patio, will thaw enough to move. If I can put them in a sunnier spot, perhaps the soil will start warming and the bulbs inside will eventually bloom. Still, this will *not* be an early year for the Siberian Squill, because there's an inch of clear ice atop the pot. Lesson learned! - bigger pots go in the shed, smaller pots in a nook right near the house, out of reach of snow/ice - and all this cleanup happens promptly at the end of October.

I cut up and cooked several sugar pumpkins to make test pies. Still tinkering the recipe. I'll be making some tomorrow morning and taking them to a neighborhood Super Bowl get-together. (I love boiling the seeds in salt water, then roasting them! Those are strictly for me!)

Still feeding the birds - I suppose the species mix will change when spring is really here - I'll be watching for the goldfinches to return.

Posted by: Pat* at February 04, 2017 12:43 PM (qC1ju)

14 14th!

Posted by: Weasel at February 04, 2017 12:46 PM (Sfs6o)

15 It looks to me like there is really no reason to plant anything other than a ton of those French Marigolds.

Posted by: goon at February 04, 2017 12:47 PM (EaQ6/)

16 Does anyone has any pictures of Presdent Obama's vacation to Polm Springs and the Carribien Islands ??

Posted by: Mary Clogginstien from Brattleboro (Soon to be Obamaboro) Vt at February 04, 2017 12:47 PM (Fbj4h)

17 Speaking of India, my oldest sister got back last Sun. after spending 3 weeks there. She loved it, and had some funny stories to tell. Like cows wandering around and if the people who run outdoor shops aren't paying attention the cows will eat their flowers or vegetables.

Oh, and she showed me a vid she had taken on her phone of traffic. Cars, trucks, mopeds all beeping their horns. All at the same time.

Posted by: HH at February 04, 2017 12:49 PM (DrCtv)

18 The top picture reminds me of a photograph I wanted. I cleared a 4, 000 square foot area. Planted hundreds of Shasta daisies I started from seed. It took two years to fill into the level I wanted. Then... finally, on a June late afternoon when the sun was low to the horizon and color saturation was at its peak I had my wife dress in a short white dress, bow in hair, carrying a basket with cuttings. I backed up so that the daisies filled the screen from left to right, about 100 feet altogether. Probably 1, 000 flower blooms. She was about 30 feet away centered. Blew threw a couple rolls of film to get the *one* perfect photograph I wanted.

All that landscaping work. For one photograph. But it was worth it.

Posted by: E Pluribus Juan at February 04, 2017 12:52 PM (ZFUt7)

19 I have a ceramic elephant that guards the hydrangeas on the hillside.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at February 04, 2017 12:52 PM (89T5c)

20 English ivy is Hitler.

That is all I have to report this day.

I'm glad though that KT's part of Cali is doing well with the precip.

Posted by: stace--so much winning at February 04, 2017 12:54 PM (ozZau)

21 I will plant my tomatoes next week, seven gallon pots to negate nematode damage and Happy Frog potting soil.

Posted by: The man obviously not from Nantucket at February 04, 2017 12:56 PM (VV4qd)

22 My crocus are emerging.
Far better than the rodent looking for a shadow.

Posted by: Diogenes at February 04, 2017 12:57 PM (0tfLf)

23 Posted by: E Pluribus Juan at February 04, 2017 12:52 PM (ZFUt7)

So did you get the photo enlarged and framed? Sounds great just from your description.

Posted by: HH at February 04, 2017 12:57 PM (DrCtv)

24 19 I have a ceramic elephant that guards the hydrangeas on the hillside.
Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at February 04, 2017 12:52 PM (89T5c)
-----------
We have a concrete bunny statute out back by the bird feeders - we named it Mr. Bun Bun.

Posted by: Weasel at February 04, 2017 12:59 PM (Sfs6o)

25 16 Does anyone has any pictures of Presdent Obama's vacation to Polm Springs and the Carribien Islands ??
Posted by: Mary Clogginstien from Brattleboro (Soon to be Obamaboro) Vt at February 04, 2017 12:47 PM (Fbj4h)

Grindr.

Posted by: Pepe, Moar Pleaae. at February 04, 2017 01:01 PM (O6j88)

26 We don't give much thought to decorating the garden. It's usually a sufficient challenge to grow things. So no elephants. The most appropriate decoration would be a puppy statue sniffing at some plant or chasing a squirrel up the oak tree.

Posted by: JTB at February 04, 2017 01:01 PM (V+03K)

27 So did you get the photo enlarged and framed? Sounds great just from your description.Posted by: HH

One of these days I might. I actually think I'll probably paint it. Someday after I move away and want to remember this house and garden.

For now it's just a screensaver I've never gotten tired of seeing.

Posted by: E Pluribus Juan at February 04, 2017 01:02 PM (ZFUt7)

28 Barry Soetoro at February 04, 2017 12:36 PM

Yes. Send pics to

ktinthegarden

at that "g" mail place.

Posted by: KT at February 04, 2017 01:02 PM (qahv/)

29 17. India would be a gardeners paradise I think. When I was in Deli a couple decades ago I was amazed at all the sidewalk trees thriving.

All the taxi drivers had dashboard icons for St Christopher or the Buddha or Hindu equivalent 'angels for travelers'. They lean heavily on divine providence to survive each trip.

Posted by: PaleRider at February 04, 2017 01:05 PM (Jen0I)

30 goon at February 04, 2017 12:36 PM

Interesting observation. Mr. Bar-the-door has done roofing and tends to notice things like that.

Posted by: KT at February 04, 2017 01:05 PM (qahv/)

31 Pat* at February 04, 2017 12:43 PM

Working on a recipe is a good excuse for pie. Heh.

Posted by: KT at February 04, 2017 01:08 PM (qahv/)

32 #1 thing shipped home from Southeast Asia during the Unpleasantness:
Sansui stereo systems.

#2 thing? Thai and Cambodian ceramic elephants, about 1/8 life size, minimally crated in native woods that in retrospect probably should not have passed USDA inspection.

Pitiably few of those 'phoonts arrived in a non-clattering condition.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at February 04, 2017 01:09 PM (H5rtT)

33 E Pluribus Juan at February 04, 2017 12:52 PM

Fantastic story.

Posted by: KT at February 04, 2017 01:09 PM (qahv/)

34 Like decorations in the garden, we don't do much with flowers; we concentrate on edibles. But those marigolds look beautiful and interesting and they attract beneficial insects, IIRC. We'll have a few containers not used for veggies this year (more on that in a later post) and a couple of packets of those marigold seeds could be fun.

BTW, love that top photo. The winter has been rather mild so far ("It's a trap!" Admiral Ackbar)
but this is still the deadest time of year around these parts. The photo just shouts 'spring!!' and is a very welcome sight.

Posted by: JTB at February 04, 2017 01:09 PM (V+03K)

35 The man obviously not from Nantucket at February 04, 2017 12:56 PM

Good plan. If you want to do a little work on open ground, some French Marigolds inhibit nematodes. Also some blackeyed peas.

Posted by: KT at February 04, 2017 01:10 PM (qahv/)

36 Gotta go for a while. I'll be back.

Posted by: KT at February 04, 2017 01:11 PM (qahv/)

37 I have on my list of things to do to get the little peeing statute for the back yard. The little dude - I think he's from France.

Posted by: Weasel at February 04, 2017 01:12 PM (Sfs6o)

38 @37 Mine is from Belgium. Enfant Pis, symbol of Brussels.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at February 04, 2017 01:13 PM (H5rtT)

39 @37 Our climate is fierce. He has a little circumcision damage, so to speak.
I coyly offered to repair it with an Enormous SchwanStukaTM from an "adult shoppe." Sort of class up the formal garden, you know. Wife thinks not.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at February 04, 2017 01:16 PM (H5rtT)

40 I have now gotten three seed catalogs from places I've never bought seeds, so Burpee is selling my info. I don't mind it too much. Seed catalogs are porn for gardeners.

Posted by: huerfano at February 04, 2017 01:17 PM (jkkMG)

41 Always remember in The Great Escape the German Oberst is commenting to the English Colonel why they are planting vegetables when the English are famous for growing flowers, he replies "You can eat flowers"

Posted by: Skip at February 04, 2017 01:18 PM (Frvrc)

42 Icicles are the only things growing here this week.

Like Pat*, I'm wishing it would thaw enough at least to clear the street.

Bought assorted succulents at end-of-season sales last fall (adding more variety to the collection) and have them still in their tiny pots, sitting in a large saucer by south window.

Two are losing a few leaves, another has tiny single flowers, and the rest... abide. Will see which survive until Spring, lol.

Marigolds are awesome! I'm going to let some of the jillions o' last years' seeds grow just for fun. (Had the Safari Mix in pots and garden)

Posted by: JQ Flyover at February 04, 2017 01:19 PM (044Fx)

43 Any tips on making succulents not just survive but thrive? GF of kari is bemoaning her thumb's lack of green-ness with regard to her succulents. They're on a glass shelf in a window (maybe too cold?) and get good sunlight in the morning through the early afternoon. She sometimes forgets to water them, which, duh, but is the solution more water, more frequent water, or possibly miracle-gro?

Please serious responses only, my old man's reaction was "wow, sucks to suck, figure it out."

Posted by: most deplorable Ghost of kari - certified sidebar at February 04, 2017 01:20 PM (Iy6JT)

44 Fantastic story.�Posted by: KT

I sent you the picture. Apparently I later photoshopped the dress to be yellow because I thought it worked best. Feel free to post if you wish.

Posted by: E Pluribus Juan at February 04, 2017 01:24 PM (ZFUt7)

45 Although we love looking through the seed catalogs, we probably won't order much this year. Instead of experimenting with new to us plants or heirloom types, we are going for reliable production of a few veggies. That means salad greens, tomatoes, summer and winter squash, cukes, and lots of herbs. Most of these will be planted from seeds directly into the garden, not started indoors. We have a good source for locally successful tomato varieties and will buy plants this time.

I'll miss watching the seedlings develop in the house but there are enough other things going on in our lives that we are skipping the seed starting this year. This season's goals are better production to be canned or preserved, being more scrupulous about weeding, etc., and starting another in-ground garden bed. I'll work on the new bed in the course of the summer, as my old bones allow.

Posted by: JTB at February 04, 2017 01:26 PM (V+03K)

46 Every year, there are fewer major seed suppliers, with more different names on their catalogues. The guy who runs Plant Delights Nursery keeps a sort of morgue on take-overs and shutdowns in the industry. Tough racket.

I've had as many as six different catalogues with the same return address.
Pretty much the same stock offered in each. Yes, the prices vary.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at February 04, 2017 01:35 PM (H5rtT)

47 I planted my snow shovel in a snow bank.

But, I have brought out the garden catalogs today and I'm dreaming.,that's a start right?

Awesome garden thread KT love the photos

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 04, 2017 01:37 PM (voOPb)

Posted by: JQ Flyover at February 04, 2017 01:38 PM (044Fx)

49 (oops)

Ghost of kari--

Might be too cold. (My little collection is actually on a chair in front of sliding glass door.)

Too much water will rot them-- letting the soil dry between waterings is preferred treatment anyway.

They love sun-- sounds like you've got the best possible light already.

Hmm... maybe the shelf is keeping the roots cold? Can you raise the pots off the shelf so warm air can circulate?

Also.... a seasonal 'rest' is natural, so don't be discouraged that they're not going gangbusters this time of year.

Posted by: JQ Flyover at February 04, 2017 01:38 PM (044Fx)

50 MisHum - do you have snow up your way? We haven't had a significant snowfall since earlier in December. I think total snow accumulation for January was about half an inch. There hasn't been anything on the ground for most of the winter. Not complaining, believe me. Just odd.

Posted by: grammie winger at February 04, 2017 01:39 PM (bpfzP)

51 There's a superstitious Amish tradition that marigolds repel rabbits.
Despite evidence like this:
http://tinyurl.com/jybq6ny
some still honor the custom. Around here I think it's a style, because it looks kind of nice having a bright margin all around the garden.

I have used garlic as a rabbit barrier around my vegetables. It works for a while; can't say whether they get hungrier, or get big enough to hop farther.
Does not work on baby groundhogs.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at February 04, 2017 01:42 PM (H5rtT)

52 The only for sure rabbit repellent is a gun and a good aim.

Posted by: Ronster at February 04, 2017 01:48 PM (CDUSe)

53 We got some of your snow, grammie! (And I think the Sierra Nevada got the rest of it)

We usually get a few hit-and-melt storms a season. After a "storm" -- snow on the ground for less than a week, if not just a day or two.

This year? Snow *dumped* a lot, then a LOT more, and has been on the ground (shrinking a bit between several fresh additions) since early December.

So strange.

Posted by: JQ Flyover at February 04, 2017 01:49 PM (044Fx)

54 Claymore mines

Posted by: Skip at February 04, 2017 01:50 PM (Frvrc)

55 rabbit repellent

Dog.

Great Horned Owls.

Posted by: JQ Flyover at February 04, 2017 01:52 PM (044Fx)

56 Bobcats and fox seem to be good rabbit repellent. I can't seem to grow rabbits despite brushpiles (built to Conservation specs), drain pipes, (strategically placed) and other assorted attempts.
I like a little bunny-hop in the winter.

Love those French marigolds. Haven't seen those around here.

We're gonna start some garden plants from seed this year. My wife thinks south window, and I think grow bench with timer in the basement.
How do you keep maters from getting leggy inside?

Posted by: MarkY at February 04, 2017 01:53 PM (215IN)

57 52
The only for sure rabbit repellent is a gun and a good aim.

Posted by: Ronster at February 04, 2017 01:48 PM (CDUSe)

I used to have a Siamese cat that was hell on rabbits.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at February 04, 2017 01:55 PM (mpXpK)

58 How do you keep maters from getting leggy inside?

Lots of bright light.

Grow bench. Keep the lights close to, but not touching the plants' tops.

Tomatoville.com has great info.

Posted by: JQ Flyover at February 04, 2017 02:01 PM (044Fx)

59 My last cat, now dead, was hell on the babies. Not so much on the adults.

Posted by: Ronster at February 04, 2017 02:03 PM (CDUSe)

60 My wife and her sister got some free cabbage, so made a batch of easy kraut last week. It should be ready in a couple weeks.

Posted by: Ronster at February 04, 2017 02:06 PM (CDUSe)

61 All that landscaping work. For one photograph. But it was worth it.
Posted by: E Pluribus Juan
-----------------

That is so very, very cool. I'd love to see the photo - should be featured on a Gardening Thread one day...

52 The only for sure rabbit repellent is a gun and a good aim.
Posted by: Ronster
-----------------

You've obviously never had a min-pin!

Posted by: Chi at February 04, 2017 02:12 PM (+wNVP)

62 Yum, homemade kraut.

I remember parents cutting cabbage and onions, throwing in salt and peppercorns, bashing it down in a crock with a big wooden stomper-thing until it was all juicy.

Layer after layer of: cabbage, onions, s+p, stomp stomp stomp, repeat.

Mom took care of it after all that, and I really don't know what else she did or how long it took.

Been so long ago now.

Posted by: JQ Flyover at February 04, 2017 02:16 PM (044Fx)

63 E Pluribus Juan at February 04, 2017 01:24 PM

Got it! OK if we use it in a future post?

Got Obama chillin', too. I like yours better.

Posted by: KT at February 04, 2017 02:17 PM (qahv/)

64 Wolp. (leans over in saddle)
Fullsize rabbit 'round here'd eat a min-pin.
Yep. (spits terbacky, straightens up in saddle, ambles off
before min-pin can latch on to horse's fetlock)
__________________
I have seen a full-grown hare, surprised in its midlawn nest, roll over on its back and box a full-grown collie on the nose with its back legs. You should have seen the look on the dog's face. She'd been wronged, you see.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at February 04, 2017 02:18 PM (H5rtT)

65 Fig trees are budded out down here. But it's not really primavera until the mesquites and pecans start budding. Those oldtimers never get fooled by early warm.

Posted by: Dave at Buffalo Roam at February 04, 2017 02:19 PM (r7TEN)

66 Hey gardening horde,

I just got some seeds from Burpee (great sale, B1G1 free,) and I'm going to try container sweet corn-according to the catalogue blurb, you plant 4-6 seeds in a large container, and it will produce 3-5 stalks of corn, with two to three ears per stalk. Has anyone tried this seed before? I'm curious as to its actual success. Our yard isn't quite big enough for ground planting, so I thought this would be a way to grow our own.

Posted by: moki at February 04, 2017 02:21 PM (gfRCk)

67 Thanks JQ! You are today's Moron of the Day!

Posted by: most deplorable Ghost of kari - certified sidebar at February 04, 2017 02:23 PM (Iy6JT)

68 Got it! OK if we use it in a future post?Got Obama chillin', too. I like yours better.�Posted by: KT

Sure, anytime.

Posted by: E Pluribus Juan at February 04, 2017 02:24 PM (ZFUt7)

69 MarkY at February 04, 2017 01:53 PM

JQ is right. Also, keep some circulation on the plants and lower the temperature once they have sprouted.

You can also transplant into slightly larger containers, burying part of the stem. Repeated transplanting sometimes benefits tomatoes. Don't let them get rootbound.

Posted by: KT at February 04, 2017 02:26 PM (qahv/)

70 Aww, shucks. You're welcome, Ghost. Glad to help!

Posted by: JQ Flyover at February 04, 2017 02:27 PM (044Fx)

71 Quick assessment.

Need to get some seeds started.

Marigolds have a smell. Not a fragrance. Not good.

If that variety of Mock Orange is the same we had on the NC State campus, they are punishers. Thorns about an inch and a half long. Saw the fruit. Too late for the fragrant flowers.

Posted by: Golfman at February 04, 2017 02:27 PM (48QDY)

72 moki at February 04, 2017 02:21 PM

Haven't tried growing corn in a container, but you might want to try hand-pollinating with so few stalks of corn.

Posted by: KT at February 04, 2017 02:28 PM (qahv/)

73 Posted by: Stringer Davis @ 64

I've met that rabbit!
He is NOT to be toyed with.

Posted by: Jimmah Carter at February 04, 2017 02:37 PM (+wNVP)

74
Haven't tried growing corn in a container, but you might want to try hand-pollinating with so few stalks of corn.
Posted by: KT at February 04, 2017 02:28 PM (qahv/)

Thanks! That's a great tip!

And thank you for gorgeous gardening threads each week. You put a lot of effort into this, and it's both beautiful and helpful.

Posted by: moki at February 04, 2017 02:38 PM (gfRCk)

75 So what is the big problem? I have to stare at that ugly crap every time I sit on the front porch.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at February 04, 2017 12:31 PM (mpXpK)

I saw you post this on another thread and told my own story of landscape abuse.

We get accustomed to the plants in our immediate environment. They offer a sort of comfort. Seeing them disappear is just hideous.

A developer is supposed to abuse a 20 acre parcel directly across the street from my BF. In summer we sit on his front patio with mature forest trees in our direct line of sight. I can't even imagine what it will be like when it's an access road to hell.

(the area was originally zoned for one house per acre but of course developer "persuaded" zoning board to change to townhouse development with 60 units)

Posted by: kallisto at February 04, 2017 02:40 PM (kD8Fh)

76 On container-grown corn:

Last year's Glass Gem was grown in a 2ft x 2ft square wooden box, with about 16inches deep mix of half Miracle Gro garden soil and half "organic soil amendment" from HDepot. Had 6 plants.

It was only 'unsuccessful', IMO, due to cross-pollination with sweet corn and poor watering.

And so...

With a nice hybrid that's *made for* container growing?

You should do just fine-- with a large enough container and good watering habits. (If I had to do it again, I'd put no more than one plant per cubic foot of soil, but that's for "regular" corn.)

And definitely plan on hand-pollinating.

Good luck!

Posted by: JQ Flyover at February 04, 2017 02:41 PM (044Fx)

77 Returning to a sore subject, just to help others.
Many things went right in our gardens last season. One went very wrong.
Just to show off for the wedding reception, I planted an heirloom variety of corn instead of my tried and true Rupp Cruiser.

It was a variety that had been developed right here in my town over 100 years ago. I'm so organic, and traditional. This'll be great!

Did not harvest one decent ear.

If you plant heirloom corn, do not expect the germination, the growth rate, the yield, or the resistance to insects and blight you're accustomed to with even old hybrids. Expect very little. Plant in hills, 4 feet apart. Fertilize.

Judging by this year's catalogues, I think the fad is about over.
I've done all right with Golden Bantam, but then, that is the first yellow sweet corn, and by some definitions a hybrid itself, although it does hold to type. That's going to be my one "End of The World" corn seed, now.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at February 04, 2017 02:47 PM (H5rtT)

78 Golfman at February 04, 2017 02:27 PM

I haven't read about any cultivated Mock Orange selections with thorns. But there are several species. We should probably go over them.

Posted by: KT at February 04, 2017 02:48 PM (qahv/)

79 Golfman at February 04, 2017 02:27 PM

And French Marigolds are probably the smelliest species. That is one reason they are used in veggie gardens. May not repel rabbits, but may distract a few insects.

The are some other marigolds that smell better. The leaves of one are used for flavoring, but it's kind of rangey-looking.

Posted by: KT at February 04, 2017 02:51 PM (qahv/)

80 75 (the area was originally zoned for one house per
acre but of course developer "persuaded" zoning board to change to
townhouse development with 60 units)

Posted by: kallisto at February 04, 2017 02:40 PM (kD8Fh)

That is usually the way zoning laws get changed to shit on the people and help some guy with influence. Without a doubt money probably changed hands there.

We have county zoning laws here to to protect areas. My neighborhood is zoned for single family site built homes. So no multifamily apartments or mobile homes could be put in my neighborhood. Also no "farm animals" are allowed which bars horses.

But since we have no deed covenants or home owner's associations which I hate, stuff like a stupid neighbor stripping all his trees and landscaping can not be stopped.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at February 04, 2017 03:00 PM (mpXpK)

81 If you plant heirloom corn, do not expect the germination, the growth
rate, the yield, or the resistance to insects and blight you're
accustomed to with even old hybrids. Expect very little.

I'm tempted to say the same for *all* the heirloom stuff. Hybrids were created for ... reasons.

Will be returning to preferred hybrids this year because of disappointment in some "heirloom" varieties.

But if there's any space left over.... well... it's always fun to try something unusual.

Posted by: JQ Flyover at February 04, 2017 03:03 PM (044Fx)

82 Pet Morons are Nood

Posted by: L, Elle at February 04, 2017 03:05 PM (Rsi2C)

83 stuff like a stupid neighbor stripping all his trees and landscaping can not be stopped.

Vic, our city has regs regarding tree removal, if within certain distance from street. Had to get permission from city to remove a couple of trees from my own front yard.

They sent a Forester out to assess them, then sign a permit-- under condition that I replant from the 'approved list' of specimens!

Posted by: JQ Flyover at February 04, 2017 03:14 PM (044Fx)

84 83 Vic, our city has regs regarding tree removal, if
within certain distance from street. Had to get permission from city to
remove a couple of trees from my own front yard.

They sent a
Forester out to assess them, then sign a permit-- under condition that I
replant from the 'approved list' of specimens!

Posted by: JQ Flyover at February 04, 2017 03:14 PM (044Fx)

Over in the city they have a lot of very old live oak trees growing next to the streets. Those trees are protected by city statute.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at February 04, 2017 03:22 PM (mpXpK)

85 Thanks KT,
I like the marigolds. A friend of the family started a seed company in Lompoc in the 30's. He bred marigolds and sweet peas.
You should have seen his garden. He had quite the green thumb. He also lived across the street from Marilyn Monroe in LA someplace. He said she was nice.

Posted by: CaliGirl at February 04, 2017 03:58 PM (8cEQL)

86 CaliGirl at February 04, 2017 03:58 PM

I knew that Lompoc was a good locale for growing sweet peas. Didn't know about marigolds.

Would we be familiar with any of the varieties your friend bred?

Posted by: KT at February 04, 2017 04:05 PM (qahv/)

87 "Black Narcissus" for a long time considered the most beautiful movie in the world, was shot in an enormous Indian garden in England. The rest of the stunning scenery was a series of matte paintings.
An amazing example of what can be accomplished without CGI.

Posted by: Sal at February 04, 2017 04:49 PM (hA4a+)

88 Posted by: KT at February 04, 2017 04:05 PM (qahv/)
I'm not sure, he won awards in England and America. I think burpee or bodger seeds bought his company. He retired by the 70's. He was friends with my grandparents.
This was when Lompoc still had a lot of flower fields.

Posted by: CaliGirl at February 04, 2017 05:29 PM (8cEQL)

89 KT,

He had a patent on blue miracle sweet pea and blue lilac sweet pea. The patent expired. I know he grew marigolds too.

Posted by: CaliGirl at February 04, 2017 05:36 PM (8cEQL)

90 CrotchetyOldJarhead: "It's only February and I'm wondering when I should throw down the weednfeed for the lawn..."

For summer grasses...

I never use WeedNFeed. Weeding rarely coincides with feeding. Always apply the weed portion before feed portion once you have your lawn under some semblance of control. Preemergence is king. Then wait for the grass to start greening up before feeding so you are actually feeding grass and not weeds which germinate a little sooner.

So for preemergence, apply pretty specifically when night lows reach 60 to 55F for four consecutive days or about when the Forsythia bloom in the Spring. I use an agricultural website's data records (www.greencastonline.com/tools/soil-temperature) to get local soil temps. I don't want to mess with probing my lawn's soil every day with a thermometer. This has served me very well.

As always with preemergent, better to put it out a little early than any amount of late.

Posted by: AnonymousDrivel at February 04, 2017 06:42 PM (1CroS)

91 Somebody reminded me ...

SUMMER IS COMING!!!

Posted by: Islamic Rage Boy at February 04, 2017 06:53 PM (e8kgV)

92 Transplanted two peach trees, two grape vines and a Wild American persimmon tree, this AM.

Also, direct sowed a couple dozen Meader American persimmon trees.

Neighbor put up a new fence on the north side of the property last year. I'm preparing to install a new fence on the south side of the property. ...a little re-landscaping going on, as a consequence.

Tomorrow, the bed by the north fence will get a few blackberry plants transplanted from the front garden. Yeah. Edible landscaping. It's beautiful, if you do it right. (Do you know what blackberries cost at the store? Holy crap!!)

Posted by: The Hot Gates at February 04, 2017 09:48 PM (k3uSs)

93 I bought a house (my first!!) last January, and last spring/summer I rode with what previous owners had planted in the front-- just masses of day lilies along the front walk. I had enough to do to fix up on the inside of the house that first year anyway, plus I wanted to get a sense of the local seasons and what I wanted the outside to look like.

This year, I'm ready to make the front my own. I'm planning to take out all of the lilies (I grew up with a mom who tended gorgeous tiger lilies, these seem pedestrian in comparison).

In their place, I'd love to plant things that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. I've been lurking for a while and don't recall if there's been a post on hummingbirds? Beyond the normal advice of red flowers, what have others planted that's been successful in attracting these little guys? I'm in Louisville, KY, which is Zone 6, if that helps. Lower maintenance would be a plus...

I'm interested in learning more about heritage varieties of flowers, too! My house was built in 1900, and I love its historic character. I'd love to find some flowers of a similar variety to what might have been planted by the homeowners a century ago.

Posted by: Kristen at February 04, 2017 09:53 PM (nK+P5)

94 Sal at February 04, 2017 04:49 PM

Now I'm gonna have to find that movie. Thanks for the background.

Posted by: KT at February 04, 2017 11:17 PM (qahv/)

95 CaliGirl at February 04, 2017 05:36 PM

That's neat. I'll remember those variety names.

Posted by: KT at February 04, 2017 11:24 PM (qahv/)

96 The Hot Gates at February 04, 2017 09:48 PM

Wow! You have been busy. Do Meader American persimmons come true from seed? I read that it is self-fertile.

Some of the Asian persimmons are seedless if not cross-pollinated. Haven't read this about the Meader American.

Posted by: KT at February 04, 2017 11:29 PM (qahv/)

97 Kristen at February 04, 2017 09:53 PM

Congratulations on the new house! Sounds like you have a good approach, waiting to see what is in the yard before changing it.

Are you planning on using shrubs, perennials, annuals or a mixture of these? Do you have a color scheme in mind? Plant heights? Some people say butterflies like white flowers, but I think it depends on the species of butterfly.

One obvious choice for the first year would be some of the red salvias. The ones you can treat as annuals. Not all of them are hummingbird-friendly, but several are. We will be discussing some additional choices for butterflies and hummingbirds in future posts.

As far as heirloom flowers go, there are heirloom sections in many catalogs and some heirloom-only catalogs. One online-only site for seeds is Diane's Flower Seeds. There are links to articles on hummingbird and butterfly flowers at the end of her annual flower seed list.

Posted by: KT at February 04, 2017 11:45 PM (qahv/)

98 Trying a lemon drop pepper this year, supposed to be citrusy and hot, we shall see. Also a few new cucumbers, a mexican sour gherkin, and a brown russian cuke, some purslane, and malabar spinach. It is our biggest planting time of the year for us in AZ so I have put in potatoes and am about to plant 80 red onions. My fava beans I planted a few months ago are getting some flowers and that is a new plant for me as well. Lots of experimenting going on, I hope at least half of it works.

Posted by: weekreekfarmgirl at February 05, 2017 11:19 AM (d73Ud)

99 Oh, and I saw the corn thread, I am trying a corn that is supposed to grow in a 24 inch pot and can self pollinate and produce 7 to 8 ears a stalk. I think it is called "on deck hybrid" or something like that. I can always get it to grow just never produce any good ears, so another experiment.

Posted by: weekreekfarmgirl at February 05, 2017 11:24 AM (d73Ud)

100 weekreekfarmgirl at February 05, 2017 11:19 AM

Nice to hear a report from Arizona. Good luck with your experiments. I've grown a brown cuke from India, and it was mild.

Check in the thread above for tips on growing that corn in a container.

Posted by: KT at February 05, 2017 07:22 PM (qahv/)

101 KT- Thanks so much!

I was hoping for a variety of heights up to 3-4', and I'd like a variety of colors- the only overarching theme is that I don't want it to look too manicured. But that should be easy, right.... you just don't weed as often? haha :-) I'll definitely check out red salvias, and keep an eye out for upcoming posts-- and lurk some more on those comments :-)

Posted by: Kristen Schussler at February 05, 2017 07:55 PM (nK+P5)

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