Saturday Gardening Thread, April 13 [KT]

Hello, gardeners and nature enthusiasts! This week we got some photos of bluebells from Bluebell:

Our Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) are at their peak this week! I went out to see them yesterday, and I thought I'd send along some photos.
It was lovely to be out there with all my peeps . I also saw other wildflowers, including trilliums, Dutchman's breeches, trout lilies, toothwort, and spring beauties.
These photos are from Riverbend Park in Fairfax County, VA. The water you see is the Potomac River.

A couple more bluebell photos below.

Meanwhile, this morning in the EMT, Vic said,

Good Morning Morons; today is Saturday, April 13, 2019 On this day in 1943 the Jefferson Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C., on the 200th anniversary of President Thomas Jefferson's birth.

It just so happens that I had a photo of the Jefferson Memorial on hand, from the recent visit of my niece and her crew to D.C.

Apparently there is a biofilm growing on the memorial that is tough to remove. Baffles scientists.

The removal of some of the cherry trees from the tidal basin in order to build the memorial was controversial. There were intransigent protesters and such. There are still a lot of cherry trees left, though. A couple of photos.

More Bluebell Photos

At the top of the post is a photo showing the plant form of Bluebell's native bluebell. Here is a closeup of the flowers:

And here is an expanse of bluebells. So fun:

Weather

What's this I hear about some kind of cyclone?

Last week, from the comments, we learned that one sign of spring in the KC area was the sound of motorcyclists starting their engines. This week, Gordon sent in another sign from Minnesota:

The buzzards return to Hinckley Ohio
The swallows return to San Juan Capistrano
The taco trucks return to the Twin Cities

Meanwhile, from my cousin in Utah:

Poor Magnolia tree..., it waited and waited to bloom until the snow left but alas the never ending winter continues and it is now blooming in snow rain fog etc.

From California, The Invisible Hand sends the following:

Dana Point with coastal scrub in foreground. This was a sewer drainage site, much improved, by developers. Go USA!

Gardens of The Horde

From Tony Litwin, one of his pitcher plants, S. flava rubricorpora. There's a name for you.

From Le Vieux Garde a violet and a flower about the same size in white. Care to identify it?

Critters

From S.Lynn:

New babies-ducks, austrolorpes (layers) and meat birds. Also bought 3 turkeys. Hubby is a sucker for little fuzzy babies.

Follow-up from prior posts:

I think Blake lives in Sunset Zone 9. He was looking for something to go on a hot wall. Doh't remember if he wanted a shrub, but here's a list of them. It's for Sacramento, but it also works for Bakersfield. Pick one that says "reflected heat" or "hot wall". Like Grevillea or Grewia. Remember that some Grevilleas are touchy about salt and they differ in their water requirements. Look the species up before you buy. G. rosemarinifolia doesn't take much water, takes a lot of heat. Attracts hummingbirds Like some other plants from Australia, too much phosphorus can kill some Grevilleas. This is Rosemary Grevillea. You can tell where the scientific name came from. The foliage looks a lot like Rosemary. The flowers do not.

If you want a vine or something a little less "shrubby" for those hot exposures, consider Bougainvillea, Distinctis buccinatoria, fig, tropical hibiscus (with water), Lantana or Wisteria in a tub. Any other suggestions for Blake?

Last week, 40 miles north noted by email a good spot for the Vinca major pictured: in dry shade under trees. Vinca major (and the somewhat less invasive Vinca minor) need some shade in hot climates. This is Vinca minor 'Ralph Shugert', which has leaves edged in white and re-blooms in autumn. You can mow Vinca in winter before spring growth starts if it starts to get woody or if it starts to mound up.

We have a few nice photos for next week. You'll like them.

If you would like to send information and/or photos for the Saturday Gardening Thread, the address is:

ktinthegarden
at g mail dot com

Include your nic unless you want to remain a lurker.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 12:52 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 It looks like the bluebells start out pink and turn blue. Love that transition of colors!

Posted by: kallisto at April 13, 2019 12:55 PM (DJFLF)

2 Nice seeing green again after this cold, snowy winter.

Posted by: HH at April 13, 2019 12:56 PM (mIJBI)

3 What lovely pictures! This is one of the best garden threads yet.

That Bluebell is a looker!

Later taters, it's too nice to be indoors looking at photos of the outdoors.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at April 13, 2019 12:58 PM (kQs4Y)

4 Those pitcher plants are statuesque. Impressive! Look like sculptures.

Posted by: KTbarthedoor at April 13, 2019 01:00 PM (BVQ+1)

5 The previous owner of my house built a raised bed on the north side of the structure. I saw some wild violets blooming there a couple years ago, so I left them alone. This year I have a nice patch of blooming violets. They're a deep violet-blue shade. Wild violets come in so many colors, from pure white, to a variegated white/lilac, through a medium violet to the deep shade in my raised bed. I love those little flowers.

Posted by: kallisto at April 13, 2019 01:00 PM (DJFLF)

6 kallisto at April 13, 2019 01:00 PM

I love violets, too. When I was growing up, there were sweet violets in the lawn on the north side of our house.

Posted by: KTbarthedoor at April 13, 2019 01:04 PM (BVQ+1)

7 My lambstongues I planted under my front window are starting to put out buds, and the one Camas lily I transplanted last year has survived.
It has been a wet Spring following a mild winter, so we have lots of slugs, so with luck I can get stuff to survive without being full of holes.

I moved my conpost heap and plowed the area over in view of putting grass back in, but the soil was so nice I decided to plant squash, beans and corn on it. The Three Sisters are supposed to be a good match, and I spent an evening watching YouTube videos about Milpas in Southern Mexico.

Milpas are a traditional garden plot that tend to include corn, beans and squash, They also have, depending, peppers, tomatoes, amaranth and other incidental veggies thrown in or self seeded. They really look like overgrown gardens with lots of weeds.

Once the rest of the garden area dries out I will till and plant a normal garden too. But I like to experiment on stuff like this.

Posted by: Kindltot at April 13, 2019 01:05 PM (TN7xY)

8 The flower might be Claytonia Virginia, spring beauty.

Posted by: Lirio100 at April 13, 2019 01:05 PM (4/e/X)

9 At the other end of the raised bed I planted some daffodil bulbs, they look something like this:
http://tinyurl.com/y4mtt6ad
But I don't think that's the exact variety. A little clump of grape hyacinths has naturalized around the daffodils I planted. So adorable that they kind of volunteered to show up! Now if only some of the wild violets make their way down there I'll have a nice little spring garden with minimal upkeep.

Posted by: kallisto at April 13, 2019 01:05 PM (DJFLF)

10 That's virginica

Posted by: Lirio100 at April 13, 2019 01:06 PM (4/e/X)

11 Posted by: KTbarthedoor at April 13, 2019 01:04 PM (BVQ+1)
My bf's house backs up to woods, his back yard is a carpet of violets. This year he has been maniacally mowing the grass though so they may not have survived. I have to go over there and dig some up to transplant to my raised bed. Last time I looked, he had the variegated white ones as well as the purple.

Posted by: kallisto at April 13, 2019 01:07 PM (DJFLF)

12 That white wildflower is a spring beauty. I saw a bunch of them the other day. They're delicate and lovely.

Posted by: bluebell at April 13, 2019 01:09 PM (aXucN)

13 Later taters, it's too nice to be indoors looking at photos of the outdoors.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at April 13, 2019 12:58 PM (kQs4Y)

Enjoy the outside! It's nice here too, but rainy and snowy tomorrow.

Posted by: hogmartin invites you to the summer MIMoMe (link: nick) at April 13, 2019 01:10 PM (t+qrx)

14 Beautiful pictures of the Jefferson Memorial and cherry blossoms. The blossoms are really spectacular to behold in person, they are so ethereal.

Posted by: bluebell at April 13, 2019 01:11 PM (aXucN)

15 "From Le Vieux Garde a violet and a flower about the same size in white. Care to identify it?"

Yeah. It's a white flower. What do I win?

Posted by: Anonymous White Male at April 13, 2019 01:12 PM (3sjI6)

16 When I bought my house 30 years ago, it was a bevy of bluebells, irises, lily of the valley, etc. I didn't touch them (that might be a lie) but about 10 years ago, they all disappeared. How come?

Also, would appreciate a pic of the Potomac with the bloated bodies of some of our elected representatives floating down it. That would cheer me up more that the bluebells. Any chance?

Posted by: jeannebodine at April 13, 2019 01:15 PM (t1tHS)

17 Also, would appreciate a pic of the Potomac with the bloated bodies of some of our elected representatives floating down it. That would cheer me up more that the bluebells. Any chance?
Posted by: jeannebodine at April 13, 2019 01:15 PM (t1tHS)

Well, I've done my best, but one person can only do so much.--James Hodgkinson

Posted by: Anonymous White Male at April 13, 2019 01:20 PM (3sjI6)

18 but about 10 years ago, they all disappeared. How come?
Do you have the foliage of the irises and lilies of the valley but no flowers? Those plants have to be divided every three years or so in order for them to continue to bloom. They won't get the right nutrients from the soil if their roots are all crowded together.

Posted by: kallisto at April 13, 2019 01:23 PM (DJFLF)

19 Okay, it is now spring by the JTB scale. The lilac bush I cut back to the ground a few years ago is blossoming. Just a few of the blooms have fully opened but the scent is already gorgeous. The scent of spring lilacs is one of the wonders of God and I never tire of it. If it goes as it used to, we have a couple of weeks of morning aromas to enjoy. As it is, I'll make at least two or three trips to the yard just to inhale.

Posted by: JTB at April 13, 2019 01:26 PM (bmdz3)

20 Darn you Katy, now I want to go camping in...Utah?? Thanks for pointing us in a new direction.

Life is So Grand!

Posted by: The Invisible Hand at April 13, 2019 01:29 PM (YpRda)

21 Posted by: JTB at April 13, 2019 01:26 PM (bmdz3)
At our old house our neighbor had a hedge of lilacs. Stepping out onto our back deck was just a delight, from about this time of the year to mid-May.

Posted by: kallisto at April 13, 2019 01:31 PM (DJFLF)

22 beautiful beautiful pictures!

Posted by: phoenixgirl at April 13, 2019 01:32 PM (0O7c5)

23 hiya

Posted by: JT at April 13, 2019 01:35 PM (4Qe0G)

24 Great photos everyone.
I am thwarted again on the start of the great dandelion massacre and genocide of 2019 in my yard.
Cool, rain again, breezy. I love Central WA but I'm ready to start on yard projects.
I have green things starting but no blooms yet.
I'm hoping for camas and daffodils as well as the usual suspects.

Posted by: Winston a dreg of society at April 13, 2019 01:40 PM (5U303)

25 I'm very jealous of you morons that live in green places right now.

Posted by: Muad'dib at April 13, 2019 01:41 PM (zMvJD)

26 suggestions for Blake?"

Bottlebrush. Or asphalt.

Posted by: Anon a mouse at April 13, 2019 01:41 PM (6qErC)

27 When I bought my house 30 years ago, it was a bevy of bluebells, irises, lily of the valley, etc. I didn't touch them (that might be a lie) but about 10 years ago, they all disappeared. How come?
---
You're Welcome.

Posted by: the neighbor upwind spraying Roundup at April 13, 2019 01:42 PM (ER1jH)

28 Wasn't sure things would ever come back after this cold, wet miserable winter but they are. Just walking around the redbud in the front yard is in full bloom before the green leaves start to peak through the dark pink flowers. When the sunlight is on it, the blooms seem to glow.

I mentioned the lilac bush. Looking closely, our dogwood, the size of a pencil just two years ago, has continued to grow and has leaf buds starting to open on all the branches. The spinach and lettuce seeds are already showing and a few of the lettuce plants from last fall survived. (If they made it through the winter, they may resist being plucked for salad.)

There is a swath of pansies growing in the lawn from seeds that must have blown off the plants in hanging baskets last year. They won't last with mowing but at the moment they are a bit of color.

Posted by: JTB at April 13, 2019 01:42 PM (bmdz3)

29 Hooray, some of the iris & lily of the valley foliage is still there but they don't flower. Also, I still have a few bluebells still toughing it out.

As far as dividing, do I just dig up the bulbs and pull/slice them apart and replant them? I've never done this before. When is best to pull up, divide and replant?

I think we're gonna have another non-existent spring here in Philly, although it's been beautiful so far for the most part but today feels hot.

Darn, I think I missed the 10-day period in the spring (another in the fall) when it's bearable to go up to the attic and de-clutter.

Posted by: jeannebodine at April 13, 2019 01:43 PM (t1tHS)

30 Virginia bluebells have such a delicate blue, like a piece of Wedgwood or something.

I've spent a lot of time exploring bogs, fens, peatlands, etc, and find pitcher plants possess an eerie beauty. The carnivorous plants come in so many weird forms.

Posted by: gp at April 13, 2019 01:43 PM (mk9aG)

31 Beautiful pics today!

Posted by: Diogenes at April 13, 2019 01:44 PM (0tfLf)

32 25 ... " I'm very jealous of you morons that live in green places right now."

Muad'Dib, I understand. But you get maple syrup. A trade-off, I guess.

Posted by: JTB at April 13, 2019 01:46 PM (bmdz3)

33 Mmmm, the scent of lilacs! Ours are just budding now so won't open for a couple of weeks.

They're white. Mom said "non-suckering variety" so she worked hard to layer some for me...

I dug up some suckers (of course) to bring with when I moved. Miss ya, Mom!

Posted by: JQ at April 13, 2019 01:46 PM (gP/Z3)

34 Hi bluebell. Thanks for the photo of your namesakes. The delicate blue against the sturdier green of their leaves is an annual pleasure. As a bonus, the smaller wildflowers appear here and there in white and pastel shades of yellow. And this is before I start griping about the heat and humidity, so that's good timing.

Posted by: JTB at April 13, 2019 01:52 PM (bmdz3)

35 We have 2 feet of snow on the ground here in western South Dakota. Happy spring.

Posted by: Archer at April 13, 2019 01:54 PM (vzk+c)

36 the water wouldn't come out of the hose this morning ... took me a minute to realize it had frozen a little. Two more nights coming close to freezing ... but not much budding out yet anyway. Strawberries are leafing out, and some of the raspberries.

That expanse of bluebells is awesome. Bluebells can be bought, even though they are nicer to see wild in the woods. I have several patches in the woods, but invasives are claiming some space. I got some from bigv62 on Ebay, his family is in TN. 20 roots for $17 and free shipping on a bigger order. He has cheap good stuff, but it is often small, so requires a little care/patience.

Posted by: illiniwek at April 13, 2019 01:54 PM (Cus5s)

37 And I am just getting over a nasty bout of influenza A with a 103 temp. Been sick for a week. Happy spring.

Posted by: Archer at April 13, 2019 01:56 PM (vzk+c)

38 Here in CO, been trying to clean up for the gardening season, but the on and off typical spring of 75 degree one day and 20 and snowing the next. So I must wait for global warming in the northern hemisphere.

as an aside, if you want a good smile watch this Guilty! video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V7j3eWVsHw

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at April 13, 2019 01:56 PM (r+sAi)

39 test

Posted by: Jane D'oh at April 13, 2019 02:02 PM (ptqGC)

40 Praise be and thanks to CBD for getting pixy to unban me, after my dumbass banned my own self last night.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at April 13, 2019 02:03 PM (ptqGC)

41 Welcome back Jane!

Posted by: Muad'dib at April 13, 2019 02:03 PM (zMvJD)

42 29. jeanne - you dig in the middle of the patch and separate a clump of plants to transplant elsewhere. Daylilies have to be divided as well. I would wait until the middle of May to dig and transplant. Just make sure the 'parent' planting as well as the offshoots get sufficient water over the growing season.

Posted by: kallisto at April 13, 2019 02:04 PM (wZxsP)

43 Hitting the tip jar. CBD got pixy on the case toot sweet.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at April 13, 2019 02:05 PM (ptqGC)

44 jeanne - there are likely plenty of you tubes showing you how to divide an established planting. I'm also in the PHL metro, that's why I said Mid-May. The ground should be warm enough that the transplants won't experience too much shock in their new location.

Posted by: kallisto at April 13, 2019 02:10 PM (wZxsP)

45 Checking in from casa de Weasel. Not at the farm this weekend due to the forecast for rain. Also, I overseeded the road with grass seed last weekend and want to let it germinate a bit before I start driving on it. Hopefully, some of it stayed in place after severe thunderstorms rolled through the day after I put it down.

Posted by: Weasel at April 13, 2019 02:11 PM (MVjcR)

46 Hitting the tip jar. CBD got pixy on the case toot sweet.
Posted by: Jane D'oh at April 13, 2019 02:05 PM (ptqGC)
---------

Send CBD some marzipan. He LOVES that.

Posted by: bluebell at April 13, 2019 02:14 PM (aXucN)

47 Send CBD some marzipan. He LOVES that.

Posted by: bluebell at April 13, 2019 02:14 PM (aXucN)

You trying to get me banned?

Posted by: Jane D'oh at April 13, 2019 02:15 PM (ptqGC)

48 I'm very jealous of you morons that live in green places right now.
Posted by: Muad'dib at April 13, 2019 01:41 PM (zMvJD)
---------

Come visit! Bring Chani!

Posted by: bluebell at April 13, 2019 02:16 PM (aXucN)

49 You trying to get me banned?

Posted by: Jane D'oh at April 13, 2019 02:15 PM (ptqGC)
--------

Okay. Try bananas. Or white chocolate. That would travel better, anyway.

Posted by: bluebell at April 13, 2019 02:16 PM (aXucN)

50 My clematis montana starts are growing very well in their pots and have little buds that may be either blooms or new branches-- too early to tell.

I want to clip them back a little but don't want to harm them.

Stems are about 3 feet long and wrapping onto whatever they touch.

Keeping them separated is a daily task until I can put them outside and *away from each other*.

Posted by: JQ at April 13, 2019 02:17 PM (gP/Z3)

51 Now that our terrible, cold and wet winter is over, I'm looking forward to complaining about the heat and humidity.

Posted by: Weasel at April 13, 2019 02:17 PM (MVjcR)

52 Thanks, kallisto! I knew you were from the Philly area, love your comments, especially the local ones.

Why am I so old I can't think of YouTube immediately when I'm puzzled over something? No matter how many times it's useful, it's never my first go-to thought.

Posted by: jeannebodine at April 13, 2019 02:17 PM (t1tHS)

53 Now that our terrible, cold and wet winter is over, I'm looking forward to complaining about the heat and humidity.
Posted by: Weasel at April 13, 2019 02:17 PM (MVjcR)
---------

If it's not one thing, it's another, amirite? Come sit with me in rocking chairs on my Cracker Barrel front porch.

Posted by: bluebell at April 13, 2019 02:18 PM (aXucN)

54

If it's not one thing, it's another, amirite? Come sit with me in rocking chairs on my Cracker Barrel front porch.

Posted by: bluebell at April 13, 2019 02:18 PM (aXucN)
------
Absolutely! We can rock a while and talk about our aches and pains.

Posted by: Weasel at April 13, 2019 02:19 PM (MVjcR)

55 Spring has been glorious here, but the pollen has been the worst ever. It seems the rains we've had may have washed it away. *fingers crossed*

We've got bottle brush blooming and hummingbirds all over it. The bluebird babies are fledging, and I'll need to clean the old nest out soon so they'll come back (last year we had three nests).

Anyhow, all the hard work and $$$ that went into replacing the old deck has been worth it. Now, to get my husband to come home from the office and help me get the wrought iron furniture back on the deck before it rains again.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at April 13, 2019 02:20 PM (ptqGC)

56
Now that our terrible, cold and wet winter is over, I'm looking forward to complaining about the heat and humidity.

Posted by: Weasel at April 13, 2019 02:17 PM (MVjcR)

We've already had a couple of days of humidity. Ugh. Promise of more to come. If we can just avoid any more hurricanes or tropical storms this summer and fall, I'll feel beyond blessed.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at April 13, 2019 02:23 PM (ptqGC)

57 Absolutely! We can rock a while and talk about our aches and pains.
Posted by: Weasel at April 13, 2019 02:19 PM (MVjcR)
----------

Sounds like one of our lunch dates, minus the food.

Posted by: bluebell at April 13, 2019 02:24 PM (aXucN)

58

Sounds like one of our lunch dates, minus the food.
Posted by: bluebell at April 13, 2019 02:24 PM (aXucN)
-----
Just what I was thinking. Oh, and thanks again for buying!

Posted by: Weasel at April 13, 2019 02:26 PM (MVjcR)

59 Last week grandson and I put in a few clumps of liatris corms. They have already started to break the surface of the earth. He is very excited!

Posted by: CN at April 13, 2019 02:26 PM (U7k5w)

60 I have a herd of 8 deer licking the maple trees I took the taps out of. The wounds haven't healed yet so they are leaking sap. Deer love sap. I seen them with their heads in sap buckets.

Posted by: Muad'dib at April 13, 2019 02:27 PM (zMvJD)

61 My pleasure, Weasel.

Posted by: bluebell at April 13, 2019 02:27 PM (aXucN)

62 I should send in pictures of my acreage. It's covered in 7" of fresh snow. You people and your warming privilege.

Posted by: Minnfidel at April 13, 2019 02:28 PM (xR1UF)

63 We have had some really high winds this week, and cold. Surprising. Have a few tomato plants now, though. Nothing exotic this year.

Week control continues to be a major chore. Got most of the kitty and doggie areas done.

Posted by: KTbarthedoor at April 13, 2019 02:29 PM (BVQ+1)

64 52. My millenial friend used YT tutorial on how to dig out his basement floor to create a bootleg apt. Another guy uses YT for auto repair, and of course BF likes the YT for anything boomstick.

Posted by: kallisto at April 13, 2019 02:29 PM (nKPgU)

65 Spring is still hovering in Chicago. Last weekend was nice, this weekend is a bit chilly. Waiting for the magnolias to bloom so I can open the windows wide and breathe in that glorious scent.

Posted by: Gem at April 13, 2019 02:31 PM (XoAz8)

66 I think I am going to try for tomatoes and basil this year, at the very least. Maybe zucchini (ugh) since we are eating so much of it now.

Posted by: Gem at April 13, 2019 02:33 PM (XoAz8)

67 I search YT for Italian home cooks since my mom isn't here to help me out.

Posted by: kallisto at April 13, 2019 02:34 PM (nKPgU)

68 Have 3/4 of the garden overturned with a shovel, I take out all rocks I find. Daffys are up and see Iris and hosta are coming alive.

Posted by: Skip at April 13, 2019 02:35 PM (BbGew)

69 The little white flower is spring beauty, and it is carpeting the woods in my area. It will soon be gone, but how lovely it is right now.

Posted by: Jeannine McDevitt at April 13, 2019 02:36 PM (4iXq+)

70 I used compost to mulch around plants last year so turning over that.

Posted by: Skip at April 13, 2019 02:38 PM (BbGew)

71 Muad'dib, that sounds like a scene out of Winnie the Pooh.

Posted by: bluebell at April 13, 2019 02:42 PM (aXucN)

72 It's so gorgeous outside. Everyone has a spring in their step and gushes to total strangers, "Isn't it glorious?!"

The Patapsco has some new islands forming after all the rains and flooding have swept down big trees and soil. This river straddles two counties. I'm thinking of claiming one and making it an independent republic.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at April 13, 2019 02:45 PM (kQs4Y)

73 Finally 50* with little wind. So nice to go outside w/o a coat.

Ground is still frozen with meltwater on it so not much hope of any outdoor work.

Don't plant much before Memorial day here so looking forward to another month and a half before I can really get things going.

Posted by: Hagar - Jarl of North of Flyover Conntry at April 13, 2019 02:47 PM (FxJnm)

74 I'm thinking of claiming one and making it an independent republic.

Will there be a dress code?

Posted by: Bandersnatch at April 13, 2019 02:47 PM (fuK7c)

75 I planted grass a couple weeks ago in a horse pen that is not in current use. I diligently moved the sprinkler to get 8-10 minutes of water on it daily. Finally saw grass buds this Monday. Wed we got snow and a bit more last night. I haven't checked my baby grass since Tuesday. I think it should be fine, we didn't get a real hard freeze. Hopefully the grass takes hold and survives so that area is no longer blowing sand and evil thorny weeds in the summer.

Posted by: PaleRider is simply irredeemable at April 13, 2019 02:50 PM (pAkRe)

76 gotta trim out the front yard before summer gets here and drys everything out.

Posted by: redc1c4 at April 13, 2019 02:51 PM (ER1jH)

77 Damn! Our internet connection is getting weird. It's been a pleasure to share another gardening thread with y'all.

Posted by: JTB at April 13, 2019 02:53 PM (bmdz3)

78 After one episode of paw patrol, it's back to planting with the grandson. This time we'll put in the gladiola bulbs as he is desperate to see hummingbirds this summer.

Posted by: CN at April 13, 2019 03:03 PM (U7k5w)

79 All of the rain we've had over the past year must have been really good for the Dogwoods. There is creamy white everywhere!

Posted by: OldDominionMom at April 13, 2019 03:05 PM (t0Z53)

80 74 I'm thinking of claiming one and making it an independent republic.

Will there be a dress code?
Posted by: Bandersnatch at April 13, 2019 02:47 PM (fuK7c)
---
Pants optional before noon. Chaps acceptable but not on Sunday.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at April 13, 2019 03:09 PM (kQs4Y)

81 Spent the morning sunshine and warmer temps on a walk with mom. Saw crocus blooming and the greens of daffodils, tulips and iris coming up. Lilac and bridal wreath bushes have their buds showing.

Came home for lunch with a plan to work in her cottage garden. The temp has dropped and it is super windy now, and cloudy. Tomorrow snow is in the forecast. Looks like we wait til later in the week.

Posted by: My life is insanity at April 13, 2019 03:14 PM (Z/jzm)

82 I'm told there are piles of leaves and such out there to be picked up today at the latest.

Posted by: Skip at April 13, 2019 03:16 PM (BbGew)

83 If anyone is late getting someplace I have a few minutes for sale on Ebay.

Posted by: The White guy who owns time at April 13, 2019 03:18 PM (cCxiu)

84 Pants optional before noon. Chaps acceptable but not on Sunday.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at April 13, 2019 03:09 PM (kQs4Y)
---------

And a pith helmet. Never forget the pith helmet.

Posted by: bluebell at April 13, 2019 03:24 PM (aXucN)

85 Thanks White Guy, but I've got time enough. It's the guy who owns energy I'm looking for.

Posted by: OldDominionMom at April 13, 2019 03:28 PM (t0Z53)

86 Snow!!!*()^*)*_+!

Posted by: TheDerpState at April 13, 2019 03:41 PM (FhXTo)

87 Happy to have a sunny weekend off finally and got most of the tomatoes and zucchini in. I have a Darwin berry patch where the blackberry has proven superior to the blueberries it choked out. Oh well it's prolific and thornless so not too bad.

Posted by: keena at April 13, 2019 04:00 PM (KeX8w)

88 The three day April storm has passed. It was a really nasty thing and we were not in the worst of it. Day one, snow with a bit of rain. Day two, snow, howling tree bending wind, rain, hail, thunder, snow. Day three, snow. Taupe snow, from all the west Texas dust it brought north.

The six inch soil temperature was 38 before the storm dragged it below freezing again. But soon, soon. Four weeks to transplanting time.

Posted by: Gordon at April 13, 2019 08:16 PM (a9Z64)

89 From Idaho's Treasure Valley: First, next week, I will definitely be posting late. My smallbore students will be competing in a match, and husband and I have volunteered to help the organizers as well. The range is less than an hour away, and is not scheduled to run into the evening, so unless I'm completely wrecked, I should be able to post Saturday evening. The week after that, I'm attending a Project Appleseed event at Parma, and may not be able to post, though I'll try.

This week, I'm posting late because we spent nearly the entire day hard at work. Went out from 11 to 1 - husband sprayed herbicide, and mowed parts of the lawn for the first time. I weeded grass out of 2 small lily of the valley beds (leaves, but no flowers yet) - then weeded a 4x8 raised bed of its invasion of chamomile (that stuff went *seriously* radioactive - worse than my chives!!). I also pulled dead stalks off my spearmint, and turned a little compost, to fill in some time. After a lunch break, we were planting 2 trees, which took from 2 to *7* PM, with only one break, to drive to the garden store for a cubic yard of compost. We laid heavy landscaping fabric in that area as well. And there was an unscheduled irrigation line repair... which we can't test, because the neighborhood irrigation isn't on yet (we've seen water in the largest canals, but there's none in the ditch behind our property yet). After spending half the afternoon on my knees, especially filling in the holes for the redbud and the white dogwood, I'm amazed my knees still function at all.

We think maybe in the fall, we'll divide some of our purple Siberian Iris and add those to the new tree area - maybe some spring bulbs as well. I'd like to stick to the purple-pinkish-white theme - maybe pink peonies, pink or purple tulips, white crocus?

We've had two weeks of rain and drizzle, on and off, so we made sure to get all this done today, before the next band of rain comes through tomorrow. If I can get a break, I need to plant 8 more feet each of spinach and lettuce seeds, and a few fill-in peas.

We do have sprouts of shelling peas, Asian pea pod peas, onions, radishes, and spinach. We do have our first tulip behind the kitchen window - just as all the hyacinths got cut down, and the first of the 3 daffodils is starting to fade. Tulips out front are still in bud, and hyacinths are still in bloom. Lots of handsome Johnny Jump-Ups. I'm a little surprised I like them, and violets, because I think pansies in general are too common-looking.

Still high on the to-do list: give red raspberry starts to friends (those are leafing out), and pull dead leaves off the strawberry beds (two 4x8 beds full) - a daunting task.

Anyone trying to re-bloom a poinsettia? I got a huge one as a gift from a good friend, so looked that up on WikiHow. Early April was the time to cut it back to 8 inches tall.

Oh, and please don't plant Vinca where it can invade the neighbors' property, or wild lands. In fact, always check a local invasive plant list before you plant things, particularly ground covers. (It always bothered me that CA nurseries can sell pampas grass and broom bushes...)

Posted by: Pat* at April 13, 2019 11:09 PM (2pX/F)

90 Pat*, I've just (last weekend) cut back a Poinsettia. Maybe should've cut it back a month earlier even, due to the side shoots that were already growing...

Have never really tried for rebloom but have always gotten them to grow back nice and bushy after early spring pruning.

Do it now, it's not too late!

Try this link:

tinyurl.com/y2m7v937

Good luck!

Posted by: JQ at April 14, 2019 01:15 AM (gP/Z3)

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