Saturday Gardening and Puttering Thread 2/15/20 [KT]

Come into the garden! Time for all gardeners, putterers and dreamers to think about the possibilities . . . This is an actual garden from an actual member of The Horde, Indiana lurker:

I just wanted to drop a couple photos on you of what we have done with our 1/5 acre of suburban heaven. When we built the house twenty years ago the wife told me she was going big on flower beds and small on grass. At the time I though that's cool, it'll be less mowing. Maintaining the beds is made easier by using lots and lots of perennials mixed with small ornamental trees and a couple larger trees on the property line. This first picture is the path from the side of our garage to the back of the house.

And there's more:

In the back of the house we decided to go with a large stone patio with a fire pit. It was the best thing we ever did. It has become the gathering place for many a cocktail hour and evening party. It's a kind of neighborhood magnet for bringing us all together to have a few drinks and talk about anything that comes to mind. The pond is nothing more then a man-made retention pond. In this part of the country all developers have to have a drainage plan which ties into the county drainage plan, so retention ponds are required. We're lucky to have like-minded neighbors, who have also put landscaping in there backyards which gives us a view which is a bit park like. There is absolutely nothing organic in the view from the patio. Everything was planted and the pond was man made, but I think it all comes together well.

Remarkable. We may have questions. Love the part about the like-minded neighbors.

Travel, Art and Gardening

Thought about doing some art in the snow, maybe in Colorado? Try some in your yard if it's too early to garden.

Simon Beck's art is inspired by the natural wonder and intricate nature of snowflakes; he travels the world carving large-scale artworks (around 300 pieces to date) into snow-covered landscapes using only his manpower and a pair of snowshoes. Many of his ideas come from patterns found in nature (snowflakes, spiraled cactus spears, cannabis leaves); crop circles; mathematical equations; and even iconic artists such as Vincent Van Gogh.

When it gets a little warmer, you might want to visit Watkins Glen State Park in New York. Anybody been there?

Watkins Glen State Park is the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks, with a reputation for leaving visitors spellbound. Within two miles, the glen's stream descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along its course. The gorge path winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade. Rim trails overlook the gorge. Campers and day-visitors can enjoy the Olympic-size pool, scheduled summer tours through the gorge, tent and trailer campsites, picnic facilities and excellent fishing in nearby Seneca Lake or Catherine Creek, which is renowned for its annual spring run of rainbow trout.

Jake Holenhead sent the following from the Everglades:

The Southern Cross constellation taken April 2012 in the Everglades near Flamingo, FL. The cross is in the center right of the photo.

A funny sign in the Everglades with a "controlled" burn in the distance.

This is a Cardinal Airplant or Quill-Leaf Airplant. It's one of the Bromeliad species. They usually attach themselves to trees, but they're not parasitic. Airplants get their nutrition from the air and absorb water through their leaves. The flower for this type is the tiny yellow thingy at the end of the purplish thingy growing out of the red quill like stalk. Airplants can be grown indoors, don't require soil, just mist them with water every now and then. They're perfect for a lazy gardener. I took these photos in the Everglades.

Sharon (willow's apprentice) sent in some intriguing photos:

The Tower Hill Botanic Gardens I frequent was closed the month of January and reopened with an interesting Orchid Show. I use "interesting" instead of spectacular because I am not sure the premise of the show worked. I'll be interested in the Horde's opinions. It combined the orchid display with Street Art. I've always thought of orchids as being elegant and this concept was really different. Not sure all my photos show the art bits intertwined with the flowers. My favorite is the statue of the lady which is a permanent piece in the garden unlike the rest of the street art but I thought the orchids draped over her shoulder was very elegant and sexy.

The Edible Garden

Around here, kale is one of the few veggies that is edible, with the frost, other than weeds. Here are 9 ways to use kale that don't involve salad. I think the tips for using kale stems are sort of over-the-top. I usually toss them.

You got other ideas? I like Red Russian kale and its variations. It is a different species of kale from the others. More tender. Often missing in markets because it wilts. Might want to grow some. The blossoms are pretty tasty, too.

More recipes and tips for kale, other cole crops and their edible blossoms, and some leftover Valentines Day blooms you can eat are discussed in this past thread. I closed the comments so nobody gets accidentally banned. Here's Kung Fu Kitty with some bolted cole crops. Broccoli on the right, turnips on the left.

And I still want to try Bulgarian Triumph tomatoes. I love the name, and it gets good reviews.

Have you chosen your tomato varieties for the coming season yet?

Gardens of The Horde

It is frosty most mornings here in the Central Valley right now, warming up later in the day. We didn't have a hard freeze until February this year, which was good for the citrus growers. Navel oranges are still in good shape. The tangerines currently available locally are on the tart side.

Our rosemary is starting to bloom.

40 miles north is further south:

Rosemary is in bloom. There isn't much for the bees right now, so they visit this every morning.

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 01:19 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 First?

Posted by: 40 miles north at February 15, 2020 01:22 PM (o2vOl)

2 Cowabunga!

Posted by: 40 miles north at February 15, 2020 01:22 PM (o2vOl)

3 Nice walkway.

Posted by: m at February 15, 2020 01:23 PM (ghFVE)

4 WOW

The orchid display is AMAZING. better than Longwood even!

and just brilliant to integrate the artworks like that!

the "large face" btw is Black Orchid, the comics character.

Posted by: THE_BlackOrchid_STATE! (DlsPn) at February 15, 2020 01:25 PM (j9HX3)

5 Now I've seen everything - large scale snowshoe art!

Amazing

Posted by: kallisto at February 15, 2020 01:26 PM (DJFLF)

6 This is apparently a high-class orchid thread. Good thing I'm wearing pants.

Posted by: 40 miles north at February 15, 2020 01:27 PM (o2vOl)

7 Have to disagree with fellow SEPAn Black Orchid, I don't think the orchids look good with that particular street art.
I do like the way they used the flowers with the statuary.

Here's what I think is a better use of street art integrated with plant life:

https://tinyurl.com/t9m6gry

Posted by: kallisto at February 15, 2020 01:30 PM (DJFLF)

8 This gives me the Wants. I want to plant but it's still too cold here in Indiana, I want to visit Watkins Glen State Park.

Posted by: AgathaPagatha at February 15, 2020 01:31 PM (xDMjB)

9 Indiana Lurker-

Do you have fish in your pond ?

Posted by: JT at February 15, 2020 01:31 PM (arJlL)

10 Some of that flashy street art around the orchids seems like gilding the lily, to me.

Posted by: m at February 15, 2020 01:32 PM (ghFVE)

11 9 Indiana Lurker-

Do you have fish in your pond ?
Posted by: JT at February 15, 2020 01:31 PM (arJlL)

And do you get waterbirds? And skeeters?

Posted by: m at February 15, 2020 01:34 PM (ghFVE)

12 In before Mr. Sunshine !

Posted by: JT at February 15, 2020 01:34 PM (arJlL)

13 Why is da lady Poiple ?

Posted by: JT at February 15, 2020 01:34 PM (arJlL)

14 the "large face" btw is Black Orchid, the comics character.
Posted by: THE_BlackOrchid_STATE! (DlsPn) at February 15, 2020 01:25 PM (j9HX3)

Oh, I didn't see this, no wonder you love the display!

If there was a display with Callisto, Jupiter's moon, I'd have to love it too.

Posted by: kallisto at February 15, 2020 01:35 PM (DJFLF)

15 The orchid photos all turned themselves sideways during uploading. It was mysterious. Had to alter their size.

Posted by: KTbarthedoor at February 15, 2020 01:36 PM (BVQ+1)

16 Indiana Lurker-

Do you have fish in your pond ?
Posted by: JT at February 15, 2020 01:31 PM (arJlL)

And do you get waterbirds? And skeeters?
Posted by: m at

Does your chewing gum lose its flavor on the bedpost overnight ?

Posted by: JT at February 15, 2020 01:36 PM (arJlL)

17 >> 3 Nice walkway.
Agreed. Those garden arches are nice.

Posted by: 40 miles north at February 15, 2020 01:37 PM (o2vOl)

18 I mentioned on a thread yesterday that I bought the wife an orchid for VD instead of my usual tropical arrangement. I've starting working with them, but so far, they're living up to their temperamental reputation. Still, he persisted.

Posted by: pep at February 15, 2020 01:38 PM (T6t7i)

19 I watched something called The Great American Farm Tour. I think it was Amazon Prime. You can find the guy that idid it on You Tube, Justin Rhodes. He and his wife bought a school bus, converted it and took the kids on a trip to see frams in all 50 states. (Hawaii and Alaska by airplane). Some of the places were productive homesteads. It was great stuff.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at February 15, 2020 01:38 PM (KomcD)

20 Love the Southern Cross with the palm tree.

I've never seen a Cardinal Airplant before. Flashy colors.

Posted by: KTbarthedoor at February 15, 2020 01:38 PM (BVQ+1)

21 I fished Seneca Lake many, many times, when I wore a younger man's clothes.

Posted by: JT at February 15, 2020 01:39 PM (arJlL)

22 Also, it's cold here in NoVa today, but I spent some time outside puttering and inspecting. There are some daffodil shoots coming up, as well as a few iris in a bed I completely turned upside down last fall. That was an unexpected and welcome development.
Other than that, I drastically pruned an out of control tropical hibiscus in my sun room, and generated about 50 cuttings. We'll see if any of them root, but there really wasn't any choice on the mother plant. It was leggy, and spare.

Posted by: pep at February 15, 2020 01:40 PM (T6t7i)

23 If there was a display with Callisto, Jupiter's moon, I'd have to love it too.
Posted by: kallisto

If Callisto is Jupiter's moon, whose moon are you ?

Posted by: JT at February 15, 2020 01:40 PM (arJlL)

24 I tried a few tomato varieties from seed last year. It did not work out very well.. all the plants were scrawny.

I will stick with seedlings from the local nurseries.. we have one in Elmhurst here (a suburb of Chicago) that has rows and rows of varieties with many heirloom varieties.

And the bonus is, if I am late getting my garden in, they just continue to grow at the nursery! Although if you wait til June, the pickings get a little slim.

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at February 15, 2020 01:42 PM (CjFDo)

25 One more thing: for those with an interest in orchids, and in the DC area, the Botanic Gardens (the big glass building near the mall) will have an orchid exhibition from 2/28 - 5/3.

Posted by: pep at February 15, 2020 01:42 PM (T6t7i)

26 I actually have been to Watkins Glen State Park and it's just as beautiful as the picture suggests, particularly the gorge.

It was part of a quick trip we made to upstate New York on rather the spur of the moment. Son's company was sponsoring the NASCAR race at Watkins Glen that year, so we used it as an excuse to visit a part of the country we'd probably never have seen otherwise. The race is in August, so was a perfect time to escape the Texas heat.

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at February 15, 2020 01:44 PM (fTtFy)

27 If Callisto is Jupiter's moon, whose moon are you ?

Posted by: JT at February 15, 2020 01:40 PM (arJlL)

Tom Cullen's?

Posted by: BignJames at February 15, 2020 01:47 PM (X/Pw5)

28 Did 2 nights below 0F kill all the buds and shoots popping up after a very mild Chicagoland winter? Only yard maintenance this week is wondering if the plastic bag that blew in will blow back out again before the snow melts?

Posted by: DaveA at February 15, 2020 01:49 PM (FhXTo)

29 Landscaping here this week has been moving snow around. Wed I got stuck in our driveway. Thursday I thought I'd clear with the tractor but dad did it for me and did a thorough job. Was nice, as I ended up pretty busy with working from home all day. There is no artwork in our snow, but perhaps I'll email the friday morning frost pics to KT. With all the legal pot, mother nature got stoned in CO and we had spring in January and then nature went "OOPs and has sent us some winter starting Feb 3. It was 71 on Super Bowl Sunday, I had a wonderful ride with an endurance buddy.

Posted by: PaleRider is simply irredeemable at February 15, 2020 01:49 PM (cDw3P)

30 Floral street art. Can you spot the orchid?

(there may be two)

https://tinyurl.com/weh6f6k

Posted by: kallisto at February 15, 2020 01:50 PM (DJFLF)

31 The lady statue with shoulder orchids is nice. The plant in the crook of her left arm looks like the Everglades air plants. Beautiful photos.

Posted by: AlmostYuman at February 15, 2020 01:50 PM (VD4A6)

32 I won't be planting this native Australian tomato species: It is spiky and it appears to bleed.

https://www.sciencefriday.com/articles/dont-eat-tomato/

Posted by: Kindltot at February 15, 2020 01:50 PM (6rS3m)

33 It may be too early to start seeds yet but those little peat pots in the basement are calling to me.

Posted by: kallisto at February 15, 2020 01:51 PM (DJFLF)

34 33 It may be too early to start seeds yet but those little peat pots in the basement are calling to me.

oh I definitely started some things!

early spring remember?

Posted by: THE_BlackOrchid_STATE! (DlsPn) at February 15, 2020 01:53 PM (j9HX3)

35 I won't be planting this native Australian tomato species: It is spiky and it appears to bleed.

https://www.sciencefriday.com/articles/dont-eat-tomato/
Posted by: Kindltot at February 15, 2020 01:50 PM (6rS3m)

Australia, where even the tomatoes will stick you.

Posted by: DR.WTF at February 15, 2020 01:54 PM (aS1PU)

36 It may be too early to start seeds yet but those little peat pots in the basement are calling to me.

Posted by: kallisto at February 15, 2020 01:51 PM (DJFLF)

My wife bought a small egg incubator that she uses to start seeds....she's got some tomatoes sprouted already.

Posted by: BignJames at February 15, 2020 01:55 PM (X/Pw5)

37 kallisto,

It's better to plant tomato seedlings too early than too late. According to the experts.

Check your local recommendations.

Posted by: KTbarthedoor at February 15, 2020 02:03 PM (BVQ+1)

38 Thank you for posting Indiana Lurker's pictures and story. I did a lot of professional landscaping grunt work as a high school and college student, and I've enjoyed personally landscaping all the homes I've owned as an adult. I always enjoy when someone wants to share their landscaping stories.

Posted by: Cumberland Astro at February 15, 2020 02:03 PM (d9Cw3)

39 I am going to try and set up a couple of beds this year. The problem is too many trees and not enough sun.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at February 15, 2020 02:04 PM (KomcD)

40 >> 35 I won't be planting this native Australian tomato
>> species: It is spiky and it appears to bleed.

Every tomato has its purpose. Perhaps these tomatos could be fed to Antifa members via slingshot.

Posted by: 40 miles north at February 15, 2020 02:05 PM (o2vOl)

41 I don't know why my photos transfer sideways. I usually send them from my phone to my laptop. Maybe try sending them direct from my phone to your email?
And I did not know that the orchid lady was based on a comic book. That makes it more intriguing I think.
And thank you all for the comments on my photos. It is fun to be able to share them with people who love flowers and gardens.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at February 15, 2020 02:07 PM (QzF6i)

42 Every tomato has its purpose. Perhaps these tomatos could be fed to Antifa members via slingshot.
Posted by: 40 miles north at February 15, 2020 02:05 PM (o2vOl)

Un-hulled chestnuts

Posted by: Kindltot at February 15, 2020 02:08 PM (6rS3m)

43 Those retention ponds do get waterbirds, therefore there are fish in them, but no one I know eats the fish they catch--they throw them back. Mosquitoes are a given.

Posted by: AgathaPagatha at February 15, 2020 02:11 PM (xDMjB)

44 Sharon(willow's apprentice) at February 15, 2020 02:07 PM

They downloaded to my computer OK. It was uploading to the blog when they turned sideways. One of those quirks that add drama to posting.

Posted by: KTbarthedoor at February 15, 2020 02:13 PM (BVQ+1)

45 21 I visited Watkins Glen for the sports car racing when I wore a younger man's clothes.

Posted by: Le Garde Vieux at February 15, 2020 02:15 PM (QF1yA)

46 I'm so technically challenged just glad it's not my fault. Lol

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at February 15, 2020 02:15 PM (QzF6i)

47 I visited Watkins Glen for the sports car racing when I wore a younger man's clothes.
Posted by: Le Garde Vieux

Didja give the kid his clothes back ?

Neither did I.

Posted by: JT at February 15, 2020 02:18 PM (arJlL)

48 I am going to try and set up a couple of beds this year. The problem is too many trees and not enough sun.
Posted by: Notsothoreau

There are plants that favor shade.

I have NO idea what they are, but your in the right spot to ask !

Posted by: JT at February 15, 2020 02:20 PM (arJlL)

49 The whole area around Watkins Glen is pretty.

Keuka Lake is just as nice with less people.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at February 15, 2020 02:22 PM (jjyGW)

50 I had some luck planting ferns under the maple tree. But I want vegetable beds. I've planted in one area in the backyard that gets some sun. And I would like a small greenhouse if I stay here. And it's clay soil.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at February 15, 2020 02:23 PM (KomcD)

51 The rosemary is gorgeous.
What's the little tiny photo to the upper left of the rosemary? Or is that just showing on my screen?

Posted by: m at February 15, 2020 02:25 PM (ghFVE)

52 There are plants that favor shade.

I have NO idea what they are, but your in the right spot to ask !

You can start with hostas, hellebores, astilbe, and ferns.

Posted by: pep at February 15, 2020 02:26 PM (T6t7i)

53 You can start with hostas, hellebores, astilbe, and ferns.
Posted by: pep

What about veggies ?

Posted by: JT at February 15, 2020 02:28 PM (arJlL)

54 JT at February 15, 2020 02:28 PM

Veggies for shade? How much shade?

Posted by: KTbarthedoor at February 15, 2020 02:31 PM (BVQ+1)

55 Hostas work really well around trees. There are some interesting ones. The ones I have that work best in total shade have glossy dark green leaves and get short spikes of white flowers. They get huge and also keep out the weeds.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at February 15, 2020 02:32 PM (QzF6i)

56 Also, daylilies seem to do fine in the shade as well.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at February 15, 2020 02:33 PM (QzF6i)

57 Veggies for shade? How much shade?
Posted by: KTbarthedoor

I dunno-

I was asking for Sharon.

Posted by: JT at February 15, 2020 02:33 PM (arJlL)

58 Thanks everyone for the seed starting advice. BTW where's Skip?

Posted by: kallisto at February 15, 2020 02:35 PM (2jk3o)

59 Can't grow veggies in my yard. Too many critters. Did containers on my deck which only got sun part of the day and cherry tomatoes, basil, jalape�os did okay but nothing big.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at February 15, 2020 02:35 PM (QzF6i)

60 58 Thanks everyone for the seed starting advice. BTW where's Skip?
Posted by: kallisto at February 15, 2020 02:35 PM (2jk3o)

He said he might have to stay late at work.

Posted by: m at February 15, 2020 02:36 PM (ghFVE)

61 Thanks everyone for the seed starting advice. BTW where's Skip?
Posted by: kallisto

He's working today.

Posted by: JT at February 15, 2020 02:36 PM (arJlL)

62 Violets are pretty in the shade. That's just springtime though.

Posted by: kallisto at February 15, 2020 02:38 PM (2jk3o)

63 Can't grow veggies in my yard. Too many critters

Check out the Gun Thread !

Posted by: JT at February 15, 2020 02:38 PM (arJlL)

64 Hard to think about gardens today. It's currently 25 degrees and my yard is frozen solid with just a skim of snow. Going to the gym to try and get my endorphins up.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at February 15, 2020 02:39 PM (QzF6i)

65 Violets are pretty in the shade. That's just springtime though.
Posted by: kallisto

Do they turn into gargoyles in the summer ?

Posted by: JT at February 15, 2020 02:40 PM (arJlL)

66 My big jonquils of course were already up, blooming and budding here in TN, when we had two nights of down to 20. I cut the blooms and put in a vase; they smell wonderful. Ran out both evenings and put buckets, wastebaskets, whatever I could find, over the buds. They were still frozen looking this morning, but the sun today might work a miracle.

Posted by: skywch at February 15, 2020 02:41 PM (IWvy/)

67 Thanks for posting my photos KT. Love those orchids.

Posted by: Jake Holenhead at February 15, 2020 02:42 PM (P1GvV)

68 Very cold here today.

I don't know what is wrong with me but I just noticed my Amaryllis just exploded with blooms this week. I had repotted it and kind of forgot about it.

A beautiful splash of red with white in the sunroom.

Posted by: Tonypete at February 15, 2020 02:44 PM (Y4EXg)

69 55
Hostas work really well around trees. There are some interesting ones.
The ones I have that work best in total shade have glossy dark green
leaves and get short spikes of white flowers. They get huge and also
keep out the weeds.

Their biggest problem is that deer love them, and that's why I can't grow them at all.

Posted by: pep at February 15, 2020 02:44 PM (T6t7i)

70 Their biggest problem is that deer love them, and that's why I can't grow them at all.
Posted by: pep

---

I've had good luck with laying a water hose three feet in front of my hosta beds. They don't seem to like to cross it to munch on them.

Of course, maybe there is something better to eat close.

Posted by: Tonypete at February 15, 2020 02:46 PM (Y4EXg)

71
First lawn mowing of the season yesterday. Her Majesty and I got into our little birds-bees-butterflies garden today. She pruned the bottlebrushes and weeded about half of it while I did a lot of transplanting of bushes and bulbs.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 15, 2020 02:47 PM (7rVsF)

72 Yes about the deer. One year they ate every single one and I have a lot. The stinky anti deer stuff I bought at Home Depot worked though. It also kept the rabbits and woodchucks away too. Oh and also worked on my lilies.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at February 15, 2020 02:48 PM (QzF6i)

73 A lot of veggies that do well in shade are leafy veggies. But green beans survive with only a little sun, even though they are not as productive as in sun. May get mildew if it's humid.

There are other veggies that will make it in part shade. Maybe we need to do a segment.

Posted by: KT at February 15, 2020 02:48 PM (BVQ+1)

74 Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return. -- Genesis 3:17-19

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at February 15, 2020 02:49 PM (NWiLs)

75 Very cold here today.

Amen brutha !

Posted by: JT at February 15, 2020 02:51 PM (arJlL)

76 Hiya Mr. Sunshine !

Posted by: JT at February 15, 2020 02:52 PM (arJlL)

77 76 Hiya Mr. Sunshine !
Posted by: JT at February 15, 2020 02:52 PM (arJlL)

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at February 15, 2020 02:53 PM (NWiLs)

78 Magnificent photos. Stories always provide inspiration. Thanks.

Posted by: Mrs. JTB at February 15, 2020 02:54 PM (7EjX1)

79 I have these cobblestones. I thought I'd dig beds, put a double row of cobblestones for edging and fill with some real soil. PNW so plants could use some extra warmth. I planned to do mostly greens as I'm trying to eat more of them. Second bed would have a trellis for peas and beans. I want a fall garden too.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at February 15, 2020 02:55 PM (KomcD)

80 (Looks at the clock)

Its NAP TIME in the Rockies !

(I'm not actually IN the Rockies, but I'm nothing if not flexible !)

Posted by: JT at February 15, 2020 02:57 PM (arJlL)

81 *putters*

Posted by: Insomniac - Ex Cineribus Resurgo at February 15, 2020 02:57 PM (NWiLs)

82 pets up!

Posted by: m at February 15, 2020 03:10 PM (ghFVE)

83 Lovely pictures!

Posted by: Summer of Love at February 15, 2020 03:13 PM (FJrl0)

84 There is a pet thread up now!

Posted by: m at February 15, 2020 03:21 PM (ghFVE)

85 I love the smell of marzipan in the morning! Yep, it's almond blossom time in our part of the Central Valley. Thousands of trees produce a sweet heady perfume and drifts of white blossoms.

Today is the raised bed clean out...time for the winter stragglers to make way. I poked around the asparagus bed and it's waking up too. Still no leaves on the oak that awakens first...but the last frost date has passed and it's time to plant Asian greens, Korean radishes, lettuces and peas. I've a purple Bok Choy I've been waiting all winter to try.

Next task is getting the green house ready for summer seedlings and repotting. It does tend to gather a lot of stuff over the winter that I'm too lazy to haul up the hill and store in the shed.

Our local family owned nursery emailed that they will carry Wild Boar Farms tomato starts this year and to place our orders. Pink Berkeley Tie-Dye, Barry's Crazy Cherry and Black Beauty for sure, mebbe Brad's Atomic Grape Cherry for fun:

https://tinyurl.com/snlsl2j

Posted by: Shanks for the memory at February 15, 2020 03:22 PM (TdCQk)

86 Love the landscape design photos. We have space for a lovely outdoor environment, but I don't seem to have the knack. Also, the irrigation water replaces everything I plant with weedy grass.

Posted by: Emmie at February 15, 2020 03:34 PM (87gB3)

87 >> 51 The rosemary is gorgeous.
Thanks, m. Apologies for not responding sooner.

>> What's the little tiny photo to the upper left of the rosemary?
It's an optical illusion. I planted the rosemary next to the patio stairs. You are seeing the Echinacea and the Coreopsis on the other side of the stairs.

Posted by: 40 miles north at February 15, 2020 03:37 PM (o2vOl)

88 Do they turn into gargoyles in the summer ?

Posted by: JT at February 15, 2020 02:40 PM (arJlL)

The violets in my yard never have.

Posted by: kallisto at February 15, 2020 03:41 PM (kD8Fh)

89 Shanks for the memory at February 15, 2020 03:22 PM
Berkeley Pink Tie-Dye didn't do very well for me, but I only tried it once, and it could have been an off-year.

JD's Special C-Tex does better. Stump of the World is about the same size as Berkeley Pink Tie-Dye but is closer to the color of Brandywine. Really like it.

Posted by: KT at February 15, 2020 03:45 PM (BVQ+1)

90 The wife and I hiked Watkins Glen Park along with several others clustered in the area (Finger Lakes). As the photo shows, it's like walking in Middle Earth. Beautiful.

We also strolled through the town. The sidewalks are paved with bricks with racer's names on them. At one point my wife looked down and said, "Ha! This driver's name was Paul Newman!"

"Um... dear..."

Posted by: Taro Tsujimoto at February 15, 2020 04:24 PM (j4zcI)

91 From Idaho's Treasure Valley, near Boise: All the 2019 butternut squash have now been processed - I got 7 gallon freezer bags full of chopped chunks, plus over a cup of salted, roasted seeds to snack on. I also made up a recipe to use up whatever I could get from the last 6 questionable squashes - slice thin, stir with melted butter in a baking dish, add some brown sugar and chopped pecans, bake until done (about 45-60 minutes). That came out just fine!

I'm still raking sycamore leaves, though I think this might be the last pass on that. The street side of our property has a low ditch, with drain pipes under the driveways, and it always amazes me how many leaves can pile up at the openings of those drain pipes. I only got 2 of them cleared before I ran out of room in the trash - the other 2 will get done next week.

The tulip tips continue to peek out. There are a bunch now in the 2 beds along the sidewalk, and some behind the kitchen window (all are my official "Holland, MI Dump Tulips"). This year, I think I ought to dig them and spread them out, since some of the clumps are getting crowded.

I'm excited that at least 6 of my final 8 rescued crocus, that I planted in a pretty blue glazed pot, are showing tips.

Indoors, my poinsettia is showing color on multiple branch-tips, and I believe I even see one of its teeny flowers at the reddest tip. Putting it in the least-used room, by a west window, seems to be to its liking. I'm looking forward to keeping notes and seeing what it plans to do, at what point in the year.

Husband started 8 poblano seeds, so the 2020 gardening season has officially begun!

I met up with S.Lynn for breakfast this week, at a town about halfway between us. Does that count as a MicroMoMe?

Posted by: Pat* at February 15, 2020 04:34 PM (2pX/F)

92 I grew poblanos one year in containers on my back deck. I love them and they are hard to find in the grocery store. Bought starter plants and they were hard to find and very often mismarked. Never thought to try and start from seed but then, I was never very successful with that.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at February 15, 2020 04:38 PM (QzF6i)

93 PS: Forgot to say that I inventoried my chest freezer today - I'm glad I did that before planting season, so I know what I don't need to grow so much of (green beans and squash).

Posted by: Pat* at February 15, 2020 05:10 PM (2pX/F)

94 Grew up in Jersey many, many moons ago. I remember Watkins Glen very well from my teenage years. Great place to get away from the city. Thanks for giving me some wonderful and funnnny memories.

Posted by: Kitty at February 15, 2020 06:14 PM (NLEnr)

95 Pat* at February 15, 2020 05:10 PM
Thanks for the reports. So many Sycamore leaves!

Posted by: KT at February 15, 2020 06:24 PM (BVQ+1)

96 Rock Reef Pass
Elevation 3 feet
Heh.

Posted by: KT at February 15, 2020 06:26 PM (BVQ+1)

97 I sure hope there's a runaway truck ramp for 18-wheelers barreling down the other side of Rock Reef Pass.

Posted by: Cumberland Astro at February 15, 2020 06:37 PM (d9Cw3)

98 Those sycamore leaves...dumb question: have you tried shredding them before composting? There are varying opinions on composting them. I shred all my leaves except those used as mulch and it cuts the composting time dramatically (the mulch leaves disappear into the soil pretty fast also).

I have the Sun Joe leaf shredder which uses trimmer line. I won't say it cuts the labor to zero...I have to stir the pile often especially if the leaves are wet. But what comes out is about 2/3 of the way to compost, and I have just dumped and spread the output, then broadforked it in.

I had a wonderful source of horse barn sweepings, which is smelly garden gold. But I got some that was contaminated with Grazon, and I had to clean out and resoil that bed. One cannot trust any manure now. The person you get it from may not use Grazon, but hay can have it. In my case it could have been a horse that was grazed on a pasture treated with it, and the next day the horse is moved to the riding school. One turd poisons a whole bed.

Posted by: Gordon at February 15, 2020 06:54 PM (d9ptO)

99 Yes, we tried shredding sycamore before composting. They just don't break down well. Nor do oak leaves, which have a waxy coating - they're great for the fall burn piles. We find that of the trees we have, it's maple, linden, sweet gum, and crabapple that break down the best for us.

Posted by: Pat* at February 15, 2020 07:58 PM (2pX/F)

100 @ 93 Pat
Funny you say that Pat. I was just thinking about emptying our chest freezer and inventorying it before we put everything back. I think we have a duck at the bottom that must be 15 to 20 years old, LOL.

Posted by: Farmer at February 15, 2020 08:13 PM (fGGzC)

101 @KT...I've grown Berkeley Tie-Dye twice and have 50-50 success rate...but last year was not a good tomato year, so I'm trying the pink and the green Berkeley.
Stump of the World sounds like a Big Ben which are hard to find nowadays. Thanks for the suggestion...I ordered a packet..we'll see.

@Pat* We just ate our last butternut and are down to three kabocha. It's always sad when the winter squashes are done.

Posted by: Shanks for the memory at February 15, 2020 10:34 PM (TdCQk)

102 Huh. Well, it could be your variety. My oak leaves, or rather, my neighbors' oak leaves, break down just fine after shredding.

I started my first set of seeds today. Last frost is May 8 here, so I'm early, but I'm going to use the porch as a greenhouse.

Posted by: Gordon at February 15, 2020 10:37 PM (d9ptO)

103 Shanks for the memory at February 15, 2020 10:34 PM
Too late to plant tomatoes for this year in our climate. End of December/ first days of January. Especially heirlooms. Next year.

Exceptions: plants for fall harvest, say Chocolate Cherry.

Posted by: KT at February 15, 2020 11:43 PM (BVQ+1)

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