BS: Gardening, 2009

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Bobert
Date: 22 May 09 - 06:39 PM

Well, hooray!!! Purgatory has ended!!!!

All 237 treesa dn shrubs are palnyed and I am a fee amn again... It may take a few days of landscape detox before pardening will have any appeal to me but for now??? I'm all planted out... But...

The P-Vine is out planting the tomato and pepper plants that she grew from seed as I write... Night are going to be 55 or above from here out so they should take off...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 May 09 - 12:08 PM

Whaddaya mean getting?**BG** Sow them wild oats, woman!

I hope it doesn't take Janie as long as my ex and I...thirty-two years! But then we didn't live anywhere close to one another until seven years ago.:-)

Out here all of the commercial places use the yarrow and Russian sage as ornamentals. I have the latter near my back gate. I'd like to move it, but it seems really happy there, so I think I'll leave it alone.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 May 09 - 12:33 AM

That's the stage you need to reach, Janie, with your ex--you'll know things are smoothed over when he brings plants or offers to let you come dig them. It can sometimes take a long time to get to that point, though.

Achillea millefolium (yarrow) was all over when I was a kid, and I've seen it in Texas and New York--great smell, distinctive. It's a white garden variety wildflower (if you'll pardon the oxymoron!)

I think I'm going to go a little crazy with the old seed packs this year. I have several places where I'll have bare soil. Some tried and true favorites, like the state fair zinnias (they actually do better when I plant them in July, and when they get big in the fall the look great and aren't all covered with powdery mildew yet) and various plants I'd like for the color but who knows if they'll grow. I'll sow them and see what happens. :) (Am I getting wild and crazy in my middle age?)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 May 09 - 09:09 PM

Holy moly, that's a lot of plantin', Bobert!

Janie, I lost the marker for the yarrow years ago, but the main ones I have are the yellows. I do have one kind of subdued red; that's one of the ones which has suddenly decided to flourish and is going to be really pretty when it opens. I had never noticed the scent of yarrow leaves until I had these ones...kind of a lovely lemon-mint, really nice. Did you know it used to be illegal in some places to grow it because it was used as an abortifacient?

Roger's first grape vine is still growing really well...it is very vigorous every year. The other two which I gave him didn't do very well last year and did not come back this year. The stalwart one grows quite large, so I think we can train it to take over their spaces, too.

My ex is going to bring me some baby sagebrush and, also, wild sunflowers! I've got just the spot for them, too.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Bobert
Date: 21 May 09 - 07:41 PM

Well, well, well...

My month from hell is going to end either tomorrow or Monday when the 237th shrub or tree is planted and mulched and I can then turn some of my attention to my own garden...

I did replant lettuce (head variety), spinich and beets last night just before dark... We replenished the garden with chicken manure this spring and when the tiller man tilled it I don't think he took enough passes 'cause we have a lot of cloddin'... Clods suck and the garden is going to fight us this summer but taters are up and what is up is purdy....

This is about peak for the ornimentals... Hundreds of azaleas and rhodos in full bloom... Even with the deer damage it is quite impressive... Next year with the deer fencde it ougtta be a spectacular show...

Used the tractor bucket to put in a nice little raised bed (20 X 5) between a creape myrtl and a dogwood where we can stick even more azaleas... And a native rhodo (deep marron flowers) that we got in North Carolina... Think it's going to be a nice bed...

Growing out about 30 native azaleas in our veggie gardern... The are from Tennessee and will be yellows and oranges and maybe a few whites... They are about 20 inches tall right now and babies but but next spring they will be certified teenagers with hard wood and all... Then we can sell them as real plants... lol...

'Bout it for now...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 21 May 09 - 11:18 AM

maeve,

Don't know if this would interest you or not, but thought I would pass it along.

A number of organic market growers and nurseries here got a lot help by offering apprenticeships. My ex husband is an herbalist and wildcrafter and his main source of labor has been apprentices for years. They work in exchange for the learning opportunity, usually one day a week.

A local community college also has a program in sustainable agriculture and they pay organic growers as field instructors to offer internships.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: MMario
Date: 21 May 09 - 11:15 AM

yesterday our peonies bagan to burst into bloom (almmost literally - no bloom in the am, several fully open in the pm)
pink, red, wine coloured so far. Both tree and herbaceous. The first of the columbines, and there are buds on the clematis.

Rhodies not out yet but showing colour.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 May 09 - 10:28 AM

Oh, maeve, while I was plotting yard piracy for Janie I forgot to tell you congratulations!

Get well soon, both of you!

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: maeve
Date: 21 May 09 - 08:14 AM

Some very enjoyable garden description are appearing here lately; thank you to the author-gardeners.

Thanks to Janie, gnu, and Kat too. It's a big deal for us.

Janie- yes, we are within an easy drive to Johnny's. We also buy a lot of plants and seeds from Fedco Seeds.

We enjoyed an early morning walkabout. Some of our early orchard and woodland plantings have really begun to take hold. Morning is a good time to see the future possibilities.

I'm learning to watch for tasks with which friends can help us. That's another big step forward. Now that we have friends who are eager to help we have to look at our work load in a very different way, and match the task to the helper's interest and ability. We've been working on our own since the beginning; it's a wonderful problem to have to focus on where we can use the help we've needed for so long.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 May 09 - 01:44 AM

Janie, we know what the answer would be if you asked the ex if you could dig in the garden. I think it's time you cultivate the gardener in your son, and draw a good map for him to follow. Discreetly. Or hire the old lady who raided the yard when you still lived there. She has the balls to do it again, I'd bet. ;-)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 21 May 09 - 01:35 AM

And I love the smell of Stock. It must truly be scruptious to have it in your garden.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 21 May 09 - 01:25 AM

Stock is hard to grow here. It gets hot too early in the season. What species and varieties of yarrow do you have, Kat?

I remember my first trip to California, years ago, and how charmed I was at seeing the bright yellow blooms of fern leaf yarrow (achillea filipendulina) naturalized along the coastal slopes. It is easy to grow in gardens here, but does not naturalize. Here on the East coast, white is the only native achillea millefolium that grows wild, but I understand that native millefoliums in pinks and burgundies grow out West. Is this so, in your experience?

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 May 09 - 11:34 PM

It sounds beautiful, Janie.

The bee apparently isn't going to make blankies from my little rosebud tree; at least it is all leafed out, looking quite proud and I am delighted.

The yarros by the front steps is juts putting out some buds and is already 2-3 feet tall. At the other en,d in the perennial patch, the two yarrow which have been planted for the same amount of years have suddenly taken off. They are in a hotter, drier area and just never did much, but this year they have really matured and are going great guns. My old flax plants have been in full bloom for a month. The new ones as well as the other little perennials we planted last fall, all came back including the mini-carnations and baskets of gold. My brother bought me a gorgeous columbine, Colorado's state flower, and it doing well in the shady end of the bed.

I also have some yummy smelling stocks, marigolds, pansies and a hollyhock which are doing well. My ex is going to bring me some baby sagebrush which I love...it will be really nice to add them in. I think I will put them out near a corner. Oh, my clematis is blooming and the sweetpea is just getting ready to...it has REALLY flourished!

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 20 May 09 - 11:26 PM

maeve,

Are you anywhere near the same neck of woods as Johnny's Selected Seeds?

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 20 May 09 - 10:31 PM

My earliest day lily has sent up scapes, tho' will be a while before bloom time. I hope I brought at least one of each of my day lilies from the old place. Guess I'll find out as they come into bloom.

I may have already said this down thread, but I'm really regretting that I didn't have the time to dig up at least one specimen of each of my peonies. Most of them were pretty common varieties, but there was one heirloom that an old lady had passed on to me from her garden before she died.   They'll do ok in part sun. The new office manager at one of the clinics in which I work is a gardener and has been bringing in vases full of different peonies for the last three weeks.

I'm just realizing that I either did not bring any of the single apricot chrysanthemum, or it was one that I lost over the winter. I knew I lost a couple of the Big Sky series echinacea but there were 4 pots that nothing came back in this spring, and I couldn't remember for sure what I had other than the echinacea that was missing. Fortunately, I passed some of that on to my sister so she can give me divisions when I'm ready for them.

The fields and roadsides are bright now with ox-eye daisies, coreopsis, red clover and batchelor's buttons, and in moist shady ditches along the edge of road and woods out in the country I'm seeing golden ragwort, poison hemlock and fool's parsley, hairy vetch and the like.

After several years of very dry, hot springs, this rather cool spring with adequate rain is wonderful.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 May 09 - 09:58 PM

That is WONDERFUL, maeve!!! Congratulations to you both!!

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: gnu
Date: 20 May 09 - 05:56 PM

maeve... "Gratitude is too mild an adverb to describe my feelings and sense of relief.?

Gratitude yourselves! BRAVO!

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 20 May 09 - 04:46 PM

Well done, maeve!

May you both continue to heal and may you both, as well as the land and the critters that dwell therein, enjoy the fruits of all your labors.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: maeve
Date: 20 May 09 - 04:40 PM

I am happy beyond all expectations on this otherwise dismal day. Not only have we received our renewed license to sell nursery stock, today was our Department of Agriculture inspection. We passed easily without problems, and with a notation that our plants all are healthy. Not too shabby for a two person operation, one of whom has pneumonia and the other is recovering from a broken wrist!

He was especially taken with all the environmentally sound improvements and plantings, the beds of native wildflowers, the young orchards, and use of recycled materials for mulch. His highest praise was on behalf of my Truelove's many young home-grafted fruit trees for this year and next year's sales.

Now we are free to open our farm stand and start the flow of income again. I had been feeling the pressure of all the delayed work that all should have been done two months ago. Recent visitors had added to the dismay by seeing none of the accomplishments and all of the unfinished work and piles of downed firewood, greenhouse materials, etc.

The inspector not only conducted the inspection in a professional and informative way, he took the time on his busy day to encourage our efforts and applaud our accomplishments over the last long and difficult year. Gratitude is too mild an adverb to describe my feelings and sense of relief.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 May 09 - 12:07 PM

David, go peddle it someplace else, please. You have a dedicated thread to your web site, go play there. Don't start lecturing us without reading all of our gardening threads or you'd see that we're well up on organic, green, native, xeriscape, and food miles.

Cordially,

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: MMario
Date: 20 May 09 - 10:32 AM

Got home last night to find one of the (potted) azeleas almost completly wilted - I *KNEW* I should have watered it yesterday morning.

So I put it to soak in a tub of water - this morning you couldn't tell it had been dry. EVERY blossom came back!

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 20 May 09 - 10:30 AM

Looks like I might get some tomatoes after all. as the angle of the sun has changed the 'maters are getting just a wee bit more light and while not prolific, there are enough blooms to matter.

Hurrah!

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 20 May 09 - 10:22 AM

I don't presently have access to garden space (I just grow English ivy in a couple of indoor pots, to which a native grass, a fern, and moss have also colonised, by chance), but I remain interested and sure that native gardening is a good green way-forward...

Green/eco-friendly gardening is native gardening, and vegetables, plus other consumables, should be the only exotic-flora we plant - as doing so can help limit food-miles, etc. By filling our other garden spaces with natives, we use less water and other resources, whilst aiding the native-fauna that, over the centuries, evolved with them. (Even high-nectar exotics, such as Buddleia, that are very attractive to SOME native-fauna, should be avoided, because they upset nature's/God's balance – God created evolution, too, that is.)

Our green gardens, with their vegies and natives, can be made still greener by the addition of compost heaps/bins; a wildlife pond – for native frogs, newts, and so on, rather than exotic goldfish; bee- and bird-boxes, plus carefully-selected feeders; rain- and grey-water vats; by growing everything organically - including thrifty home-propagation plus species-swapping; and by leaving some lush untidy patches, decaying branches, etc. (from here).

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 May 09 - 04:02 PM

Your own little bit of the arctic tundra right there in New York State.

I have to start the pest control in ernest. Too many little holes in tender leaves for a couple of these plants to make it. Some I'll start over, some I'll treat and see what happens.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: MMario
Date: 19 May 09 - 10:33 AM

Did I mention the local Rhodie Society had a sale going on last weekend while I was on Cape Cod? So I drove back to NY with most of my back seat leafy and green. Planted one of them last night, hope to get the other in tonight - and then need to plant the two azaleas that have been "decorating" the porch, as well.

I was lucky to find varieties that will take my zone 4 since the Cape is zone 7.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 May 09 - 12:45 PM

That part of the yard smells just like an Italian restaurant, Bobert.

Janie, it has been difficult to get going this year, I don't think it is just age, I think there is the combination of false starts with the weather (here) and a bit of cultural malaise for so many other things that weigh down my spirit. But once I get out there I usually perk up. I'm doing some work in a little while--my 'lunch hour' will be spent digging and hauling mulch.

Yesterday I went past a neighbor's house where they had family visiting and were all out in the driveway talking. But I've been trying to catch him at home and outside for ages, so my dogs and I strolled over and ended up heading down into the yard to look at the garden. After surveying the stuff in there so far, I went back up to the group and asked him a few questions about what he's planning, then headed out again. I suspect that as the family of an ardent gardener, all of the rest of them understood its kind of an addiction. :-)   

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: maeve
Date: 18 May 09 - 12:24 PM

We'll have a freeze here tonight, too; time to haul in wood for the stove. Truelove is outside cutting some now, despite his pneumonia. He'd rather be breathless than cold, and I can't argue with that.

Yesterday I dug several perennials destined for potting and the farm stand, weeded in the big veggie garden, sorted a few hundred pots to be disinfected, and added mulch to one of the flower beds. Later in the early evening I weeded most of the asparagus bed.

I'm working in the kitchen and root cellar today. In a little while though, I'll go cut some of that tasty asparagus for tonight's supper.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Maryrrf
Date: 18 May 09 - 10:50 AM

Yes it's going to be very chilly here tonight too - down in the 40's. I HOPE we don't get a freeze.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: MMario
Date: 18 May 09 - 10:48 AM

We're suppossed to get a freeze tonight.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Bobert
Date: 18 May 09 - 07:20 AM

Easy to find, Maryrrf... just east of 295 off Mechanicsville Pike... take left @ IHOP then 2nd left which is only 50 feet past the 1st left... then 1/2 mile to Sandy's... Nice variety and big danged nusery...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Maryrrf
Date: 17 May 09 - 09:06 PM

Bobert, I ended up getting most of my stuff at a place in Old Church called Crowder's Plants - near where my mom lives. They were a lot cheaper than the big box stores. Sometime I'll have a look at Sandy's, that's not far from where I live.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 17 May 09 - 09:05 PM

I simply blew this whole weekend. I was home by 2:30 or 3:00 yesterday, and it didn't start raining until after 1:00 today, but I didn't do a thing until after three today, and was simply to half-heartedly clean house. I could have at least moved the ginger lilies and the day lilies. They are all still in the ground where I heeled them in last summer when I moved.

I think I would be feeling much better physically and mentally now if I had at least done a little something in the yard or garden.

The old gray mare ain't what she used to be.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Bobert
Date: 17 May 09 - 08:52 PM

Bottle it up and send us some, Magz...

Ummmmm, I could use some nice herb smells....

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 17 May 09 - 08:51 PM

slugs and earwigs are about to do my basil in, along with a few other plants.


Earwigs are not supposed to be a big problem, but around here they are awful. Had the same problem at my other house. It seems that using shredded leaves for mulch is increasing the problem with both critters.

Wish earwings liked beer. Then I could get a twofer.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 May 09 - 08:20 PM

I have a corner of the garden planted in basil this year. One row of seed seems to have washed away so I'll reseed it. A couple of others are coming up. This is the same garden with the oregano, onion, garlic, and peppers. It smells wonderful out there at all times!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Bobert
Date: 17 May 09 - 08:14 PM

Oh, yeah... Basil, tomato and mozzarella... Little balsomic vineger and yer in basil heaven...

Basil is a must in any garden...

Yo, maryrrf... You have a couple of realy nice nurseries in the Richmond area that also sell retail... One is Sandy's in Mechanicsville and the other is Colesville which is just north of Ashland off Rt. 1... If you haven't checked them out you need too...

There's also a great place to buy Japanese maples out Rt. 33 in Montpieler, Acer Acres, that sells over 100 cultivars of Japanese Maples cheap... Well, I'm not too sure what the retail prices are but we're paying $30 for a 3 gallon acer... That is dirt cheap...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Alice
Date: 17 May 09 - 08:12 PM

The gardening axiom here is - don't plant until June because it will snow for sure off and on through May.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Maryrrf
Date: 17 May 09 - 08:06 PM

Yes Basil is great. I have some now in the garden that I've been harvesting, and I still have leftover pesto that I made from last year's crop. I froze it in an ice cube tray so when I want to use it I just take a few cubes and add to my soup or pasta. Nothing like the taste of fresh basil though - and you are right, with a home grown tomato and mozzarella - heaven on a plate. Especially with a drizzle of nice olive oil.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 17 May 09 - 07:01 PM

Uhmmmm, Basil. I love to take a fresh cherry tomato, pinch off a piece of fresh mozzarella, wrap a basil leaf around them, and pop it all in my mouth!

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Jeri
Date: 17 May 09 - 06:00 PM

My main thing is basil. I have two different kinds planted in half-barrels, a big planter and some in the flower garden just for grins. I LOVE pesto. Made a ton of it just from the one pot/planter. The summer batch was much better than the fall batch.

OK, it's an herb, not a vegateble, but I eat a lot of it and it goes well with vegetables.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Maryrrf
Date: 17 May 09 - 05:53 PM

We are not having as much sun as usual. In fact, it has been a cool and rainy spring in Virginia. My garden this time last year was a bit farther along, I think. For some reason, the pumpkins have really taken off. I saw a baby pumpkin today! I only planted them May 1st!

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Bobert
Date: 17 May 09 - 05:36 PM

Our veggies are pouting... Usually it's in the low 80's by this time in May with nights in the mid to high 50's... Today it never got to 60 and it's sposed to go down to 37 tonight...

We could us a little global warming here in Pine Grove Holler...lol...

Well, at least the spinich is happy...

As fir them critters on yer azalea, Janie, it is a new place for you and the ecological balance (or inbalance) is going to be different... Some critters you didn't use to have yer gonna have plenty of and vice versa... Slugs love shade so be prepared to do battle with them... By the end of yer 1st year there you'll be a pro at shade gardening... And, think...

...moss... Makes great paths and requires no maintenance...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 17 May 09 - 02:32 PM

I'm jealous of your sunshine, Mary. Looks like an excellent start on your kitchen garden.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Janie
Date: 17 May 09 - 02:27 PM

excellent photo, Stilly.

I think the problem is azalea leaf miners. On very close inspection, I see some similar damage on the mature azaleas here. I think this plant is so affected simply because it is so small. There may be a few lace bugs in the mix. Either way, it looks like a couple of applications of insecticidal soap will control them.

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 May 09 - 10:45 AM

Janie, if it is lace bugs look carefully at the leaves and see if you find the various stages.

life stages photo of lacebug as I photographed them on an eggplant leaf last year. Is this what you're talking aobut, Bobert? I use masking or painters tape and simply roll them off when I find them.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Bobert
Date: 17 May 09 - 09:24 AM

Sounds like lace bugs to me, Janie but if you cut off a small portion and take to one of the better garden centers, they should be able to identify the pest and reccommend the proper treatment...

I also pm'd you about pedal blight...

More on that later...

Yeah, we are definately going to do the deer fence... I was thinking more about it last night and decided that we might as well take it at least a 100-150 feet back into down into the woods and that way if I have to take down any dead trees I'll have alot more room to fell them... Plus I can enclose my woods roads so I can get my tractor around the fenced area... That alone is enough reason to fence what will probably be a couple acres...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Maryrrf
Date: 17 May 09 - 08:52 AM

I'm just outside of Richmond, Virginia

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 17 May 09 - 07:17 AM

Yesterday was the opening show of the gardening season here in the northeast . The show is called "Trade Secrets"" and is the brain child of Bonnie Williams . Lots of garden antiques but the early buyers ($100.00 a ticket ) come for plants like wild orchids from the Himalayas . The plantsmen are so wonderful . Ken Solody of Atlock farm from Somerset NJ is a great topiary man. Amazing to see plants as sculpture .   Andrew Beckman, David Burdock and Rob of Glenwood flowers were all a hit . My daughter got to reacquaint herself with Martha's French bulldogs who watched from outside the gates to the show . Everyone is talking vegetables in big pots this year . Funny, PBS was shooting a show on what the rich are doing this year . Well they are buying less pottery at any rate . We did have a beautiful day and saw lots of old friends . Hello to all here , Guy

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 May 09 - 02:50 AM

Where are you, Maryrrf?

Subject: RE: BS: Gardening, 2009
From: Maryrrf
Date: 16 May 09 - 09:18 PM

Here are some pics of my garden. Everything is doing fine except the okra. The birds keep pecking at it.

Mary's Garden Pics