GreenWise Gardening 2017
“Is the spring coming?” he said. “What is it like?”...
“It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine...”
– Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
– Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
4/7/17:
It's “Spring Break” week around here, and, oddly, the weather seems to be taking a break from being spring-like. Today (a Friday) is colder and wetter than it's been for a while. More rain's predicted for the weekend. Night temperatures have gone back to 38-42º a few nights. There hasn't been frost recently, but the growth of some of my plants could be slowed by lack of warmth and sunshine. Nevertheless, I persist in planting seeds and little starter plants.
Some of the new flowers I planted in the beginning of March are still around. As expected, the hardy bacopa is still blooming and growing slightly. But as I'd feared might happen, something has eaten half of the violas and petunias! Newly transplanted morning glories have been devoured as well. I need to be more vigilant in removing snails from the areas of my small flowerpots. And I'll mix up a few bottles of the garlic and coffee insect repellents, to spray the plants after each bout of rain. Luckily, the new flowers planted in taller pots and hanging ones are okay.
The bright pink petunias I bought last year have started to bloom again. I'd given them (and many other plants) manure tea fertilizer last month. Daisies are looking particularly wonderful right now. The calla lilies are also starting to bloom. Two camellia bushes and a patch of wild leeks have not yet concluded for the year, while nasturtiums and wallflowers never seem to completely stop producing flowers. Geraniums did take a break during the coldest spells, but those and the rosebushes have buds on them now. I'm looking forward to seeing even more color and floral variety in a week or so.
Some of the new flowers I planted in the beginning of March are still around. As expected, the hardy bacopa is still blooming and growing slightly. But as I'd feared might happen, something has eaten half of the violas and petunias! Newly transplanted morning glories have been devoured as well. I need to be more vigilant in removing snails from the areas of my small flowerpots. And I'll mix up a few bottles of the garlic and coffee insect repellents, to spray the plants after each bout of rain. Luckily, the new flowers planted in taller pots and hanging ones are okay.
The bright pink petunias I bought last year have started to bloom again. I'd given them (and many other plants) manure tea fertilizer last month. Daisies are looking particularly wonderful right now. The calla lilies are also starting to bloom. Two camellia bushes and a patch of wild leeks have not yet concluded for the year, while nasturtiums and wallflowers never seem to completely stop producing flowers. Geraniums did take a break during the coldest spells, but those and the rosebushes have buds on them now. I'm looking forward to seeing even more color and floral variety in a week or so.
Clicking on the small images below will bring up a larger version.
New blooms on petunias.
Calla lilies.
Lemon tree.
All of the lemons on my tree have turned yellow, and I've picked a few. They're Meyer lemons, smaller and with a more perfume-y flavor than the average grocery store variety. Mostly I squeeze a bit of juice into drinks, or use them to add a sweetly-acidic note to savory dishes, such as my lemon sauce or sautéed curry vegetables. But I haven't created any baked goods in months, and I'd like to make my buttery lemon cookies again.
Frog in the patio vase.
Julius, drinking as I water.
Portia, sunning her paws.
The previous weekend, and for about 10 days in a row, we had warm sunshine and free time to spend in the yard. This was delightful for me, Steve, and the cats. Julius follows me around the garden as I water my plants and the lawn. He likes to drink from the puddles that collect on the flagstones. Portia doesn't want to get so involved in gardening activities. She'll be sunning herself nearby on the pavement, or on the porch roof to oversee my efforts. Or perhaps she'll sneak up on me, pounce my ankles, and hop away. On such warm weekend afternoons, Arragon might be outside as well, cautiously being curious while hoping for attention, but he's more likely to be sleeping in the sunbeams on our bed.
On Sunday, I was picking fresh flowers for the vase on my patio table. When removing the older bouquet, I saw a little frog sitting in the vase! I showed Steve, but not the cats, because I would like Frog to stick around.
On Sunday, I was picking fresh flowers for the vase on my patio table. When removing the older bouquet, I saw a little frog sitting in the vase! I showed Steve, but not the cats, because I would like Frog to stick around.