Sunday, April 30, 2006
To Do List
Near Term:
~ Clean up Herb garden
~ Clean up bed behind house.
~ Get some cell-packs for seeds
~ Start cilantro outside (soon)
~ Trim tree above fence from neighbors yard, to prevent shade.
~ Finish chopping up leaves
~ Figure out which seeds can go outside before last frost.
Longer Term:
~ Find something for the corner by fence post.
~ Transplant primrose after it blooms
~ Purchase more border stones
~ Lay down paper and mulch so I can plant something in front of compost pile. (probably daylilies.)
~ Clean up Herb garden
~ Clean up bed behind house.
~ Get some cell-packs for seeds
~ Start cilantro outside (soon)
~ Trim tree above fence from neighbors yard, to prevent shade.
~ Finish chopping up leaves
~ Figure out which seeds can go outside before last frost.
Longer Term:
~ Find something for the corner by fence post.
~ Transplant primrose after it blooms
~ Purchase more border stones
~ Lay down paper and mulch so I can plant something in front of compost pile. (probably daylilies.)
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Seeds - Zinnia (Pinwheel Mix)
Started on 4/29.
I found an old journal attempt, and discovered that I noted that I didn't really like these, but I didn't mention why. I had no idea I had tried these before. (Which, of course, is why I need a garden journal.)
Seeds - Zinnia (Envy)
Seeds - Chinese Forget-Me-Not (Firmament)
Seeds - Zinnia (Pulcino Mix)
Seeds - Four-O-Clock (Tea Time Rose)
Started these seeds on 4/29 in peat pots. Unfortunately, I didn't read the "Garden Hint" and didn't soak the seeds first overnight in warm water. I will try to make sure I keep these seeds very moist. I hope they germinate, because I love four-o-clock's.
Seeds - Zinna (Burpeeana Mix)
Seeds - Coreopsis (Early Sunrise)
I started these seeds 2 years ago and planted several. Only one has survived, but it is doing well. I'd like some more of these, if the seeds are still available. The blooms last a very long time.
Friday, April 28, 2006
April 28th
Mostly only tulips are in bloom now in the front yard, along with my dwarf iris and the daffodils that are just about done.
Spring Starflower (Ipheion uniflorum) This is a spring bulb that is easy to plant, but nothing lasts long in this part of my flower bed (right by the concrete path to my door), and I don't have too many of these left. They look better in mass, because they are so small. They are so cute up close though.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Still Cleaning
The corner bed is mostly cleaned up now. So much grass growing back there (more than in my lawn it sometimes seems!)
One of my favorite shade plants: Celandine Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum) just started to bloom.
I like it because it can handle living under my very dense maple tree in the back yard. I also like that it blooms and reblooms for almost 2 months.
This plant is supposed to self-sow pretty well. It has taken 5 or 6 years for my 2 plants to really multiply. I think I am up to 4 good size bunches plus 14 little plants that will bloom this year and almost that many seedlings. They need moisture to take off, so I need to remember to water this area.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Week 2 Photos
What's In Bloom?
Dwarf Iris. These have just started, and will rebloom in the fall. These reproduce so fast, I need to divide up and give some away to my neighbors again soon.
Bleeding Hearts. (Dicentra) I only have one of these, and I should plant some more under my tree in the back. It would look better in mass.
I have very few tulips left. I need to dig them up and plant new ones next fall, because all but a few have died down.
Narcissus poeticus 'Actaea'. I love this daffodil, but they are very droopy, so you can't quite see how pretty the flowers are unless you get down low.
I still have some leaves to pick up here, but this is the one week when all the bulbs are in bloom at once.
Dwarf Iris. These have just started, and will rebloom in the fall. These reproduce so fast, I need to divide up and give some away to my neighbors again soon.
Bleeding Hearts. (Dicentra) I only have one of these, and I should plant some more under my tree in the back. It would look better in mass.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Starting More seeds
I used to get my seed starting equipment from KMart, and the Martha line. They still sell the seeds (thankfully, because I love them!), but no longer sell the cell-packs or trays. I can keep reusing the trays and covers, but I have run out of cell-packs. I have bought from Burpee, but it seems expensive because you buy the little starter soil pellets with it. I need to find another source for just the cells, but I did some searching and came up with an immediate solution.
I have a bunch of saved egg cartons, and hopefully these will work. I know they will decompose eventually, which is great - but I am hoping they don't decompose too soon. They get very limp when wet. I will try next with some styrofoam cartons.
I poked a hole in the bottom with a little screwdriver, but it probably wasn't even necessary, since the cartons are so porous. I had to cut off the last 2 egg holes, but 5 egg cartons otherwise fit perfectly into the flat.
I planted:
~ 'Giant Dahlia' Zinnias
~ Mexican Sunflower
~ Black-Eyed Susan Vine
~ Bright Lights Mix Cosmos
~ Cornflower
I have a bunch of saved egg cartons, and hopefully these will work. I know they will decompose eventually, which is great - but I am hoping they don't decompose too soon. They get very limp when wet. I will try next with some styrofoam cartons.
I poked a hole in the bottom with a little screwdriver, but it probably wasn't even necessary, since the cartons are so porous. I had to cut off the last 2 egg holes, but 5 egg cartons otherwise fit perfectly into the flat.
I planted:
~ 'Giant Dahlia' Zinnias
~ Mexican Sunflower
~ Black-Eyed Susan Vine
~ Bright Lights Mix Cosmos
~ Cornflower
Seeds - Cornflower
I haven't grown these in a while, but I remember liking them. I need to plant them close together, and maybe get some more seeds to start.
The seeds I started were 2 years old.
SOW: Indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost or Direct.
The seedlings look like this:
Seeds - Cosmos (Bright Lights)
I tried direct sowing with these last year and didn't have any luck, so I'm trying this year with sowing indoors. These seeds are old.
SOW: 4-6 weeks before last frost.
The seedlings look like this:
Seeds - Black-Eyed Susan Vine
This has always worked for me. I am starting these a little late, but I think they will be fine. The vine grows pretty fast and will help cover up my fence.
SOW: 6-8 weeks before last frost or Direct after.
The seedlings look like this:
Seeds - Mexican Sunflower
I have done these before, and they worked great, when I start indoors. Sowing directly, has been unsuccessful. The seeds I started today, are a couple years old, and the package was already open, so they might not work. I have had more success with old seeds than you would think though.
SOW: 3-4 weeks before last frost
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Week 2
I got a lot done today, but not quite enough.
My big mistake last year, was not raking out the leaves by the fence and chopping them with my mower. They created a mat that is preventing some of the plants back there to grow properly. Next fall, I need to be better about that. I also need to skip using my bagger when chopping the leaves, and just rake them into place. They will cut up into smaller pieces this way.
The Daylilies and Alliums are a little sad looking right now, but hopefully the sun will perk them up soon.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Seeds - Nicotiana (Sensation Mix)
Started on 4/28/06. Seeds are from 2004. This is the first time I've tried this seed.
Week 1 Photos
What's in Bloom?
Daffodils are always out first
(not much)
Daffodils are always out first
This hyacinth, is looking pretty pathetic.
Still need to do some more cleanup.
I need to get some tall plant for the back.
2nd Day out
I've made some progress on my to-do list. I started raking up the leaves (to be dealt with later), did some weeding, and I've started one flat of seeds (2 days ago).
So far, only the Zinnia's have germinated.
From photos in my yard, I've noticed the following things that need to be done:
~ Dig up Hyacinths, once they die. Remember to mark, so I can plant some new ones this fall in same places.
~ Continue raking leaves
~ Weed
~ Trim bushes
~ Find some things to plant to cover up ugly parts of back of house
~ Fertilize lawn (it may be beyond repair)
~ Divide Dwarf Iris
~ Finish up stones in backyard.
So far, only the Zinnia's have germinated.
From photos in my yard, I've noticed the following things that need to be done:
~ Dig up Hyacinths, once they die. Remember to mark, so I can plant some new ones this fall in same places.
~ Continue raking leaves
~ Weed
~ Trim bushes
~ Find some things to plant to cover up ugly parts of back of house
~ Fertilize lawn (it may be beyond repair)
~ Divide Dwarf Iris
~ Finish up stones in backyard.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Seeds - Zinnia (Giant Dahlia)
This zinnia is my favorite. They are so big and the colors are so deep and beautiful. I grow them every year, and they make great cut flowers.
Started on 4/12/06 and 4/29
SOW: Direct or 4-6 weeks before last frost.
Seeds - Lavatera (Silver Cup)
Seeds - Bachelor's Buttons (Tall Double Mix)
This is similar to Cornflower, so I hope I have similar success with these.
I started these on 4/29/06. Seeds from 2005.
Seeds - Zinnia (State Fair)
I started these seeds on 4/11/06. These zinnia go well with the Giant Dahlia, which I also started.
SOW: Direct after danger of frost
or 4-6 weeks before last frost.
Seeds - Basil (Sweet)
I buy starter plants every year, so I might as well try to start from seed.
I started these seeds on 4/11/06
SOW: 6 weeks before last frost.
or Direct after weather is consistently warm.
The seedlings look like this:
Seeds - Cilantro
I started this seed indoors on 4/11/06. It should really be sown directly as soon as the ground can be worked, so I will hopefully try that soon. I don't think I've tried this before. I tried a starter plant once and it died quickly. I hope this works, since I almost buy cilantro every time I go to the grocery store.
SOW: Direct.
The seedlings look like this:
Seeds - Stock
This is my first time with this one, so I am not sure how it will do. I started the seeds on 4/11/06.
SOW: 4-6 weeks before last frost.
The seedlings look like this:
They actually look a bit like Zinnia seedlings.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Seeds - Shasta Daisy
I started these on Tuesday also. I have done these before and they did great. I don't think they last forever though, so I am trying to start some new ones. I like how they look initially, because they are short and mound nicely.
Reading the envelope, I am realizing that they haven't lasted, because I haven't been dividing. I should try that with one coming up soon.
SOW: 6-8 weeks before last frost. (But can be started anytime really, because won't bloom the first year. I've done it at various points of the summer before, and planted in the fall.)
Seeds - Impatiens
I started one 9 pack of each of these. Hopefully they will take. I have had some trouble with Impatiens before. It's silly to even try to start them, because they are so cheap to buy, but I still try.
SOW: 6-10 weeks before last frost.
Update: It is almost 3 weeks later, and I still only have one seed that has germinated. I must not try to start impatiens again! It is a waste of space under my grow lights and they really are cheap to buy at the stores.
