May 2003

I'm once again having agricultural problems. No, not further problems with shothole borers. This time it is an infestation of aphids on my young cherry tree, and some kind of leaf chewing caterpillar abusing my newly planted apple tree. After a prodigious use of soapy water and several bug-squashing episodes (which left my fingers stained [...]

Well, today I watered all my little babies. With some plants, you feel like you should be nominated for "Gardener of the Year" for how beautifully they're doing. With other plants, you are just grateful that there is no Society Against Cruelty to Plants, because otherwise you'd have black helicopters circling the house! That is [...]

The DR Brush Mower is not starting. I've done a fair amount of mowing already this year, and have had no problem with the mower, so the no start came as a surprise. I went through the checklist, and I think the problem is that I need a new spark plug. (Hope, hope.) I need [...]

Yesterday I potted on 140 assorted zinnias, most of which I had assumed would not be sprouting. The newest seed was 2 years old, the older seed went back as far as 1996, I think. The zinnias don't really want to be potted on, they want to be planted. I refuse, though, to plant something [...]

A perfect example of mountain weather: last week it snowed most of the day on Saturday, freezing us thoroughly at the Farmers' Market--and yesterday it was over 90F --parboiling us at the market. Last night we had a hellacious thunderstorm with hail & winds that knocked down trees. At least I won't have to water [...]

I've just read about a wonderful hydrangea at the Renegade Gardener website. I've recommended Don Engebretson's site before, and I'm glad to do it again. His description of Hydrangea macrophylla 'Endless Summer' convinced me that I've just got to have one. Too bad it won't be available nationally till next year. Well, that just gives [...]

As I've mentioned already, I'm perpetually behind on my weeding. Really behind. I decided I'd share my techniques with all of you, in case you find yourself up against a flower bed that's really been let go too long. Make sure the bed is moist, either from recent rainfall or from supplemental irrigation. Set aside [...]

. . . so far. This past week we've enjoyed a heavenly mix of Narcissus poeticus, apple blossoms, and lilacs floating on the air. Indeed, I can't remember the lilacs looking more spectacular. We haven't had frost since the first week of May. But there is a frost advisory in effect tonight. We have lost [...]

Oh, dear. I seem to have a lot more seedlings on my hands than I had planned for. Most of the seeds I was using were old--the newest stuff was at least 3 years old, and some was a lot older. So I figured most of it wouldn't sprout, and started a good deal more [...]