I took a stroll around the garden, and this is what I found . . . Double pink columbine (Aquilegia hybrid). This sowed itself by our main door in a crack in the concrete where the steps meet the final pad. It must be very happy there because it comes back bigger and better every [...]
May 2003
More Problems
May 30, 2003 – Posted in: Pests, Plagues, and VarmintsI'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 [...]
Seedling Census
May 30, 2003 – Posted in: Garden chores, What's up/bloomingWell, 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 [...]
Machine Woes
May 28, 2003 – Posted in: Garden choresThe 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 [...]
Trying to keep up
May 28, 2003 – Posted in: Plant info, UncategorizedYesterday 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 [...]
Brr! Revisited
May 25, 2003 – Posted in: WeatherA 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 [...]
Oooooooh, I’m drooling!
May 23, 2003 – Posted in: Recommended Links, WishlistI'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 [...]
Triage Weeding
May 23, 2003 – Posted in: Garden choresAs 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 [...]
It’s Been a Beautiful Spring . . .
May 21, 2003 – Posted in: Weather. . . 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 [...]
Hundreds of Seedlings. . .
May 18, 2003 – Posted in: Garden chores, What's up/bloomingOh, 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 [...]
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