Yeah, like it's crazy hot right here. I'm sitting in the office, (with no AC) a fan blowing directly on me and still I'm sticky and hot. My windows are open and I'm hoping the outside air will begin to cool down, but my best chance for cool is to go on back into the air conditioned house!
I've been going out to look at the garden often, but it's sooooo, hot and because of this wet weather it's full of mosquitos that I'm not out very long. I did take some pictures of some of the bloomers and growers out there, and I've included them here today. I've had a few days off and would have spent lots of time in the garden if the weather had cooperated!
Even in good weather tho, ya still have to break off the gardening to take a stab at the dust bunnies in the house.....however in my house it's DOG bunnies. My two pugs leave many bunnies for me. So I've been using this time to clean up so I'll be ready when the weather gives me a break!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Back to Gardening
Yes, even though I miss my Dad and can't ask him questions anymore, I have to still take care of my garden.
This is what they call "late spring" and is the right time to put down a good fertilizer on your lawn. If you are using the Scotts brand, it's the number 2 bag for this time. Otherwise, any good lawn fertilizer is okay because it's just a regular feeding time, not necessarily using an herbicide for crabgrass or other broadleaves. If you haven't used an herbicide, it's not too late though. The best time is when the weeds are actively growing and there will be no rain for a day or two. Read the instructions because you might have to spray the lawn with water briefly to give the herbicide something to stick to. This type of product is usually called a "contact' herbicide, not a "systemic" or "pre-emergence" type. So, in order for it to work, it needs to sit on the leaves for a while. BTW.. check for sure by reading the label on your fertilizer too, you might be wanting to water it in or ask for rain for the next day!
It's time too to be staking up your tomatoes, or caging them, as well at clematis and other creeping vines. A trellis or fence works fine for these beauties.
If you have pictures of your garden efforts, or questions, I'd welcome them. You can leave them on the blog or send it to my email judiemorris@q.com. I'd love to hear from you!
This is what they call "late spring" and is the right time to put down a good fertilizer on your lawn. If you are using the Scotts brand, it's the number 2 bag for this time. Otherwise, any good lawn fertilizer is okay because it's just a regular feeding time, not necessarily using an herbicide for crabgrass or other broadleaves. If you haven't used an herbicide, it's not too late though. The best time is when the weeds are actively growing and there will be no rain for a day or two. Read the instructions because you might have to spray the lawn with water briefly to give the herbicide something to stick to. This type of product is usually called a "contact' herbicide, not a "systemic" or "pre-emergence" type. So, in order for it to work, it needs to sit on the leaves for a while. BTW.. check for sure by reading the label on your fertilizer too, you might be wanting to water it in or ask for rain for the next day!
It's time too to be staking up your tomatoes, or caging them, as well at clematis and other creeping vines. A trellis or fence works fine for these beauties.
If you have pictures of your garden efforts, or questions, I'd welcome them. You can leave them on the blog or send it to my email judiemorris@q.com. I'd love to hear from you!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
My Gardener Dad is gone from my sight
The inspiration for my chosen study, gardening is gone now. Not that he is gone from my thoughts, but I cannot ask any more questions of him. He was very ill in Taylor House Hospice and I sat with him. Today, Friday, 5-28-10 we laid him to rest next to my Mother.
I owe him everything from the very first tiny plant he carefully helped me to pat into the soil to the lifetime desire to help things grow. He was my mentor, my go- to answer man about so many things besides gardening. From answers to big questions to answers to silly questions. From being a character full of mischievousness and orneriness to a steady, loving, gentle person. He is not replaceable. He is and always will be my Father. He will be missed and loved by his whole family.
I owe him everything from the very first tiny plant he carefully helped me to pat into the soil to the lifetime desire to help things grow. He was my mentor, my go- to answer man about so many things besides gardening. From answers to big questions to answers to silly questions. From being a character full of mischievousness and orneriness to a steady, loving, gentle person. He is not replaceable. He is and always will be my Father. He will be missed and loved by his whole family.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Finally! Some warm weather!
I've been out in the garden even tho it's been cold. The Fern Garden is beginning to fill in a little, but until it really looks like a "Garden" I'll wait to post a new picture.
My latest area of study is pests and diseases. I've found that many of these pests can be countered by using a special soap. Hurray for a green treatment! Big caterpillars on tomato plants can just be picked off with a gloved hand. Even some smaller ones can just be removed too, but most are so small you just have to treat the whole plant.
Keep a watch on your garden. If you see leaf damage, gray molding or stunted growth, it's time to check for pests!
My latest area of study is pests and diseases. I've found that many of these pests can be countered by using a special soap. Hurray for a green treatment! Big caterpillars on tomato plants can just be picked off with a gloved hand. Even some smaller ones can just be removed too, but most are so small you just have to treat the whole plant.
Keep a watch on your garden. If you see leaf damage, gray molding or stunted growth, it's time to check for pests!
Monday, May 10, 2010
BRRRRRRR!
So, with this cooler May, I'm waiting for any more additions to my garden! Seems like Mother Nature is trying to tell me to slooooowww dooooowwwnnnnnnn. Sorry, can't do that!
While the weather has been cool, I've been cleaning up areas of the garden that has plenty of sticks and branches blown down. I'll be putting those through the shredder for additional mulch! I also have been surging forward in my studies for Gardening and Landscaping. Now I know for sure that my Dad is a very smart guy. I keep reading over and over how things are done that he already did when I was growing up.
Be sure to watch the lows in temperature and cover your tender plants or bring them in if they're not too heavy. I still have a patio hibiscus in my front room!
Don't let this cool weather get you down, soon enough we'll be turning on the AC to cool off after an afternoon of weeding and watering.....
While the weather has been cool, I've been cleaning up areas of the garden that has plenty of sticks and branches blown down. I'll be putting those through the shredder for additional mulch! I also have been surging forward in my studies for Gardening and Landscaping. Now I know for sure that my Dad is a very smart guy. I keep reading over and over how things are done that he already did when I was growing up.
Be sure to watch the lows in temperature and cover your tender plants or bring them in if they're not too heavy. I still have a patio hibiscus in my front room!
Don't let this cool weather get you down, soon enough we'll be turning on the AC to cool off after an afternoon of weeding and watering.....
Friday, April 30, 2010
Busy Spring!
Yes, it's been a busy spring so far...I've already had issues from "gardener's weekend" sore muscles! A few days ago, a friend and I went to Goode's greenhouse just to look around. I came home with a backseat full of stuff! As I work through my lessons in Gardening and Landscaping, I felt it would be a great addition to my garden to include a shady fern corner. I visited several places and looked for ferns, but until I went to Goode's I came up empty. So, after stocking up on Lady Fern, Christmas Fern, Male Fern, Sensitive fern, Rock Fern, Ostrich Fern and a few others, I came home and began!
First the area was full of weeds and sticks etc so I had to clean it all out. I actually made a scale map based on the size the ferns are to be when mature. Everything I've read says you shouldn't have the ferns touching each other. (No fraternization I guess ;) After that, it was easy to place them and dig them in. The area is extremely rich soil because I've been using it for a compost for years...so I didn't need to add anything. After adding a few impatients for color, I covered the whole thing in chipped branches that we ran through our chipper for mulch. The rain came at a perfect time!
First the area was full of weeds and sticks etc so I had to clean it all out. I actually made a scale map based on the size the ferns are to be when mature. Everything I've read says you shouldn't have the ferns touching each other. (No fraternization I guess ;) After that, it was easy to place them and dig them in. The area is extremely rich soil because I've been using it for a compost for years...so I didn't need to add anything. After adding a few impatients for color, I covered the whole thing in chipped branches that we ran through our chipper for mulch. The rain came at a perfect time!
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