It’s that time! Time to spring forward. I know Daylight Saving Time is not loved by all but it was especially loved by me when I was working full time and wanted more time in the garden after work. (Yes, it’s ‘saving’ not ‘savings’.😉 )

ABOUT DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME

Warning… Rabbit Hole! 😳🐰

• Benjamin Franklin was the first to speak of this idea when he observed people using candles long into the night but sleeping past dawn. (I must say I am a BIG proponent of getting up before dawn and starting the day with candles and watching the sunrise! Watching the day’s light arrive is transforming to my mood and spirit in ways nothing else can do.)
• In 1907 Englishman William Willett led the first campaign to implement moving clocks forward 80 minutes between April and October for people to enjoy more sunlight. However, he did not live to see DST implemented.
• Germany was the first country to take the plunge and introduced DST in 1916.  The idea was to conserve fuel for war effort. The ideas quickly caught on in many other countries. 
• All European countries, except Belarus and Iceland use DST.
• During WW2, President Franklin Roosevelt introduced year-round DST.  Again, to conserve fuel. It was referred to as War Time.
• The Uniform Time Act of 1966 standardized time zones and daylight saving practices in the US. However, allowing individual states to pass laws exempting themselves.
• Hawaii and Arizona do not “spring forward.” 
• In many states legislation has been introduced to LOCK THE CLOCK and permanently choose Standard Time or DST. 
• 2021: Spring Forward: March 14 / Fall Back: November 7

FORSYTHIAS & PRUNING

I’ve started the official 2021 watch for blooming forsythia. Around here when forsythia starts blooming we start pruning – roses will get their spring clip! Last year the forsythia bloomed on March 24.

Apart from being the harbingers of rose pruning, they are a sentimental favorite of mine. They were a favorite of my mom and dad and were plentiful in our yard when I was growing up. I brought cuttings from my Dad’s forsythia the year he passed but they did not take – it was in January so not much surprise but I was hopeful. While I don’t have those plants, I sure have the memories and they are sweet. 💛

To go down my family forsythia rabbit hole 🐰, read an article I wrote after my dad passed away … HERE. 

GHISLAINE de FELIGONDE

This winter Ghislanie de Feligonde was busy … she threw out several extra-long canes! She is now not only going up the side of the potting shed but across the front too! This week’s wonderful weather was the perfect time to get her all tied up again. I simply CAN NOT WAIT until she blooms.

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MY ORCHIDS

I have bought orchids many, many times and always hoped they would rebloom. I only remember one time that happening and the blooms were tiny and unimpressive! So, I am pleased to announce that the beautiful orchid friends gave me 15 months ago has rebloomed – and it is amazing! I give the credit to the excellent plant given me and being home to care for it regularly! I water it once a week with 2T of a water-soluble orchid fertilizer and keep it in my window (that faces west – certainly not ideal). Mr. G gave me an orchid about the same time and it is shooting up some buds too! So there’s more to come! 🎉

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POTTING SHED PUTTERINGS

LITTLE MIRACLES

Formosa Lily seeds a friend gave me have germinated. Aren’t they just the cutest!! ThatThanks David!

Action in the milk jugs! Sweet William has germinated and looking oh so cute and making me very happy. (Read more about the milk jug project HERE.)  🌱🌱🌱🌱

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Just when you think the garden is so dead that it will never EVER come back, beauty starts popping up all over the place!

LATEST PODCAST

Last week on the podcast I chatted with Kristen Smith, Rose Evaluation Manager for Star Roses and Plants, about their beautiful new roses (like the damask scented new beauty from Will Radler of Knockout fame!) and other amazing garden plants that are well suited for today’s gardens and today’s gardeners! 

I have so many on my list… the new Lilac, dwarf boxwoods, and the clematis! Oh my! Check them out for yourself HERE.

TO DOS

We wait and we wait and then all of a sudden it is TIME to get busy! First up, I will cut back all the old yucky foliage from my hellebores. They are on the brink of blooming! 🎉

Cleaning up beds and pruning roses will be in full force the next two weeks. With 175 or so roses, it will take me a “minute” or two. 😁

Putting down sulfur in my beds to begin to lower the pH. Last year’s soil tests revealed the pH was on the rise. Roses and most of the plants I grow appreciate a pH of 6.0-6.5. My readings were 7.0 – 7.4.

Plant sweet peas! Traditionally you hear to plant your sweet peas on St. Patrick’s day but know this… when it’s cold they will just sit there until just the right temp for their sweet selves. And, in Indiana, you just might have to wait a bit before you see them. Still, it is a good benchmark and works for me! Read your seed packet for the best time for you!

I’ll be growing my sweet peas in the herb garden on teepees made of bamboo stakes as I did my pole beans last year. I also love to put them on the herb garden fence to drape around! I just love them and most anything else I can drape over a fence! I have to say that the sweet peas I saw growing in England, barely resembled the ones grown here. Their sweet peas are perfection – huge, long-stemmed, and luscious! #climatechallenges #butworthit

Friends, whatever is on your to-do list, have fun springing into spring! 📝

It is cold! Icy cold. But the potting shed is cozy. I’ve had fun puttering! The weather for the next week is not even up to 25F and the lows dip into the minus category!

I have always wanted to have more time for seed starting and propagation. Last year time was something I had plenty of! How about you! 😱 #becarefulwhatyouwishfor

In March and April 2020 I started more seeds than ever before! I am happy to report that I had more success than ever before.  It was wonderful in the spring to have enough seedlings to share!

In July  2020 I started more cuttings than ever before. Cuttings of lavender, boxwood, geraniums and roses. I am happy to report that I had more success than ever before. 

TIME AND LIGHT

Yes, the big differences this year were that I had more time to take care of them and nurse them along, and, I gave them more light than ever before. I replaced my 20+ year old grow lights for new Ferry-Morse Grow Lights and I think it helped. I chose Ferry-Morse because that is what Lowes had and convenience was everything last spring!

POTTING UP!

Last week I started potting up the summer cuttings. I was so excited to see what was going on underneath!

Process: 4 boxwood cuttings in 1 pot outside to 3 individual plants ready to go. Same For the lavender … from 3 in one pot outside to 2 strong starts looking great.

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NEXT UP … WINTER SOWING

Winter sowing in milk jugs is something I am going to give a try this year.

Two years ago, Hendricks Co Master Gardener President, Steve Pearl, did a program on starting seeds in the winter using milk jugs. Steve has used this method for years with great success in our area (5b). He usually starts the process in mid-February. Sometimes he’s had up to 50 milk jugs filled with seeds. 50! Most of the seeds he uses are seeds he has saved – taking the process to a whole other level. Here are Steve’s “how-to” notes.

While he has started so many types of plants through the years and had a great deal of success, the plants that have done the best for him are:

• Coral Bells
• Coreopsis
• Glorisa Daisy
• Great Blue Lobelia
• Royal Catchfly
• Liatris
• Butterfly Milkweed
• Common Milkweed

Laura from GARDEN ANSWER has several great videos on this process too. Watch here. 

I am gathering all my supplies to plant these in a couple of weeks — milk jugs, potting soil, all-weather tape (here), markers, vermiculite, seeds, AND some short green fencing to “disguise” the jugs a bit. 
The hardest part of this process for me may prove to be finding a place where the plants can get what they need, is convenient for me to watch over them, and help them “fit in” with the garden design. 😆Yes, introducing milk jugs to the garden design requires a bit of “strategic planning.” 😉  

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THIS WEATHER CALLS FOR HOT CHOCOLATE

With weather this icy, it’s time to turn up our thermostats and our “hot chocolate” game!

We saw a survey recently about instant hot chocolate mixes that revealed most people preferred Swiss Miss. I have to say, when I can get it, Tim Horton is our favorite but we always have some Swiss Miss on hand.

However, if you have time and aren’t counting calories for a day or two, here is a recipe that I have given as gifts, served to guests, and at events when I’ve done a hot chocolate bar. It is so good …. RECIPE.

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So what is your favorite instant hot chocolate and what is your favorite addition to a steaming mug. Mr. G loves peppermint! I bought a bag of crushed peppermint candy and it does the trick!

Friends, stay warm and safe and enjoy a steaming mug of whatever makes you feel warm and cozy! Until next time…

On social media, I have seen so many surveys and questions about “favorites”. As gardeners, people want to know your favorite plant, tool, fertilizer, pest control, and on and on.

The answer to the question most often is, “Well, that depends on ______? That blank can be filled with … your location, your color preference, your garden style, your thoughts on disease control, and so much more.

I’ll be honest, my favorite things in the garden change all the time!! I love innovation. I love trying new things. I am typically an early adopter. I get excited when I see NEW or IMPROVED – although I’ve learned those words often need further examination!! 😉

Let’s start with roses. (Of course.) Let me just confess that in my day I have grown a ton of different roses. I can’t even tell you how many. And, if I tell Mr. G – he’ll roll his eyes and say … “I know. … It’s okay.” 

Some roses the winter took away. Some I removed to make way for others. Some just didn’t “get” our climate and struggled. Some didn’t live up to their hype. A few succumbed to Rose Rosette Disease. I do expect the plants in my garden to be good at their job … and not be tooooo needy, so I have developed the fine art of “Shovel Pruning.” Not a time to think too much except about the overall health and well being of the garden and the gardener. Besides, there are sooooo many options!

FAVORITE ROSES

These are roses I have had for several years and they have proven themselves over and over in a variety of conditions in my garden. And, I think they would perform well for most. Success to me is a rose that is beautiful, that plays nice with its companions, gives me a ton of blooms, is on the easy-care side and fragrance is a nice bonus too.

Music Box (Easy Elegance)

Beautiful form (like a small Hybrid Tea) and fragrant. This blooming machine starts out with yellow buds and finishes as a full dusty rose bloom. Around here it has been consistently available at Lowes and some of our garden centers. Just look for the Easy Elegance collection. There are many wonderful roses in this collection … Like Champagne Wishes, All the Rage, and Head over Heels.

Quietness (Buck Shrub)

Absolutely gorgeous in bud and bloom. Fragrant too! This beauty is very hardy and almost thornless. Plus there is the sweet backstory of its naming. Several years ago I did a reveiw of this rose for the American Rose Society. If you would like to see the video, read on here. It is sometimes hard to find but is currently being sold at Antique Rose Emporium and Heirloom Roses. Links provided.

The Generous Gardener (DA Climber) 

One of the most easy-care David Austin roses I have! It is stunning and fragrant! And the spring bloom is not to be missed. It will repeat later in the summer too. Available through David Austin Website here.

Mother of Pearl

This grandiflora is about 3-4” tall and 2′ wide and just blooms and blooms. There is a nice soft fragrance and the blooms stay on the bush for a very long time. The color is one of the best and blends well with so many companions. This rose has few thorns and I think would be great in a container (7 gal or greater sized pot).

Available at Heirloom Roses here, Antique Rose Emporium here, and Roses Unlimited. Roses Unlimited has a website but not online ordering. To order you must call. Website here.

PRUNERS

Through the years I have had Corona, Felcos, Fiskers, Craftsman, and Barnel pruners – with a few generic ones thrown in too. Most were wonderful products! 

For the past 8 or so years, Barnel pruners have been my go-to for regular pruning! It fits my hand so well. These pruners are ergomonic (After 3 hand surgeries- this is paramount!) and they are hard to destroy. Two features I value!  I am not easy on my tools or my hands. I get “lost” in the garden as I dive into my work and sometimes that means the tools get “lost” too.

Mr. G has always been able to “revive” and sharpen these and get me back in business.  They are easy to find for purchase too… check out my friend Wendy – The Rose Gardener’s product line HERE. 

Well, there was that time when my pruners were lost and I didn’t find them for years. They were Craftsman with a lifetime guarantee. HA! But, I didn’t try to cash in on that!😂

When I need to do some snipping… and I do a lot of snipping, these snips are just perfect. I have so many of these and I often give them as gifts. Very inexpensive, lightweight, super sharp and they last and last! More info here. 

Friends, if you have “favorites” that you recommend, leave them in the comments below. I’d love to know! Who knows I may start itching to try something new!

TRENDS!

I love reading about trends – don’t you? Here are two great articles of what we might see in 2021…

2021 GARDEN TRENDS (GARDEN DESIGN)

1. Gardening. Period. (LOVE IT!)
2. Gardening Sustainably
3. Creating Your Own Garden Getaway
4. Growing Food in All Kinds of Spaces
5. Getting Creative with Containers
6. Choosing One Color and Going For It
7. Learning and Buying Online
8. Adding More Houseplants
9. Getting Kids Involved

Images and article here.

2021 GARDEN TRENDS (COUNTRY LIVING)

1. Balcony Gardening.
2. Wild Gardens
3. Inside Outside
4. Tiny Gardens
5. Raised Bed Gardens
6. Permaculture Gardening
7. White Gardens
8. Windowsill Gardens
9. Grey Gardens
10. Cottage Gardens (YES!)

Images and full article here.

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Hallelujah! It’s just 49 days until spring. 🌷🌼💐 We can do this! Seriously, the potting shed is saving me. More about that next week! 😘

With the reduced schedule that came with COVID and retirement (which came within a few days of each other), I have had a year to go through drawers, cabinets, and closets. I have unearthed treasures and a great deal of no longer needed items and a few items that I wonder if I ever needed. And, don’t even know where they came from! 🙄 So, in a few places in our home, we now have space to grow. It may not last but I have enjoyed the process. Our home is small and I like opening a drawer that is NOT full. 

THIS WEEK IT’S TIME FOR SEED STARTING PREP….

• What do I have? 
• What do I need? 
• What do I want?

WHAT DO I HAVE?

I have plenty of seed starting trays and pots for “potting up”. I saved almost every pot that came from the garden centers last year – well the black ones anyway. Even in the garden and potting shed, I like for things to match. 🤦‍♀️  It was sort of like the stories you hear from World War times, I was saving everything as we didn’t (and still don’t really) know where things are going as far as the pandemic is concerned. Remember those empty shelves in the grocery store? We still rarely see well-stocked shelves of toilet paper and paper towels!!

There are even things I have, that I never had before …. Carry out containers! Before COVID we either went out to eat or cooked. Now carry out is a common option. So, I’ve been saving carry out containers. There are so nice. I think they will make fabulous mini seed starting greenhouses! Mr. G drilled holes in them for drainage!
I’m wondering what you saved last year that you had never saved before?

WHAT DO I NEED? 

Seeds. I have some leftovers from last year but not very many. They were hard to find last year! I was very glad that I had been somewhat of a hoarder where seeds were concerned.

While “hoarding” is not my nature, having the “extra” seeds on hand was a big help. I also learned that seeds last longer than we think. Some of these had been around a long time! With limited access, my son and I were trading back and forth to get the seeds we needed and could share!

To date, I have seed orders coming in, have purchased seeds from Lowes and have one more seed order ready to go. I thought I was “done” ordering but the Select Seed catalog came and I have sticky tabs on about every page. 😉 We are quickly moving beyond the “need” stage.

WHAT DO I WANT?

The past two years I have tuned in to English garden shows and podcasts and follow a ton of UK gardeners online. I love them! This has led to a few purchases. First was my beloved Hori Hori knife. I don’t know how I lived without that one.  Thanks Rosie!

Now I am obsessed with “ROOT TRAINERS.” I have been gardening for 35+ years and I had never heard of root trainers until I had so many UK friends!! So, I bought some to try. I will use for sweet peas as they recommend. Now I have grown sweet peas without root trainers for most of those 35 years but still, the root trainers beckoned me and this could be the best sweet pea year ever!! I’m up for that!

ORGANIZING BOOKS

We are not going to talk specifically about how many garden books I have. Remember when I said I did not have hoarding tendencies – I guess I am a “selective hoarder”. Don’t ask Mr. G about my garden book “habit”. Friends, they are everywhere – I use them as a primary decorating tool. They are in most every room except the bathroom and laundry room! Mercy. Mercy. I tried to “reduce” books and maybe 2 – 3 found their way to the box. I’ll try again later. 😅

As  you know the potting shed is tiny, but there are books — lots and lots of books. Shelves of books. Last night I climbed on a very sturdy chair and started rearranging books! Getting some I want at my finger tips during the spring! And, some that I love dearly as old friends and don’t want them far from me. 

Several books that are now at my finger tips are old “friends” as we have been through many garden seasons together like Smith & Hawkins Book of Outdoor Gardening (1996). The first 16 pages are of beautiful gardens providing all the inspiration you will need to take their advice and create your own masterpiece! 

Others books are fairly new like Monty Don’s  Down to Earth, which I bought in England while with my daughter last year – makes me feel closer to her to see it. The book is written just as Monty talks. If you watch Gardeners’ World you can hear him as you read. Chocked full of inspiration and gardening information based on his 50 years of gardening. Of course, US gardeners need to tweak some of the information dependent on their growing zone and taking note of plants that do well in England but might be invasive in their neck of the woods. 

There’s Tasha Tudor’s Garden and another Smith & Hawkins book, The Potting Shed. I get almost giddy touching the books and rearranging them. What’s your favorite garden book? 

ORGANIZING PHOTOS

The organizing process even extends to my iPhone. I am going through apps I no longer need and photos.

Oh my word, how many pictures do you have on your iPhone??? After spending nearly an hour going through pictures and deleting what I didn’t want or need, I looked at the total 16, 483. WHAT??? How did that happen? So, now I am getting them into albums. It will probably take me until spring to accomplish this. But the upside is going through all the pictures!!

Ran across one of my very favorite images of the ‘Queen of Bourbon’ as she looked in 2013 – she’s at the top of this post. ⬆️ I don’t think she has been that spectacular since then!

And, photos from a day my daughter and I made flower crowns.

I am very grateful for the convenience and quality of iPhone photos but seem to spend a lot of time looking for images. I think having albums will help. If you have any tips, I’d love to hear them!

Hope you have a great weekend. Til next time … bloom wherever you are planted!