Yes, the winter experiment continues …

Here are the additional seeds I have added to the winter family tucked away in their mini greenhouses. The original list was on my last post… here.

• Tall White Alyssum / grows to about 12″ / Baker Creek
• Blue Star Columbine /grows to 24″ / Burpee
• Kilimanjaro White Marigold / grows to 18″ / Botanical Interest
• Nicotiana Lime Green (Last year’s seed)

Next sowing will be in April when I will start warm season seeds like tomatoes, zinnias, cosmos and such.

LOOKING BACK…

This is my third year doing the winter sowing method. There have been many successes and some failures but it is still such a fun project! Below is an assessment of the previous years…

• ✔️ Some germination
• Ⅹ No Germination
• ⭐️ Outstanding Germination

2021…

• Larkspur (French Alouette) ✔️
• Delphinium (Magic Fountain) ✔️ (took an extra long time)
• Lavender (Munstead) ✔️ (took an extra long time)
• Ammi ⭐️
• Sweet William (Double Blend) ⭐️

2022

• Munstead Lavender ✔️
• Bachelor Buttons (Cyanus Double) ⭐️
• Strawflower (Tall Double Mix) ⭐️
• Candytuft (Old Seed) Ⅹ
• Delphinium (Magic Mountain) ✔️
• Verbena Bonariensis ⭐️
• Orlaya (White Lace) ✔️
• Phacelia (Lacy) ✔️
• Larkspur (White) Ⅹ
• Poppies (Buttercream) Ⅹ
• Foxgloves (Carousel Mix) ⭐️
• Celosia Pink Champagne ⭐️
• Scabiosa (Fama White) Ⅹ

SNAPDRAGONS

I have always loved snapdragons, my kids loved snapdragons and they’re not only beautiful in the garden but also a completely fabulous cut flower.

For several years I’ve found flats of little snapdragon seedlings for sale at Menards. Each year I was on pins and needles to see if that would have them again. Bonus: They were the tall “Rocket” variety I love in solid colors – both pink and white! PERFECT! It was risky to wait but I didn’t have to start from seed.

This year I have gone snapdragon crazy. Have you seen how many gorgeous ones are available from seed??? If they do well in the jugs, my cutting garden will be very happy. If they don’t — well I’ll be scampering back to Menards! Seriously, who am I kidding, I’ll head to Menards anyway for the basic white and pink ones! If you want some, you better get their early and often! They show up without warning.

Snapdragons I’ve been seduced by this year through seed catalogs and online sources:

ROSE CHAT

The lastest podcast to be released was my chat with Gaye Hammond on up-to-the-minute information on Rose Rosette Disease. Next will be Dr. David Byrne on The Research Journey of Sustainable Roses.

Coming in March there will be several released over the next few weeks as part of the SPRING FLING…

Here is a podcast player where they can be found…

P. Allen Smith on Moss Mountain Farm – A Sense of Place – Rose Chat Podcast

P. Allen Smith on Moss Mountain Farm: A Sense of Place | Rose Chat Podcast What can a garden teach us about the way we live? On this episode of the Rose Chat Podcast, Teresa Byington sits down with celebrated gardener, author, television host, conservationist and landscape designer P. Allen Smith to talk about his new book, Moss Mountain Farm: A Sense of Place. For decades, P. Allen Smith has encouraged gardeners to look beyond plants and think about the larger story a landscape can tell. At Moss Mountain Farm in Arkansas, that philosophy comes to life through gardens, architecture, agriculture, conservation and thoughtful landscape design. In this conversation, Allen shares the inspiration behind Moss Mountain Farm: A Sense of Place and the ideas that shaped this remarkable garden and farm. We talk about garden design, sustainable gardening, stewardship, garden history, creating meaningful outdoor spaces, and the relationship between people and the landscapes they call home. Whether you're a longtime gardener, a rose enthusiast, a landscape designer, or simply someone who loves beautiful gardens, this conversation offers plenty of inspiration for creating a garden with a stronger sense of place and purpose. Listen to the Rose Chat Podcast with P. Allen Smith and discover the stories, ideas and gardening philosophy behind Moss Mountain Farm. In this episode: P. Allen Smith's new book, Moss Mountain Farm: A Sense of Place The story and philosophy behind Moss Mountain Farm Garden and landscape design principles Sustainable gardening and environmental stewardship The importance of garden history and sense of place Creating outdoor spaces that reflect your personal style Finding inspiration in the landscape around you Guest: P. Allen Smith Host: Teresa Byington Podcast: Rose Chat Podcast ORDER THE BOOK HERE. TOUR INFORMATION HERE. MORE ABOUT P ALLEN SMITH HERE.     The Rose Chat Podcast Our 15th Season MEET THE ROSE CHAT TEAM 🎙 Executive Producer & On-Air Personality Chris VanCleave – RedneckRosarian.com Chris—aka The Redneck Rosarian—is the mastermind behind the Rose Chat Podcast. He’s a nationally known rosarian, speaker, and TV personality who believes roses are for everyone, not just folks with fancy garden gloves. Whether he's talking bloom care or thorny troublemakers, Chris brings heart, humor, and a whole lot of rose wisdom to the mic. 🎙 Content Creator & On-Air Personality Teresa Byington – TheGardenDiary.com Teresa is a Master Gardener, Consulting Rosarian, and one of the kindest garden cheerleaders you’ll ever meet. She’s been growing roses for decades and still gets excited when one bursts into bloom. With stories, tips, and a dash of garden gossip, she helps make Rose Chat feel like a visit with a good friend, who just happens to be a rose expert. Wanna Keep in Touch? We’d love to pop into your inbox now and then (we promise, no spam—just roses). Click here to subscribe to Rose Chat updates!  

1. P. Allen Smith on Moss Mountain Farm – A Sense of Place 44:51
2. VICTORIAN BEAUTY: THE BOURBON ROSE 37:30
3. MY ROSE TRACKER 37:12
4. NEW GARDEN / NEW RULES 32:25
5. ROSE STUDY GARDEN RENOVATION 40:17

INDIANAPOLIS ROSE SOCIETY

Local friends, on Tuesday, March 14 at 6:30 pm the Indianapolis Rose Society will have it’s first in-person meeting of 2023. Your’s truly will be giving a program on English Cottage Gardens. Click here for details.

BLOOM THYME

There is only one bloom in my garden and it has come much earlier than previous years. Actually 3 weeks earlier than last year. The beautiful crocus. Welcome back!

BLOOMING INSIDE…

MOVING FROM BROWN TO GREEN

With the warmer temps and tons of rain, I am seeing more green than usual! Someone told me this week that we are on course for spring to arrive 3 weeks early. That is exactly how early my crocus are.

Even the evergreens are beginning to lose a bit of their bronze winter hue. Green is certainly welcome here. Yes, green is not only welcome as it speaks to the coming season — it is so peaceful and soothing. Reminds me of a favorite scripture…

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.³ He restoreth my soul: 

Psalm 23

Yes, green is very soothing and such a welcome sight but we won’t forget about winter. We know just how fickle it can be.

Friends, I would love to hear about seeds you are growing this year regardless of the method. And, what about snapdragons – thumbs up or down?

Until next time…