Yes, it is time for my annual award 🏆 proclaiming that I have indeed made it through the winter. When you live in a colder climate and are garden obsessed, these things are important.
There are plants in the garden that actually make me feel as though I have won a huge award for making it through another long winter.
MEET MY VOTING ACADEMY …
- Mini Iris
- Chocolate Chip Ajuga
- Creeping Phlox
- Dogwood blooms
I have all of these in several spots of the garden and every time I see them they make my heart sing! All of these on the list have a short blooming season but when they bloom they change the garden. Yes, the season has changed! So much garden bounty is coming.
While they have their place and are beautiful, tulips and daffodils just don’t say “you’ve made it” to me. They are a little too fond of winter for that. Especially daffodils.
DOGWOOD LEGEND
Have you heard the legend of the Dogwood tree? One of my first blog posts was about that legend… You can read the article HERE.
GARDEN GATE ARTICLE ON PEONIES
I love peonies and my peonies are all budded up!! Garden Gate has a great article in their newsletter on peonies. The article included many great tips on growing peonies and I especially like the information on how to save peony buds to have blooms later! HERE’S THE ARTICLE.
RECENT ROSE CHAT PODCASTS
BECOMING A BACKYARD ROSE HYBRIDIZER
… Growing Roses from Seed
Jeff Droullard, The Rose Dude
On this episode, I chat with Jeff Droullard, known on social media as The Rose Dude who has become a backyard rose hybridizer by growing roses from seed. Jeff is so enthusiastic about his hobby and is eager to inspire others! Growing roses from seeds is popular today and Jeff will take us step by step on how to be successful.
A ROSEY APPROACH TO TRENDS
Rebecca Koraytem, David Austin U.S. Sales Executive
THIS PODCAST WILL BE RELEASED THIS WEEKEND …Sun, April 27
On this episode, I’m joined by Rebecca Koraytem of David Austin Roses. Rebecca shares with us how roses fit perfectly into the current home and garden trends. Trends are always a fun and fascinating subject especially anything rosy! It is always so fun to chat with Rebecca!
GARDENING FOR ALL AGES EVENT
If you are local… I’ll be at the Indianapolis Rose Society Booth tomorrow (4/26) selling Roses. Ohhhhh there are some beauties! DETAILS ABOUT GARDENING FOR ALL AGES HERE.
POTTING SHED PUTTERINGS
My babies are growing booth in the potting shed and in the “jugs” outside!
I planted Zinnias on April 14 and in two or three days they germinated and are steadily growing. Best of all, they don’t need any care from me!
The inside seedlings are on the inside / outside hardening off schedule.
First batch of gomphrena had a problem germinating and the new ones are going to need a boost to be ready for planting!
Onion Project
I love onions but have never had any luck with growing them. Garlic does well but onions – not so much.
This year I saw that Steph from Hooked and Rooted (LINK) was starting onions from seed using the winter sowing method. In addition, she admitted she had not had much luck with growing onions until she found YELLOW OF PARMA onions. So I tried it! Aren’t they just the cutest things!!! Look at those roots! Steph and I are growing in different climates but I sure hope they do well. Yes, I saw the pictures of her beautiful onions from last year and had a full-on case of plant envy.
They are some of the first things to go into the HERB GARDEN but they’ll have plenty of neighbors soon.
DO WE TRUST IT?!?
Everyone is talking about the weather! With the temps so high and no cold snap in sight, we are all tempted to plant the tender things like tomatoes! — especially tomatoes! But should we trust it? I don’t know. I want to believe and I’d sure love a jump start but I’m filled with memories of days like this…
🍅 🍅 QUESTION 🍅 🍅
I only grew two types of tomatoes this year from seed (Pineapple and Gardener’s Delight) so we will buy 2 or 3 others. What are your favorite tomatoes of the more common varieties you can find at the garden centers?
‘TIL NEXT TIME …
Well friends, we are truly at the stage where every day something new is popping up in the garden! Cleanup is just about done and now planting thyme begins. I love this part!
And just so you know… I think this little guy feels like he won an award too … as he feasts on the Chocolate Chip Ajuga!
Until next time… Happy Gardening!
🌱 🐝 🌱 🐝 🌱