This time of year we are all a twitter about the weather. Temps go up and temps fall down making us a wee bit crazy. No matter, Spring is coming and maybe even a bit early this year. We’ve been away for a few days and were greeted with so much beauty.
The geranium cuttings that have been growing slowly but surely this winter, bloomed!
The most unusual amaryllis I have ever grown, Nymph Double Bloom, was showing off!
So many pretty Snowdrops.
Tete de Tete daffodils are showing color.
Other daffodills are ready to go – just a few more warm days.
POTTING SHED PUTTERINGS
WINTER SOWING UPDATE…
Winter sowing containers have life! Those showing some green are:
Salvia Violet Queen
Yarrow
Sweet Alyssum
Bachelor Buttons
Strawflowers
Phacelia
Scabiosa
LISIANTHUS…
Although still tiny, I potted up the Lisianthus that had been sown via broadcast in small containers. Now they are in larger, self watering trays — making them much easier to take care of. The plants are tiny but the roots are quite impressive!
Thanks to Heirloom Roses for this helpful image and for sending such a lovely catalog for me to drool over!
ROSE CHAT PODCAST
THE RESEARCH JOUREY OF SUSTAINABLE ROSES
Last week I chatted with Dr. David Byrne from Texas A & M. He and his team are working to find the keys to help us eliminate black spot and RRD. I learned a lot and loved knowing the project is in such good hands. I think you will too. You can listen here…
NEW PLANTS FOR 2023 – PROVEN WINNERS COLOR CHOICE
Natalie Carmolli
Public Relations Specialist for Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs
Natalie Carmolli, public relations specialist for Proven Winners ColorChoice shrubs is back for one of our favorite chats of the season… new roses as well as other new plants for our gardens!
Proven Winners Website: https://www.provenwinners.com/
Proven Winners YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProvenWinnersYouTube
ROSE CHAT TEAM:
Executive Producer & On-Air Personality:
Chris VanCleave – www.RedneckRosarian.com
Creator of the Rose Chat Podcast. Mr. VanCleave is a nationally known rosarian, television personality, speaker and advocate for the rose.
Content Creator & On-Air Personality:
Teresa Byington – www.TheGardenDiary.com
Co-Host Teresa Byington promotes roses as an integral part of the landscape, as a Consulting Rosarian, Master Gardener, writer, and speaker.
SUBSCRIBE:
Subscribe to Rose Chat Podcast Updates: http://bit.ly/subscribeROSE
Thank you for your gracious welcome. It was wonderful to be with you! All the best with your spring projects!
SHE HAS DONE IT AGAIN!
Christie Purifoy has done it again; created another beautiful garden book for us. No one speaks the language of a garden and home quite like Christie. In A HOME IN BLOOM Christie takes us on a jouney through the seasons leading us through creative ways to fill our homes with beauty from the garden. Helping us to blur the lines between inside and out. If you’ve read her previous books, you know that you can simply sink into the words she writes. And be inspired by the images she uses. Quote from A HOME IN BLOOM… Brought together, house and garden tell a better story than either one alone. Take a look at the book on Amazon here. Follow her on Instagram here.
NOT SPRING YET
As I look at the long range forecast, it appears much cooler temps are coming. I’m sure more garden surprises both good and bad are coming too. We will not despair, spring will come and the bloom thyme will be glorious.
Thanks for stopping by, until next time … happy gardening or happy garden planning.
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:
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…
NEW PLANTS FOR 2023 – PROVEN WINNERS COLOR CHOICE
Natalie Carmolli
Public Relations Specialist for Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs
Natalie Carmolli, public relations specialist for Proven Winners ColorChoice shrubs is back for one of our favorite chats of the season… new roses as well as other new plants for our gardens!
Proven Winners Website: https://www.provenwinners.com/
Proven Winners YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProvenWinnersYouTube
ROSE CHAT TEAM:
Executive Producer & On-Air Personality:
Chris VanCleave – www.RedneckRosarian.com
Creator of the Rose Chat Podcast. Mr. VanCleave is a nationally known rosarian, television personality, speaker and advocate for the rose.
Content Creator & On-Air Personality:
Teresa Byington – www.TheGardenDiary.com
Co-Host Teresa Byington promotes roses as an integral part of the landscape, as a Consulting Rosarian, Master Gardener, writer, and speaker.
SUBSCRIBE:
Subscribe to Rose Chat Podcast Updates: http://bit.ly/subscribeROSE
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?
This is my third year using the Winter Sowing method and I am a huge fan. It is so simple, cheap and requires sooo little time. One of the big advantages is that there is no “hardening” off process. Those tiny miracles know when to germinate and they get tough during their time in the those “jug microclimates”.
Even though not all of the seeds I’ve sown have done well (most have), it’s incredibly fun to see what happens! I’ve found it to be a great return on a small investment.
BIGGEST SURPRISE OF 2022…
For the first time last year I planted tomato seeds using the winter sowing method.
I put them outside in a jug on April 2, left them alone and had amazing plants in mid May ready to take their place in Mr. G’s driveway garden. The 3 varieties I planted were Gardener’s Delight, Steak Sandwich and Beefsteak.
I also planted the same seeds in the potting shed and put them under lights. The shed may be small but I have a great set up for seed starting. When it was time to plant the tomatoes outside I would have to say that the indoor plants had the advantage on uniformity and look but the tomatoes in the jugs where very hardy and ready to go and initially were out performing the ones shed grown. In the picture below, the tall ones were winter sown. In the end they all caught up with each other and performed very well giving Mr. G a bumper crop of tomatoes! All’s well that ends well!
MY 2023 WINTER SOWING LIST (so far)
Milkweed
Foxglove
Larkspur
Phacelia
Sweet Pea
Bachelor Buttons
Snapdragons
Strawflower
Orlaya
Yarrow
Scabiosa
Lavender (Munstead)
Poppies
These babies are already out in the elements… more to join them soon.
If you look closely you’ll see some wire fencing I have around them to protect from night marauders.
NEXT UP
In late March or early April, I plan to start several warm season flowers and veggies – especially tomatoes. I may even try Zinnias with this method even though direct seeding works very well.
For those who asked, these are the Zinnias I’m growing this year:
Queen Lime Red ⭐️ (Fav from last year!)
Queen Lime with Blush
Queen Lime Orange ⭐️ (Fav from last year!)
Giant Purple
Isabellina
Double Violet Queen
Queen Lime RedQueen Lime Orange
SEED SOURCES
I buy seeds from everywhere … the Dollar Store, Rural King, Amazon, Esty, Big Box Stores, garden centers and all the usual online sources. Amazon is great to save a bit on delivery especially if you only want a couple of packets,
LOCAL NOTE: FREE SEEDS will be one of the booths at the Hendricks Co. Master Gardeners annual spring event — Gardening for All Ages / April 29. Come join us for a day of garden fun! Event details here.
HOW TO…
If you are new to this process, below are the steps I take. There are numerous videos on YouTube where you can see this in action. Always note the growing zone of those doing the video to adjust for your zone growing needs. (I’m Zone 5b.)
WHAT YOU NEED:
Clear water or milk jugs cut around the middle preserving 2-3” by handle for hinge (discard lids you won’t need them)
I’ve seen people use rotisserie chicken container, take-out containers and all kinds of drink containers. As long as there is room for them to grow, they drain well and light can penetrate – most any container would work. I love the jugs because they are not only sturdy, they have that built in hinge. The jugs are large so I often plant more than one variety per jug.
Potting Soil (Not seed starting mix.)
Duck Tape
Labels / Garden Marker
Seeds
SIMPLE STEPS:
Cut container and add 4-5 drain holes in bottom
Fill container to about 1″ below rim with pre-moistened potting soil.
Lightly tamp soil.
Plant seeds according to the direction on the packet. DO READ THE SEED PACKET! Some seeds need light to germinate (Snapdragons, poppies etc) so you do not want to cover those. Some need darkness (Larkspur, & Calendula etc. ) and you will want to cover them well.
Once seeds are planted, mist the container well.
Add label inside the container! Use garden marker not a sharpie as they don’t last very well and if you are like me – you will not remember. Frankly many seedlings look the same! I tried using wooden popsicle sticks but they fade quickly or grow mold so I use plastic labels.
Secure the container with duck tape. I like to put the name on the duck tape and the date.
They are ready to go outside.I have them next to the potting shed where they are protected from wind and I can keep an eye on them. They also get plenty of sun but not full sun.
Sow seedsMistAny garden marker will do!
The fun really begins when you see this…
Oh Happy Day!
Friends, if you are doing the winter sowing method, what has been your experience and what are you sowing this year? Have you done Zinnias or Cosmos?
For my cold weather friends, remember summer?
Until next time … happy gardening or happy garden planning!
Gardeners are a great combination of dreamers and planners as well as the get it done crew! January is when we take a look at that blank slate and start filling up!
SUPPLY/DEMAND
Supply and demand being what it has been the last couple of years has taught us the true value of buying early. The only problem with that is that I buy early online but as roses/seeds/tubers become available locally, I get equally excited about those. I’ll be calling on my self restraint a lot in the coming weeks. Someone please keep reminding me that my garden has a limited amount of space.
So far here is where I am with orders for roses and dahlias…
ROSES
THE GENEROUS GARDENER
PLUM PERFECT
Recently I posted about these two roses on Facebook (on my page, Rose Chat Group page and on the Rose Geeks page) asking for comments and pictures of Plum Perfect growing in their gardens. I didn’t have to ask about the Generous Gardener because it is already a favorite in my garden! Regarding Plum Perfect, so far there has been a ton of comments and all very, very positive. Many raved about this rose saying they were adding another this year. They gave high marks for the health of the rose too. Take a look…
Hello Beautiful!
FROM STAR ROSES & PLANTS WEBSITE
Intense, Plum Color • Performs Well In Heat and Humidity
Sunbelt® Plum Perfect™ has numerous, very intensely plum-colored, double flowers. The foliage is a healthy and shiny, medium green, and the variety performs well in heat and humidity.
IRS ROSE SALE
Fortunate for me Plum Perfect is part of the Indianapolis Rose Society Rose Sale. If you are local, this is a great sale with many beautiful roses for a great price. The sale is NOT just for members although members do get a very nice discount on the roses. Don’t delay. I have my eye on a few more! 😱 Transparency Note: I bought 3 PPs. Requiring me to get creative in where to plant them! 💜
If you want specific Dahlias you truly must order early. But, oh my goodness there are so many beautiful ones out there. Last year I bought dahlias from Longfield Gardens, Swan Island Dahlias, Home Depot, Lowes and Country Harmony (local garden center).
Three years ago I randomly bought from Lowes what has become my very favorite Dahlia – Milena Fleur. A medium sized peachy/pink bloom and plant that stays around 4′. Great for arrangements! Lowes sold Milena Fleur again last year, To ensure I have her this year, I ordered again even though I have her hiding out from the winter in the garage.
I will also have 3 Cafe Au Laits coming from Longfields as replacements for the ones I received in 2022 that turned out not to be Cafes!
Milena Fleur in my garden.
Karma Lagoon (Longfield web pic)Cornel Bronze (Longfield web pic)Cafe au Lait (Longfield web pic)Labyrinth (Longfield web pic)
OVERWINTERING DAHLIAS
I am trying again to over winter my dahlias from last year but I checked them two weeks ago and they certainly don’t look like the plump tubers I packed away. 🤔 Time will tell. Last year one of the three I packed away made it. I packed them in pet bedding chips but they seem awfully dry – I do spritz them occasionally but that is so tricky for a novice. If they don’t turn out well, I plan to try a new method next year. How do you store Dahlias?
SEEDS
I saw this image on IG from @wildwestgardeneringeorgia and it spoke to me. Actually, I can’t express how much I love seeds. Everything about them. I image that during creation seeds must have been a favorite of God’s too. Even the tiniest seed contains everything needed to create the plant AND the ability to actually die and leave us with new life in the form of more seeds.
One of the tiniest seeds is the mustard seed (1 to 2 millimetres) that grows to a tree up to 20′. Jesus told us we only needed the faith of a mustard seed to move mountains. 😱 Yes, seeds give us much to think about and look forward to.
Oh Happy Day: The start of seed organization
Seriously I have bought so many I won’t bore you with the list. Not just online but there was that day I walked into Armstrong Garden Center in CA in December to find their wall of Botanical Interest seeds staring down at me. You know how that ended. I really found so many I was looking for and some I didn’t even know I needed! 😱🌱 🎉 🌱 Have you ever noticed just how pretty those seed packets are!
Making a list and checking it twice.
WINTER SOWING
I am sooooo excited that it is time to start winter sowing. So far, I’ve gotten as far as making a list. More about winter sowing next week.
ROSE CHAT PODCAST
On Sun, January 22 the 2023 Rose Chat season begins. First up is Jason Croutch of Fraser Valley Rose Farm — Roses in Stories and Culture.
In this episode we take a look at some of the stories and legends behind the roses and how roses have weaved their way into Western culture throughout the ages. Some of them are fun and some of them are shocking!
We are having warm temps for January and I’m ready to get out and clean things up. I know I need to wait — horrible cold and snow could be just around the corner. Yep, I better stick to winter sowing.
Are you adding roses or dahlias to your garden this year? I’d love to know varieties you decide on!
After a wonderful trip to Southern California, I returned to a dry, dry, dry fall Indiana garden that was ready for a gardener to get her fall self in gear. The to-do list was long but little-by-little the list is disappearing and the chores are winding down.
☑️ Zinnias and other annuals pulled
☑️ Empty annual containers
☑️ Gather Seeds
☑️ Peonies (Dig, Divide, Move)
☑️ Plant Garlic
☑️ Plant Roses (Another Earth Angel, Carefree Beauty, and Rise Up Amberness)
☑️ Plant bulbs
Dig Dahlias
Tie up climbers
Trim back shrub roses to waist high (will wait until is it much colder)
So as you can see, I am making progress but still have a way to go. The weather is so good that it is such a pleasure to be out.
SPECIAL NOTE: We had rain… deep, soaking rain. It had been so long. The garden and I are rejoicing! I think more is in the forecast for next week!! ☔️ 💃 ⛈ 🥳
A SPECIAL FALL MOMENT
I have made my caramel dip for more than 30 years, but it was taken to the next level when Grandboy #1 wanted to be a part of the process. For more fall fun and the recipe… read on here.
DAFFODILS
I know I’m a bit late in this but I’m looking for more white daffodils, do you have ones you would recommend? Even if I can’t find them this year, I can add to list for next year. My favorite white so far is Thalia. Monty Don talked me into that one a few years ago. 🙄 It is exquisite! ⭐️⭐️⭐️
GEARING UP
I simply can’t put one year’s garden to bed without gearing up for another year. As I work in the garden my head is racing with ideas, making new plans, and wish lists. And, there are seeds to buy (before they sell out) and catalogs to pour over. It is such an exciting time. Am I alone?
My first BIG seed decision has been made… which lisianthus seeds to order from Johnnys Seeds! Last year I grew Voyage 2 Blue and from January to today I have loved them. They are still blooming in the garden as I type.
For not year I choose two colors:
Voyage 2 Champagne
Voyage 2 Lavender
Aren’t these gorgeous!!! There are several colors to choose from. Take a look here.
BLOOM THYME
Leading ladies: Mother of Pearl & Prairie SunriseMother of PearlChesnok Red GarlicCarrots I found hiding under massive Swiss ChardThanksgiving Cactus Gearing Up!
ROSE CHAT
The latest series was WINTER ROSE TALES where we featured the gardener, their garden and how they care for roses in winter. I love each of them and am so grateful to those who submitted their winter rose tales.
Most of you are probably like me and in the midst of a heat wave making mornings so very important to us! To spend time in the garden we have to beat the heat!
My favorite way to start the day is with coffee in the garden doing my devotions. My devotions this time of year are centered around the garden. Time began in a garden. Jesus went to a garden before the cross. Jesus said I am the vine you are the branches. There’s a flood. There’s drought. There’s rocky soil. There’s the mustard seed. You can’t go very far in the Bible without bumping into a garden or garden illustration. It’s very gardeny.
I was recently asked for recommendations for gardeny devotional books, so here is a list of the ones I have, they’re all a bit different. Several I bought many years ago but they may still be available through Amazon or other online outlets.
Garden Mercies by Laurie Ostby Kehler
Devotions from the Garden from Thomas Nelson Books
A Gardener’s Little Devotional Book by Worthy Publishing
Meditations on a Rose Garden by Carolyn Huffman
Down a Garden Path by Karla Dornacher
A Well-Watered Garden by Harriet Crosby
NIV Gardeners Bible
POTTING SHED PUTTERINGS
In the potting shed, I have Foxglove seeds started for next year’s garden. As biennials, in my garden, they make leaves the first year and winter over and bloom the second year. They also are known to be prolific self-seeders and that has worked for me lately but there were many years when we’ve had colder winters that did not happen. Last year I bought a lovely pot of peach foxgloves. This year in that same area I have 4 peach foxgloves! Self-seeding at its best. Always good to note about this plant ALL PARTS ARE POISONOUS.
My beautiful self-seeders
Little miracles
The seeds I planted are Carousel Mix from Renee’s Garden. They will be a mix of pastel shades.
BLOOM THYME THIS WEEK
Many of the roses are laying low, hiding from the heat and the Japanese Beetles. Since my open garden on June 12, we’ve had NO rain! NONE. The only upside to the lack of rain is that the barrage of Japanese Beetles has been stymied due to the hard ground. Only a few brave souls have emerged. We are looking forward to a drenching rain but so far none is in the forecast.
This time of year it is great to take note of those things that are doing very well. There are some roses and many perennials and annuals that don’t seem to mind the hot dry condition. Here are my BFFs right now – coreopsis, daylilies, coneflowers, daisies, veronica, and phlox. So far my dahlias are doing okay too. I’d not say they are thriving but growing and I’m still hopeful they will be spectacular. The big exception there is Creme de Cognac… I started the tuber inside and it did well and now it is blooming like crazy – way ahead of the others.
Only for a day – but worth it!Self-seeded LarkspurConeflowerLuminary Backlight Phlox AnnabelleScabiosaLemon ZestFlamenco RositaCreme Brulee CoreopsisCreme de CognacVeronicaClematisPomponella is beautiful even as she fades
YOU ARE IN GOOD COMPANY IN THE GARDEN
Never forget you are in good company in the garden.
And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; there he put the man whom he had formed. Genesis 2:8 He is the Master Gardener.
Are you tired of hearing about weather yet? We are getting almost constant rain! The garden is drenched but so green. This reminds me of 2019 when my good friend Connie Hilker came to visit and she spent her time walking in the garden under an umbrella wearing boots – the pathways were flooded. She would find the same thing today…
Here are some beauties BRAVING THE STORMS this week…
KAZANLIK is an amazingly fragrant Damask from the Bulgaria / Turkey region since before 1600s. I just had to have her and many of her cousins after visiting Turkey and learning more about their significance in the rose oil trade. Wonderful to use in potpourris! I purchased her from High Country Roses and you can too … here.
ABOVE AND BEYOND is going above and beyond, as usual, to make a big splash in the garden. Rain or shine! Thank you Dr. David Zlesak for such an amazing rose!
CLEMATIS AND LADY ASHE
The clematis is moving in a bit faster but Lady Ashe is primed and ready to take center stage. What a fabulous rose! Lady Ashe is a beautiful, well-behaved, fragrant climber from English rose growers at Peter Beale’s Roses.
NEW PLANTS FOR 2023 – PROVEN WINNERS COLOR CHOICE
Natalie Carmolli
Public Relations Specialist for Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs
Natalie Carmolli, public relations specialist for Proven Winners ColorChoice shrubs is back for one of our favorite chats of the season… new roses as well as other new plants for our gardens!
Proven Winners Website: https://www.provenwinners.com/
Proven Winners YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProvenWinnersYouTube
ROSE CHAT TEAM:
Executive Producer & On-Air Personality:
Chris VanCleave – www.RedneckRosarian.com
Creator of the Rose Chat Podcast. Mr. VanCleave is a nationally known rosarian, television personality, speaker and advocate for the rose.
Content Creator & On-Air Personality:
Teresa Byington – www.TheGardenDiary.com
Co-Host Teresa Byington promotes roses as an integral part of the landscape, as a Consulting Rosarian, Master Gardener, writer, and speaker.
SUBSCRIBE:
Subscribe to Rose Chat Podcast Updates: http://bit.ly/subscribeROSE
If you’re local, the Indianapolis Rose Society and Hamilton Country Master Gardeners have teamed up to bring a beautiful day of roses. Roses for sale, demonstrations, garden tour, great speakers, and free Proven Winner’s beautiful roses to the first 40 guests! For all the details, read on here…
In these tumultuous times, weather as a problem is not even on the scale. More than ever I appreciate the beauty and love around me.
Luke 12: Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. He’s not just in control of flowers, He’s in control of us.
Until next week…. may your time in the garden give you comfort and beauty.
Well, for the last two weeks I have been “gardening from a fire hose.” For sure. With winter refusing to leave and spring rains turning to spring floods, all the spring chores around here were crammed into the last two weeks. Of course, there is not a real “deadline”, however, I want things to be ready when FIREWORKS and FRAGRANCE season starts and the old roses lead the way in late May.
So with every minute I had, I was planting, pruning, fertilizing and mulching. As of Wednesday of this week, most of those tasks have been crossed off the list. Whew! Just in time to see this beauty take center stage as the first rose to bloom.
If you would like to know more about her or would like to have one in your garden, check out the High Country Roses website HERE.
So in this flurry of garden activity, I found a place for 24 dahlias.😳 Still a mystery to me how I found enough room. Also found plenty of room to plant cosmos and zinnia seeds. My plan is that they will take up the slack when the roses have to lay low while the Japanese Beetles are on the hunt for them mid-summer. Praying that the JBs do not find Dahlias and Zinnias tasty. Can’t these dreaded creatures just go away! Remember last summer …
ROSE CHAT
If you need some company while you’re weeding, check out the latest podcasts. I’ve been chatting with some great guests. Access list below..
NEW PLANTS FOR 2023 – PROVEN WINNERS COLOR CHOICE
Natalie Carmolli
Public Relations Specialist for Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs
Natalie Carmolli, public relations specialist for Proven Winners ColorChoice shrubs is back for one of our favorite chats of the season… new roses as well as other new plants for our gardens!
Proven Winners Website: https://www.provenwinners.com/
Proven Winners YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProvenWinnersYouTube
ROSE CHAT TEAM:
Executive Producer & On-Air Personality:
Chris VanCleave – www.RedneckRosarian.com
Creator of the Rose Chat Podcast. Mr. VanCleave is a nationally known rosarian, television personality, speaker and advocate for the rose.
Content Creator & On-Air Personality:
Teresa Byington – www.TheGardenDiary.com
Co-Host Teresa Byington promotes roses as an integral part of the landscape, as a Consulting Rosarian, Master Gardener, writer, and speaker.
SUBSCRIBE:
Subscribe to Rose Chat Podcast Updates: http://bit.ly/subscribeROSE
Yes, May Madness is upon us! The garden is filled with excitement. So many roses are budded up and will pop soon! FIREWORKS AND FRAGRANCE to be continued.
In this time of gardening from a fire hose…. the scripture Psalm 46:10, Be still and know that I am God…. is something I need more than ever. He is the creator of all this beauty we see and I am grateful.
Have a wonderful week in your garden and I hope you have time to just be…
Blossom by blossom the Spring begins. Algernon Charles Swinburne
I don’t know about where you are, but around here Spring is having an identity crisis. We are having such extreme ups and downs and so much rain. But with it all, Spring is still very welcome. I give Spring a lot of grace just because it is NOT WINTER.
The above quote is just perfect I think. Every day as I walk in the garden I see something new. All signs of life. Just a perfect setting to lead us up to Easter and a time when we celebrate the sacrifice Jesus made to bring us eternal life.
Several birds are checking us out.This one is stunning in person. PrimroseThis face… perfection
DAFFODILS
Daffodils are my favorite spring bulb. They sure make a difference in the spring garden. Even though I love them, I go slowly when it comes to planting them as I don’t want their messy leaves still around when the roses are getting started! I certainly get creative about where to put them. But oh how wonderful it is to see them when they come.
For containers, I buy the mini starter pots at Lowes and Walmart. Usually, Tete de Tetes are the mini daffodils used. But this year the ones I bought from Walmart were different than the ones I bought from Lowes – and I liked them much better! With a little investigation, I found out that this “new” mini daffodil was a sport of Tete de Tete — Tete Boucle. Boucle is the French word for loop. Ms Boucle was not only gorgeous but she also did very well in a vase.
On Social Media Paul Zimmerman introduced me to another daffodil that I am on the hunt for — Yosemite Valley. Have you seen this one? Oh my word! GORGEOUS! I have found the perfect spot for more daffodils and I hope these will be the ones! So far, I have not found a supplier. If you see them for sale, let me know!
YEAR OF THE GLADIOLUS
The National Garden Bureau has named 2022 as the year of the Gladiolus. I am thrilled. I love this old-fashioned beauty. I know they fell out of favor except for “funeral” flowers for a time but I am “glad” to report they are coming back!
The original varieties existed naturally in South Africa.
Gladiolus owe their botanical name to the Latin word gladius, which means sword.
Some growing tips…
Gladiolus should be grown in well-drained soil and full sun.
You can grow them in a cutting garden, add them to your perennial garden, grow them in raised beds or containers, or plant the corms in your vegetable garden.
Before planting, prepare the soil by loosening the planting area to a depth of 6 to 10”. Adding compost and an all-purpose granular fertilizer will help your glads reach their full potential.
You can expect the flowers to begin opening 80-90 days after planting. To extend the bloom time, don’t plant all the corms at once. Plant the first batch in spring after all danger of frost has passed. Plant additional corms every week or two until early summer (about 90 days before the first fall frost).
Plant grandiflora types 6 to 8” deep. Planting deeper helps keep the stems upright. Dwarf glads should be planted 4 to 6” deep. Space the corms 4 to 6” apart on center. Use the closer spacing if you plan to cut most of the stems before they are fully open.
Water regularly and deeply, especially during dry spells. When plants are stressed by heat and drought, they become more susceptible to pests and disease. Applying 2 to 3” of mulch after planting will help retain moisture and control weeds.
To read more from the Garden Bureau on growing these garden beauties … head over to the Garden Bureau site HERE.
There are so many varieties at the garden centers and box stores right now. So far I have purchased 3 different varieties that I plan to work in groupings together…
Rose Chat Spring Fling:
Last week we released the first in the 4-part spring fling series…
ROSE PEST & DISEASE CONTROL … without the “hard” stuff Jason Croutch of Fraser Valley Rose Farm
On this episode, Jason Croutch, owner of Fraser Valley Rose Farm, shares his rose growing philosophy and gives us tips on managing rose pests and diseases without using “the hard stuff.” Listen in for so many great rose care ideas plus stories behind his very popular YouTube Channel. You might just need a pen and paper for this one!
Tomatoes have germinated in record time. Mr. G is very happy. Since I started them later than I usually do, he was getting a bit anxious about it! So far everyone is doing well. Fungus gnats seem to be fewer and more under control – hopefully! Although I am certainly creating their ideal habitat!
Potting up Dahlias started from seed.Baby tomatoes 🍅Lisianthus growing strong 💪🏻
Holy Week
This Sunday starts Holy week for Christians. From Jesus’ triumphant entry, to his death on the cross and resurrection. The images from Mel Gibson’s movie The Passion are forever etched into my mind. We will rewatch on Good Friday. Such love is hard to comprehend. But he calls us to the same…
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.” –John 13:34
If you’d like to read more about the events of this special week … read on here.
Friends, I wish you a beautiful, love-filled week.
