Coming Along...

Spring began about a week ago, but it's still quite cold outside, in the mid 40's. I planted some Walla Walla onions and more peas, but I figure they will take off when temperatures raise. Also, as can be seen in the pic, the "Ivory Prince" hellebore is in full bloom, and more tulips are showing color. Unfortunately, I didn't plan out any of the misc. tulips I buried last fall so they will probably all bloom at different intervals. I invested in another hellebore (positioned besides the first one): Helleborus orientalis 'Mardi Gras Double'

Spring Into Action!

Well, it appears Spring has finally arrived (actually, it began last Sunday). Things are starting to look up out at the p-patch. I'm particularly proud of my 'Ivory Prince' hellebore (top pic, foreground) that has truly made improvements over the last year. I had to trim back a lot of green leaves as a fungus had infested many of them. But, fortunately, the flower have enveloped most of the plant. In addition, the first of the Spring tulips have announced their arrival. And, I planted spinach, broccoli, and peas a couple of weeks ago. A couple of weeks ago the UW Center for Urban Horticulture held their 4th Annual Ephemeral Sale. The bucketing rain didn't dissuade many folks as hundreds showed up when the doors opened early morning on Saturday. The great thing about this particular sale is the large number of independent and alpine nurseries from outside Seattle are represented. I only picked up one plant (Cyclamen pseudibericum) mainly because I have never seen this species of cyclamen for sale growing in a 4-inch pot anywhere in-state. And, it's in far better shape than the one in a pot on my deck. Picture below...

Spring is Around the Corner

As you can see in the pic, spring bulbs are starting to show around the area. We haven't had any freezing temperatures in weeks and I can only hope that will be the last of the cold weather

Also, here is a pic of one of my C. Cypriums. It's coming along nicely.

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2011 Here We Come...

Well, it has been a cold, wet winter so far. November brought a couple of very chilly days (low 20's) that killed everything outside that wasn't hardy or protected. My broccoli didn't survive and I won't try again next fall for a late crop. The temperatures are just too unpredictable.

I checked out the p-patch and everything is slushy and dead. None of the early spring bulbs have shown, but the hellebore has developed several flower clusters that are just waiting for February before they fully bloom. I do have a bunch of bulbs I planted last fall in one of the deck planters that are poking up though. I'm planning on rebuilding the two hanging baskets with some flowering plants soon. I hope we've seen the last of the freezing temperatures, but I'll keep careful tabs on the forecast. Planters will get pulled inside if the temperatures threaten them. The hardy cyclamen, in pots, on the other hand, have no problem with the freezing temperatures. They all weathered the November freeze quite well.

Preparing for Winter

Wow, where does the time go, or in this case, the summer. Ironically, today's high in Seattle was 73 degrees (a new record). The weather has been very mild this late into fall. Nights are getting cooler though, and the rain has picked up. Predictions for this winter include lots of snow.
I have removed the rest of any summer vegetation. In addition, some broccoli starts I planted several weeks ago are coming along nicely. The fuchsia continues to bloom so I'm putting off the yearly shearing of branches. Cyclamen Hederifolium is sprouting (see pic below). The major project this fall though has been the dozens of tulip bulbs I have planted in the eastern half of my main plot. This is why I should stay away from nurseries this time of the year. I can't remember how many varieties I ended up planting but I'm sure to find out come next spring. As for putting the garden to bed...I began spreading a late batch of compost and covering areas with burlap (free from the Magnolia Garden Center). Finally, visited Molbaks (Woodinville, WA) and checked out the early Christmas plants/decorations. By the end of November the place will be packed with poinsettias.

End of Summer

Well, the last of this Summer's good weather is this week. I'm guessing it will begin to get colder with more rain in another week or two. I just hope my remaing bell peppers can develop a bit more before I need to harvest them. I have managed to pick the last of this year's corn, and have just begun harvesting the second crop of green beans. Also, I need to dig up the rest of the potatoes, but have until the ground freezes so am in no hurry. The remaining corn stalks were dug out and chopped up, and replaced with spinach and broccoli starts. The cyclamen Hederifolium in my main plot is just beginning to send up blooms.

Rats!

Well, now I know why the Bible made such a deal with those locust swarms. It would appear a rat (aka Wilbur) or several has moved into the garden and consumed all the corn in my plot in just under 48 hours. Interestingly, the rodents have left alone the corn in the 70sf south-property berm space. As soon as I discovered the devastation I quickly visited the local hardware store and purchased some industrial cloth which I fashioned into corn cozies. When slipped over the end of corn ears the cozies provide a measure of protection from hungry rats. The trick is to secure the sleeves around the ears snugly enough, but without damaging them.As for the other plants...the plot green beans continue to produce, with the berm space beans just starting to send up vines. The summer lilies are just about finished for this season. The fuchsia is full developed. Also, I should begin digging up potatoes soon as their above-ground vegetation has died off. And to close, more pics of a couple of successes...