Late Season Planting

Well, I visited Sky Nursery the other day and spent some money on their 30% off spring bulbs. I purchased 18 tulip bulbs (two varieties) and a 4-pack of hyacinth. I found a couple of spots in the main p-patch plot to bury the bulbs (along with some fertilizer (don't forget to feed those bulbs!)) and covered everything up with leaves. Unfortunately, I have no more burlap to lay down and am hoping this winter won't be too windy.

Also, I trimmed back the fuchsia to its base as it is dying off for the season. This plant is getting pretty darn big, almost six feet in diameter when in full growth and tends to over-shadow surrounding plants by mid-late summer.

The broccoli is still going in the secondary plot. I still don't know if I will be able to harvest it before we get a hard frost, but the weather has remained rather mild so far. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Putting the Garden to Bed

Winter may not be here yet, but Fall has definitely arrived. There is not so much as a lot of rain, but the overnight temperatures are hitting the mid-30's. I finished harvesting everything consumable about a month ago (finally dug up the remaining potatoes). As the above pic shows, I have added a layer of leaves and burlap over a good portion of the plot. I'm hoping it will slowly compost over the next few months.

Also, I have planted a few new plants. In the foreground is a third hellebore I picked up at Swansons in their clearance section ($9.00). I was surprised to find it since it looked quite healthy, and that section tends to get half-dead stuff. In the background, where the potatoes used to be, is now a calla lily and an alstroemeria. A fellow gardener gave me them both. I'm hopefully that they will both bloom come next Summer.

Now, as for the secondary plot...I've planted a bunch of broccoli starts that were free (over near the courtyard tables) about two months ago. The plants are coming along nicely, but I really don't think I'll be able to harvest any of them before Winter' first serious cold snap (note: in the last two years temps hit high 20's at least one evening, between the second week of Nov. and second week of Dec.). But, I'll keep my fingers crossed anyway. Also, the C. Hederifolium in the background came back like gangbusters. If you remember, a bit after I transplanted the plants they died back completely, with nothing remaining above-ground. I'm hoping that the new greenery will last through to next Spring. But, given the soggy NW weather, I'm not too hopeful. Cyclamen are native to much drier climates, and my p-patch plants tend to get a lot of water.

A Tale of Two Sales

So, I checked out two local fall plant sales last weekend. On Saturday, I headed over to Magnuson Park (well known for sponsoring those immense Seattle Public Library book sales) and sought out the Native Bulb, Seed and Plant Sale, sponsored by the Washington Native Plant Society. The sale only filled one of the smaller parts of the main hangar and was a bit underwhelming. There was a bunch of shrubs and trees, one table with a decent collection of books, and another table with seeds. Interestingly, there seemed to be just as many orange vest volunteers on-site as there were actually customers.

On Sunday, I drove over to the Center for Urban Horticulture (near the UW playfields) and checked out the Hardy Plant Society of Washington's first annual Fall Bulb Sale. They had one row of tables outside with live plants, while the entirety of the inside area comprised dozens of boxes of bulbs and seeds. I ended up snagging a particularly attractive Cyclamen Cilicium, as well as a unique looking Cilla bulb, and some tulip bulbs.

Corn!

The corn is doing very well. So far, I picked around eight ears, and have seen no signs of rodents. Also, the temperatures are now in the 80's on a consistent basis. Wind continues to pose some challenges though and blows the stalks sideways. I've provided some support in the form of several six-foot long aluminum poles.

In other news, I have cyclamen hederifolium growing in a couple of spots that are now blooming. I planted one corm in a pot that is doing quite nicely. Once I placed it in a very shaded spot (on my deck) the plant showed remarkable growth. Also, I have a couple of plants buried in my p-patch plot that are also sending up blooms. Since that paricular spot gets several hours of direct sunlight every day, I have constructed a short-term shade solution from a burlap bag and some posts. I still need to research something more permanent if my shade plants are going to thrive.

End of August

Where does the time go? Summer is finally showing some good weather. Thus, the corn is almost ready to harvest. I haven't seen any rodents skulking around, but I'd be surprised if they didn't make efforts towards the corn in the next couple of weeks. I have put "corn cozies" on the most promising dozen ears, but cannot afford to buy/create any more right now. Furthermore, the two bell pepper plants are showing promise and have a good half dozen peppers currently maturing. Also, I've been steadily picking beans the last several weeks. Unfortunately, a few of the plants are showing signs of club root. This is the first year I've tried bush beans, but I think I'll go back to pole beans next year.

As for cyclamen...I've determined all of the hardy varieties (hederifolium, cilicium, etc.) in my plots are getting too much sun and water. I'm going to research some taller, drought-tolerant species to place nearby and provide some much needed shade. This is the first time I've noticed the cilicium has thrived, but it's because the fuchsia grew over it. I need to begin planning my plot better, clustering less water plants and shade plants together. Currently, everything is mixed up, and several species are suffering (particularly the dicentra and cyclamen).

Two pots on the deck are currently coming along nicely. The small purpurascens tuber (two pics up) from Hansen's Nursery is showing healthy new growth, a few blooms, and no leaf die-off. The other, more established purpurascens from Swanson's, shows continuous growth, but most of the older leaves sicken and die. I don't attribute this to excess water as leaves continue to die off even when I withhold water. I'm thinking the issue is do to some form of insect or potentially a soil deficiency. Certainly, I will need to further research the problem. Finally, the intaminatum (pictured directly above (white flowers)) has gone from a couple of of leaves and flowers, and now shows much more growth, with more still on the way.

Cyclamen Update - Summer 2011

Only two of my cyclamen species are in bloom and showing growth at the moment: purpurascens and intaminatum. The purpurascens I acquired at Swason's Nursery last year is the most developed and has already produced nearly a dozen flowers, as well as several new green leaves. Unfortunately, other leaves on this plant are yellowing and dying off. I believe this is due to overwatering. Which is odd, as I do not fell I have watered the plant enough to have this result. So, I am trying to let this particular plant go for weeks at a time unwatered, being careful to monitor it's condition. All of the growers I have spoken with say to only water when the soil is dry (which is hard to determine for a pot this big). Maybe I will need to do some research on getting a moisture meter. As for the purpurascens corm I purchased through Hansen's Nursery (OR), it has only produced a mere couple of leaves was just polking out of the top of the soil.
The intaminatum is also showing signs of growth (as seen above), with more new leaves still sprouting. I made the mistake earlier this year by adding too much water and lost all my existing leaves. Hence, I will be much more careful with future waterings.

Summer Update