Spring Color

Spring Update

Well, I have finally got around to publishing an update. A lot has happened in the last couple of months. First of all, my extra garden space (on the South side of the property) is no longer. It seems that a rep from the city doesn't like that folks are gardening near the edge of the hillside and it may be contributing to soil erosion. So, I no longer have an extra 70sf. As for my main plot...the peas are surviving, although slugs/snails are snacking on the leaf edges. I've planted a couple of batches of Walla Walla onions. Also, the various groups of tulips are starting to show color. 

On another note, and pictured below, I finally managed to get my single Cyclamen Repandum corm to produce leaves and blooms. It only took two years :-P

The Winter Garden

The winter corner of my p-patch plot is coming along nicely. The hellebore are beginning to hit their stride, with just the 'Ivory Prince' yet to fully bloom. There is also a smattering of cyclamen coum nestled in the shade of the taller hellebore. The hundreds of tulips scattered around the plot have all broken through the soil, but will probably begin blooming in another month (in staggered succession).

On another note, one of my dicentra 'Burning Hearts' survived another Winter and shows signs of new growth. I've harvested the broccoli as much as possible, and disposed of the remainder, along with the spinach. I plan to plant new spinach from seed in a couple of days, as well as plant Alderman peas.

Note: pics were updated on 03/07/13

 

Seattle Arboretum - Winter Garden

I joined a tour the other day at the Seattle Arboretum. The property's winter garden is in bloom and in its prime.

January Update

Well, it's the middle of Winter and it definitely feels like it. Temperatures have dropped to freezing many nights. But, plants outdoors seem eager for Spring. Many of my perennials (tulips) have poked up, and the hellebore all show signs of new growth. I have removed burlap covers from areas that have developing plants. Now I'm just waiting for Spring to spring...

Baby It's Cold Outside...

As Christmas approaches I decided to check out how the p-patch garden was doing. The spinach and broccoli are still growing but very slowly. If they survive until Spring I may get a chance to harvest one or both of them. As for the main plot...most everything is covered with leaves and burlap. I trimmed the fuchsia back last month. Surprisingly, the hellebores are all showing new growth (see pics below) and are just waiting until the end of January or early February to really take off. I'll probably remove all the old greenery at that time as it's still in pretty good shape (aka minimal black mold spots). Also, the cyclamen coum shows development too, as can be seen in the pic below. I have high hopes for the perennials this coming Spring which will include: four hellebore, a handful of cyclamen coum, a foxtail lily, countless scilla, and a couple hundred lilies.

Holiday Festivities at Swanson's Nursery

Swanson's Nursery kicked off the holiday season with a holiday open house last night. There were reineer, shopping discounts, free booze, and hourly drawings. I didn't find anything to spend my money on but did snap a bunch of pics.