Spring is Coming

I planned to do some gardening yesterday but when I got to the p-patch it was too cold and I wasn't dressed for the weather. I did learn (in the few minutes I was there) that something is digging up and eating my buried tulip bulbs. A lot of the spring bulbs have sprouted and are poking up through the topsoil. It looks like it's time to fertilize. Also, the hellebore are showing signs of development (new green leaves and blooms) and the cyclamen coum are in full bloom. Finally, the scilla is also poking up and blooming in small, compact clusters of blue/white flowers. I wished they would gain some height as they tend to bloom close to the ground, and are sometimes hard to spot. 

New Years

I visited the p-patch yesterday to partake in the annual tradition of eating food and trying not to freeze my bum off. There was a pretty good turnout with a few dozen gardeners. Also, I ended up pruning my hellebore a bit as well as the fuchsia. There isn't much growing right now but I did spot new buds nestled in the hellebore crowns awaiting warmer weather (probably by the end of February). Also, the cyclamen coum has sprouted a handful of magenta blooms. Checking under the burlap I noticed several worms at work breaking down my layer of leaves.

So far, this has been a very mild winter. We had about a week of freezing temperatures last month, and a couple inches of snow last lasted one day. Even the rain has been minimal the last few months.

Solstice Stroll - Kruckeberg Botanic Garden

Who says you can't enjoy gardens in the winter? Kruckeberg Botanic Gardening hosted a solstice event with snacks, caroling, and a lit path with artwork.

Late Season Planting

Ok, so I know it is pretty late in the year to be planting bulbs, but Sky Nursery was selling bulbs 50% off. So, I planted 16 more tulips in the front of my plot.

Putting the Plot to Bed

Autumn Update

As the middle of October is just around the corner I figured I should post an update. The weather has become considerably colder and wetter making Summer a thing of the past. I have no more vegetables currently growing. The 70sf plot is empty except for mulched corn stalks. Also, I dug up the calla lily and transplanted it to the corner of the 70sf plot. It was getting too big to remain in my main plot and kept expanding.

I also began a new pile of compost about four weeks ago and it is coming along nicely (plenty of worms). I plan to spread it (regardless of completion) in the coming week, adding to the plot in spots needing help.

There is a perennial bulb sale at the UW Center for Urban Horticulture tomorrow. The bulbs I buy (and some from Sky Nursery) will replace the calla lily spot. Also, I need to acquire burlap in the next few weeks to put the plot to bed. Pictures to come as well.

Mark and the Beanstalk

Ok, the temperatures have been both hot and muggy lately (sort of like other parts of the country). I am picking beans and corn like crazy. Everything else has sort of fizzled out as we are now in the middle of Summer. The fuschia is still in full bloom, and the bees love it.

On my deck, the cyclamen purpurascens and hederifolium are currently blooming. Also, I filled the hanging baskets with a bunch of annuals. I got tired of watching the bluejays bury peanuts in the planters.