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.