Gray and drizzly

This week has been cold and rainy; the weather hasn’t been suitable for working outside.

I put the plants I had stored in the garage out last weekend. Last night, the weatherman had predicted a low of 38. When I got up this morning, the temperature was at freezing! I quickly checked my plants, but I think they are not harmed.

The good news from the greenhouse is that the first amaryllis has bloomed! It certainly is beautiful. I have counted 9 bud stalks so far. The geraniums are blooming; soon it will be time to start emptying the greenhouse.  The other seedlings are coming along also. Makes me anxious to plant them, but the current chilly weather tells me I should wait. The average last date for frost in East Tennessee is tomorrow.

I bought a tomato plant to put in a larger container in the greenhouse. It has grown already, and should be a good size to plant out when it’s time.

Start of Spring Cleanup

I spent Monday trimming the liriope or monkey grass on the bank beside the driveway. It's too steep to effectively use a trimmer, so I do it by hand. I worked hard to clear out all the leaves that had tucked in the places between the rocks, and was very happy with the clean appearance.

 

The candytuft and grape hyacinths contrast their colors.

I also trimmed the liriope by the steps up the bank. The liriope gets rather weather-beaten over the winter, so fresh foliage is a welcome sight. I have to hustle out to trim the old before the new comes out in the spring.

I was reflecting on the name I choose for this blog. My friend Diana made a face and said she didn’t want dirt under her fingernails. Diana is a city girl! But that’s okay. She’s my friend. Here’s a tip so you, too, will not have dirt under your fingernails. Before you put on your gardening gloves, smear your hands with Vaseline, concentrating on your fingertips and cuticles. What that does is make it very easy to clean your hands after you’re through. The dirt doesn’t stick to your skin or nails. Vaseline is inexpensive and good for your skin as well. Ummmm, Diana made a face at this, too.



My favorite time of the year

This is the best time of the year...the promise of the spring weather and beautiful garden display to come. We are seeing the first tantalizing hints of spring. Yesterday the temperature was 70 degrees with light, soft breezes.

Above is a saucer magnolia coming into full bloom. Below are the pansies planted last fall. They survived the winter and are an attractive display. They can take the cooler temperatures and even withstand frost. That's why they survive the winter!

I always hold my breath when I see the camelia coming into bloom. It flowers so early in the spring, often it gets caught and frozen. But so far, it is beautiful this year.

The candytuft is just starting to bloom. It makes a good contrast to the grape hyacinth and the green blades of the iris to the right.

Here is an arrangement I made of daffodils and lenten roses. I love the bright yellow and subdued purple together.

A Carolina wren family has started a nest in the planter just outside the back door. As traffic increases through that door in the warmer weather, I not sure the wrens will be happy with their choice!

I'm Anxious for Spring

Today is a warm, sunny day after a week of gloomy, overcast weather and rain. It’s a good chance to observe some of the hints of spring in my yard. This beautiful purple Lenten rose is coming into full bloom. It looks particularly attractive in a bouquet of daffodils. The phlox is beginning to join the party.





I can see the white Lenten rose from my bedroom window. I love to see it even if it’s cold and I’m going to work!

The forsythia seems to be at peak, but looks like it’s not going to banner year. Many times it looks as if you couldn’t stick another bloom on the stem, but that not true now!



The spinach the children sowed in the spaghetti garden is ready to start harvesting.



 

March Storms In!

Monday’s weather was very challenging! Heavy rain and high winds including a tornado warning! Fortunately for me, I was able to stay inside and watch. Others were not so lucky; many Knoxvillians had flooded basements and cars. The rescue people were kept busy!

Water pored through the gully behind my house. It washed a 3-foot wide ditch on the farm road next to us, causing my neighbor to park at our house and walk to his.

During the downpour, I happened to look out to the pond in my back yard and saw one of my six-inch-long goldfish flopping on the grass about a foot from the pond! I have no idea how he got there. But he was on the side that leaks when the pond overflows and it was rather full. I waited a few minutes since it was thundering. Lightning strikes on our hilltop too frequently! But I decided to dash out to rescue him. I scooped him back in the pond and got back in the house safely. By the next day, he seemed none to worse for the adventure.

I have some amaryllis buds emerging in the greenhouse.

My young friend Heather had another question about her new garden and seed starting. She says: Okay, so I have started all my veggies from seed and they are all quite big now, and it seems like they really need to be planted. However, I'm afraid it's still too cold outside (there was a light frost last night). Will it hurt them to keep them un-planted for another few days (or even up to a week?) to make sure it's warm enough for them at night? Or is it worse to keep them in their little seedling box (some of them, like the sunflowers and radishes are starting to topple over) for too long? What should I do?? Did I start growing the seeds too early in the season? Should I start over??

I told her the plants should not be put outside until all danger of frost is gone. Around here, that is mid-April. The average last date of frost in Knoxville is April 2. It may be earlier in Memphis where she lives. Actually the radishes can be put out now. They are considered cool weather crops and can take colder temps. Other examples: onions, peas, potatoes. What she could do about the sunflowers and others that need to wait until warmer weather is to put them out in the sunshine on warm days (above 50 degrees) and bring them in at night. That is a pain, but if they freeze she has lost all her time, effort and money so far. If they are toppling over, they need more sun. They get leggy if they don't get enough sun. When deprived of sun, the plant cells grow longer, thus the legginess. With sun, the cells grow more compactly. The plants won't actually shrink, but they will grow stronger and healthier in the sun.

Heather is making a good start on her first garden!

Heralds of Spring

A quick-moving storm with high winds slammed through last night, leaving a large, dead limb blocking the driveway. Fortunately, I was able to move it by myself, unlike the last time that happened.

The weather is warmer, causing me to look outside at the many chores I want to do. A brief observation of the yard turns up daffodils in bloom! They seem to have appeared overnight. I hear the spring courtship calls of cardinals, red-shouldered hawks and spring peepers. The forsythia is bulging with buds. 

The Lenten Roses have not waited for Lent to bloom.

The greenhouse shelters the ever-growing zinnias, and I select additional seeds for starting: moon flowers. Moon flowers are similar to morning glories in that they bloom only for one day, but they bloom in the evening. The blooms are pure white about 4-5 inches across. When they start to open, you can actually see the bloom move. They will open in about 5 minutes.

Planting Seeds with the Children

The children got into the act this week with the seed starting. Last year, I prepared a little bed just for the grandchildren’s plants. It’s a great way to share time with the children and teach them an appreciation of nature. We grew sunflowers and ornamental gourds. This year they requested watermelons. So, I made the necessary preparations with the peat pots, and they came by to push the seeds into the soil. I also threw pumpkins and cucumbers into the mix. 

Here Max stands by the seeds he planted. Cecily, a friend of Max’s, does the same. Lucy was too busy with other activities to have her picture made. 

I continue to transplant the zinnias I started into the peat pots. The ones previously started are showing progress. The weather is warmer this week, and I am spending time outside raking some of the trails in the woods.