Dusty

I just found out of the sudden passing away of my Aunt Cathy and Uncle Tony's cat Dusty.

He was posted on my blog in the past and this is just upsetting news to me as well as everybody that was close to him. He was a great cat that always greeted me when I came by. He had a unique personality and enjoyed the company of guests. I loved this cat and I am beside myself now learning this.

 We are all gonna miss you. 

Sorry for the loss Cathy and Tony   

R.I.P

Frost Warning

FROST/FREEZE WARNING FOR THE MORNINGS OF APRIL 21^st and 22^nd 2013

Weather forecasters have predicted the possibility of FROST tonight in New England, New York and Pennsylvania. Temperatures are predicted to be in the low 30's throughout the northeast quadrant of the country. Certain varieties MUST RECEIVE EXTRA PROTECTION during these low temperature events.

Plants that need extra protection include:

• All Boxwood beginning to flush
• All Evergreen Euonymus fortunei selections beginning to flush
• Pieris selections in color
• Japanese Maples that are flushing
• Peaches, Nectarine and Apricots in bloom
• Rhododendron in bud color or bloom
• All Syringa in bud especially all vulgaris, Hyacinthflora and French Hybrid selections
• All Hydrangea
• All Herbs, All perennials that have gotten an early start including Hosta, Dicentra, Ferns, Corydalis and any others you may have that look far advanced for your surrounding location.

Clearing out flower beds

No arguing about cleaning out flower beds this time of year.

Use A back pack or hand held blower. This will reduce the damage that a rake will cause by hurting tender plant shoots coming up out of soil for the first time this period during the season. You can be stubborn like other people I know but don't pout when your plants look damaged or don't even make it through the spring because you used a 'Rake". 

Disaster In Bozrah

Thank You Sandy for such a nice mess you have left me over the winter in my garden and ruined have of it.

100 ft of deer fence has to be replaced.  This will be a rebuilding year for the garden which I have come to accept.  I had a 3 ft in diameter oak tree and a 100 ft tall hickory slam down right in the middle taking out center piece plants that were focal points, Oh well. 

Last picture is looking towards the west and front of the house.

Here is a picture of William and Mr. Octavio showing the girth of this oak tree.

 If I Ever Get Out Of Here,
Thought Of Giving It All Away
To A Registered Charity.
All I Need Is A Pint A Day
If I Ever Get Out Of Here.

P.C. 

April Seed Starting

I am Back finally. Has Been a long and rough Winter but I am getting into the full swing of things.

Just started a whole mess of seed trays with some new varieties.

I mass planted some left over zinnia seeds since I have so many.

They germinated in three days which is unheard of.

I am going to start a lot more in the coming weeks and see if any cross pollination occurred from last years output of seeds.

Never underestimate the willingness of life to strive in a forward process.

The sun is the same

In a relative way

But you're older

Shorter of breath

And one day closer to death

Every year is getting shorter

Never seem to find the time

Plans that either come to naught

Or half a page of scribbled lines

P.F.

Late Fall Pics

I took some snapshots from my own gardens this Fall.

First few pictures below are of Monkshood, which is always a late bloomer.

Late blooming 'Jacobs Ladder'

Here is some 'Loves Lies Bleeding'

This picture below was done in a panoramic view

 Below starting from the top, I have a 'Castor Bean Plant'. Followed by some more Monkshood and below are 'Montauk  Daisies'

Callicarpa Berries

Sunflower seeds

I threw these sunflower seeds in a pot after they dried out in late August this year.

They germinated as you can see already.

So its good to save any seeds for next years growing season.

Late season Pics

 Cross Pollinated Zinnia, nice variation.  Saved the seeds.  

 Zinnia about to pop

Somewhere out there on that horizon
Out beyond the neon lights
I know there must be something better
But there's nowhere else in sight

 

Leave the Leaves

My Golden Rule.

In the Fall. "do not rake or blow leaves"

I leave them on the ground in the beds. I feel that they act as winter insulation for Seeds, Perennials and Half Hardy Annuals.  When spring time comes along, usually in March where I live I use a back pack blower to rid my beds of these winter blankets and collect the leaves into a piles.

You can even make some sort of make shift large container or area where they can decompose and used for topsoil or compost after a year or two.

Places I've known
Things that I'm growing
Don't taste the same without you
I got my self in
The worst mess I've been
And I find myself starving' without you 

Huge Sunflowers

Amazing Perennial sunflowers

These guys have to be 10 feet plus and gorgeous.

If I am identifying them wrong please correct me.

 "I gotta admit that I'm a little bit confused
Sometimes it seems to me as if I'm just being used
Gotta stay awake, gotta try and shake off this creeping malaise
If I don't stand my own ground, how can I find my way out of this maze?"

P F