dirtdobber's Blog

Seedlings and roses
Feb 27, 2009 | 6:59 AM PST

Hi guys! Just thought I would give an update on my seed sprouts. They don't look too great. I had cleome, coleus, hollyhocks and a couple of herbs. The hollyhocks are what I really want to grow. It seems they come up just fine, and then then they get spindley and fall over once they are about 2-3 inches high. I think I need to get a "grow light" but  they are expensive online and haven't found any at the stores. Oh well, I'll keep forging ahead. It is fun to come home from work and check them out everyday.

Yesterday, I bought a pink climbing rose. I've never done much with roses so I'm kind of excited about that. My old place just didn't have enough sun. I do have a little small rose bush that I rooted from a piece that I took from the house where I grew up. I planted it in the ground when we moved here a year and a half ago. Now that we have had some warm days it is really taking off! My mom would have been so proud to see that. I think of her everytime I go in my back door. Aren't plants wonderful like that? It's not just the beauty of the plant but also the story behind them. It seems like such a connection to those who have gone before us.

Ya'll have a great day....and get in that dirt!!! Trish

New Avatar
Feb 17, 2009 | 7:21 AM PST
Hi again everybody. Just letting you know I have a new avatar.  It's last year's garden.  Got sick of those flip flops...but it's still me!  Trish

Figs and irises
Feb 17, 2009 | 6:36 AM PST

Yesterday was just too gorgeous to not get out and dig. Last week Lowes had some fig trees for sale. I couldn't resist. He got planted yesterday. I looked online for some info on fig trees and it said to make sure you know what type of fig you have. Well, my tree doesn't have that anywhere! Oh well, we'll see. It was fun getting in the dirt.

A friend from work also brought me a bag full of white irises. It is probably not at all the time to be planting those, but I did that too. I just strolled through my yard looking for good places. My favorite spot that I chose was on each side of the gate going into my vegetable garden.  There is nothing like smelling that dirt on a pretty sunny day. I think Mother Nature is toying with my emotions...63 in the daytime and 29 degrees at night! I hope all of you are getting little snatches like that from time to time. It is simply the best head medicine I know of! Ya'll have a great day....and get in that dirt!!!! Trish

Seed Sprouts!
Feb 4, 2009 | 7:28 AM PST

I think I'm getting my $6.00 worth of pleasure from my seed sprout tray I bought at Lowe's. About a week ago I bought the tray and some seed medium. I got packages of coleus, cleome, hollyhocks and a couple of herbs. I have treated this like a baby! Carefully watering it all after the seeds were in...not too much, just dampened well. I've kept it warm. Put it on the dryer while drying clothes...even put the heating pad under the tray for heaven's sake!  Well....guess what?! I have sprouts! Now I'm running around trying to get them in the best sunlight. I need a grow light I guess. But here's the rub. I don't know what to do next. This seems to be the point at that I mess up everytime. I always seem to lose them sooner or later. (except for zinnias and that's b/c they can survive even me!)

My next task is to get online and research the next step. The hollyhocks are already a little leggy. I need to find out if that clear top cover comes off now. Anyway, this has been fun. For all of you with the winter doldrums...get some seeds!!...and get in that dirt!!! Trish