bloominnana's Blog
bloominnana's "what's happening"
Last Post 353 days, 8 hours Ago
Sep 11, 2007 | 6:42 PM PST
Tags: Cuban Oregano , Blackberry Lilly , Tomato Grafting , MG class #2 , Soil samples
MG class #2 completed with lots of bonuses! Our class today was Plant Propagation and wow did we not only see and hear about propagation we really did it! Our Horticulture agent brought plants and seeds and some class members brought cuttings also. We all went home with more than we came with.....more knowledge, more plants, more opportunities. One of my favorites today was Cuban Oregano. It is probably one of the most aromatic plants I have ever been in the presence of. I planted cuttings from CO and from a White Christmas cactus. I planted seeds from a Blackberry Lilly. I realize after today's class I am able to do more in the area of propagation to save money by not buying more plants and having plants on hand to share with others. I think inventory is always good!
We took our soil samples in today and prepared them in their little brown boxes with the paperwork to go to be analyzed. That is a wonderful service that is free and will enable us to become more productive, successful gardeners.
We have the opportunity to attend a workshop, Tomato Grafting: Techiques, Benefits and Management on 10/3. This is being done at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS). I understand it is a very easy process, not like the grafting we so often think about and seldom do. This workshop will provide detailed info and an on-site demo of tomato grafting technique. I am very interested, especially since this summer has been the worst tomato growing experience ever for me.
If any of you gardeners (no matter what level of experience or knowledge) have the opportunity to be a part of the Master Gardener program that your county offers, please consider doing so. It has been so rewarding and only 2 classes so far.....the best is yet to come! Judy in eastern NC
Aug 6, 2007 | 10:15 AM PST
Tags: Leaves substitute? , Caterpillar day #11 , compost help
Today is day #11 in the life of my first chrysalis. Any day now I should be seeing my first swallowtail emerge that I have known and cared for since he was a baby caterpillar! There is a total of 5 chrysalis I am currently watching. Sorry no pictures are available since I haven't taken on that project of learning and doing yet.
My daughter , that was to take pictures, is at the beach for the week with her family. My grandaughter is 8 and is attending a camp at the NC aquarium this week. The forecast is for HHH, temps 98-100 degrees with indices at 110-115 degrees and NO rain in the forecast. To quote the weather forecaster "the hottest week in years". I pray for the people that their employment requires them to be outside and those of us that just HAVE to get some "dirt therapy". It seems I have only been able to keep up with the "have-to-do's" lately. I long to be able to continue planting, weeding, etc. without having the "glistening" (sweat) look!
I have recently changed internet service providers and have missed GG. The time I had been spending on computer has been spent watering. I have recently purchased a compost bin, SoilSaver, from my local Sam's store for only $42. Some places have it listed for $70+. It is made of recycled plastics and is to last for 25 years. A lot longer than I probably will last! It was extra easy to put together and is attractive for a compost bin...in my opinion. I realized how much "valuables" I was putting in my trash for the city to pick up. I am concerned I may not have enough brown since I have no big trees, therefore no leaves. Any tips on the composting experience? Thanks in advance!
Jul 29, 2007 | 5:21 PM PST
Tags: marking , iding , plants to be moved
I have daylilies that will need to be divided and relocated that are still blooming. I need to come up with a successful method to "mark" these. I am not usually that particular about "who goes where" but I especially want to be sure about these since they have the right color, height, and a long blooming season. Thanks in advance for all the tips!bloominnana
Jul 27, 2007 | 9:01 AM PST
Tag: caterpillar update
I now have a total of 11 caterpillars..Swallowtails-to-
be. I spend about 1 hr+ each day watching and caring for them. I have had to buy parsley for them to eat. I am going to get my daughter (AP Biology, Environmental Science teacher) to come take some pictures and hopefully share them on this site. As of yesterday, Thursday 7/26/07, I have 5 that are now in their chrysalis stage. They originally were on a dill plant in a large patio container. I was able to put a tomato cage (purchased for about $1) upside down and it fitted the circumference of the pot. I tied some old glass spice containers, the ones with the holes in the plastic top, perfect for holding the purchased parsley, to each place the wire crossed (six total). After securing the jars of water and parsley , I then covered the entire cage with fiberglass screen and overlapped it and then tied with string at the places the wire crossed. In between I used toothpicks to secure the vertical opening. I gathered the screen at the top and tied it also. Obviously some of the original 23 were already somewhere else???by the time I got this figured out and complete. It has been fun and work and also a learning experience for me and my grandchildren ages 8 & 5. I put some dried daylily stalks inside the cage hoping they would attach to them but these caterpillars wanted to go to the top of the cage where the wire is gathered. They all seem to be OK based on the info I have been able to read. I do know I will have to watch carefully to make sure they have enough room when they get ready to spread their wings (about 10-12 days from now).
I am a real sucker for "needy plants" and bargains at the local home improvement store. They have a section of clearance..,greatly marked down, plants that I find myself having to go to check out first before I find what I actually went to the store to purchase! Today I purchased perennials (coneflowers, phlox) for only $1 and $2 each. These were originally selling for $8 each. They have bloomed and only need grooming and of course to be planted in a real garden. My delima is, since the weather is so very hot and humid, do I try to plant them now or care for them until more favorable conditions? At least I can water them a lot easier in a group rather than planted in the yard. I know a lot of planting perennials is done in the fall. Are there any other people out there that have this "addiction"? Please advise....bloominnana
Jul 22, 2007 | 9:35 PM PST
I have learned today that the next best thing to actually gardening is being a member of gardenguides.com! I have received encouragement and instruction for my first caterpillar-butterfly experience. I usually do something each day in my yard....plant, weed, or move things around and on Sundays I usually take a stroll around and admire and plan what needs to be done. I am blessed with grandchildren and parents that live nearby that I can share my experiences with daily. It has been much cooler yesterday and today than normal (hi 82 day, night 65). This will probably last through Monday and then HHH....Hot, Humid, Hazy is to quote the weatherman. We do have rain in the forecast for later in the week . We have been blessed to have had rain to help the crops and gardens...and to help on the water bill! Tomorrow I am going with my grandchildren, ages 8 and 5 to a Blueberry Cooking for Kids contest sponsored by our CES at the local mall. My grandaughter is cooking blueberry muffins and my grandson is making blueberry syrup. We have local blueberries for picking and purchasing and they have been so sweet even though the late frost in April caused some to be lost. Each day is truly a gift from God! One of my favorite sayings about life is "Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly, Leave the rest to God! May each of you always have enough!
