This clump of daffodils is interesting as I never planted plain yellow daffodils. I had some doubles that I got years ago and I think they have reverted to their two parent plants - a yellow and a pale cream. I find it fascinating how some plants will revert over time. Anyway, all daffodils are lovely and cheerful. They come back every year and multiply, and no little creatures like to eat them.I started this basil from seed in January. Basil does very well on a windowsill even in the dead of winter. I am always surprised that it doesn't mind the chill by the window and the lower light levels. I have pinched off some of the top leaves to use in soup so it will branch out a bit more now.
Monday, April 22, 2024
A Story - "Ballerina Tulips" and Pulmonaria, Daffodils, and Sweet Basil
This clump of daffodils is interesting as I never planted plain yellow daffodils. I had some doubles that I got years ago and I think they have reverted to their two parent plants - a yellow and a pale cream. I find it fascinating how some plants will revert over time. Anyway, all daffodils are lovely and cheerful. They come back every year and multiply, and no little creatures like to eat them.I started this basil from seed in January. Basil does very well on a windowsill even in the dead of winter. I am always surprised that it doesn't mind the chill by the window and the lower light levels. I have pinched off some of the top leaves to use in soup so it will branch out a bit more now.
Monday, April 15, 2024
A Story - "Cards" and Blue Scilla, Fuschia, Dutchman's Breetches, White Crocus, Glory-of-the-Snow
So nice to see the spring flowers and to hear the frogs croaking away. Lots of birds especially in the mornings and some mourning cloak butterflies are drifting around.
Monday, April 8, 2024
A Story - "No Going Back" and Double Snowdrops, Planting Early Potatoes in Bags
I decided to plant them even though it is early. They are planted in old reusable grocery bags which is what I did last year with good results. I have put them just under the soil so the sprouts can get sunlight. Later as the sprouts get taller, I'll put more dirt on top of them. I fertilized the soil with about a tablespoon of Miracle Grow slow-release pelleted tomato food per plant bag. We are getting a good soaking rain in a couple of days so that will help them. I can easily cover them if a frost is predicted.
My favourite kind of crocus. I really like the striped petals. I don't have many as the chipmunks go after them but I still have the odd one usually coming up somewhere that the chipmunk planted it.
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
A Story - "Deidre" and starting Geraniums from Cuttings
In February, it started to pick up and I fertilized it and watered it more regularly. It put out some nice growth.
Now I am taking off shoots and rooting them up. The shoots are about 3" long and I take off all but about 3 leaves. I dip the shoots in rooting hormone. I don't dip them into the rooting hormone container but make a small pile of rooting hormone on a plastic lid so that I don't contaminate the rooting hormone. You can root geraniums without rooting hormone but it increases the rate of success.
I want to have about 18 or 20 new plants and I have limited window space so I decided to put about 6 cuttings in a 4 or 5" pot. I cover them loosely with a plastic bag and put them in a bright spot but not in a window.
Whether I plant them directly in the ground or in a pot, I will fertilize them at planting time with a liquid fertilizer high in phosphorus, the middle number. That will stimulate root growth. Later I will feed them with slow release balanced fertilizer.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
A Story: "Splash" and Air Plant Blooming
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
A Story - "Lake Swim" and Cabbage Beef Soup
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
A Story- "Once Upon A Time" and Crocuses
A Story
Once Upon A Time
Once upon a time there was a little girl. At bedtime, she always read her story books.
As the years went by, the sunshine of wonderful people and animals nurtured her. Growing-green challenges and red-fired adventures added interest to her life. There were dark purple times, too, sad and difficult. This life was like stained glass, and reading was the lead between the pieces.
When she was old, she started to write a story a stained-glass window made from the rich, bright, dramatic colours of her life. Books she read were the lead between the panes. Once upon a time.
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
A Story - "Work" and Snowdrops
A Story
Work
The scribe memorized the decree stating that the priests supported the king. It seemed like a waste of time to write out what was obvious to all. Adding to the burden, he would have to transcribe it into, not just one, but three languages. No mistakes would be tolerated. The task would demand all his concentration and energy. He groaned as he began his arduous work.
Two thousand years later, in London, a middle-aged tourist gazed at the Rosetta Stone awed by its beauty and importance. Here was the key that finally unlocked mysteries of the ancient Egyptian world.
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
A Story: "Wedding Bells" and Primula
A Story
Wedding Bells
"Weddings: great places to meet guys."
Sandy had her eye on a guy when an attractive young woman came up to her.
"Hi, I'm Lily. I love your dress. You must work in a creative field."
"I do. I'm a fashion designer."
"Fabulous! I'm a visual artist."
The conversation took off like a mustang galloping over the range. Sandy felt like she'd known Lily for years. They exchanged phone numbers and hugged before Lily finally dashed off to find her boyfriend.
When Lily reached Sandy's chosen one, she gave him a big kiss. Sandy's heart sank.
When was the next wedding?
Primulas are one of my favourite spring flowers. My zone 4 garden is just barely warm enough for some of them. They are considered a short lived perennial even where it's warmer. Ones I have bought in stores will only make it through one or two winters.
However, some that I have started from seed have come back for many years.
Primulas like to have spring sun and summer shade like a lot of spring blooming flowers. They do well in the shade of deciduous trees. They need to be fed compost every year and should be watered if it's been dry. Apart from that they are pretty easy and not prone to pests or diseases. They are easily split into more plants. In fact, that will keep them vigorous for longer.
This year I bought Primula Lighthouse Mix from William Dam Seeds in Ontario. I have been happy with their seeds in the past - they are never treated and they all germinate well. The package of primula seeds contained 12-15 seeds according to the package. 13 have sprouted so that's great. They are slow to grow so they likely won't have time to bloom this spring. I will pot them up and leave them on the deck where they will get morning sun and maybe they will bloom in the summer. If not, then next spring. I'll plant them in the ground at the end of the summer so they can settle in before winter.
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
A Story -"The Boring Conversationalist" and Bougainvillae
Monday, February 12, 2024
A Story -"Indolent" and Easy Orange Chicken with Pecans
A Story:
Indolent
"Indolent!" his wife exclaimed. "How does that word in any way apply to me?"
He looked at her slim body toned by regular trips to the gym, her stylishly cut hair and her tailored suit perfect for her position as partner in a progressive law firm.
"Definition of indolent: lazy, careless, slow-moving. That is so not me."
"He didn't mean it as an insult."
"Well, it sure felt like one."
Her husband tried to look supportive but found it hard to dampen his smile.
"The doctor was just describing your cancerous thyroid tumour. Be glad it's not ambitious."
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
A Story - "Election Game" and mini African Violet
A Story:
Election Game
The spectators wiggle impatiently in their seats. Finally, the incumbent makes his first dramatic serve. The opposition zings it into the far corner out of reach. Fired up with moral outrage, the incumbent slams an ace. In a new volley, the opposition suddenly lobs a short ball and the incumbent falls trying to catch it. The pace of the game picks up. Blasting forehands and fiery backhands send the ball criss-crossing, zig-zagging over the court. The spectators have difficulty following the play.
At last on Election Day, the winner is announced.
The spectators are already restless anticipating the next game.
I bought this little African violet on impulse at Walmart the other day. I've never seen such a small one in bloom. Must be some special potion they give them at the greenhouse.
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
A Story: "Adventure" - and Barley Carrot Soup
A Story
Adventure
Mary had discussed at length her possible adventure with her friends. It was all a bit confusing.
"We'll describe it as though it was the weather," said her friends.
"Lots of sunny days. Balmy and warm," Gloria smiled dreamily.
"Oh, the hurricane was terrible! I was buffeted from all sides," quavered Cheryl.
"The rain just soaked down in dreary misery, day after day," sighed Donna.
"The breeze was so fresh and energizing. I've never felt so alive," enthused Moira.
"But how would I experience it?" Mary worried.
Only one way to find out.
Nine months later everything changed.
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
A Story: "Rural Renewal" and Starting Onion Seeds with Recycled Stuff
I used an empty margarine container for the pot. The plastic clamshell, which works like a mini-greenhouse, is from greenhouse grown lettuce and the plastic tray underneath is from
Ferrero Rocher chocolates. So my planting set-up only costs me the seeds and potting soil. I've planted about a dozen seeds in this container.
Once the seeds sprout, I will open up the clamshell if it is sunny but close it up if it is cloudy to keep more heat inside. By March, I will get rid of the clamshell to harden the seedlings off a bit. I will also trim them to about 4 inches so that they don't flop over.
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
A Story: "Opportunities" and Dependable Kalanchoe
A story:
Opportunities
Gerry was quick to seize an opportunity.
A farmer gave him a deal on a dozen peacocks. The birds were worth $75 a piece; for Gerry, $100 for the flock. A month later, the peacocks had flown the coop.
On to the next venture. A new widget had been designed and stocks were bound to soar. Gerry jumped in and quickly free fell to zero.
Undaunted, he snapped up some valuable baseball cards. Who knew they weren't popular anymore?
An orchard would grow money. Bad luck. Bugs, drought killed the trees.
All things considered, Gerry had the minus touch.
The bright pink is so welcome in the dead of winter. Kalanchoes are super easy to grow. Because they are succulents, they don't want or need much water and one or two fertilizings when they are blooming is all that's necessary. To take a cutting, simply cut off a piece of stem and put it in soil. It will root in no time.
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
A Story - "Escape to the Country" and Trying to save an Orchid
I looked at some "rescue orchid" videos and decided to try to save this one. I dusted the lower part where it would send out new roots with some rooting hormone. I have it resting in a jar where the root is in the water for part of the day, and then I leave it suspended just above the water so it will get some humidity.
My big take away from this is to always check the roots of any new orchid I buy, right away, so that I can deal with any rotting roots before the plant is destroyed. I'm careful about watering an orchid so I am guessing that the roots were already rotting when I got it and it kept blooming just on reserve energy.