Thanks everyone for the warm welcome :-) I love gardening.. always have but have learned SO much since finding Dave's Garden. I absolutely love the site and learning from all of you. My true interest began about 12 years ago when I started landscaping our backyard and found a few friends who shared along the way and have had the bug ever since. We bought this house last year as a foreclosure, and we moved to TN after living our entire lives in California. Love, love, love it here! Anyway, I have 9 acres and a stocked pond, so lots of room to be creative. Well, last October, things were cut back and I didn't see much liveliness out there in the yard at all. Flowers, plants, shrubs, daylilies, phlox, (lots of phlox to share with you Mindy) just started popping up all over the place. I have really enjoyed learning what I have out here and want to add more :) I take pictures each time I see something new and usually upload it here to learn what it is. I feel so lucky to reap the benefits of someone elses hard work even though it is sad that they didn't get to keep it. But, I can't wait to do more and make it even more beautiful... I got my package from Miss Robin and have most of them germinating in the windowsill. I would love to share my projects with you guys, since my husband could really care less!! LOL! Today I decided to start a lasagna bed.. I have all I need right here to make it happen.. Will keep you all posted and share pics.. and I'll stop writing this book now, lol! XOXO Mechelle
CLOSED: Free Seed For Newbies! 8/10/09. Come Join Us!
Hi Mindy, if you just send me an envy, I will send you all you want. I have the purple/fuschia flowered phlox. It's everywhere and I mean everywhere, so just say how much and it's yours! What color do you have?
Hi everyone,
Welcome Mechelle I am glad you liked your newbie package and that you have decided to join us!!!My lasagna garden is well behind I guess as am I...but we will get there. I am looking for a volunteer???? I need some help with the scramble this week. That means who ever volunteers of course cant win the prize...just forever friendship and gratitude. Cue has been a trouper and helped a few times. Anyone else interested? Dmail me we will draw straws....
Robin
OK, I need to know who all wanted the double white datura seeds. I had ordered 30 seeds and they came and when the white brugs get to who ever ordered them we'll ship at the same time. I just need to know who to ship to so I know how many to each one. Chime in now so I can list the names and addresses.
I ordered the Brug seeds and they should be here soon. I think I know everyone who wants to play but would hate to leave anyone out. We have 50 seeds and we want everyone to have at least 3 so dmail me your name and address. This is a Newbie contest.
Cue has been kind enough to come up with the rules. We'll post a thread with the info once the seeds are here.
If you haven't heard about the contest we are racing to grow a white Brugmansia from seed. The first one who's sprout reaches 1' (unless we change it before the contest starts based on Cue's research LOL) wins. The losers will provide the winner with a plant. That's the basics. The details will be provided before we send out the seeds.
It could change and get more interesting. We'll keep you posted. LOL
i wanted some of both the white brug and white datura.. and the AC is now fixed YaY!!!
This is my manditory lighthouse picture from south Delaware. I have a collection of over 100 lighthouse photos from the last 30 years or so, most from my "film" days as a photographer. We try to visit at least 2 or three each year.
Al
Well no wonder your pictures looked so great LOL
arejay you have mail.
Good morning everyone. Raining here today so no digging in the lasagna bed for me and I was so wanting to finish the edges up. Oh well, by the time I get to dig again I should have everything I need to fill it with.
Mechelle I'll sure send you that envie. The two I just received are white. And I'll take all you want to stuff in it too LOL. I have a sister I like to share with who gets me plants from her friends and co workers.
Robin good to see you post again. Hope you are feeling better.
Mekos and Seray I want some of the seeds for the datura and brug please.
Al your pictures are beautiful. Hollyhock that butterfly is lovely too.
Al,
The secrets we keep a photographer...I want Brugs too....still hoping for a newbie to work with on this weeks scramble....Glad to see you all busy making lasagna gardens I cant wait to see some of the pictures . Al are you flying out to photograph them all?
It going to be a good scramble!! What night would everyone like ?
Hi everyone, I'm having computer problems is the only reason I haven't volunteered yet, I'd love to help, just don't know if my computer will be up and running. Something isn't right and couldn't get into e-mail at all yesterday then today got in for a couple minutes and it went out again, took me an hour to get here and moving from one place to another, it wipes out and has to start over, kinda like dial up when it drops the call. But I'm on satelite. I think it's the rain storms all around and messing with the signal or it is the router going out. Something isn't right. If I go out before the auction wednesday night seray is going to cover for me and and I'll mail the seeds thursday morning anyway. She will pick the winner and give my address to the winner to mail bid seeds to me. We exchanged cell phones to be able to stay in touch IF this happens. SHE will also put up the new seeds up for bid if I'm not back on in time. Hopefully this is only temporary but I know nothing about computers, so I don't know. I know it's hot as blazes and no relief in sight.
Glad tha air is fixed CUE, Was trying to do the snow dance for you.
I got MINDY, SERAY, And CUE wanting datura double purity -white. Is this all?
speak now or forever hold you peace.
Good Morning Everyone
Looks like a weekday to me. The photo is great Al. Peaceful. Wish I was there.
Here's who I have for White Brugs so far:
Cue, Mekos, Hollyhock, Mindy, Arejay, Robin and myself. Once the seeds get here the deadline to sign up is over. All Newbie's are welcome to try their hand. Robin being a perpetual newbie. LOL
We'll post the details when we hash them out. :) We will need an experienced Brug grower to be judge. Seeds to them as well. Any volunteers or recommendations will be appreciated. :)
Back to work for me. Have a wonderful Day!!!!!
The only thinbg I can say about them is make sure you keep potting them into bigger pots as they grow and don't over do on watering. They like water but not an over abundance of it.
Yes, Robin, I was a professional photographer for about 17 years with a studio right here in Hornell. I gave up the big guns long ago. Now I just carry my little Kodak pocket camera, which I keep with me all the time. And yes, I still have a few secrets about my old photo job.
I'll likely fly again next week sometime depending on the weather. I'm only a sunny day pilot, it's no fun flying in storms. Besides, I'm probably boring you all with my pictures.
Al
You dont bore me...be sure to take an ariel photo when you fly over litchfield..... is your work from before displayed anywhere Al? Now I am going to have to go google you Al and see if I can find your work anywhere..
Robin
Al if you were boring us you sure wouldn't be getting all those compliments. Now remember no modesty allowed on this thread of nutty people. If you do it well show it off if you know it tell us and don't leave anything out LOL
HI Robin
Al,
Don't forget to tell us anything about your adventures. We enjoy hearing about them
Yes,AL, Some of us never get to travel at all anymore so it's our way to see the world. Love seeing the photos.
Hi Robin, hope you are feeling better today.
For those of you who would like brugs and daturas but live in cooler zones and don't want to over winter from lack of space, WHY over-winter at all? All you have to do is cut a 12 inch piece off the plant before your first frost and take inside to a pot of water and it will root in the jar over winter and re plant in the spring after last frost. Then you have a jump start on getting them to bloom early and no space problem in the greenhouse or your house.IN zone 6 you can just cut them off at ground level in fall before frost, pile high with leaves and cover real good until spring and after last frost uncover the plant and it will sprout again. I never overwinter anything this easy to root. And the ones thet make seeds just save a seed pod until winter and sow inside for spring plants. NO need to carry big pots inside or find places for them during winter.
See Mekos, you know more than I do about the brugs. I didn't know you could do that in zone 6. What about crinum lilys can they be done that way too?
My chair excuse the bad picture I didn't want to risk scratching it moving to somewhere better but once my building is done and it's in place I'll show another one of it.
Geez.....I'm flattered!!
Okay - one more. This pic overlooks the bayside canal behind our hotel in Ocean City. Quaint little place, wish I could afford one!
Al
Now that one I like Al it's so peaceful looking and welcoming at the same time
You might find ME on Google, but not my photos. The Internet is nothing more than a big free grab for hard working photographers. That's why I avoid posting a lot of it. Most of my work was done for private customers and local advertising. I have published a few locally, but it's a tough selling market.
Al
Beautiful, AL and MINDY.
Don't know about the crinum lilies, Mindy, this is my first year with them. Mine are in pots though, so I can take inside. Better safe than sorry, until you know for sure, but I was told that if you COMPOST(not mulch) tropical plants and cut them off at ground level the compost will heat the ground and protect them for winter here. I am going to try it on my White Bird of Paradise. It will het too tall to keep taking in and out so I'm going to cut it off and really compost it and cover so it will be protected and will let you know end of spring if it puts out again.
Thanks Mekos, hmmm I could use one of the baby crinum bulbs as a test but move my big ones in for the winter.
Well I had really thought about trying that myself on one of the brugs I have and on my calla lilies. I have always heard if you compost enough that things will make it through the winter. I am really wanting to tyr it on my Night blooming Jasmine too but am slightly afraid to as I really don't want to lose it.
Mindy I love your chair!! I will have to find the thread with the story about your chair...I used to have one like it but the upolstery was a gold color...I want it back.
Al Published or not your photos are star quality as are you.
Im in on the brugs right?
Can I be a newbie for the brug project I only have one and it was a gift...
Thank you Jan
Hi Seray
Is KT2 back yet? Cue must be at work.
cue is now home :)
Ok, I want in on the brug thing.. now someone explain what it is! lol! I started my lasagna bed today, woohoo! Laid down cardboard and some grass cuttings and getting ready to put down horse manure and water ;) Even posted it on Facebook! lol, silly me.. Everyone's like "Uh what's a lasagna bed" lol
You're "newbie" in my book Arejay and I have you listed for seeds. I don't think K2 is back yet so we'll wait to see if she wants a Brug too. If you can think of any of the other Newbie's who might want to play please let them know. At the end we'll open it up if there are seeds left. We'll have 50 to share. 3-5 each. Mekos has 30 of the Datura.
Mindy I love your chair too but I missed the thread where you talked about it. Is that your needle work?
My lasagna bed- day 1.. had to stop cause it started raining..
I think I'm having lasagna for dinner tonight, let me check....
Al
I am interested in trying to sprout a brugs.. My address is in the address exchange.. If this offer is still open... Thanks Trish
HI Everyone and thanks for the compliments on my chair. No, Seray that's not my handiwork at all on the chair. The story of the chair is as follows.
I found the chair hid away in the house DH's parents lived in after they passed on. I fell in love with it's style though the upholstery was ugly, torn, dirty and scratchy. I tried to cover it with something else but I'm no upholstery person and found some of the springs were broken when I sat in it too. So, I took it to our big garage for storage until I could afford to have it re-done. This year when we cleaned out the garage of junk from two gernerations of junk aholics, I felt the urge to fix my chair. It just so happens my very best friend loves to refinish furniture so I asked her nicely if she would refinish the wood for me. She said yes and sent her dh out to pick it up. This summer she finally got the time and nice weather to start working on it. Then she took it to an upholsterly place to find out how to fix the springs. Somehow she ended up leaving it to have the springs fixed, and new padding put in and her young daughters decided they wanted to pick out the material for it. They are ages 9 and 7 and wanted to be in on the project. Two weeks ago, my friend tells me the springs and padding were on the chair but not a word on the fabric. Then last week while I was visiting her she showed it to my dh but swore him to secrecy because she had decided to pay for everything herself as my birthday gift from her family. Yesterday she told me I could come and get the chair because it was likely the only day this week that it wasn't going to rain. So the chair is now in my bedroom waiting for DH to get my craft and greenhouse building done. My friend picked out the stain and her girls picked out the material and I wasn't consulted about either except to find out if I wanted light or dark color stain. I am one blessed lady to have such a friend.