Jill, thanks for broadcasting for rides. Just my luck to miss out again. Looks like anoher time was had last Saturday. And I'm glad the snow didn't put a damper on the event. If you have any seeds you don't want, you can pass them on to me. I read your 'have's" and was interested in the tomato (pastey one). I have some great lamb's ears and am getting some day-scented stock to trade for.
My, my, Joyanna is now a young lady!! I bet you are enjoying reading fairy tales to her and garden fairy play.
Enjoyed seeing the pics. I had a bit of trouble, though, getting back to the thread after viewing enlargements. I was hoping you could see all of them enlarged in a scroll. It still is one at a time. The thumbnails are a bit misty/blurry on my screens.
"THINK SPRING!" Seed Swap Feb 11 in Frederick MD
I agree, it would be nice if all 5 photos enlarged together... but I'm happy with having up to 5, makes it much easier when I have multiple photos to share!
I do have a solution of sorts for making sure you can get back to the original thread/post... I recently learned that using the "middle click" on my mouse (for me, the scroll button in the center will also click) will make a link or a photo open in a NEW TAB! So you can "middle click" across the line of photos and open 5 new tabs with big photos in them, then just click your way across the tabs to view them. Of course, middle-clicking can lead to having 68 tabs open at once, so you either have to exercise restraint or close a few once in a while, LOL.
Jim is working in Rockville today, but I'm continuing to go through seeds as I sort out my winter sowing and get a few things started inside... if I come across any goodies I think somebody Must Have, I'll mail them! Foxy, for example, I found some cherry tomato seeds called "Fox" I think, and I pulled them out for you. I'll put the San Marzano tomato in your bag, also.
It was fun seeing everyone, both familiar faces and new ones too. The annual seed swap is always the starting point for me for the new gardening year - all those sees, all those possibilities!
It was great seeing you all!
I'm so excited about all the basil seeds I got! I'll be making pesto all summer long. :-)
SSG / Terri, I think you'll like that 'Sicilian' basil for pesto also... it's very similar to the one Theresa brought back from Italy for me, but it doesn't have that strong anise note in its flavor. I think I'll be planting both in my veggie garden this year and tucking a lot of other basils wherever I have a little space!
For anybody needing tips on amaryllis, check out the Amaryllis 101 article I wrote http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/364/
and its followup http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/468/ Those huge bulbs get a lot smaller after they send up those big blooms... but if you grow them on, they'll not only recover, they can even be bigger yet next year (which means more flowers). Works for me! ;-)
It was fun to use them as centerpieces this year, and my dad was a champ for carting them back & forth for us!
Soooooo, I have my little amaryllis potted and the black willows in water to root since it is just too cold to put them out. I have the seeds that I selected sorted and ready to start in a few weeks.
Thanks again everyone for a fun day with wonderful friends! And Jill the centerpieces were gorgeous.
Hope it's not too cold! LOL Joyanna and I dug holes at the edge of a bed, near soaker hoses for summer irrigation, and we stuck the black willow a good 8 inches into the moist dirt (like my mom told me to do). Joyanna sprinkled moisture crystals into the hole and told the sticks to grow, so I'm sure we're good to go.
So, Ric gave me this absolutely beautiful necklace for V-Day. He quite often picks me up jewelry when we are on vacation so I asked him where did he get it and he said off the gift table at the Swap. LOL He didn't know who brought it. I wanted to say it is just beautiful and thanks alot.
I believe I saw our Catbird bring in a couple of her original creations... :-)
Jim picked up a set of shot glasses from the gift table. He's about as far from a "bar guy" as you can get, so I thought, ??? Back home, he said he knew I liked little vases & glasses for rooting cuttings (I've even been known to use spice jars), and when he saw how these were skinny with heavy bases, he figured I could put them to use. So, my thanks to whomever brought them!
I thought the same thing about the shot glasses when I saw them in the clearance at Giant a couple years ago...and had never used them but I figured somebody else would see 'bud vase'...or shot glass...I do believe you're getting jim well trained!!!!!
Yes, it was catbird who brought her beaded necklace creations - I picked a pretty black/grey combo one of the gift table for myself! Love it... terri
Sooooooo, now thinking I will go out today in the sunshine and stick a couple of the willows right in the ground too. Thanks Jill and Ric!
I will most likely have some rooted pieces for the swap so if yours don't make it you will have a chance to try one again.
Haighr, I was really sorry I missed seeing you.
Sorry you weren't able to make it Holly. I just put a few in the ground, so we shall see? I was telling Ric that I had a really nice, established melanostachys willow but I decided to move it and move it and move it and the last move it was more into the shade and didn't survive. I have the perfect spot for one now unfortunately it is the spot where my pink flowering almond was for the past 25 years, but suddenly last year it croaked and I have no idea what happened to it. It was about 5' tall and has bloomed every year that we have lived here, but last year the limbs just got brittle and the whole plant died?
haighr, as wet as it was last year, it may have drown. How well drained was that area? Almonds don't like their feet wet. Bores may have been a problem, weakening it so it had no tolerance to stress. Ric
It was really wet last year, but it was at the back of our foundation and that area drains well? Didn't notice any fungus on it nor any holes down the branches like roses sometimes get.
What about around or near the base of the main stem or "trunk"? Ric
Nothing that I noticed. The main trunk still looks intact, I put the black willows right next to it?
Hi all, how was the "Think Spring" swap? I wish we lived closer. Joyanna's getting so big!! and so cute...I didn't even realize we can post 5 pics now. I like that feature! Hope everyone is healthy and happy. I'm looking forward to sorting through seeds today in planning for our spring garden.
Critter, your basil lives on in our garden, as well as your peppers and thyme. I think we have a hoya indoors too that was from you =) Gita, your spotted leaf begonia is awesome and doing great too!
Happy Gardening! miss everyone....any Longwood Garden plans this year?
Wind, I hope you might be able to get to Holly & Ric's for the spring swap... it's at least a bit closer than when we gather south of DC. Joyanna and I want to start a zillion basils this year, I think... all different kinds. She has loved any basil she's ever tasted (even "clove basil," which I thought was kinda skunky)
:-)
Thanks Jill, I'll keep a look out for H & R's swap date. Would luv to try and go again. It would be great to see everyone. Has Joyanna every tried Blue Spice Basil? We get it all over in the garden, seems to self sow easily. I usually weed some and let some grow since I like the plants. I don't harvest it ...may be in the same category as the way you describe clove basil!!
Wind,
Holly and Ric swap date is May 19th.
There is also a swap get together near Cherryhill, NJ April 21 or 28 being set up by Chris316. You can let her know you are interested here:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1237263/
____________________________________________________________
We're Really going to have a MEG !
Meet, Eat & Greet. (So much nicer than saying Grab)
Lunch & plant/seed swap tentatively set for April 21at a restaurant
near the ChristmasTree Shop in Cherry Hill, NJ.
There should be a good variety at our swap.100's of seeds need to be
directly sowed as well as veggie seeds that can be successively sown.
For those of us who have a tendency to start early this may be a good
way to find a home for those 20 extra seedlings you weren't sure were
going to come up at all & you just can't plant all that did. Which will
help those who's seeds really didn't come up.
If you haven't done so lately please update your Want lists. Aside from the
general swap I plan to have an area with envelopes devoted to surprise seed
for those who come.
Always subject to change but those who said they would be interested
in attending should you want or need to carpool.
HollyAnnS & Ric - Dover PA
Roses_R_Red - Mt Bethel PA
Avpat - Atco
Ninatheretired - Bordentown
Nisi - Bordentown
FlowAJen - Central, NJ
Onewish1 - Denville
Gabigrier - Maple Shade
Jan23 - Salem County
Marie_Kap - Williamstown
I'm in Port Norris just a river away from Cape May County
There are 7 on the "not sure but keep me posted" list.
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Blue Spice volunteered for us last year -- that's the only reason I had seeds to harvest this year! Yes, Joyanna does like to nibble it, and the flavor is fairly mild, almost bland.
Can someone please tell me why I picked up a pkg. of foxglove, cosmos and 3 zinnias at Home Depot yesterday?????????? Have I lost my mind?
lol Haighr!
I have some friends who believe in being prepared for emergencies of all kinds and so over the years they have acquired and stored tools, food, and various supplies beyond the 3-4 days of sheltering in place recommended by our state. This year they have added "seed vaults" which consist of more than enough non-hybrid seeds to grow over an acre. These vaults come in five assortments:
vegetables
beans and legumes
grains
tomatoes
and herbs.
What? No flowers? Beauty is surely part of my survival stash! (Besides, what would the bunnies, deer, and brer groundhog eat!
Clearly they were colors you didn't have in your stash and needed to grow this summer in your cutting garden!
I don't believe there is such a thing as too many seeds.
Candee- ROFL!!!!!
Cuz you may find yurself in the garden thinking "Now the perfect flower for this spot would be those (xxx) and I did not buy the dang seeds when I saw them!
Happy Birthday Critterologist
Thank you! I got to spend some time playing seeds today, hands in the dirt, so I'm a happy birthday girl.
Holly, I believe you're right -- no such thing. LOL!
Yes, Happy B-Day................ I never to look at that list!!!!!
Happy belated Jill! I am sure it was a fabulous day for you and yours.
No there was no plan involved with the seeds, just could not resist having more!!!!!!
Marlene and Daphne and Terry and I shared this entiment at the SWap--that each seed is like a piece of dust yet holds such promise of beauty or fruitfulness! Who can resist!
I agree! Joyanna has been helping me winter sow, and so many of the seeds are teeny (like penstemon), but she seems to be taking my word for it that they will grow into pretty plants!
I had a lovely day yesterday. We wrapped things up with a cozy fire in the evening and toasted marshmallows for s'mores. Yum!
Ruby & Buttoneer, I still have BE's to get out to you with seeds from the swap, so if there's anything you're looking for, let me know and I'll take a run at my stash before sending...
Oh, and whoever brought that soft bear for the gift table... thank you! Joyanna has named her Tansy, or maybe Pansy, but she's definitely a girl bear. LOL
Had achance to catch up with Robin (Catbird)my seed faerie yesterday to get my seed bag. Thank you all seed sharers! Very lovely packages and bag I might add.
Hi Everyone - Such a chatty bunch. I love reading all of your thoughts. So many times I will read what someone is saying and realize that I have just been thinking along the same lines. What is it they say about great minds? hahaha
Anyway Jill, I know I am going to feel really stupid asking this questions, but is the BE you have for Buttoneer and I? I will gladly take whatever it is, but would like to know what it is first. hahaha
Anyway.....I will be getting out envelopes in tomorrows mail with seeds that I had promised folks. Wind, Foxnfire and anyone else reading, if you would like to take a quick peek at my offerings, I will gladly add another envelope or two.
Just need to point out to those who may not know, but many of my plants on my front deck have come from Wind's home. Some years back, John and I were priviliged to tour her beautiful home and garden in New Jersey. Grand doesn't begin to describe their place. I felt a bit silly with all the oohing and aahing I was doing. I know she grew tired of my questioning what is this, what is that? She was such a great tour guide and hostess. I haven't had reason to be in her area for a while now, but hope on our next trip to that destination that we can arrange for another tour if the season is right. Always great to see you Diana.
Longwood Gardens is another thing I would like to comment on. What a glorious day for our group when we toured the grounds together. Just a few days ago I was hunting for a picture and found the ones I had taken that day and recalled the glory of that place. Amazing.......ladygardener had organized that trip for us for those who didn't know it. What a sweet sweet soul. Our loss.
Anyway.....as always.....great way to start my week......reading and catching up with you wonderful folks. Hope the week is a good one for all.
Ruby
Chris was a very special lady.
~~~
Jill, that Tansy Pansy bear was a gift to one of my kids, when said kid was a bit too old for little bears, She sat unloved and packed away. I was clearing out and found her looking like new, and just thought I knew who would make her 'real'
8 ^) !!
I was happy to see her claimed
: ^)
Yes, there's no doubt Tansy Pansy bear will become real, just like the Velveteen Rabbit!
Ruby, sorry about the shorthand term.. BE is just Bubble Envelope... and as long as I'm sending you a couple of items I figure I should see what else I might be able to find for you!
OHHHHH.........NOW i FEEL SO STUPID...........
I thought that BE meant "Black Eyed Susans.....????
I really think people should not assume we all know what all these acronyms mean.
Have some consideration, PLEASE!!!
I don't either! Lets not assume that everyone else does....
PLEASE--spell it out for us ignoramuses. It would help a lot!
I, for one, am tired of posting to whatever Thread, when they use all these acronyms, and asking---
WHAT does that mean???? We all do not live in these "Acronym" worlds.
Same as not all of us know the horticultural names of plants--that many of you take for granted.
Please use a language we all will understand. Thanks! Gita
My seeds (and a pr of the gardening gloves) were delivered to my "seed starting expert" yesterday. If she plants 1 seed, she gets 2 plants; if I plant 10 seeds I get 1 plant!!!! Of course she doesn't have cats either,
She was extremely excited to see the "Chocolate Daisies".