Having wood rats is a good thing? OK, I have **got** to hear more about this please! =) To my way of thinking all my life, NO rats were ever good, LOL!!
I haven't seen Encore Azaleas mentioned yet, so I thought I'd pop a little note in here about them. Yes, I know, they don't need attention in March, but... if ya ever want to know when is the "best" time to prune them, it's right after the first Spring blooms fade. I guess I should say, that's when I do ours at work, and even the ones in the growers' pots in the ground, ones that have been there for a year or 2, **still** come back and flourish all season long after they've been pruned back after the Spring blooms fade.
Anyway, just thought I'd pop that little note out there for y'all. =)
Yarden maintenance schedule for March
And........Home depot always carries Encore Azaleas in various sizes.
They usually show up closer to the end of the summer. G.
Progress not Perfection
In todays articles section
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/733/
Ooooh, good article Coleup, thank you for popping it in here! =)
Gita, how come the Encore Azaleas don't come in at HD 'til toward the end of summer? Trying to encourage the Fall shrub planting thing?
We get lots of customers at work who tell us about the great finds they've enjoyed at HD, just that special "something" they had a hard time finding somewhere else, or else it was waayyy too expensive somewhere else, and Lo' and Behold, there it was at HD, for a GREAT price. Ya just never know what gems you'll find there! =)
speedy---
They "may" come in sooner--but I know they usually are around later in the season.
WHY? Because the "Encore" means that they bloom in fall . "Encore"? get it??? Wonder if they also bloom in the spring???
I really do see them blooming in early fall in all their pots. I have to water all the shrubs more than i want to....
You could Google these and see what it says. Gita
if they showed encore azaleas in spring, most customers would not see therm as different and better than regular azaleas.
By putting them on later, people go, oh hey, what's that blooming now for?
Hiya! Oh yes, Encore Azaleas bloom in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. Hence the "encore"! < =D Or, I should say, ours do at work. Believe me, I'm out there pruning them last Spring after their first season's blooms have faded, and watering them also. Ugh, not a lot of fun trudging around in the mucky beds where they're sitting either, lemme tell ya! =) But yes Ladies, they sure enough do bloom three times a year.
The Home Depot store in Annapolis has the Encore azaleas in now.
I have a question about garden furniture maintenance.
I bought some wooden patio furniture from craigslist last month. The guy I got it from said that it needed a coat of protective coating twice a year. I don't think the wood is teak or anything fancy.
When do you all take your patio furniture outside? What time of the year should I paint them with protective coating?
I have a couple of Encore and they do bloom twice but my second bloom doesn't look like much. They are still pretty young so I am hoping with age they will improve. I have been told we are a little north for them but they do sell them in our area.
Any time is good as long as it is warm enough for whatever coating you are using. Read the back of the can an it will tell you what temps you need and how long it will take to dry.
Catbird, Wheeeeeee, go get some!!! =)
Ssgardener, I'm not sure about the furniture, I left mine out all winter this year, since we didn't have a winter, and my deck isn't old enough to have gotten any real experience with it yet. =/ I'm sorry I'm not of any help! =(
This thread and hearing from all you others who are out there in this great weather working so hard in your yardens, has really been an encouragement to me to do better with things this year. John has been tied up for several months on an inside job so if any of last seasons mess gets cleaned up, it looks as though it is falling on me. My friend who was supposed to help out last week came and got started and quit after an hour saying the sun was just too hot for her.
I have been doing what I can in the evenings after the sun has gone down. Slowly but surely I am filling the compost bin. Still lots more to do, but it will get done as soon as I get to it. I am really having fun with some houseplants too. I usually try to keep pieces of Coleus going through the winter from the previous summer. I have some that are currently growing like weeds and giving me so much delight. Oh yeah, just thought of one that needs trimming that I forgot about yesterday.
I did a bit of online research on pruning last week and made notes of the ones we own. I tended the Butterfly Bushes and the Hibiscus and still need to prune the Caryopteris which may get done later today. Again, some of the swap plants from last year that never made it in to the ground all seem to be very happy in their pots and are sending out shoots, blossoms and blooms.
A friend brought by a plastic child's sand box yesterday for me to use on my front deck along with the other two sand boxes I have filled with plants. I also purchased two kiddie swimming pools last summer that are filled with soil and are awaiting something cool to be planted in them.
I recently contacted a nursery that I have been doing business with for some years about having some things that died on me replaced. Imagine my amazement upon opening the package and having six Nora Barlow Columbines when I had only expected one to be sent. They are now soaking in water waiting to be planted later today. I have never met a Columbine that I didn't like. hahaha
Anyway.....sounds as if everyone else is hard at too with their yarden chores. Terri, I would go with what Holly said about the staining of the furniture. I have to admit that restaining things is something we often let slide by without doing on a regular schedule.
Great hearing from everyone. Happy Gardening to all.
Ruby
What a beautiful weekend!. Ruby I'm glad you're getting out thetre and enjoying your plants. My coleus haven't done very well. I had mealy bugs, but besides that I think they are ill and I need to get rid of them and start fresh.
Another timely task- divide ornamental grasses. All can be divided in spring once growth starts.
I have NOT done a bit of gardening on this beautiful day! Even though, I am off from work.
WHY? Because I have been baking two different deserts today for a fund-raised at HD.
I am NOT a baker (can--but do not usually bake) but I decided to contribute two things for Wednesday's "Bake sale"
to benefit an associate in need. None of us know WHO that may be....but I am glad that we care enough to
do something.
I baked a Jewish Apple cake and some oatmeal/Nut cookies. Took me half a day to do all this......
Not having done these before--it took me a lot of time to follow, exactly, all the steps in the recipe.
Now--all I have left to do is wash all the pans-- and measuring cups--and spoons, etc....UGhhh!!!!
I hate washing dishes!!!!!!
Tonight is the first episode of "Dancing With The Stars"......I am, for sure, gonna stay up to watch this.
Even though, i am growing a bit tired of the format (someone old--someone fat--some kind of a celebrity--
some kind of a "hunk" football player, etc...) it is getting to be a bit of an "old hat".....
Just, if you remember, Donny Osmond won the whole enchilada 2 years ago----Marie followed the next year.
And--Christy Brinkley, as well as Marie Osmond, lost like 40 lbs. each while on this show....then went on to
become the spokespersons for some kind of a diet programs.
I just LOVE! (yes! I am shouting here....) the music and watching all the dancers.....
Their costumes--the judges----the music.....AAAAHHHHH>>>>>>>
I always wanted to do a lot of ballroom dancing--but never had anyone to do it with....My Ex had 3 left feet.....
Might take a nap! What do you think????????
Gita
Way to go, girl for baking even though it's something you don't do often. I hate to wash dishes also. Hahaha
Well, I debated whether or not to watch Dancing... Cuz I haven't liked it lately, BUT, it was a great first show! I may just have to continue watching it.
I did a little in the garden yesterday.
At the edge of dark last evening I remembered that I hadn't planted the Columbine that had been soaking in a pot of water all day. So, I was out doing that just as the dark took over. I spent most of the afternoon watering and tending house plants. Man, this warmer sun is really drying them out quickly the past couple of weeks. They all seem to be very happy though.
Sally, the Pigs Ears or Mouse Ears you gave are sprouting some new growth. I didn't kill them after all. hahaha I cut back one of the less pretty Coleus yesterday to root. It was potted in too a pot and was getting ready to bend and break so it needed attention.
Each time I go outside I want to get the water hose and give everything a drink. I did give a few things on the deck a drink of water last night, but not with the water hose. I might decide to do that later today because everything looks especially thirsty. If the rain showers that are predicted for this afternoon don't occur, I believe I will hose some things later.
Gita, the baking sounds good too though. I often end up doing things when I would prefer to be doing something else, and I can usually justify my activities because it usually involves being of service to someone else, and that always feels good. The past two days in fact, I have had outside interuptions by either phone calls or visits late in the day. I was busy, but also felt it important to keep up with social contacts too.
Anyway... gonna be a hot one today, take care to protect your skin ladies.
Ruby
Good reminder, Ruby. I rarely remember. It needs to become a habit.
I agree, thank you Ruby. :) I've been forgetting to apply my sun block when going to work the past couple of days. Then again, we've got a new girl at work who loves being outside as much as I do so she's been the one doing all the outside stuff and I've been staying inside the store manning the registers and the phone, safe and pale. =)
I should get my hat out for summer- Last year I got a nylon hat for kayaking and its very light weight.
Yeah, getting our summer skin protection going IS a March to-do!
AND be sure to enjoy all these blooms and not just run out with all TO -DOs on the mind.
; ^)
Oh yes Ma'am, ENJOYING is always at the top of the list! < =D
LET THE SEEDING BEGIN
I got 3 of the radiators cleaned, painted, and set in place allowing me to put my benches in on one side.
The frames were constructed from salvaged PT and painted, the tops are from Greenhouse Supply. They are approximately the same as a table in height so you can sit and work more easily. The plastic coated shelf was salvaged closet shelving with used aluminum angle bolted to the studs and suspended from the reenforcing frame with plastic coated rebar wire. This will give me room for 30 flats, I have space to sit large containers under the bench, and space for 6-8 10" hanging baskets over it, all from 1/3 of the space available. Ric
There's more over here:http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1243490/
This message was edited Mar 23, 2012 4:56 PM
I worked in my garden from 10AM until 3PM. Then did some sit-down work potting up
all kinds of things I dug away from existing plants.
GEEZ! How many box-full of soil did that take??? LOTS!
I am tired now. Tomorrow I am scheduled in Garden all day at HD.
This is always tough after a year of sitting on my behind.......Hope I survive!
Will post more details on what exactly I dug up and potted up on the Swap Chat Thread....
Almost time for bed......really! Gita
Lookin' good Ric. It will really be a treat to see the greenhouse when we visit for the swap. So cool!!! I am envious already.
I haven't done much of anything outdoors the past three days due to my time being used babysitting an almost two year old and an almost five year old. It is not fun doing something and then have them come along and undo whatever I have just done, so try to limit my gardening to when they are not here. They do truly love playing in soil and sand though and that too makes for extra work for me. Last summer I thought of getting a sand box for them and might have to think of doing it this summer just so they will hopefully stay out of my supplies.
I was pulling weeds at dusk last night. There was an especially tall and bushy crop growing at the base of the house. Looks a lot better with them gone. John will be mowing soon because the grass is really growing. Rain here today has prevented that.
I will have to check out the swap threads. Thanks for mentioning them Gita, I had forgotten all about them.
Ruby
I have enjoyed reading everyone's posts. What is clear is that you seem to enjoy the spring clean up(s) ( joy through pain) THAT is where I have gone wrong! I DREAD it! I start worrying about it as soon as winter is in the wane.
Yesterday I got out the wee rake to round up autum's missed droppings from under the sage ( WHY is the sage so full so soon and blooming!!?) No matter how careful I was the best branches broke off in hunks. What do all of you do with healthy looking parts and pieces that break despite your most careful efforts? I feel guilty about tossing and think I ought to at least try to root and make a viable plant (instead of making another purchase that will come way too late in the summer because it is on sale) or give away to someone who will rescue it. But I am so tired doing what I am doing...I don't want another job. The ferns are in need of cleanup and I figure I will destroy those tender babies too. Getting leaves out from under the cotoneaster which root at the surface is also a royal pain in the tush. Today - the day after- My thighs and tush feels like I am back in Junior High Days first day after doing deep squats in gym. OUCH!
Yesterday hornets chased me and my flight from those stinging devils startled that black snake I had my eye on all morning and it disappeared on me. The female cardinal spent her day screeching at me ( when not beating herslf against the windows)..... blah blah blah.... it's clear I gotta change my attitude and be grateful for the beautiful day it was and the relative good health required to do the work.
Worst.......how the heck do I figure out WHERE the good stuff is with all the weeds that have sprung up? I am not partial to little posts or wee sinage marking places where I decided (on a whim) to plant some little green and flowering treasure last year that I could not resist and was very sure I would "remember what and where I planted it" come spring.
So Ruby, on my list of spring chores is to suck it up and change my piss poor attitude. That and a bottle of Geritol ought to do it! Geritol! I am showing my age!
Missingrosie, I know what you need! An iPod full of your favourite happy tunes, FULL BLAST straight into your head while you're working! < =D I'm actually only 15% kidding. I'm no Spring chicken either, but I gotta say, BLARING my music straight into my little brain cell sure lifts the mood for all those "less-than-pleasant" gardening chores. While I'm doing the cleaning, I'm always thinking about and visualizing the outcome. How NICE it's gonna be when I'm all done! And day dreaming about the plans I've got all over the place. Those sorts of happy thoughts (will help you fly), are the sort of thing that I think helps us keep a good happy disposition.
If that fails, come over here and I'll give ya a good swift kick in the butt. < =D
Missingrosie, So nice to see you posting. Oh I know just what you mean, the other day I was trying to figure out why I had this pain in my side and around to my back then I remembered all the raking I had been doing the day before. Best get this winter body back into gardening shape fast. Oh yes I also was playing the Weed or What game. I too think I will remember or if I do put in a marker come spring it is just laying there blown half way down the flower bed and unreadable.
Weed or What...(grin) hadn't heard that one.
Music! Why didn't I think of that!?
THAT'S how I clean!!!
I've got speakers outside AND a new Jason Mraz CD - ( a beautiful mess) love it!
Yes Ma'am, let the music flow and watch your smile grow! < =)
"Weed or What", I like that!
Out side speakers that is what i want. How do they work? Do they have to be wired to the stereo? Where did you find yours. I have been looking for a few years now.
Oh have you ever pulled something that you thought was a weed, just to find out later that it was a flower you pulled? I have...lol
LOL. I have several suspicious looking weeds that sprouted in very 'determined' looking places. Game is ON! Alex, I'll take Rosettes for $50 please...
My receiver and stereo components live in the house. Wires drop from those units through the wall to under house and then back up into the outside screened porch.
There are wireless speakers which may be the way you want to go since it is post construction for you - I think there is something that attaches to your receiver that allows the speaker to pick it all up -cds, radio, etc.
Our speakers are indoor/outsoor Sony about 6x 7 size - maybe smaller. I hose them off and hubby yells but no issues. The porch is screened and the dust and pollen get in and so 2x per year, I empty all the furniture and hose it down. He goes NUTS. I hose the ceiling fans too!
He REALLY got like a lunatic when I brought the gas blower inside the main house to get the cobwebs off the ceiling and fans and to reach the outside upper gutters. That thing sure blows!
Edited to make sense!
This message was edited Mar 25, 2012 3:44 PM
Told hubby that he needed to get the rider ready so we can aerate and lime the yard. Then we can seed and fertilize. That is what he is doing today. This rain really got that grass growing and turning green.
Marie--
Just FYI---
Unless you use "Starter Fertilizer" when you seed your lawn--you are not supposed to
use regular lawn Fertilizers at the same time--or even close to the same time.
Once the grass seed is fully up and you have mowed it 3 times--then you can use Lawn Fertilizer to feed your lawn.
At least that is what I have always known to do and not do--and that is what I tell my customers at HD.
Anyone else feel free to chime in. I do not mind being corrected.....if I am wrong.
Gita
Oh I got the starter stuff already Gitagal, I am just waiting on him to get the mower running and the yard good and aerated....lol
Missisngrosie you are my kind of woman, a sister at heart. I can see me doing just that my hubby going nuts. I don't want anything where he has to do the work. I dont have years to wait for it to get done. ( he is a little slow in completing jobs).
I will just get a good weather resistant radio...lol
My hubby NOT slow in starting ......FINISHING BEFORE HE STARTS ANOTHER. --- now that is the challenge.
And, IF I gently suggest a better way..........well.......it ain't pretty. Course, when he sees the gas blower coming through the front door and me with the ear protectors on....LOOK OUT! I keep thinking I will increase his life insurance benefit and let him see me squeezing under the crawl space with my miners light strapped to my head and that big ole chain saw he had to have.
Same here hun, I have so many, i am gona do's started or talked about and not completed. I have a room that he has been working on for almost 8 years, still not complete, oh yes he buys the stuff to do it , but he starts something else and then that gets put on the side burner when he starts something else, Not much for the house though. it is usually his Motorcycle or his shop that he works on and in.
Or it is just a motorcycle ride that side tracks him. I have learned to do it myself or call someone and ask,, How much do you charge?..lol
my sis in fla is the same - her hubby has a motorcycle. he is at 70 or near to it. that is worrisome. He thinks he is 30. he is always shining and polishing and getting new things for it...meanwhile every single time she vacuums she has to put the plug back in the wall--a thousand times. the outlets are so old the darn things won't hold the electric prongs in place.
lol,, I tell everyone that the motorcycle is is first love, I come second.
Hey---Please don't mind me reminding you---this is a garden maintenance Thread for the month of March. .....
You guys are getting wayyyy off topic.....re all your frustrations with your husbands.......
Lets get back to the topic, please?
OK Gitagal,, my husband does not help me in the garden....lol
He is now aerating the yard, next is me liming , seeding and then starter fertilizer.
I hope it is nice the next day I have off so I can get this done.Then the spraying for creeping charlie out front.