Yardening Fall #3 2013

Critter: He's currently got Premium v. 12. I looked to see if I could find a superseded version floating around, but no luck. It is a pretty clever program, because you can "teach" it certain things. For example, I'm sure it'd misunderstand your last name at first. But you "teach" it how to spell that sound, I think just by correcting its erroneous spelling of that word. Ditto for your daughter's name. The produce comparison is at http://www.nuance.com/ucmprod/groups/dragon/@web-enus/documents/collateral/nc_025214.pdf . They don't make the comparison easy to find! It looks as if premium might be worth the price differential, because it includes Advanced Correction/Editing and Text-and-Graphics Custom Commands (Easily create commands to insert frequently used text and/or graphics by voice). But those probably aren't a big deal. You could call customer service for advice -- http://www.nuance.com/support/dragon-naturallyspeaking/index.htm#dr_support_contact

Paul: Those moonlight hikes fill up fast -- two of the three December ones are already closed! I'm tempted to do the wreath workshop -- I've always wanted to do one. Might be a good excuse for a DG meeting if any of you knows how to make a wreath!

LOL Coleup--sounds like a happy dream to me! :-)

Does the voice recognition SW work well, Happy? My husband tried something like that several years ago. After reading about 5 pages of Treasure Island to "teach" the SW, he was ready to test it. He shouted "Sally" to the PC. Nothing happened. He changed to "Tony". The software produced "Tiny". That was when he decided to give it up ;o).

Happy--

Wreaths are not hard to make. Be adventurous--try something new....

--You will need a wire Wreath frame (any craft store--they come different sizes)
--One "paddle wire"--not too heavy--you want flexibility. Alslo in craft stores--
next to the wreath frames.
--Lots of fresh evergreen tip cuttings--about 6"-8" long. Any kind...nix them up.

Bunch 2 tip cuttings up and start by wiring it to the frame. Continue--overlapping
the cuttings. Work with the stem ends in the direction you are going.
You want a full look--so make them cover the wire frame completely.
You van insert some different color evergreens--Juniper pieces look nice.

When the end and the start meet--still overlap the cuttings and then,
wire then over each other to look like they are continuous. Practice!
Don't forget to make a sturdy wire loop to hang it by. as you finish off the wreath.

When your green wreath is done--add pine cones, berries, X-mas picks--whatever--
by wiring them into the finished wreath. Make a n9ice bow and wire that in the
position you want.

Ta-Dahh! You are done!

Google "Wreath making" for step-by-step directions. Gita

Oh Happy, a wreathe making gathering would be so much fun! I probably have enough grape, wisteria, and other vines for a dozen designs to evolve on but my green and red additions are limited or highly unconventional!

Would love to do the Arboretum workshop just to have access to all their greenery! Wonder what they do with their left overs? (Hint, hint) I also go by the Christmas tree lots or HD to pick thru the scraps of bough discards.

I like using my grapevine wreaths as many times I can just stuff items in without wiring.

Most enjoyable to me is creating a wreath out of what is around me. Helps me see my yarden in new ways. Hmmm, this year I have some red twig dogwood to work with...

Jill,
I have a heavy duty auger/drill assembly that makes short work of bulb planting - Mike does the drilling and I plant the bulbs. He and I would be glad to come over and get those bulbs planted for you - just need to figure out a good Sat or Sun with halfway decent weather to do it. Let me know....

Terri, thank you! Let's see how it goes this coming week; I'm hoping the tendonitis will heal quickly since I'm being "good" about not stressing the shoulder, and maybe this antibiotic will do the trick for the other arm.

I'm very humbled by the way my friends have jumped right in to say, "let me help!" That makes me feel so blessed, even in the midst of this frustrating situation. Thanks.

A wreath workshop would be cool! I've worked with pre-made grapevine wreaths and made some huge evergreen swags, but haven't made my own wreath. Meadow Farms usually has loads of boughs from Christmas tree trimmings. I've filled my trunk when we've bought a tree there (boughs are good over iris beds in winter, too). Mom & I used to wait until December to trim some of the evergreens in the yard, so we'd have plenty of tips for decorating.

Jill, let me know if I can help with the bulbs. This weekend is not good for me, but I should be available next Friday and Saturday.

Donner: Yes, the voice recognition in Dragon Naturally Speaking works exceptionally well. You do have to stick with it a bit. The more you use it, the better it is at recognizing your voice.

Gita: I've seen those videos on wreath making, but I'd love to actually watch someone do it -- and it would be fun to have someone else drag in all the material. We don't have much in our yard that would work. That's why I thought the Arboretum one would be terrific - they'd have access to fabulous cuttings. When we pick up our Christmas tree we always go to Maynes in Buckeyestown (http://www.frederick.com/index.php?action=sponsor&id=861 ) and cut our own -- I'm sure we could pick up a lot of cuttings there. But it's nice to weave in holly too, and we don't have any decent holly in our yard....

Thanks for the links, Happy! Looks like the "Home" edition pretty much does everything I'd want, although I'll see what the current price difference is and decide if it would be nice to use Dragon with Excel... :-)

PT today was helpful, and it doesn't look like anything is actually sprained or torn in my shoulder. I'm taking the intensive approach with follow-up appointments the next 2 days. Fingers crossed!

I will see if I can obtain some holly cuttings.

Another approach would be to buy an outdated version of the home edition -- $31.75 for version 11 with free Amazon delivery. I'm sure version 11 must be fairly close to 12. That way you could see how you like it. That's probably what I'd do. Just make sure first that Nuance still supports version 11, but I'm betting they do.

PT can take sooooo long to produce permanent results. Good work on the stick-to-it-iveness.

This is one of those times where I wish I lived a LOT closer to the rest of y'all... a wreath-making workshop!?!? That sounds like sooooooo much fun!!!!!!!!! Gotta be careful about weaving Holly into it though.. I think Ric may need her. ;)

Critter, I will be keeping you in my prayers for your shoulder; please don't over-do it, but... you know how it is.. under-doing it is just as bad. Such a tricky fine line to balance on. Gentle massaging warm thoughts and prayers being sent your way! =)

Thanks, Speedie! I didn't want any sessions next week, so I'm doing 3 in a row, going in again tomorrow. Long-term, I'll have a set of good exercises for better shoulder strength & flexibility after I get past this (hopefully) short-term muscle/tendon issue.

I thought about getting the older version of Dragon but decided to just go with the new one. It's supposed to get here tomorrow, and after reading up on the features I'm really looking forward to working with it!

Got my hair done today and discovered my favorite stylist also works with her DH doing "landscape services." So I have another person I can call to see about planting my new trees & shrubs... I'd rather do my yardening myself, but you know how it it sometimes!

Maybe they can sneak some Black-and-Gold into your new landscaping for you? < =D
Heeheeheee

Hope your shoulder improves quickly with the new exercises, Critter!

I need to catch up on this thread but the first thing I read was Coleups treating her Japanese Mapple for Mildew. I will have to check out that article as one of ours was showing signs of it. First time I have seen it on the Japanese Maple I've I had that tree for about 7 years now. Probably too late now as all the leaves on that have dropped but I will be watching it next spring.
Loved the leaf shredding tips and pictures. LOL
Critter, What a mess with the contractor hopefully the new neighbors will be friendly when you get them.
SSG, Love the new fence and bed. Really looks great!
Gita, WOW just loved the Mosaiculture Exhibition.
Terp, The full moon tour sounds like a lot of fun. I was looking at it on the way home from the Hosp last week and thinking how beautiful it was. What a great idea. Josh & Courtney quite often go on night hikes I may have to give it some thought although it wouldn't be thru a beautiful Arboretum, mostly corn fields and woodlines.
.

Jamie and JR may be visiting tomorrow to see if we can save my glads. Our ground hasn't frozen yet and they are well drained, so I've got my fingers crossed. I have nearly 300 in 2 short wide rows so it shouldn't take long. The tops are pretty well attached, which may slow down the process. I much prefer balmier Novembers for late season jobs.

It has been awfully brisk, hasn't it? Puts a dampener on outside chores -- but I'm ok with that today, because I'm much to tired from T-Day to get anything done!

Brisk, yes!
I just came in from a walk and then a sit by a campfire, and a little leaf and pine needle gathering. I am glad to get some time in the sunshine after being in the house cooking all day for about two days. It's worth it though! Yum!

I did nothing but the bare minim as close to vegging as possible.

Good to hear!

HD has all their bagged fall bulbs now at 50% off.
There is a bag of "Fragrant Daffodils" ($10.98) that consists of
Tahiti Daffs. in yellow and white. Nice gift to someone--for $5.

Lots of tuli[ps and other daffs--and some Crocus and iris as well.

Also--all their boxed gift sets of Amaryllis (big bulbs!) and Paper Whites
are now $2.50 (reg. $6.98)

Check it out. Gita

Dry Shade Recommendations
from the Elisabeth C. miller Gardens, Pacific northwest
http://www.greatplantpicks.org/plantlists/dry_shade

Nice list Sally are you planting any of those?
Thanks Gita, I need some Amaryllis as I didn't get any earlier.

Holly, I found that while researching but its just a dream list for now.

I notice that list contains the Variegated False Holly. Local HD has sold 8 so far, 7 remain.
And Acanthus mollies Bears Britches. Holly and Happy how are yours doing? I had 3 of the Vine Maples, one each to Greenthumb and Aspenhill. Sally, do you grow your Kerria in dry shade? Mine in large containers seem to want some water.

Some good news, the neighbors who cleared so many big trees, etc have replaced the stake where I requested a tree with a Blue Spruce! Makes me want to decorate it as it is my first view from back door! lol, it is 2 properties ovee. They also installed a Holly and 4 viburnums. An Acupunturist will be renting the house as her office. I think I will cultivate this as accupunture has helped me several times.

Nice to be back on line after a long down time.

My Bears Britches did very well and we were very pleased with them now if they come back up next spring I will be thrilled.
Oh how nice on the Blue Spruce. (Thumbs up)
Garden Club Luncheon is next Tuesday. It is a special Christmas Luncheon and fundraiser. I will be hacking back some of my Juniper for centerpieces and arrangements that will be sold. After offering some to the ladies that are making the arrangements I got a call from the woman who is making the centerpieces asking if I would have enough to supply her as well. Told her I could supply the whole Mid-atlantic region with Juniper. Hope Thursday is as nice as it was today as that is when I will be cutting most of it.

HollyAnnS

I love my bears britches when I had it up north. A garden club member brought lots of plants in for our annual plant sale that was our largest fundraiser for the club. The members were fighting to get a plant...LOL She had a section of garden that was for plants with animal names... too cute.

Mine always came back, but then I always covered them with shredded leaf mulch for added protection.

Jan

Meadowyck, Where 'up North' did you live and garden? Love the plants with animal names. Aspenhill has a Turtle Garden.

Holly, it is looking like Thurs will be warm but maybe some rain, so you should do okay trimming that Juniper. One of the women at our Farmer's Market choses all her plants and landscaping to supply her raw materials for Wedding and Holiday centerpieces. She uses only battery powered candles in her displays, safer arond all of the dried material she incorporates!

Hurray, I got 150 of the bulbs from our group buy planted today! The rest will go in tomorrow in my neighbors veggie garden. Yes, I will have to move them again , but they won't die because I didn't plant them. They are only about 4 inches deep so I will put a good layer of shredded leaves over them. I've collected well over 60 bags so far.... I have a leaf berm to mark my property line from the now cleared lot nextdoor.

Sallyg since your soil is so sandy, isn't it dry everywhere in your yard, even in the sunny spots?
I know you compost and use leaves in your veggie garden and raised beds but I do not know what if anything you have done to amend soil in your ornamental areas?

congrats on those 150 bulbs, Coleup!!

my loveable Holly dug about half of my glad bulbs today and I only received a mild reproach as to establishing my priorities while she was away. Of coarse the sudden bout of xtra cold weather didn't improve my standing in the least. Blush Blush!

You should see the bounty, many of my xlarge corms resulted in 2 large, and the med. size are huge. Even the smaller ones are good size. I may replan next years planting to a larger border/cutting bed.

looking forward to seeing photos of them all blooming next year, Ric! :-)

coleup

in Sagamore Hills, OH, just south of Cleveland. Now I'm back in my home state, nice a warm...LOL If it wasn't for the snow, which did wonders for my garden, I would have hated it there, no sunshine to speak of, cold all the time....

Jan

Coleup, it sounds like you have some wonderful neighbors. I'd love to plant some bulbs at my neighbor's full-sun front yard! It would give me a wonderful view. ;)

Ric, I don't think I've ever seen your glad blooms!

Ric, those glads sound amazing!

Here are a few pics of last years glads. Due to computer issues I don't have a lot of pics of them. These were taken when they first got started and I will say that when they really started blooming they were a sight to behold.

Gorgeous, Ric! That apricot color is amazing.

There are yellow, red, purple and several pastels as well. I took pics of all of them last summer but the lap top has crashed and quite a few of last summer pictures weren't backed up.

I have a yardening question!

This is my first experience dealing with deer droppings. What do you all do with it? Do you let it decompose on your lawn? Do you put it in the compost bin?