It's been rather quiet here on this forum. I was wondering how everyone's indoor seedlings and/or greenhouse seed starts are going? And what about those of you who did winter-sowing? Do you think Spring is just around the corner like the groundhog predicted?
All the seed trays I used from the seed packets Deb sent me has germinated. Thanks Deb! I have close to 100 milkweed starts and probably 30 individual verbenia bonairensis seedlings. I just sowed the parsley so it's not up yet. The dill and joe-pyeweed are being wsed. Joe is up though. What I started inside are now under my patio harding off (isn't that what you call it?). I'll direct sow the zinnia. We have been having 70 degree weather with low to mid 40 degree night temps. I have covered the seedlings at night be didn't the last two. They seem to be doing fine.
Deborah♥
Becky, spring must be just around the corner. I have mockingbirds and robins gathering nesting material.
Yes it is Deborah! I have been seeing flocks of Robins, Red-tailed Hawks in pairs. Cedar Waxwings flock through several times a day.
I'm SO glad the seeds are working out too:-)! YVW!
Becky & all~
I planted more than ever this year, about 60 different seeds. Most are up and beginning to be hardened off. All that, plants bought , and what will come back up, make about 120 different plants. Out of all that, 30 of the plants are host plants. I am soooo psyched, and so tired..whew! A good tired, as tho I have accomplished something. Actually managed to germinate 3 Syringa vulgaris plants.
Will update later~
Deb
Deborah & Deb - Wow! You ladies have been busy this winter! Great to hear! I can't wait to see some photos as Spring arrives and your plants really start going and blooming! I bet your gardens are gonna look beautiful!!
I don't know if anyone remembers me asking about growing daffodil and tulip bulbs purchased from Wally World (in a previous thread), but even after many recommended I skip them because they need cold temps to sprout, I still purchased them. I stuck them in the refrigerator for 2 months and then planted them in a pot. Well, they actually grew and are absolutely stunning! Far more gorgeous than I imagined. (See photo.)
I have been germinating some seeds too, but not sure if they are gonna make it when they are transplanted into the yard. It gets so hot here so quickly. I'm afraid the little seedlings are gonna get fried by the hot sun in my area and zone. I am also expanding my desire for water gardening. I am gonna try growing a Lotus (dwarf variety). I think it would look nice grown in a container. But I am also going to be planting a LOT of seeds to see what I can get to grow in the garden (mainly bog garden area). That long strip of garden is probably the least drought area in my entire yard, I am thinking I might have some good luck growing some of them. The bog garden isn't so boggy these days. Much more like a regular (dry) garden. So now I am being more selective of what kind of bog plants to try there. Without it being a true bog area , I don't know what would actually thrive there that prefers wet soil.
Just getting ready to start things here... if I start any earlier they get too big too fast, and I have nowhere to put them. Going to try some Gas Plant and Mrs. Wilmont's Ghost this year along with everything else. Probably should have started those sooner, but haven't had the time.
Well, I went on a seed planting binge! Most are doing well. As far as my milkweed plants, including small ones from cuttings last fall...I had tons of Mexican Milkweed before the winter. Almost all are dead now because of the unusually cold winter temps...it's depressing! So I just have to start over. I think we might see another freeze or two here. But who knows? I don't believe in the grooundhog predictions. Here some people go by the time when the mesquites leaf out as far as when the warm spring season truly starts.
Quiet here because the two freezes we had did a job on all my tropical plants. Everything will come back but right now my yard looks awful. All the dead stuff and we cannot cut it down until the last freeze date passes.
Zarebeth - Sounds like you are adding some interesting plants this year! What does the Mrs. Wilmot's Ghost look like? I've never heard of that plant. What annuals do you add every year?
I had some leaf damage, which will require some pruning. But nothing serious as far as plant loss or dying back to the ground. I am sorry to hear that some of you who have mild winters like me had much more damage.
Linda - I am sorry to hear you lost all your milkweed starts. That is such a bummer! I have Scarlet Milkweed seeds. Would you like me to send you some to replace some of the milkweed you lost?
Karen - When is the last freeze date in your area? I have refrained from doing a whole lot in my yard because I do fear that we could still have a hard freeze. The weather has been so warm (almost hot). I keep thinking I should be planting seeds and starter plants now while the weather is not scorching hot, but then I worry that a freeze will hit and I would lose any tender plants. It's most frustrating. I keep thinking if I don't start planting seeds now, they will fry from the heat in another month if not established in the garden and a decent size to withstand the heat of southern Florida. I'm not sure what to do either.
You can find the link in Plantfiles here: http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2666/index.html. It is basically a silver Giant Sea Holly.
I usually grow Angelonia, Torenia, Salpiglossis, Nicotiana, Nemesia, Lobelia, Salvia, Osteospermum, New Guinea Impatiens, and Heliotrope along with the more common Impatiens, Annual Phlox, Cosmos, Petunias, Zinnias, Pansies, Marigolds and Snapdragons. I also like to grow different vines for my arbor every year. I have done Cardinal Flower, Exotic Love vine, Black-eyed Susan vine and Snail vine. I can't even list everything I have grown! But it is all fun and I love a challenge.
This year I will have a white/lavender/pink, a red/white/blue, a yellow/orange/red and a lavender/yellow/apricot garden. If I get good results with the Miss Willmott's Ghost, I may even plant a moon garden this year! I like lots of small gardens rather than a few really big ones. I find they are less intimidating to care for, and each weekend I do maintenance on one per day.
Zarebeth - I have never seen that variety of Sea Grape before. Very interesting looking!
I like your idea to grow a variety of "small" gardens in your yard. It would make gardening much easier than doing a huge landscape or garden. I kind of have that idea in mind for different "garden rooms" in my backyard. I have "rooms" for butterflies, bird watching, hummingbirds, water garden, and a scented garden. Along with beds around trees, a herb garden, etc. I would love to see photos of some of your gardens! Here's a thread on this forum from last year when I was still working on Phase 1 of my garden beds: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/660845/
A number of people posted their photos, too, which gave me even more ideas! LOL!
I'm jealous of anybody that has anything green started LOL. all of my wintersowing is frozen solid. supposed to go down to an even 0* tonight. the only good thing about it is it's gotta get better from here :0). I do have some seeds started in the house. couldn't stand it. some basil (6 kinds), love-lies-bleeding, begonia, black-eyed susan vine, and creeping thyme. also been playing with some desert rose, cactus, sempervivum, baby's toes and living stones for houseplants.
but I have w-s'd lots of seeds for host plants from Deb (who was generous in the extreme) and others too numerous to mention and also tons of nectar plants. I'm meeting with my landscaper tomorrow about building a big new bed -70'-so I'll have lots of space for planting (so I really hope some of this stuff germinates LOL)
the desert rose is a neat seedling
