Taming the wild garden

Where is everyone out injoying the nice weather.
Hey Pixy was in your area the last 2 days Kinda
had 2 days of meetings in lacey>>>>>>>
I never realy knew where it as till now.

Today looks like a beauty! I was going to go back to bed after I let my cat out about 5:30, but it was so lovely, I stayed up. Hope to have a mostly gardening day, but have to deliver some wedding flowers about 10:00 so can't really get into a project until after that.

I sure hope tomorrow is nice and lovely, I haven't been able to enjoy anything of it this week I am so behind with my projects, I'm going to be like Laurie the mad hatter for the next 2 days I have them off ( I hope). I wish for my vac. But would love to have a cup of coffee on the purple haze, at the break on dawn on a gorges morning and listen to the birds and contemplate on what I would like to do today.
What a concept****** Dream on Tilly
Check on smoke he loves his new home
Tilly

Just checking in on DG. I heard one of my friends from DG, Pins2006 (Carmen) died of cancer this week. It's very sad, indeed. I had traded several times with her and we had shared a love for hydrangeas. I have a 'penny mac' hydrangea I grew from a cutting she gave me. Her shrub was grown from a cutting from the original Penny Mac hydrangea. I will miss her on the hydrangea forum and miss trading with her.

Susy, I am a nightowl but I do try to fight it since I get up fairly early in the summer. I haven't had nearly enough time in my garden this year.
Tilly, you should have stopped by!

I would of love to but was on a very tight schedule and I hate the traffic around that area could never get used to it. Love over here but its growing to.
And I know what you mean about not enough time.
Sorry to hear about your friend

My computer is making me crazy!! I have been on the telephone, day in and day out for the past 4 days - and I it 'gets fixed', and then it unfixes, and then and then and then arggggghhhhhhh..........I am sure each and every one of you has been there. But I am so frustrated I am about to volunteer to remove rocks, all of the rocks from new plant beds if someone will just straighten this thing out for me. I have just spent yet another 2 hours - two hours of MY time off work, two hours when I could have been out in the garden (AND we have been having endless rain! And my tomatoes have already gone down with blight it is so wet and warm!) re-running the initializing programme which I paid them to install when i bought the thing 3 weeks ago! RANT RANT RANT.

My goodness that was incoherent - hmmmm, I'll just tidy myself up and try to recover a bit of dignity. Yes, well. Hmmmm. ahhhh, I feel so much better for that. Did you miss me? not. Want to send me back? yes. Shall I promise to control my temper and become a reformed person? it might go a ways to getting back in other peoples good graces. I'll just step outside and pick up the pieces of said computer off the pavement before anyone trips over them. Tea?

Now I am going to weed for an hour, and address envelopes with seeds in them (I couldn't get into DG to get anyone's addresses! OOOps sorry, I am being calm, serene, dignified) and get them ready for posting.

Calm, serene, dignified. Calm, serene, dignified. I am now walking out of the room to go and throw, I mean WHEELBARROW some well rotted manure around - yes, yes, wheel barrow.... yes. Calm, serene, dignified. (Please let this thing run properly now). Calm, serene, dignified. (I think I am still a touch borderline).

I feel so sorry for you but I know how these blasted things can drive you crazy, been there done that. This new DSL I have having a headache just thinking about the hours on the phone.
But I have something that might cheer you up a little. Tomorrow is are 19th ann. my hubby was going to take me out to dinner on sunday night ok plans made went out to work in garden then he comes to me and saids how bout we do this instead of going out we can go to the nursey and you can spend $60.00 on plants, Now what do you think I said? A dinner only lasts for a day plants last for a long time. So today we went shopping. And you would never guess what my husband found that he realy liked, Come look at this it blooms in the winter, I look at it and it was a Helleborus " Royal Heritage" I said I want it Laurie will be so proud, He looked at me like I just lost my mine. I came home with 6 plants. And here are the new baby's

Didnt realize how bad that pic was hope this one is better

Your DH GOES TO THE NURSERY WITH YOU???? I am suitably impressed! Plus he CHOOSES PLANTS??? He is, indeed, a gem among men. Keep him close.

Laurie, you have every right to rant and rave among friends. You can be calm, serene, and dignified anywhere. What's a little computer rant among friends?? This is when the shovel needs to be wielded with a mighty hand. To dig a hole for said computer, you know.

I don't know about the rest of you in Washington, but our weather here is absolutely freaky. My roses have given up looking like anything anyone would want to grow. Cold and rainy, then hot and sunny (they tell me it was, anyway. I was working inside all day, sitting on my hind end.) Then warm and humid. Go figure.

I am working WAY too much. I have had so little time in the garden this year that I feel positively pathetic. Generally my practice waxes and wanes a bit, which I have enjoyed because it gives me plenty of break time to do the other stuff I love. But lately it is all waxing and no waning. I must find the appropriate number of hours to work and stick to it or else my quality of working will suffer. Plus, I want more garden time!! And more sunshine, please!

I truly love the sunshine but not waiting in line for a ferry took me 4 hours to get home today I feel like a roasted turkey, as soon as I get off this thing I'm going to go set under a tree in the Happy Trails.
Tilly

Tilly,

Happy Anniversary!!!!!! You are lucky about a guy who picks plants. The closest my DH will come is lamenting that it's a darned shame that Pansies are called Pansies, because otherwise they're not bad.....You can bet that if he even casually mentions that he thinks a plant looks ok I'll be buying it right quick! lol!!


Hi Pixy,
Yes, my weather has been off this year, too. Some stuff has been early, some way late. It's been cool but NOT raining, alternating with one day here or there that was hot, so some things got dried out before I realized it.....and then my heuchera are doing fantastic....weird...

Tilly - hope your anniversary is fantastic - what a treat from a sweetheart! Hate to admit that I'm envious.
It must be great to have your honey affirm what is important to you.
Post a picture of him and the rest of us will print out copies to place on the fridge so that all the other hubbies can see that there is a man truly worth emulating!!!

Pixy - serious question: how do you deal with the mental residual of not having enough time in the garden? You know, when things start getting away from you & it becomes overwhelming...Or do you just burn out? I could get so much more done if I had 1 extra hour in the day. I can only give up so much of my sleep time (summer = down to 5 hours/night). Working until well into dark (that's why there are halogen lights on stands!) and getting 15 minutes or so in the morning, with hose & coffee in hand. It is a race against time, and I just want to finish! I just developed a new place on our property, & have about 50 plants to get in the ground before Wednesday night.
I am conflicted about the weather: if it stays cool, I don't have to do emergency watering. If it tends hot, I will have lots of tomatoes. As long as I don't have to deal with ice & snow, I should be quite appreciative of what comes our way.
I heard Thursday will be a scorcher - I am going out of town & dread that I will return to crispy plants next week!

Ah yes, if we're not crazy from our computers, we're crazy from the weather. I am getting some nice roses now, but the leaves on some are so ugly that's all I see. Lots of things starting to bloom, but mostly late.

In addition to not having enough time, I also am sooooooooooooo bad about using the time I do have appropriately. If I have to be somewhere in three hours, I am afraid to start something for fear I'll lose track of time . . . so I do nothing.

Pixy, has your practice increased since you went to that seminar (my apologies - I was so intrigued by it, but it has completely left my mind as to what it was)?

Laurie, don't change one little bit - I love you when you're out of control as much as I do when you're calm, serene, and dignified!!!

How did I miss the part about your anniversary, Tilly? Happy anniversary!!

What a glorious couple of days!! I spent the entire day in the garden today working out the bugs in my microsprinkler system. We are leaving tomorrow, wouldn't you just know it???? We're going to Tennessee for a week to visit my MIL. I love her, but I really hate to leave when the weather is like this. I wait all year for this. why can't I visit her when the weather is bad?? Plus, I really worry about leaving the garden during hot weather. So I needed to fix the sprinkler system.

Just now, I am not liking this holiday. It sounds like a war zone out there and my dog is terrified, even with the tranquilizers.

Must go pack. Yes, I left it to the last minute.

And yes, Murmur, the practice has doubled since I took that training. I've never had trouble keeping the practice exactly where I wanted it. Now I am scheduling people so far in advance that I am starting to turn people away. I am going for more training in August and will be taking the teacher's certification at the same time.

Talk to you all when I get back. Enjoy our beautiful weather for me.

Thank you Everyone.
In the 22 years we have been together, only the last year he has got involved In
my projects, He always said I know nothing about plants, Now that he has retired, I cant keep him out of my beds.(plants) he wants to do all kinds of things I never thought he wanted to do he always told me the yard is yours I'll take care of the house, And I think this is kinda scary. OH GOD PLEASE HELP ME. He doesn't know a plant from a weed, But he is trying to help. maybe but this one the fridge. And he also haves, found a new fun tool, I have a bad shoulder can not start a gas powered anything, He went a bought me a weed eater that will start for me and a mower now he thinks they are the greatest thing, My HD is weird. But I Love him to death
Pixy; Have fun will miss you.

computer! it has been out - again - for the past couple days - booked DHL pickup, and bingo - it started running fine this am. Now, do I cancel DHL or send it anyway. Cancel.

Tillys - I think I am a bit late, but very many returns of the day for your Anniversary - (and another $60 for next year!!) I don't know why it surprised me when you said husband is retired - I pictured both of you as the youngsters on DG - I had you as about later thirties/early 40. Well, you probably are 25, and marry a distinguished oldie. (!!And a HELLEBORE! Excellent. It will encourage the seeds, I am sure!)

Pix, I know you are gone - so I'll say safe return.

And, Mur - thank you.

Weather here: only the ducks are liking it. England is definately afloat. Wettest summer since records started (in England that is a long long long time). But this am it is not raining, and if I am not mistaken there is a spot of sun on the floor next to me. I am going out. And hopefully, I will still be able to get on line later.

xo to all of you. L


This message was edited Jul 6, 2007 7:38 AM

Sorry Laurie but you are kinda wrong, " but I love it", my HD is 63 and I am hate to say this you know the vanity thing but I am very proud of my age, because I still can run circles around the young people at work. I will be 55 in Sept. But out in the garden and the tranquility of peace when you are doing all that hard work and then set back and watch them grow and then fighting for their survivable is the very live of a gardener and keeps us young at heart. And the weather here as be hot, I think I may have made a bad mistake for happy trails Its getting more sun than I had planed and watering is a issue. We are on a man dug well only 16' deep and have to be careful with water but I do have a creek that we pump water to the gardens. Please send some of that rain to me,
If the creek stops running I'm in trouble>>>>>
Tilly

Hi all,
I'm in Tennessee where the weather is 94 degrees and the humidity apparently matches that number, too. I like hot weather, but the humidity simply does me in. My MIL is now having trouble with Japanese beetles, which, knock-on-wood, we don't have trouble with yet in our neck of the woods. They are hideous creatures and chew up everything in sight. I'm helping her out with her pond while I'm here by building her an additional filter to go down in the water. She has fish, but you can't tell by looking because the water is completely brown. She lives in a lovely 1935 Georgian style brick home and has a beautiful yard. She is a master gardener, too, so she keeps it looking nice. Wish you could see her home. It's like a museum, but very livable and comfortable. I'll take some photos while I'm here. Her home is one of the original estates in the town and is the epitome of gracious southern living. She's by herself so I don't know how she keeps up with it all. I think it's catching up with her. We're trying to just relax and not do much of anything!

I have been in Tennessee and it is beautiful country, and the old houses are so magnificent. I drove semis cross country for 2 years before I met my match. I have seen some beautiful country, but Tennessee I like the most, 2nd was Montana.
I wish I was with you Pixy, In joy//// You made me think about all the wonderful places there are. And you are right we don't want those bugs. Can't wait to see the Pics.
Have Fun
Here's and pic of this years "Purple Haze" as of 777 (this is the back)

This is the front.
Laurie: wouldn't this look nice out by one of your trees you showed in the first part of your thread. It is still on my mine, on how awesome they look. I wish I was good at drawing I would send you a sketch but I can only do in my mind. Can't draw worth beans. And then don't know how your land lays, It could be and nice little hidy hole, I'm just rambling on. need to go nite nite.
Tilly

Tilly, that's delightful!!!

Pixy, enjoy!

Laurie, hope we haven't lost you again!!

She probably did throw the new computer out and is jumping up and down on it, which I have felt like a few times. I changed from dial up to DSL and have been having a difficult time figuring it out, I keep getting this pop up in DG that I never got before and I don't know how to make it stop. or is it new?
To much to learn no time!!!!!!!!

I made my self a funny going home today, I have to share. It is about my job, I was sent to this store to help fix some problems and make it better, and it has become really hard, and was thinking on the way home about all the things that they want I came up with this and laughed all the home.
"You sent me to fix it, but I ran out of Elmer's glue and duct tape"
And if you are ever in Lynnwood come see me I work for Big Lots. My store in Sequim closed so I was sent there.
I thought you guys would like this which statue would you like.
I think this is the longest one I ever wrote.

Tilly, are you driving to Lynnwood to work all the time? Yuk!!! I'm in Lynnwood a lot these days as my granddaughter and her husband just moved there. I think your store is very near their apartment - they're on 196th and 48th.

I'm not sure if it is 48th but I do know its on 196th one light above 99 on 196th .
what are you doing up so late, I had to work the night shift just got home.

Murmur
share some cute kittie pics with Jax from maine thought you might
like them. I'm usely in bed by now but I cant go to sleep yet.

http://davesgarden.com/forums/f/hostas/all/

Tilly/Murmur - I got pretty d'n close. But the strange thing is that I also got to the point of sending it off via DHL for the techies to sort out - and low and behold a force greater than I must have stepped in, for it started to 'sort of' behave itself. and day by day it has progressed back to its lovable speedy cooperative self. Now, the question is, is that possible, or is that me?

Nevermind - let us not ask too many questions - let us just accept it, and say, hmmmpf.

tills, I like the arbour setting. Very nice - I have buddelia Black Night growing near my greenhouse. Lovely scent, spicy - and almost black purple blossom. Well worth growing. I do like them.

I'm bushed, I'm heading off to bed. But I am trying to figure out Tilly, why you work such odd hours at a store? when you said you worked shifts I thought nursing - I know they work odd odd hours, hours I just can't contemplate - is your store open 24 hours? No wonder you need your purple place - a long commute and odd hours - my hat is off. And you use to do long haul driving? You are remarkable.

what are we planting out these days: I have just planted out Heuchera Obsidian (almost black leaves with white racemes) with Telanim (spelling?) Kingswood Gold (acid green leaves), and under the Maple - Heuchera Cherries Jubilee (leaves like Palace Purple with red racemes). The area under the Maple is a new bed. I am trying to remember who was talking about using the Lasagne method for new beds - last autumn - I tried it. And it has come up a treat - must locate her and thank her for the instruction. I am sorting out bulbs for the area now - I want to plant it mainly in bulbs and see if I can get it to go through the entire year on bulbs/corms. I am a tad stumped for Nov/Dec. - but I am sure someone will come up with an idea.

What is the lasagna method?

I am not sure Laurie about the lasagna gardening If it was me or not I have been doing it for 3 yrs now and I have turned up with some very nice beds. LOL
If anyone would like info. on how let me know/.
Missed you Laurie.

Tilly- lovely poppies! I would love more info on the lasagna method. Thanks, Rachel

Had to get a pic of some of my natives. If only the Oregon grape tasted as pretty as they look! These are around my rabbits cage. They love the rabbit poop. :0)

Tilly, I know where it is - when you mentioned Highway 99, it came to me. Just a few blocks west of my granddaughter's apartment. Maybe I can pop in sometime and we can say hello? BTW, your link for kitty pictures just took me to the hosta forum (not a bad place to be, but I couldn't find the kitties).

I think I'm having a Laurie problem I just wrote a reply and poof it was gone now I have to start all over.########
Murmur. they are in the Hosta forum "grab bag help me ID these" I started it.
let me know when you plan on coming so I let you know if I'm there on that day.

Rabbit: I have to leave for work soon don't want to get started on something I cant
finish. will send tonite when I get home.
Being in management in a retail store you never know what may happen nights, days and in between full of surprises.
Tilly

I'm home pew what a day, very hot and I get a flat tire waiting for the ferry and missed the boat was 15 min. late to work. In trying to change the tire my jack was broke Thank goodness the k9 officer got his from his car. got the spare out and I have a donut have been worried all night about getting home. And I did get a nice complement from the officer " you actually know how to change a tire I am impressed not very many women know how" Told him my daddy made sure I knew everything about a car if I was going to drive one. So I bought me a new jack. And on top of all that I started a new med. that is not agreeing with me.
Enough about my day hope everyone else had a nice one.
Rabbit:
Lasagna gardening is really cool and very easy to do. A friend of mine loaned me a book on it I have got to get the name of it from her.

What I did was pick the area I wanted to use, then I laid down cardboard you can use a thick layer of newspaper if you have a good supply of that, I have a good source of cardboard I work in retail and bring it home.

Then I started 2 - 3 inch layers of
Peat moss Coffee grounds
straw Ashes from wood stove or fire place
grass clipping
compose
manure

then start the layers again and again ( there are allot of other things you can add to the layers but they have to be stuff that you would put in your compost pile)

I waited 6 to 8 weeks before I started planting it, no backbreaking work with a rotor tiller. I keep adding to it with grass clippings around the plants and add a little manure, and the best thing to look for is worms they are your little army compost makers if I ever wanted to go fishing I know right where to go. but I don't fish.
I'll sherch on the net and see if I can find that book it was full of garden ideas.
Hope this helps
Tilly

Found some sites for Lasagna gardening

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/1999-04-01/Lasagna-Gardening.aspx

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf582744.tip.html

http://www.amazon.com/Lasagna-Gardening-Layering-Bountiful-Gardens/dp/0875969623

http://www.fbga.net/Lasagna%20gardening%202004.htm

These are all showing the book I had read LOL didnt think I could find It that easy just google lasagna gardening and you can order it.

Hey Laurie I finely got it I can hyperlink now at least this is a new day bad luck is gone I hope
Tilly

This message was edited Jul 11, 2007 1:22 AM

Thanks for the info tilly I will have to try it. Hope you have a better day today :0)!

Me to, off I go again tire is fixed.
Have fun with the garden
Tilly

Where is everyone Hope all is okay.
Tilly

Last night I was just a lurker, Tilly. This morning I am out the door to do a bit of watering before I head for work. I read in the paper this morning that it hit 101 by Husky Stadium yesterday!!! DH said it was in the 90's here on the island and that's what it was by my folks' house where I spent most the day. When I got off the ferry, the big thermometer Clinton has showed 95, but as I got to Freeland (just a few miles from my home), it read 87. Definitely a warm one!

Good job on the tire! I wouldn't have a clue.

Hope everyone has a great day!

The weather did put me down for a day or two. Or maybe a little heat stroke from that tire deal that was a awful hot day to have that happen
Its been a little cooler but muggy. Get to go back on days now I can have a little bit of a life after work, Swings stink.
I made a spot in Happy Trails for Laurie's Hellebore's I planted my newly bought one and I'm going to plant the seedlings around it. I hope she is doing okay have not heard from her in a while. Don't know if you can see it Its in the center by the 3 trees.
Tilly

It is hard to see I'll try to take a better pic.
I traded some seeds and have got some. Red columbines. Standing Cypress and have some Toad Lilies coming can't wait. also on my little shopping spree I bought
Hosta " Blue Star"
Ceanothus " Dark Star"
Hebe Odora
Pink Azalea
Pieris " Dorthy Wyckoff"
And the Hellebore's
And for the last week cannot find the right place for some.
I planted the Hebe, Hosta, and the Hellebore's yesterday.
The little Hebe is the lower right corner he will get 3' tall and 3' wide
The area that's all dirt is a new delmina, Don't know what to to.
thought of Roses, I ordered 2 candy stripe last winter from Michigan bulb
they are blooming now, and I have a yellow that I have had for years and need to move. Any ideas ??????
Tilly
Forgot the trucks are going away

This message was edited Jul 15, 2007 12:30 AM