Um...hi...I'm new here...

I'm all over the Lavender Festival. DH and his therapy dog group provide dog-sitting services during the festival and a young friend of mine and myself generally have a booth there (fused glass stuff), last year at the Purple Haze Lavender Farm.

What's the winter-sowing? As far as seed swaps, etc., obviously since I don't even have a garden yet, I have no seeds (except for those I have purchased). I did notice today that some of the bulbs given to me by my mom which I stuck in the ground last year (without any soil prep or anything) are coming up. I was very excited to see 4 plants so early. Who knew (except probably all of you! HA!)? Anyway...I have SO much to learn and am SO excited about the upcoming spring! I did a property walkabout today (quite a nice day here in the "blue hole") and will post the pix to another thread and maybe get some pre-planting ideas from y'all...

I'd sure like to get together with y'all this year. I've been busy working f/t for a nursery. I'm back to p/t now.

Astro's a Rhodesian Ridgeback. He's my trusty navigator for travelling - he follows his nose. Somehow we always end up near manure piles.

I don't know what I was thinking but I just bought a Night Blooming Jasmine at the florist down the street that is 5' high and only $10. It's been there for months and looks rather rough but I figure I can do cuttings and sell the rooted cuttings on eBay. Anyone have experience on it? I just bought a new digital camera online and it's waiting for me in the US. I'll probably head to Seattle for 2 days so I don't have to pay so much duty. If anyone is interested in doing the arboretum, let me know. I'm thinking maybe next weekend.

So Jim Eichner - FireVicar on Daves Garden and Gardenweb coordinates the green elephant plant exchange in spring and fall. I think he doesn't post here now as the forums have become for paid subscribers only. He's also putting together a winter seed sowing event in Redmond, WA on January 12. He'll have some extra seeds and so will the rest of us who come.

Here's a link to the PNW Forum thread about the event: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/799045/.

This is just another excuse for us to get together and dream and scheme and huff and puff and will spring to come a little earlier. Winter seed sowing doesn't involve greenhouses - the seedlings will come up when the weather is right.

It would be cool if you could come!!

Wow how did this thread fill up so fast and I missed it especially all the fine puppies. welcomeoutofmygourd, which I think this culd be all of our names as well. Port Angeles is great my husband and I used to go fishing on the Elwah river years ago and scored, Oh what fun. Huge 30 lbs salmon. We love fishing and Swains is a great store. If you guys from daves garden go to the squim lavender festival I think you should check out my friend Kelly in Port Townsend his nursery is called far reaches. I was doing a landscaping job in Port Townsend and he said for years come on by. I never never get out (haven't been to Seattle since 86. I didnt know they had automatic flushing tolieat on the boat). Oh gad. Anyways I went to Kellys caused a seen I was acught by the Hansville garden club and filled my whole truck. I think you can find him on line. I will need to figure out how to post photos I think it should be here somwhere. I have lots of fragrent plants here at the nursery but I think one od my farvorites is viburnum burkwoodii I think that is the virburnum and of couse lilies. In your by the chimicum valley you could check out b and d lilies and they have bulbs the size of softballs. I think if you all come to visit we need to scheduale a seperate opening for us all so no one interupes us. Yahooee spring is coming Heidi and dragonfly

Is that Astro? What an awesome photo. Did you take it? Wow. Either way, congrats on the new camera.

I could do the arboretum next Sunday, if you want. I've lived here since 1985 and haven't actually walked through . . .

No experience with the night blooming jasmine, I'm afraid. Sounds awesome, though.

Heidi - you are so generous. A private nursery viewing? Wayyyyyy coooool.

Hi Growin What nursery do you work for? What is the one up there that has alot of palms and is mail order. I heard he is a very nice guy. Heidi and dragonfly

Is this Kelly's nursery?

http://farreachesfarm.squarespace.com/aboutus/

Yes that is kelly and sue and I think when I was up there their must have been 4-5 dogs running all over all the people who work there bring their dogs. Its cool. Worth a trip. Tell him Heidi and dragonfly said you had to come. Port townsend is cool anyways

And look at this place Far Reaches has a link for. It's a fern nursery in Gold Bar, WA.

http://www.fancyfronds.com/

I just put myself on their e-mail list for pre-March open house dates and made sure to drop your name (hee hee).

Ecellent they are a great find and nice people. He will also be at the flower and garden show in february if you travel to that. Heidi

Growin and Katie- I would love to do the Arboretum, LMK.

Heidi- It would be fabulous if we could do a DG day at Dragonfly and we could have you all to ourselves, wahoooo!!!!

I'm in for the Lavender Festival, I have always wanted to go!

I have spent the past two days outside in the yard and it has been wonderful! A few weeks ago I was at Watson's Nursery in Puyallup and bought Ceanothus "Victoria" in a three gallon pot, Pieris "Mountain Fire" in a 1 gallon pot, Sarcococca ruscifolia in a one gallon pot and Lonicera nitida "Lemon Beauty" in a 3 gallon. I got all of them for $14! They where 75% off and then I had a coupon for $15 off. So got those all planted today.

Starting a post about the NW Flower and Garden show http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/801540/

Nice plants, Rach - and what a deal!!

Pup's name is McKenzie. We call her Kenzie. She'll be 7 this month.

I took a couple fused glass classes recently. It was really fun. I'd like to pursue it.

Every year I try and get to the NW garden show. Have never made it. Maybe this year!

Gwen

Kenzie is a cutie. I'd love to see pictures of your fused glass creations, Gwen!!

Been kinda out there the last few days.

Outamygourd,
Ester says hello, Shes has some how hurt her back, and has been under doctor care, she is only 6. but still top dog when it come to the pup Tyler and the 4 cats.

And this is the pup Tyler, was bought for her as a playmate, now she cant play with him. so he has fun with the cats, only the cats win.

Awwwwww!!

Nick and Bug and Magic and Sahara and Vana and the kitties say "get well soon" to Ester.

This is Sahara when she was a baby getting into trouble - nothing like a new roll of TP!!

I haven't take any photos and my camera is currently broken. :( I actually have not picked up all my pieces, I still have two from the last class. I may be able to get them tomorrow.

Gwen

Kenzie- I love your flower necklace. Ester- You are beautiful, I hope your back feels better soon. Tyler you are just to cute for words! Sahara that will teach mommy for leaving the tp out! She should know that a puppy just can't resist it! Love the pics of our fur babies!

Love the photo of Sahara with the tp roll!! What a naughty puppy! But too cute for words. Bet she got away with it.
Poor, sweet Ester. I hope her back gets better so she can play with Tyler.
Growin' that is some beautiful dog! Classic looking!
Hope Chili has a driver's license, and Fran says hello to Crikey! She knows one when she sees one!
My work colleague and friend lost her long time companion just before the holidays. She and her DH have two dogs, both well past retirement age. They 've had them since they were pups. One of them died of cancer at age 16. Now I got an email from her and the other one is ill and the vet cannot tell why. Bruiser is an elderly dog, too, and I'm thinking the loss of his companion is too much for him. It's so sad.

Re: lilies, B and D lilies does sell nice stock. The BEST of the BEST time to buy from them is at the Tacoma Flower and Garden Show. It's later than most of the other garden shows and it happens to be at the same time that they dig and divide one of their daylily fields. They do one field each year. If you like daylilies, this is the time to get almost wholesale prices on very nice divisions. They offer them at the sale in large bunches right before they offer them on line. They also have nice end of the season specials when they have overstock. Their bulbs are very good sized and they are quite helpful folks. Lilies are my new addiction. Not daylilies, but the regular kind. It's a bit of a concern.... I recently ordered these on a B and D special: http://www.lilybulb.com/l7156.html Is that color not scrumptious? Can't you just smell them already?

(Outtamygourd, you will get used to this. Just be ready. Most people do not start gardening planning to become addicted to any one kind of plant. But don't let it take you by surprise. You will not find help on this website. You will find enabling. Terrible, horrible, complete enabling. No one will feel sorry for you, they will simply be gleeful that yet another one has 'bitten the dust', then they will offer you their secret stash of on-line suppliers of gardening goods. You are among gardening freaks. Just know it, and nothing will surprise you. Here is the link to B and D lilies:
www.lilybulb.com. And here is a link to another lily seller who is reputed to sell extremely large and beautiful lily bulbs. She has some really nice cultivars. http://buggycrazy.vstore.ca/index.php/cName/misc-bulbs
And here is another local grower. Another NW forum member turned me on to this grower:
http://lilypadbulbs.com/ Let me be among the first to welcome you to our addiction!!!LOL!!)

Heidi, I've always wanted to go to that nursery in Port Townsend. I have to decide if I am going to the Flower and Garden Show. I always end up spending way too much money because I get a terrible case of 'I want itis'. I have a special little cart with wheels, made for carrying luggage, that I take to all the flower and garden shows. I strap a big basket to the cart and carry all my purchases that way. I am the envy of all the other middle aged frumpy women in the place. You should have seen the envious glances that came my way at the last show!!! It was spectacular! LOL!

Pixy,
The visual of you with that cart and basket has me in stitches! I can just picture it overflowing with plants, gloves, stakes to hold up all those lilies you've been buying and a latte balancing on the top of it all!! You have the hysteric look of a plant addict on a mission, you starting panting as the cart gets heavier by the minute, but you just can't stop, must have one more plant!..........................

cattledogs - I work at a large wholesale only nursery in Richmond. I think I know the fellow you are talking about at tropic to tropic plants. I've done propagation & stuff for him for many years and he's a real nice guy.

Arboretum - I've emailed my friend in Seattle but haven't been able to get ahold of him yet. Need a place to crash before I head down to the US for 2 days. I'd just love to have others join in for a walk-around. I think there's also a University Garden but I don't know where it is. I'll post when I find out - looking at possible Sunday get-together.

Pix, I am grinning and chuckling and nodding 'Yes' to all of your above - I even logged on to the lilybulb pic you put up and found myself thinking - 'so if I order those, and have them sent to Melissa, she can post them on - nooooo, they'd never get out of Melissa hands, so if I have them sent to ......' and I went right down the list cancelling out each possibility, even check DH diary to see if he was going to the states in the next few weeks - no. Bummers. But I loved the entwining, drawing in of poor Outta into the PNW garden - 'come little gardener, we won't hurt you - haahhhhaha'. Gardening addiction - with a latte.

A late welcome to you outtamygourd from South Sound. I don't post often but pop in when I can for a DG fix. I love your area and Sequim. I hope to see the lavender for the first time this year. You will have so much fun with your landscape creation. A lot of work but huge rewards. Here's Jolly and KittyMoose in a rare peaceful moment.

Katy

Laurie- Most of the growers that Pixy listed sell bulbs at the NW Garden Show in February. I will be going to the show. If you want some let me know the name of the bulb and which company and I can pick them up for you. They usually have early bird specials the first two hours of the show! Rachel

Rachel, you have it about right. Laurie, I'm in on sneaking bulbs to you, too.
Nice to 'see' you Katymac! I love Kittymoose. He reminds me so much of a favorite cat we had when I was a young adult. He was the sweetest boy ever.

Hi growin, Yes the nursery it tropic to tropic and a lady I owned the nursery with used to trade with him. Ray something I think. Kind of a goofy website. Pixy, Kelly is the guy in the kilt at the flower show. This is a picture of my big unit Butter, She is a great dog but I just told someone today I wouldn't recommend the breed for 99% of the general public. That is probably why we have 5 and someone contacted me about a 6th. I don't know this bunch is so out of control what would 1 more be. His name is frankie and he is blue heeler and shitzu. It just is wrong all the breeding these a re called blue shitz and I think somebody thought oh this is a funny name lets breed them. He is awfully cute but we'll see. I hope he find a good home. This is butters favorite place between my legs where all the dirt can fall in her ears then I have to clean them. She is such a drama queen as well. Everyone has such great looking dogs and cats and bunnies.

Oh Pixy - you done went & spilled the beans!!!!
By the way - I have ordered from B&D for what - 20 years? Love their stock. No need to worry - Lilies are flowers of substance, so there are no negatives to a Lily addiction. Please, take my word for it! Muaaahaahhaaaaa!
This will be the 2nd year for First Crown, Pixy - it was a beauty, but the rain soaked them & they were pollen-streaked. Otherwise, did well as expected.

Addictions are revving up & ideas are jumping out like hot-popped popcorn!
This is completely the fault of the catalogues - every one of them a treasure trove of things to grow....Guess where we'll have our noses over the next weeks?

Growin - Ruby is my Ridgeback, and what a special way they have with their people. She is the Queen of the orchard, trolling for the best blueberries & all fully-ripe Boysenberries...
Grew Night Blooming Jasmine when I lived in Hawaii. Here, hmmm - might present somewhat of a challenge.

Kayte, I believe in fair warning! It never makes a difference anyway. Even when you know the dangers, you're doomed. I got the Seeds of Change catalog, the Territorial Seed catalog, and the Heronswood catalog (which I will never order from and I don't know why I'm even on their mailing list) yesterday. Stayed up until 1:30 in the blessed AM looking at the Seeds of Change catalog. I'm going to grow some vegetables this year and I am enchanted with all of the cool varieties out there. Little tiny melons! Little tiny squash! Blue corn! So cool. Have to stick with things that don't need too long to develope, or too much heat, I guess. But still... fingerling carrots??

Gee guys...I'm lovin' all the support and encouragement I'm getting here. Do they have 12-steps for gardeners? "Hi. My name is Sheri and I'm a lilyholic." "Hi, Sheri (mumbles crowd noises). I've always been addicted to flowers and plants, just never had the opportunity to do anything about it until now (lucky me to be surrounded by such loving and caring and encouraging people!). I do love lilies and iris...have a friend in Valleyford with 5 acres of iris. She tried to give me some when we were there for a bloodhound trailing trial last May but was nowhere NEAR ready to bring home any plants...still have several outdoorsys in pots on my walk.

I plan on going to the NW Flower and Garden Show and the swap. Do I need to take out a second mortgage on my house before I do? It's certainly starting to sound that way...*sigh*...my dogs, my glass, my garden...so many addictions, so little time. Too bad work interferes with life, huh?

This was then...

Saw those - very cute personal melons, & the tiny cukes/eggplant. I had the same reasoning about the growing time. Wondering what Farmer's Almanac has predicted for our summer - but I am afraid to go look: could be scary.
Carrots - some are real tasty young, but others are downright bland.
I am on Heronswood's mailing list too, but don't know why? Guess they bought a list from someone else. And I know for a fact that on that list YOUR name is bolded with a big gold star next to it for targeting purposes!


No 12 step programs, here. We just indulge ourselves all the more.
No sense denying reality....

This message was edited Jan 2, 2008 8:54 PM

and this is what 133 pounds looked like 5 years ago!

Chili was doing some serious thinkin' there

Sometimes he sits and thinks, and sometimes he just sits (but never when asked to!)

That's a hound for ya!

Thanks for the smuggling offer - love the addiction! AND it is catalogue time - yikes. Just love it, but I am turning pruney in the bath with all the cross referencing.