Where is everyone!?!!??

Is the weather so nice now that you all are out gardening instead of being inside on Dave's? This California forum is mighty quiet! Yoo hoo, where are you all??!??

That's the problem with the Ca people.....we're having too good a time doin' all kinds of things..gardening, barbecues, goin to the beach. Just think of all those poor people in the snow. Ah....life is good.....

I'm busy taking full advantage of every single ray of sunshine that comes along lately. You can never be too sure how long it will last !

I know...I'm so energized lately that I just don't want to come in. There's sooo much to be done. Flitting from one thing to another, sow those seeds, pull those weeds, trim that bush, make wire baskets, plant all those plants that are still sitting in pots. cuttings...yada, yada, yada. I wish it weren't getting dark, I'd go back out.

Things have been crazy at work so I've been spending a lot of evenings and weekends on that rather than DG and gardening :-( And when I have had time to get in the garden, all I've had time for is pulling weeds, but I can't keep up and I swear they're going to take over my garden if things at work don't calm down soon! :-(

No problemo...quit the job. I highly recommend being jobless......... I'm just the teensiest bit worried about when the money runs out.

This message was edited Mar 12, 2008 7:08 PM

Unfortunately my dog hasn't got a job yet (even though I tell him on a daily basis that he needs to start earning his keep!), so there'd be nobody to pay my mortgage if I quit! And then I'd have to move back to Cleveland so I could crash with my family, and as much as I love them, I couldn't deal with their weather! Who knows though, maybe I'll win the HGTV dream house this weekend, then I'll take the cash instead of the house and I can take a sabbatical for a year or so!

Well, I'd been tied down for years..raising 'the kid', then working, so I needed a couple of years to be free and go and do whatever I wanted. I'm tied down again now with the plants, but at least I'm outside. The worst thing for me every morning was walking into an overheated, airless building. Made me extraordinarily cranky. Perhaps you could work a miracle with your hours....four 10's and give yourself an extra day to garden. So many possibilities anymore with scheduling and accomodating companies. I'm sure that you're a super valuable employee and they'd try to see it your way.......tell them you need 'mental health' Fridays.

Unfortunately my company doesn't do the 4 10's thing...they used to offer a 9-80 schedule years ago before I started but they got rid of it and don't want to go back to it (I'm not quite sure why...I just know anytime people bring it up they basically say there's no chance). I have a good amount of flexibility to take personal days when I need though and can work from home on occasion. And between Memorial Day and Labor Day we get every Friday afternoon off, so I really can't complain too much! I don't usually put in this many hours either, we just are having an exceptionally crazy time for the last few weeks but I'm hoping things are back to normal in another week or two!

I suppose with things going the way they are everywhere...it's just good to have a job. So many don't. As much as you love gardening and plants though...have you thought about changing your life to make that your pursuit?
edited to add:
I say this because 40 years ago it dawned on me that what I wanted to do was 'grow things' and I did through those 40 years, but so many other things got in the way that it's only now that I'm finally able to pursue that desire fully. And I wish I had all of the energy that I had during those other 40 years.

This message was edited Mar 12, 2008 8:01 PM

I have thought about it...and as soon as I figure out how to make my current salary doing something gardening related I'm going for it! Unfortunately such an opportunity has not presented itself yet, and in order to afford to stay here I really can't take a pay cut, so I think pursuing my passion for plants will have to wait until I retire (which unfortunately is a number of years away yet!). One of the disadvantages of not being married, I don't have anyone else to pick up the slack if I decide to take a lower paying job or one where the income is less certain. I actually enjoy my job most of the time anyway--not as much as I like plants, but it's definitely not a bad job!

I knew I'd dig you guys out of the dirt by posting this thread! I knew it, you're all out there working in the gardens just like me!
Still, it seemed just a little too quiet!

Isn't the weather great? I'm busy sorting out my groundcovers so they don't run into each other. The leaves on all of the Japanese Maples, birch trees, clematis, hostas, fruit trees are all coming out and the hellebores and daffs are blooming still. The Montana Clematis will probably be next and the raphiolepsis is covered with buds. I've got to order my coleus for the hosta pots and spray the iris again for leaf spot (ugh). Had to snail bait too. It's a busy time in the garden with this 70 degree weather we've been having. Have to feed the daylilies, roses, hostas and clematis too. I already fed the iris.

"I wish that I had all of that energy that I had for 40 years." AMEN

This message was edited Mar 12, 2008 9:08 PM

We were out putting lilies in the pond this evening - we should get good coverage this summer.

Liz, I know what you mean by weeds. I was losing young plants in the greenery - that last rain did it. I uncovered them one weekend, set a good clear space around each one, and by the next weekend they were gone again! We finally got some help and cleared one slope completely. Did you guys see my photos? Boy, did it feel great to see that slope clear - we keep going out and staring at it! lol

Now there are buds on the Amorpha fruticosa (indigo) and the Lady Banks rose (white) - the yellow one has started blooming already. I posted some other pics on this thread, too - below ecrane's photos. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/821943/

So, Weegy, what are you up to?

Working and weeding and weeding and working. I'd rather be weeding! (did I say that?) The back slope got completely - weedy - out of hand because of the rains while I was out of town. We're putting in a path so it'll be easier to maintain. I need to figure out what to plant back there when it's done.

What a fun project deciding what to plant! I know that you'll enjoy it once the weeds are gone.

Nice photos kaperc.

Thanks, Doss! It's nice to have something to photograph!

Doing the same thing you all are doing, weeding, weeding, weeding. The iris garden is so full of weeds because of all the rain, HELP!!!!!
Now today, I wake up, look out, gray skies and cold. Rain this weekend. Enough already. Springtime, how I long for you!

It is Spring! What about "April showers bring May flowers?" You'll get your heat, Weege, never fear. Damp soil makes weeding easier, anyway. We still have another slope that is knee deep, but we're spraying that one. The trash crew refused our weeds today - too much and too heavy!

I guess you're a little more positive than I am...I know we need the rain, yes it's easier to pull weeds with damp soil, and yes Sherry, I'll get my heat sooner or later. I just had to find something to whine (care for some cheese with that whine?!!) about!
Nough said about wanting spring, it will officially be here on the 20th.

Hi all,

I've been busy doing many different things these past 2 weeks.

I've been helping my sister redo some of her flower beds and since she is NOT a gardener, she doesn't know what most plants are. I've been taking her around to look at nurseries and going to many of them by myself, to find the right plants for her. We finally decided on some roses and others, but since she doesn't even know how to plant, I got to plant them too. First of all we had to remove many plants and amend the soil....now that was a full day by itself and I was so tired and sore, I could hardly move. lol I then went back up there (35 miles north of me) on Tues. and we planted 6 rose bushes, 15 Peter pan agapanthas, 12 minature Dahlias and laid 11 stepping stones. We are not done yet and still have lots of plants to buy and plant.

I also have been taking down an old patio and built in BBQ at my dads house. He built it all in 1957 and it was starting to collapse. The BBQ had already fallen inside itself a few years ago. I had never welded a sledge hammer before and had no idea how heavy they are and when you swing it, it's even heavier. That was another day of being so darned tired and sore.

I cleaned up my GH last week and started lots of seeds too. I already have my peppers, tomatos, coleus and convolvulus coming up. yippee!

My Garden club is having a big garage sale tomorrow morning and I've been getting some things ready for that too. I have to be at the garage sale at 6am tomorrow morning to help set it up. Do they all realize that it is still dark at that time????

This afternoon at 4pm, I am going down to watch my 5 yr. old grandson test out for his Brown Belt in Tai Kwon Do.

It's a good thing that I am not going to be on the Garden Tour again this year as I don't even have time to work in my own garden right now. lol

So weegy, now do you see what we are all up to this spring? lol You asked!!!

Off to organize some things for the garage sale now, wish me luck. :-)

Donna

WOW Donna, can you share some of your spunk!??! I just missed everyone and the forum was so quiet, but without whining, I got my way and you're all starting to come back! Best of luck with your garage sale and all of your other projects Donna. Oh, Donna, when you get done with all of that, wanna come help weed?!?!!?!? JK!

You are in high gear Donna. I'm taking the weekend off since DD is coming from Boulder for a visit. I'm really looking forward to it.

Hey Fellow S. CA. gardeners. The weather here is Fabulous! The "Farmers Almanac" says that we are in for an unusually wet and humid summer. This will be Fantastic!

Good for you Doss, enjoy every minute with DD. It's good to hear from you.
We all need some time off now and then, good for the soul! With all the time off I've been taking, you think my soul would have been renewed!

Uh oh, humidity. (not whining here). Oh well. It's only for 3 months.

I had to spray the iris for leaf spot again yesterday because it's supposed to rain and my helper comes tomorrow. At least it's done. What a pest that stuff is.

Whine all you want (or don't whine) Louise! :-) Some whining is good for the soul.

Wet good...humidity not. Donna, you don't have enough to do, why don't you come work at my place for awhile......I think it's fantastic to have the opportunity to do your sister's yard..what fun! The sledge is good for working out aggression, but I don't think you have any.
I'm hoping our community center has the April Garage Sale this year, I have some things that need to go and the cash would buy more plants for me (win / win), but same problem....you have to get there so darn early.
Last chance Sunday for snow in Julian, so will have to head up there early for breakfast. I'm sure there will be too many people there by lunchtime. Maybe go out through the desert, too. Potting up a zillion seedlings today, spreading manure, just thinking about everything else......

I'll start whining if we get a lot of humidity! Today I'm going to make some of Weegy's collard greens soup. :-)

Donna, you be careful with all that work. Sedge hammers, sheesh! Good to hear from you.


This message was edited Mar 14, 2008 11:18 AM

It's a collard green soup kind of day isn't it? Sounds good if I felt like cooking! I truly think dh is getting tired of it anyway! Enjoy Kathleen and let me know how it comes out.

So what exactly does an "unusually wet and humid summer" in So Cal really mean? 3 drops of rain or something along those lines? LOL

Gotta take advantage of the break in the rains (altho I sure hope they keep coming!) to work in the garden and enjoy the plants bursting into bloom. I usually hang out at the Cottage Gardening forum. Yesterday I took a bunch of shots and turned the best of 'em into a slideshow on Photobucket. I posted the link there, but here it is again for the convenience of folks on this forum.

I love spring - especially when cottage gardeners in the other regions are still looking at snow on the ground! I'm from Chicago so I **really** appreciate the weather here Aren't we all lucky to live in this state? For all the headline troubles that face us everywhere we look, gardening here is truly beauty for the spirit and peace for the soul....not to mention some Ben-gay for the body, LOL!
http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c116/jkom51/FebruaryMarch2008/March2008/?action=view¤t=5a26795a.pbw

Lovely gardens, Jkom - I can see why you're enjoying Spring!

Right ecrane, that's it! LOL!

Lovely slide show jkom, that is spectacular!

jkom, your garden looks awesome! I hope that mine will look that nice someday, absolutely gorgeous!

Sherry, did you see the forecast for Sunday?

Amazing how sunlight can invigorate everyone, isn't it? Pay no attention to that rain forecast...it aint gonna happen !

These wild green parrots down here were very "busy" this winter...there's MILLIONS of them right now...and they're SO LOUD !!!

My Phlox paniculata has resprouted with great vigor...ask me how stoked I am !

Loren says snow down to 2,500'. I also heard maybe 1/2" of rain from someone else. I know I'll be putting the heater back in the greenhouse just in case (I have stuff in there that would prefer 50 degrees though they're not getting it and just sitting there sulking, waiting for things to get warmer.), and once again tonight carting the 65 one gallon pots into the bathtub and laundry room. No room in the greenhouse and they are newly rooted, potted....thought I wouldn't have to be dragging them in and out again,but....the rooting in water is going so well that I've now set up a workbench in the bedroom with tons more cuttings in water. Last year most of my salvia cuttings were rotting, trying them several weeks ago in water was just a fluke and they're thriving. Don't mess with success!

This message was edited Mar 14, 2008 8:26 PM

I've been missing DG too. Like some of you, I've been dealing with crazy stuff at work since January when we had a big layoff. I inherited 2 other peoples' jobs on top of my own. While I am really fortunate to work for a place that lets me work from home, I still have to work a LOT of hours. It does help that I can at least see my garden from my desk.....

My house is in a total shambles because we ripped out the 21-year-old vinyl from the kitchen and family room to have Saltillo tile installed. It's a 3-week process, with one week left to go. We had the living room done just before the holidays and it's totally gorgeous, but going through it is not fun. Thank goodness for the microwave!

We're nursing one of my son's 3 dogs who got beat up by one of the others---they play hard, and we think it just escalated to ugliness without him there to referee. Every time she goes outside, she heads straight for my flower bed (I don't have any lawn) and I can hear plants breaking. I'm just trying not to think about it. He's been on business travel and comes back this week, and she'll go home. She's a sweetheart, and I'm glad to help out, but there are good reasons I chose not to own a dog right now.

Fortunately, I mulched the heck out of my beds all winter with shredded paper, and it's done a great job of suppressing weeds. I have a big bucket of "juice" from my worm compost bin that I need to dilute and fertilize with, and then put some redwood compost over everything. But today it's Women's Work Day that I share with my 2 friends once a month, and it's not my turn, darn it! We'll be pruning and pulling weeds and painting at my friend's all day.

What with work and taking care of the dog, I haven't had time to even step into my studio play with clay, and it's been very frustrating.

Can someone please pass the cheese? I've got plenty of whine to share......~