So what are you growing new in 2008?

I have free rocks, too - but they aren't the really good looking ones. Shh - I sneak off to a deconstruction site and get good looking rocks from the walls that will just be plowed under for an extension of the Mall someday.

Do deconstruction workers do that??

I've got a "source" in Wallingford for free scraps of polished granite from making countertops and such. I've been going dumpster diving there for years. The pieces are so pretty, I just need to figure out something to do with them that won't look too tacky. I'm leaning toward creating some sort of fountain, or breaking up the pieces to make a concrete walkway (too slippery to walk on by themselves). I loooove the raw granite rocks that us New Englanders can pick up all over the place. So pretty!

We get odd pieces, too, and this is what I did with one pink piece to remind me of a new clematis spot, so I don't yank it:

I love dumpster diving!

Did someone mention rock walls? I have built about 600 ft. of walls on my property and planning on replacing a picket fence about 100 ft long. The picture is of the "stock" I collected last fall. I have a real weakness for free standing NE rock walls.

I love them too! I take pictures of them when I have the opportunity.

No, I'll be eating healthy, well...sort of; if Twizzlers, and anything that deals with chocolate and peanut butter count! I am going to need to purchase more field stone, and colonial rock...lots more colonial rock...lots. I started to get some things in...I think what I might do, is either put it all in my journal, or start a thread...not sure. Any advice would be helpful. I would hate to start a thread that was all about what I ordered. My intent on showing the pics, isn't to "show off" necessarily, it's more a PSA, "If you order from this company, this is what you are more than likely going to get." It's more along that/those lines. Please, anyone, tell me what you would rather me do. Since I have the journal almost down to a science, that wouldn't be a problem. Also, posting the pics wouldn't/shouldn't be an issue in a new thread. Any idears are welcome!

I made one big goof...which is ok by me. I ordered the APS grow kit from Gardeners Supply, I ordered the 12 celled "window sill" model. I ordered 4 kits. I didn't realize that with this particular size, the kits are sold as a set of 2. Imagine my surprise when I opened the box to find 8 kits!

That's something new I'm trying...I've always used open flats, cell trays, or peat pots for my seed starting. This system will be new, I hope it works!

You will like those APS grow kits. They are a tad more because they are better. Category of we get what we pay for

wha, regarding stone walls, you and my dh have that in common. He's been putting them in all over our property, and still planning on more!

I guess you could say that's something "new we're growing" this year. Here's some:

Here's the stairs to the right of that wall:

And here's another set of stairs.

The two sets of stairs were made from foundation stones of our old house. (Note the rock pile in the background.)

Wow...........that's some serious hardscape. If I had about twenty years back I'd give at least a portion of that wall a show at my place. Alas time has gone by and the rock of that size and beauty is no longer an issue. Good for you folks for doing it when you can to enjoy for many years to come. I like the dressing on your shed too.

Thanks, doc! I've mentioned before that this shed used to be my kids' treehouse.

our STILL not finished rock wall my honey put together

a had no where else to put the rocks spot... some big ones in this stack

Great work, everyone.

You guys all rock! I am going steal a few special ones that are moss covered from Vt to add to my steam project in Nantucket. We are blessed with some old Vt walls, including a huge wall that was once the back wall of a long gone blacksmith shop on the property. I would not touch it as it is a wonderful example of what great rock work was done in the 1800's. Patti

This message was edited Mar 19, 2008 9:31 PM

Forgot the picture.

Victor, here is the link to Mountain Maples (In case you aren't familiar, I have a sinking suspicion you maybe though...lol) and the link should take you and everyone to 'Nuresagi' The Wet Heron A. palmatum.
http://www.mountainmaples.com/show_detail.php?ClassNo=262

And Victor, to answer your question, I just added the Cryptomeria to my Forest Farm order. Which, fingers crossed, should be arriving next week sometime!

the sad part is all the small rocks in the second picture.... are the rocks I dug out when putting the plants in... takes me forever to clear a spot to put a plant in... extra deep and wide holes... and lots of garden soil to fill the crater back in... I usually break 2 or 3 trowels each year... and use a pic ax when they are too big or lots of little ones clustered together

I can say we grow great rocks in this part of NJ

Very nice Thom and yes, I am familiar with them. I bought one or two trees from them. Got my 'Orangeola' from them.

I hit a few co-ops and got me some new Hosta's

1 Chop Sticks
1 Inspire Greatness
2 June
2 Peanut
2 Rootin Tootin

and i've never grown Helleores, read this and thought why not?
"Hellebores are 2.08 a piece!!!! for 1 year old plants.The best seedlings from our stock plants, the unbloomed mix contains all the colours in singles and semi doubles."
So I bought 5 to try.
I need to stay away from the co-op forum!

I really need to stay out of the stores! Yesterday was three houseplants, four clematis and three more dahlias.

Ok, so Pixie wanted to 'Inspire Greatness' in her 'June' garden and went 'Rootin tootin' for a 'Peanut' with a pair of 'Chop Sticks' to plant some new Hosta. Patti

Patti, Thats it exactly!

Hi Primrose, where are you getting those long stones for steps? I would go under cover of darkness to replant those here.

You must have a large colony of chipmunks - I know I do. Here are a few more rock wall pic's. This one is x-mass day from back porch and a pack of turkey's.

This one is the same shot in the spring.

This one is another guest that lives in the pond down back and like to sun itself on the wall.

And finally when I'm through working in the yard I retire to the "man room" in the early evening for one or three ales to relax. Especially nice in the spring when the peepers come out.

We have several pieces of stone from our local cemetary--our son worked there parttime while in college, & these were old "spare" pieces of brownstone & granite. Will send some pics if I can get them out of folder!

My computer hates me! This is not the garden, but my dale with his new haircut. Will try again later--have to take the GSP mix to the vet for her vaccinations.

two new arrivals came today. Here is japanese maple beni schichihenge.

and japanese maple Ukigumo.

Victor how do these match up against your online jap. maple purchases? Beni is a one yr. old and uki is a 3-4 year old. The ruler in the background is 2' tall.

Nice, wha. In my recent order of three from Wildwood, they are different ages / sizes (and of course, prices). My Uki is 5 ft tall. My Omure Yama about 3 - 3 1/2 - it's weeping, and the Kamagata is about 2 ft tall.

NEW STUFF THIS YEAR

The Easter Bunny showed up early! Phalaenopsis Orchid, Orquidea De Phalaenopsis, Phalaenopsis sp.

Enjoy the pix. Figure on snow for the Easter Weekend. :) It's OK this one stays in the house most of the time.

Camera: Canon Rebel, stock 55 zoom, flood lighted.

Just received my order from Fairweather!! Yikes - did not expect it this early! I haven't done anything at all in the garden yet.

In close. Pretty?? Constructive criticism invited.

I think its very pretty docgipe. What's not to like.
Victor I hate when they do that. At least one and sometimes two orders show up way ahead of when you expect them. You have a place for them to loiter until their new digs are ready I hope.

Hi Victor - These came from wildwood as well. Have two others coming in April from Forest Farm, Carnival and Oridono, both are one year olds. Maybe 1'-2' ft tall. I can her my wife now asking why I'm growing sticks.