what have you bought so far? part 4

Bill, I already like you...I can tell by this:
"The radio show is one by Paul Parent who lives up in Maine. People from Maine you can trust and Paul in particular."

Early morning gardening question. I have limited "full sun" space and have composted everything.
I have three plants comming ,full sun and slightly alkeline soil. Is my composted area going to be too rich?
How can I fix it.? Jo Ann

You'll test the PH of the soil first and go from there.

Ditto to what Arlene(Pirl) has suggested. Soil test, then go from there. Sometimes to much organic matter can cause a garden to go very alkaline, to 8.0 and above! So it is better to err on the side of caution. Our county extension sells soil test kits for $9. It does take about 1-3 weeks to get the results back, I'm sure there is an extension service in your neck of the woods that can help out!

Thanks everyone. My Penstamon cobea will thank you
Jo Ann

Wow, Thom is starting to sound like a MG!! 'Geotropism'!! Hee hee. My favorite mail order JM source, Wildwood Maples, has Shirazz. Sara, from there, said her husband likes it but she's undecided and actually prefers Purple Ghost to it.

Shirazz is here too.
Oriental Garden Supply but they don't mail order, I don't think. Locals just go to the nursery. They are primarily local wholesale. Good rateing from DG.
Jo Ann

Good news to report ,the Anemone sylvestrs I thought was in the "fail to thrive" catagory, has an ever so small red spot (size of a peppercorn) all's well with the world. I need a magnifier to see it or I'd send a pic.

Speaking of happy to see 'em tiny shoots, the Coconut Lime echinaceas have teeny little green points coming up. This was new last year and I liked it a lot so since everything else in that bed has come back to life already, I have been a little anxious about these two. Now still waiting for the other new ones to put in an appearance.

Thom, don't forget to take before and afters of the beds too. I can't wait to see the end results!

I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for that dusty miller. I love planting them for highlights in the garden

Congrats, ngam. I'm reluctant to try the new echs until I hear first-hand accounts. I agree, Anita, though I want Thom to start a dedicated thread just for it. And the yellow watering can must be a main character!

I am soooo envious! You all have purchased such beautiful plants!

. . . . I bought more potting soil . . . . I have lots of little plant babies, but it will be a while before they look like much.

Snuck out for a quick morning walk about. The Summer Sky and Harvest Moon are also showing signs of life. The Purple Passion delph doesn't look like it made it but 8 other NZ delphs have lots of new growth already. Can you see the happy smiling face. ^_^

This message was edited Apr 10, 2008 12:30 PM

My water can...Ok...and I'm sure this can be a thread all on it's own, even if it hasn't been done before...BUT...does anyone have a "must have" tool that they always use? Not just your Felcos, but a garden gadget. The reason I love the watering can is 2 fold, first, it holds 2 gallons, and second, I never lose it. Because of the size of some of the pots that I have, if I'm "spot" watering I need to douse the pots good, and that watering can does the job! Plus, it's not to awkward considering it's size. Next to the watering can, my hori hori knife is next in line as favorite number 2!

I started the whiskey barrels outside already. And have most of the pots out on the deck...most...the buggers are heavy. I think this year is going to be my personal best for color! Most years I go for the foliage...especially love variegated plants/shrubs/trees.

I will definitely keep everyone abreast in regard to my project. I have several loose ends I need to tie up here before I can have the new dirt delivered...trying to coincide my weekend off with the Bobcat guy is proving to be difficult. If I need to do this by hand I will, but it's going to take all summer long! Time will tell...lol.

my favorite tool is a hand trowel Truetemper from Sears 70 years old, belonged to my grandmother. You would think after all these years it would have worn down but NO it's just as good as new, a bit smooth on the edges but digs holes for bulbs and plants etc. luvit.Jo Ann

Don't really have a single favorite gardening tool. I too love one of my watering cans - holds three gallons! I use it to fill from my rain barrels. It has a nice gentle flow pattern as well. At this point, where I have a maturing garden - not too many spaces - I love my transplant spade. That's what I use to plant everything up to about 3 gallons in size.

I guess I would say my stirrup hoe or garden weasel. The sh works in both directions and is great for getting weeds out of the path and loosening up mulched beds. The gw is great for getting rid of thick grass in areas that go from lawn to garden bed.

What is the weasel?

That is it - I can't take you people NO MORE. I am getting in the car and driving south to find a tree! Agway is about 20 miles away. I will be back :-)

Victor I should have said garden claw. The weasel is another tool that pops out weeds I think. Anyway here is a pic of my garden Claw. :)
Schickenlady I hope you find a tree that you fall in love with and will be thrilled to see grow for many years.

Thanks ngam. You say it's the best for getting lawn grass out of the beds? That's a big problem for me lately.

I came home with 3 rolls of the red mulch, 13.99 a roll 4' x 50' cheaper then Park seed. 2 packages of sweet corn and 2 free dog cookies. :- { No trees in yet.

If you people are buying Packages Of Burpee Seeds make sure the packages are seal on the sides. Up here they are having a problem as the sides are not sealed and seeds are getting lost. I am sure it is a random thing, but look them over.

Yep you stick it in on top of the grass or weed, give it a twist and the whole clump is loosened up, give it a shake to take off the soil and toss the clump of grass in the compost pile. I like it cause it doesn't leave a lot of roots behind and can fit in a pretty small space. I use it to make a new edge on a bed too. First I cut the line with edger and the use the claw to get rid of the grass on the flower bed side. Works well for me.

what is Pro mix???

never mind.... I looked on google!!!! oh you guys I am so impressed... between Thom and I who is worse???

My toolbar or icon tray on my comp used to be on the bottom. I clicked something and now its on the side. How do I get it back on the bottom. When I minimize IE it now goes to the side. I don't like it on the side. My mail, virus protector little icons that used to be on the bottom grrrrr.

Go to the blue area and hold down your mouse on the left side - don't let go - and "drag" the information to the top or bottom, wherever you want it.

Great computer help. Favorite tools: cape cod weeder & certainly my kneeler. Going down is OK but getting back up is impossible without it if DH is not around.

THANKS!!! That was driving me nutz.

I'm glad it worked for you, Sherrie.

Yes, IrisMA, getting up is getting to be a battle.

I have one of those claws that I really like. DH just bought me a little tiller, but I haven't seen it yet. He said he picked it up yesterday.

DH has a tool he calls the twister, not sure of its proper name. It has a long handle, short crosspiece near the bottom, then 3 strong prongs. Put is in an iris clump, then twist. It loosens the plant and it can then be picked up with both hands (from the bottom) & there is less damage than using a garden fork.

I have a brand new shovel with TEETH. I think I'm really going to like it. I was out digging in some stuff to get a bed ready for my new blueberries. It's a raised bed with pretty good amended topsoil but underneath is some nasty old clay. I don't have the strength to dig into some of the hard clay and rocks in my yard, so I think this shovel is just the thing. An early b'day present :0)

http://www.gardeners.com/Super%20Shovel/GardeningTools_ShovelsHoes,33-594,default,cp.html

I always wondered how good that was. Please let us know, Jan.

Another wahoo, and this was a surprise! Chamblee's didn't send me an e-mail notification for my order, I am SO NOT complaining. I was leaving early, to get to work last night...wanted some fat food, and there is a box on the porch. I was like???

OMG...I will have to post pics later on...BUT...OMG. The roses I got, are really small bushes! One has buds on it!!! I searched every nook and cranny, and everything was great with them...again, the shipping was incredible! Shipping cost almost as much as the 4 roses did, but, after I got what I ordered, I don't care...!

For those of you out there looking for roses, especially "own root", I would HIGHLY recommend Chamblee's!!!

Thom, excellent news for me...I have a good-sized order coming from Chamblee's towards the end of the month. first time I have ordered from them, but I hear very good things on the Rose Forum.

Planted my pansies--planted my peas---raked for 2 hours--I'm beginning to think I,ve bought too much already!

Two new arrivals today. Acer Campestre "carival" var. hedge maple and Acer pal. Orido nishiki form Forest Farm. I think they are better than the two others from Wildwood Farms. The box they came in a large adult could fit in. Here a picture of them.

Oh and 20 yards of dirt was delivered and is sitting in my driveway. I'll backing into it for a couple months getting out of the garage before I can move it all.

wow Wha... 20 yards keep some advil handy.... i know what that's like