Garden Chatroom Board

another test...

testing...

We went on a garden tour on Saturday in the Whittier/Mapleton area of Boulder. All of the peonies were in bloom and I love seeing all of the different varieties. My favorite garden was terraced on a hill and had several private seating areas that were perfect for curling up with a book. But my favorite feature of this garden was the stepping stone path they had along the creek.

Well, my tomatoes have given their all and I lost count of the Better Boys I've given away dozens ago. Took down the plants a week ago. Great year for those and my one Roma gave me enough for 8 pints of sauce and another gallon bag for the freezer for more this winter. That was one very prolific plant. Never did get my zucchini to take, problems with too much rain mid-summer and that caused blossom end rot and I couldn't stop it with nutrients. The okra is still doing well, and will produce until first frost.

Hi, y'all. Last time I posted here was to show my teeny starter garden on Apr 27. Here it is today. Three of the Better Boys are now taller than I am and the Romas are exploding. Can't wait for that first BB to get ripe so I can enjoy it in the most basic sense...cut it, eat it over the kitchen sink like an apple with the salt shaker handy and let the juice run down my chin. YUMMM. I planted lots of zucchini because I make and sell Z-bread at a local farmer's market.

here is a picture of my Sweetie

Oh by the way your kitty has a great life and seems to really enjoy it 🙂

Yup it works this way for me real good no problem.

Thank you Curt.. I could not get the wizard to work for me. I down size my images to 400with and the height adjust it self then I upload that size to photobucket and from there I get my URLS ( http)
so what I did here I used the URL code of Photo bucket and put this in front & back and the all showed up after I hit the submit button here.
Let me try another pict. to see if it works again the same way.

@chris ... nice pics, and it looks like you don't need the image wizard. You must have included the width and height since your thumbnails aren't square, and that's the main problem that the wizard solves. If there's anything I can do to make the wizard more understandable though, or if there's something you think is broken, please let me know because others are sure to have the same issues.

Wow what a surprise it worked 🙂

I can not get that image wizard to work for the life of me so here are my new garden pictures so far for this year., Enjoy.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s161/kenja19/8garden4-30-13_zps34095c61.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s161/kenja19/7garden4-30-13_zps5a9fcb49.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s161/kenja19/6garden4-30-13_zpsa46eb896.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s161/kenja19/5garden4-30-13_zpsc3540796.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s161/kenja19/3garden4-30-13_zpse848d4f3.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s161/kenja19/4garden4-30-13_zps3cf02bd2.jpg

How To Use The Image Wizard: View More Hide

^continued...

Click on the Image Wizard link that is directly below the posting textbox:

If you need a site to host your image, try postimage.org:

On postimage.org browse to your file, upload it, resize it, and select "Family Safe":

Copy the "Direct Link" by clicking the "Copy to Clipboard" button:

Paste the link into the textbox in Step 2 of the the Image Wizard and then click the "Click Here" button in Step 3:

Your picture should immediately display in the large box below Step 4. If it is the correct picture, click the Step 4 textbox. Your image HTML will be automatically selected. Copy the html to you clipboard (Cntl + c, or Edit -> Copy):

Now paste the image tag into your posting textbox:

That's it! It's easy and fast once you get the hang of it.

This innocent looking creature decides when it's time to get up.

There's an image wizard? I don't see one. But I will fix my avatar.

Oh, one more thing. Your avatar will be a little blurry until you recreate it.

I forgot to mention the Image Wizard. You'll find the regular link to it to the left of the post button. Please try it out and let me know if it is useful.
Thanks for posting. 🙂

Hey, it works! Thanks, Curt. You can click on that image to enlarge it. It's the old image source equals (your URL) html code. Be sure to put the URL of your photo in quotation marks.

Test:

Hey, y'all. My 2013 garden is 3 weeks old. Already have squash blossoms forming, and should have some baby zucchini by mid-May. Put out 3 Better Boys and 1 Roma in pots, and several (too many) okra plants. Will thin those later when I'm certain which are the strongest. I certainly don't need to supply the county with okra. Curt says we can add photos to posts now instead of links, but am uncertain I remember the html for that. ?

Good morning and Happy Spring! I spent all afternoon yesterday planting - mostly in pots on the deck but I did put a few plants into the ground (probably for the deer to eat but I'm keeping fingers crossed and sprinkling Messina Wildlife's Animal Stopper around to deter them). The pollen has been terrible this year but it seems to be winding down and we're expecting a good rain for the next 2 days so that should help.

Good morning all. Winters finally over. Our spring was slow to warm up but things are better everyday. My big battle right now is squirrels and rabbits. I'm afraid they find my garden a really nice neighborhood restaurant. Any suggestions?

Nancyjean

Hi,

I updated the software on the Garden board and I need testers before I roll the changes out to all of the other boards. If you would have time to add some posts to the Garden board I would really appreciate it. You can now
include pictures in your posts, so pictures of last year's gardening successes would be wonderful.
Please let me know about any problems you encounter or any comments you may have.

Thanks for your help,
Curt

( @lovetohike, @glitz, @10bbg10, @never2old2tap, @chris, @rhonda, @ginnyrose, @nona, @bamaj1 )

Good morning...
I just wanted to give you a heads up about a possible outage in the near future due to software version changes at my web host. So if you come to the site and it's down, don't panic. I'll have it back up as quickly as possible.

Time test...spring forward.

Time test...don't forget to turn your clocks back folks.

Apparently my difficulty on getting on to the Glass Board was a glitch as after checking all the other boards when I went back to the GB I got right one.

Just checking all of the sites as I am having trouble logging into the Glass Board.

A pretty significant postage increase becomes effective on Jan. 27 , 2013:::
http://www.btobonline.com/article/20121012/DIRECT0202/310129995/usps-announces-postal-rate-increases-for-2013#

Just thought everyone would want to know ;;;;;;
Bosses Day is Tuesday, October 16, 2012!
Now let me see-----What kind of flowers should I order for myself?

Thought anybody who popped in here might get a chuckle from my recent experience.
Will share my yesterday with y’all.
My day improved as time moved it along. We had a beautiful sunny day and I needed to take pictures. Had been somewhat out of sorts as I had spent about 2 hours taking pictures on Wednesday. When I sat down at the computer to crop the pics I laid my SanDisk down for a second right here near the printer. Then could not find it . Thought maybe it fell of the front of my desk so I got a light and got down on the floor. Then got the vacuum out to clean while I was down there. But no SanDisk to be found. A new $12.50 disc and 2 hours work gone, gone , gone. Really 3 hours as I spent nearly an hour looking for it.
My household helper dropped by late this afternoon. She walked over to the computer pulled out the drawer underneath the computer and picked up the disk.
Is that an improved day or what?

Today is National Depression Screening Day:: If interested check this out:::
http://www.helpyourselfhelpothers.org/
Helen in Indy

For those of you who use Auctiva remember:::Auctiva will be down for scheduled maintenance between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. PST, October 9.
Helen in Indy

BTW , I rebooted and got right on to PayPal. My labels are printed. Now to get DH to do the packing part.

I think that PayPal must be down as I cannot get on there to do address labels. So I am up to this bit of devilment.

I am posting this on all of the boards.
I notice that when I add that 14 Day return policy that we get an additional box for return terms. Wondering what terms others are stating . As some of you know I sell clothing. Thinking about what kind of an attachment that I could add to a used or NWOT clothing item that could prevent the buyer from wearing the item and then returning it.

I know that some glass seller will add some kind of mark. On more common depression glass I have added a piece of "Wite-Out" tape with my initials on it. Otherwise the buyer might return a damaged piece.

In past years I have known an individual or two that would return a special occasion item to Sears or Montgomery Ward after it had been worn. In one instance the mother-of-the-bride had the bridesmaids change to a different garment after the wedding but before the reception.

Where is everyone?? Probably out gardening :-).

This year my goldenrod and most of the bee balm didn't come back which freed up considerable space in the front garden. I've planted several different kinds of cone flowers, shasta daisies, lantana and some little purple flowers called whirlwind blue. A couple of weeks ago we ate lunch at a restaurant in Pittsboro, NC in the middle of some beautiful gardens and I got inspired - especially by the largest Dill plant I've ever seen. They must dig it up and keep it in a greenhouse over the winter because there's no way it could be that large by June. I love the flowers on Dill but never have much luck with growing it. Wish I had thought to take a picture!

Nancy @never2old2tap ~ Best Wishes for a Wonderful Day! Happy Birthday!! 🙂

Ginnyrose @ginnyrose ~ Happy Birthday Wishes!!! Hope you have a very special day!

🙂

Hi Glitz.. I tell Toby that 🙂 Those Foxgloves are Lavender color. and I have a white one as well don't know where it came from as I never planted that one. 🙂
The white bush/Tree is a snowball bush that is 7 years old & I trim it about 1' each year. Started that out with a gal. size. I sure wish everything would bloom at the same time all the way into late fall. 🙂 I take some pictures of my huge Pink Rose bush/Tree once it gets more roses blooming. Besides Cardinals building a nest in it again. every year the do that. that was a gal. potted one to. Hope all your flowers getting to bloom .

hi chris, the only thing more handsome than your garden is toby!! i am envious of your apricot foxgloves.......i had a patch of them going for about 3 years and can't seem to get them started again. 🙁 it that a huge white climbing rose? do you know the variety?

Hi everyone . Haven't been here in a while So I thought I brighten your day and show you some of my newest Garden pictures including my Toby. He is the one that thinks he helps me in the Garden 🙂
Chris

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s161/kenja19/garden10toby4_12_2012-1.jpg
Toby
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s161/kenja19/garden9-1.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s161/kenja19/garden8-1.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s161/kenja19/garden7-1.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s161/kenja19/garden6-2.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s161/kenja19/garden4-1.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s161/kenja19/garden2-1.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s161/kenja19/garden1-1.jpg

rhonda, beautiful!!

irene, i sent two of the tomato plants home with my brother and sil today......after dragging 8 of them into the house last night because it was supposed to get down in the 30s i was happy to see two of them go home with someone else, lol. the plants are getting tall and needing to be staked higher than the 4ft stakes i am using now......but what if we have another cold day/night and they have to come inside for awhile.....?

does anyone know anything about growing tree peonies from seed? i bought alot of seeds for tree peonies in different colors.....that ebay shopping in the middle of the night when i can't sleep results in some interesting purchases!
also, i want to buy some plumaria starts again this year and try to get them to grow......does anyone know if the bottoms of the pots have to be kept at exactly 90 degrees and really for 3 months? i love plumaria....but they all rotted last year and i am thinking i am just throwing my money away if i order again......anyone had good results with them?

Morning all, rain supposed to come today, hope all is well with and from Texas!

Irene it is a Canon powershot and I must confess it is pure luck because I have failed miserable learning how to work this thing.

Time for the market I have the nicest stocks going and Uncle Ben had to open his mouth, lets see what today brings.

Have a nice day all

Rhonda

(zone 4/5) It's snowing! 🙂

I've really been enjoying the photos that everyone has been posting of your yards & plants. Rhonda ~ What kind of camera do you use? Your photos are so "crisp."

Ginnyrose ~ Thank you for the link. I've been organic gardening for 20 years now and always appreciate new tips. I had heard of or used the ones in that article except for the corn gluten. I'm going to try that!

Glitz/Jo ~ How are your tomatoes? Exciting for you to have homegrown tomatoes so early in the season. 🙂

Rhonda ~ Yes, I have been working a lot in the garden. Mostly just cleaning, weeding, pruning the dead stuff. I went to 3 of my favorite garden centers last week. I just kept telling myself that we still have to make it through April...one of our snowiest months. So I was "strong" and only purchase allysum (sp?) and hardy pansies. I love the bird's nest.

spring is here and I have tons to do since we were gone, I laughed at the robin building her nest on my fan one less thing to wash for awhile, lol

Irene the weather must be getting nice out there bet you are busy in the yard

Rhonda

more

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43741141@N06/7039802275/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43741141@N06/7039783749/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43741141@N06/7039783741/

uh oh.... http://www.flickr.com/photos/43741141@N06/7039783735/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43741141@N06/7039783727/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43741141@N06/7039783719/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43741141@N06/7039783709/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43741141@N06/6893658594/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43741141@N06/6893658584/

the front gardens which are shade are my lettuce and kale beds and it is working for now, the kale did rocket some, the flowers on the kale are even edible

Hello everybody, I am sorry I went to post week a while back and got so busy. Took the grandkids to Disney in Florida for 8 days and it was worth every penny, boy it was so much fun.

Chris love your garden pics I snapped some before I left and some today

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43741141@N06/6893658580/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43741141@N06/6893658574/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43741141@N06/7039833783/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43741141@N06/6893725860/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43741141@N06/6893725848/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43741141@N06/7039802307/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43741141@N06/7039802289/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43741141@N06/7039802287/

good evening, y'all. along with all the pretty blooms come weeds. here is an article on homemade environmentally friendly weed killers i found on pinterest (my latest fascination.)
http://www.homemademamas.net/2009/05/homemade-weed-killer.html

GLITZ: No, they were a maroonish ...color....lol So mad at myself, but I jsut bought two pocketbooks from them and an IPAD so not buying flowers this year...Real reason is my ankle was torn four months ago and just mending so that would curtail the activity...Next year...lol

hi amber......maybe 'stargazer'? beautiful whitish with recurved petals and reddish markings.....and bright yellow on the ends of the anthers?

GLITZ: lol...not too much talent growing flowers...lol, but I love them and give them tons and tons of TLC...Even talk to them....(no joke)...I got them from Cottage farms or Roberta's and ...forgot, but know they said they would take the shade well...or I wouldn't have purchased them. I didn't get too many, however...But the ones I did get were beautiful...Do Star lillies sound right to you? Forgot!!

zone 5b
hi chris, yes, lilies grow very well here. the tiger lilies.....the common ones......are usually called 'day lilies' here or even 'ditch lilies' (because it is common to find big patches of them growing in the ditches by farm houses.) they are difficult to control.....the more you try to dig them out, the more they spread. when i moved here they were 2ft. deep all around the foundation of my house. i worked on them until i have them down to two areas now so i could have other plants there also.

i envy you being in zone 8......so many more plants you can grow than here. what about lilacs and bearded iris there? and narcissis? i'm trying to think of plants that might need a freeze for them to bloom in the spring.......

Hi Jo Thank you

The red one is an Azelia. the red Maple is a Japanese Maple but not the weeping one. I just keep it trimmed & under control 🙂 I'm in zone 8. and even here this year everything blooms earlier. If you mean the low one yes this are dianthus. heck the never died of over the winter. And yes I have about close to 3/4 of an acre and on a hill.I love to see others garden pictures. Can you grow Tiger Lilies up by you??

we had rain all last week.......at least it makes it easier to pull the weeds. henbit is rampant right now!!

zone 5b
hi chris, is the red maple a japanese maple? the red flowers.....dianthus? but is early for dianthus here.....what zone are you in? your trees.....and in particular that red shrub.....are gorgeous! can you believe how early they are blooming this year?? do you have a large yard?

Hi everyone got some pictures of my other blooming trees and shrubs hope you enjoy them. And have a great weekend . it has been raining last night & all this morning. And stuff spouting out all over my Garden. can't hardly wait to see what else comes up I did not planted?? HMMM
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s161/kenja19/redmaple.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s161/kenja19/redflowers.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s161/kenja19/magnolia.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s161/kenja19/cherrytree.jpg

amber, i admire you for getting daylilies to grow in containers and with very little sun!!! no matter the quality of the stock, talent had to be involved, LOL!
it is rainy here again today.........we have needed moisture badly but almost a week of rain and the ground is saturated. wish it had been only one or two days a week for awhile instead of all at once. but.......i can hardly believe my eyes.......the tomato plants on the porch are growing 1/2"-1" a day in these 50 degree days and nights! i know this only because i have to go out and tie them to the stakes every few days.

GLITZ and IRENE: just one of many interesting videos at QVC...Trust me..they stand by their product and refund or replace. I have bought day lillies that grew on my balcony last year....and none ever did and they grew in the shade....Very little sun... http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.M16592.desc.Cottage-Farms-6piece-Pink-Ornamental-Grass

zone 5b. i am going to try to remember to start my posts with my zone. (why did i put that i was in zone 7 below??? in my dreams, LOL!)

hi everyone. i have started back work in the greenhouse so i have been so worn out i haven't made it in here for awhile. it gets harder every year for my old body to adjust to the work......but i enjoy it so much.
i am in kansas......west of kansas city......and got wild and reckless and tossed out some mesclun mix seed about a week ago, i have 1/2" high sprouts now.....but if we go back into winter i will lose them. this has been such a warm winter here......as it has almost all over the US.......that it is way too tempting to get seeds planted too early. i do have some in trays in the greenhouse that i planted for myself, some asparagus i want to try growing here and foxglove, delphinium, lupine.....all those plants that don't survive the kansas heat and droughts but that i love and just can't stop trying to grow.
at the greenhouse i work at, we grow hydroponic tomatoes.......i was shocked when i first tasted one because it tasted as good as any i pick in august from my garden! so we had some left over that we didn't have room for and i brought some home a couple of weeks ago......they are in their pots on my front porch and i thought i would post some pics here as every time i look at them i am just amazed!
http://imageevent.com/glitzytreasures/tomatoplants2012

very interesting to hear about the plants from QVC! i will look into those.

my dwarf peach and nectarine trees are in bloom......their 3rd year and i am hoping to get some fruit from them this year. the two cherry trees are struggling along, they just have had very disappointing growth.
miniature narcissis have bloomed and almost gone, the full size ones are blooming now as are hyacinths.
i have my potatoes ready to plant but it has rained every day so i have not ventured out to set up the 'cage' to put them in. this year i am going to use a big wire dog enclosure in the garden and try to grow the potatoes in straw in it. i really only grow them for the new potatoes anyway so might be able to reuse the area for a fall crop of something else.

i enjoyed catching up and readign all the posts today.....is there a way to tell what gardening area everyone is from? perhaps i will try to change my name to 'glitz7' so it can be seen right away what zone i am gardening in........anyone else think putting our zones in our posting names would be a good idea?

IRENE: Do try it....I am sure you'll love it .....Trust me...The choice is amazing and they stand by all their products....totally

Chris @chris ~ Your trees look so pretty! Beautiful yard!

Helen @10bbg10 ~ That's a lot of planting! Were you able to get them all into the ground yet? I love redbud trees. Our next door neighbor has one...it's still probably about 2 or 3 weeks away from "blooming."

Amber @amber1986 I confess I've never watched QVC but I'm sure we must have that channel. I will try to remember to find the station and then check the schedule for the gardening shows! Thanks.

🙂

Hi everyone digging in gardens. Been a while since I stopped in here. Thought I post a picture of my blooming trees in my front yard. Hope you all have a great gardening year.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s161/kenja19/Spring3_15_12.jpg

Those were onion sets which we bought and planted. Helen or bbg

Hello all you garden lovers. Please forgive me for not givng personal recogniton to each of you.
My gardening days are about over. I am so afraid of falling when I walk on uneven surfaces.
We bought six bags of 100 in each bag today. Got 100 of them planted in a raised bed .
Daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, grape hyacinths and other from the small bulb family are blooming. Also redbud trees are in full bloom.The dogwoods will be close behind the redbud trees. Our peach trees are setting leaf and blossom buds. Our frost date is May 12. I hope the peach trees get past that with out freezing.
Helen or bbg

IRENE: Did you ever watch the Cottage gardens show ..or Philip Watson on QVC...Trust me...MY SIL has a beautiful garden that is the envy of her neighborhood, more so, than from any nursery around here...and all from QVC? She just bought a Hibiscus tree...gorgeous...and hearty and they guarantee return until you are happy or a full refund. I never was able to grow herbs, but with their products, I can...

Rhonda ~ Look forward to the pics. I'll plant lettuce & spinach seeds in about 2 weeks. My irises have a long way to go until I see flowers (probably 2 months). Crocuses are blooming...hyacinths, tulips, grape hyacinths, and daffodils will be soon.

Irene I planted lettuces and ornamental kale from seed I raised in the front garden. They are mostly shade. My irises are blooming as my daffodils and a wonderful pink bush with thorns on the limbs. Pics tomorrow from TN.

I know we are all in such different gardening "zones." Has anyone started to actually plant outside? Although it's tempting, our last "hard frost" date is at the end of May. We learned that lesson the hard way one year when we lost everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) in our vegetable garden when we were hit with a hard frost on June 6th. Currently it definitely feels like Spring, some days like summer...the perennials are all starting to come to life. I've been working at cleaning beds, pruning some plants, and resisting the urge to plant some of my (flower) seeds. Suffering from a severe case of Spring fever!!

Thanks so much for the birthday wishes. My wish is for an early spring. Seedlings in the window are growing nicely and will go out in about 5 or 6 weeks. I use a lot of caladiums because most of the front of the property is shaded. I have found that bulbs are by far the best deal. They will go into planters and start frowing very quickly once they sprout at a fraction of the cost. In the north that's really the best way to grow them. It's fun to be planning for spring gardening. What are others planning? Nancyjean

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NANCY JEAN.

IRENE: Do you get QVC...IF you go to their site...and click on garden ....you will see that Roberta's Garden..and Philip Watson are on quite a bit and they have the most glorious and I mean that (unusual flowers, shrubs, plants, etc..)....They were on yesterday!! Check the schedule....Nice to see you!

Nancyjean Happy Birthday! Hope you have a very special day!

🙂

5 weeks from today- 1st day of spring.

NANCYJEAN: Thanks so much. I appreciate it...Yes, I am afraid that is why mine don't last. I kept them indoors....I adore the fragrance. Like your sweet and happy Avatar....You are such a friendly gal...Nice to meet you!

Hi Amber- glad you are healing. Have had no luck with indoor gardenia. It's a lovely flower and frangrance though. I think they need it warm and humid. Nancyjean

Does anyone have any luck growing Gardenias in the house. My very favorite flower...Thanks...Up with healing pain from my ankle and itchy..lol

Hi Nancy - Well, between the henbit and the chickweed I figger I've got the avian weed category covered. heh

Hi BJ- It's spurge that drives me crazy- That stuff will grow anywhere any is flat on the ground. Even with weeds, I'll still take spring over winter. Hope everybody is staying warm and well.
Nancyjean

Found it. It's henbit.
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?p=henbit&fr=my-myy&toggle=1&cop=&ei=UTF-8

Can someone ID this plant? Not in my state wildflower book so it's a weed and it's growing in clumps in the newly sunny backyard. I used to know the name but have gone brain dead. Has a square stem like mint. Someone suggested lemon balm, but I'm not sure that's it.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc66/bamaj1/whatizzit.jpg

Yea!- seeds are germinating in the window sil.

Good morning- we are having a false spring with mild temperatures and blue skies. It's lovely but will be a problem if it lasts too long. I don't want to lose some of the spring bloom if there is too early budding.

Burpees has a really great new kit for starting seeds indoors. The seed tray sits on a base which holds water. There is a kind of pad between the base and the seed tray which absorbs water from the base and keeps the seed tray evenly moist. They come in different sizes. I 'm using one that is ten by ten and has 16 compartments.
I have coeleus in that and a smaller tray with basil and thyme.

Spring is coming..

Nancyjean

Those "silly daffodils" may be feeling pretty silly right now as we are getting an accumulation of ice on all the bushes and tree limbs. Too bad that not enough of the snow that fell today stuck around to give the 'silly daffodils' a nice blanket.

@10bbg10 - Just stopping in to say Hi to all. Think spring, think spring , think spring.
We have bulb shoots popping up all over the place so I know I didn't just imagine a greener, better world. I planted some basil and thyme seeds in jiffy pots and had amazing results. Its great how seedlings lift the spirits a little. I guess that sounds loony to a non gardening person. Have a good one all. Nancyjean

One of these days those "silly daffodils" are not going to looks so silly any more. I noticed something with leaves peeping up before we got the 3-4 inches of snow that we have now.

Silly daffodils. They don't understand winter here hasn't even started yet and already I see shoots poking up. If this area gets snow it's usually in January or February.

Hi everyone thought I stop in and wish you all a Happy New Year.
No new seed catalogs here yet. If our winter here stays mild like it has been I be able to go dig in the dirt early.

~Greetings Fellow Gardeners and Garden Lovers.~

Hopefully everyone is enjoying the holiday season.

I was happy to see my mailbox chockfull of seed and garden catalogs today...a total of 12!! I wonder if there will be more tomorrow... 🙂

BAMAJ1 Wish I liked brussel sprouts...tried them every which way...lol NANCYJEAN: Tried asparagus everyway as well....Just can't develop a taste for either but I do love other veggies roasted ..etc. ..YUM!!!

Asparagus is the only vegetable I refuse to eat, no matter how elegantly prepared. Dunno why. Mother told me I got sick as a toddler from some canned variety. Watched Alton Brown today do an asparagus show (he has no use for the white variety) but still don't want to try it. I do, however, adore brussel sprouts.

Hello all. Hate to look outside and see everything dry and brown. It's good to talk about how beautiful the green and growing things will look.

If you don't like asparagus or most any other solid veggie, try quickly browning in olive oil and the herb of your choice. I like to use a little thyme and a half shake of salt. All you need is a frying pan and a couple of minutes. You can also roast veggies in the oven using the same ingredients. Yum
Nancyjean

GLITZ: Hi..miss you posting on the Pottery board...Don't be a stranger....I will try the purple asparagus from the farm in the Spring....Glad I am not the only one who doesn't like asparagus...lol Yuck! I love broccoli, however. In fact, like all veggies but brussel sprouts...and asparagus...oh/ also kidney beans...yuck..lol..Hope everyone is having 'fun' preparing for the Holidays....Anticipation and the 'journey' for me is half the fun! GLITZ...Made any cookies...I made a boatload....Wish I could eat as much but seems the weight wants to join the cookies, but I do it anyway...for the Holidays and then back on a weight release program...Not as much fun!

hi amber, i wouldn't eat the asparagus from the grocery store raw.....heck, i won't eat it cooked, LOL> but if you can find it fresh picked from a real farm, it is wonderful to eat raw. the purple is a little sweeter than the green and most people seem to prefer the purple once they have tried it. yum.......making me wish asparagus season would hurry and get here!

hoping everyone is having a happy and stress free holiday season! does anyone decorate their yards/houses???

GLITZ: WOW!..lucky gal that you work at a farm and country market...Do you work many hours. I love the teeney stalks of asparagus...GLITZ..You eat it raw??
I have to try that. Good for you, of course,(healthy) but well, we'll see! lol

Roberta's is a fascinating site..and on QVC, their prices are almost unblievably low 'cause they pass the 'massive purchasing' power onto the buyers..and such qality with a 'no questions' asked guarantee!

IRENE: What kind of a camera did you use for your pictures? Absolutely gorgeous shots. Jealous..lol!..So now I am jealous of your pictures and working at a Farm stand, so , maybe, I should get 'a crackin'..Hope you all are having a nice weekend..

my favorite plants this past summer were the almost florescent colored ones........the geraniums in the brilliant corals, reds, and fuchsias. and there was a plant new to me that i absolutely loved......and annual with spikes of brilliant orange.....'crossandra' in 'orange marmalade'..........it was so easy to take care of, just throw a little water on it occasionally and did so well in a pot on the porch. i am definitely going to get some next year.

good afternoon everyone! that 'pink parade' spirea in the roberta's site is beautiful!

i am fortunate enough to work part time at a farm and country market so i have bought most of my plants the last couple of years there. it is a small family owned and run business and i volunteer in the spring in the greenhouses, starting seeds, transplanting, etc. i can use their facilities to start any of my own seed, or take home plants from their seeds......or even take home a couple of plants now and then for free.
once i start working in 'the barn', checking people out and doing customer service i am no longer a volunteer and only get a small discount applied to the price of plants. i looooove working in the greenhouse, i like the little bit of money i earn working in the barn. we are also an asparagus farm and for about 6 weeks in the spring we cannot take a break because we have lines of customers buying fresh asparagus, and we are encouraged to eat all the fresh asparagus we want while selling it. i prefer uncooked asparagus so that is fun to get customers to try it raw also.