| April 10, 2004 Today I weeded all around the tree at the entrance of the back yard, and took the silver plants out of their dilapidated pots and planted them in the ground beneath the tree. I think they will be much happier there. I also transplanted a few hostas that I felt I'd planted too close together. I dug up the Rhodie dad gave us-my last attempt at saving it. It came out of the ground as if it was coming out of a pot; the roots had not stretched outward at all. This, no doubt, is at least part of the problem! So I mixed some Rhodie food and Miracle Grow potting soil into a hole, raked through the roots (even ripping some) and replanted. I scared hubby by pruning the evergreen clematis heavily : I also planted the left over Snow in Summer plants, in the same area as the others. I moved the strawberry pot from out front, to the side of the veggie garden, where the other strawberry plants sit (and are already blooming). Finally, I planted the veggies: First Row: Sunflowers and green onions, interspersed. Second Row: Hubby planted his babies (tomatoes and peppers). The tomato tree hasn't arrived yet. Third Row: Cucumbers Fourth Row: Cauliflower, then Broccoli (the latter nearer the shop) Fifth Row: Lettuces There wasn't room for the cabbage, so I may plant it in the late summer. I planted the herbs in the large herb pot, along with the already-growing parsley. The tulips are being to go bye bye; soon I will have nothing blooming in the front yard, except the lilac (which is now in bloom...but only at the top, because I pruned so many lower and side branches) :( How can I fix that next year? At Walmart, pansies and petunias are blooming. So are mums (although mine don't even have buds yet). April 14, 2004 On Easter I noticed that I had a mystery bulb beginning to bloom in the front bed. On Tuesday, I bought Bulbs For All Seasons (Better Homes & Gardens), and discovered it is an endymion (wood hyacinth or Spanish bluebell). The red tulips, which were the last to bloom, are now the first to fade. Many of them have already bit the bullet. The white Dogwood in front was in bloom, and the pink one getting there. I think I have one Dahlia peeking its head out, too. Last night, I cut off numerous suckers on the roses; this is the first time I've had to do this. The roses I transplanted look barely happy. The plant that got many roots hacked off may not survive; most of it's leaves are dry and wrinkly. It may be my imagination, but the rhodie I replanted last weekend seems to look happier already! I need to weed! April 19, 2004 It's been raining like mad, still, so I haven't been able to weed yet. The row of lettuce is coming up, as is the broccoli. I also have Zinnias coming up, I think. Still only one Dahlia coming up about an inch and a half high. I'm wondering if the others got "drowned" in compacted dirt. I know neighbors and kids have been walking in that area.... April 26, 2004 The rain finally went away, but we were so busy with other things this weekend, not a lot of gardening got done. The lilacs are nearly spent, due to the rain, and the last of the purple tulips are fading now. The pansies are doing great, the endymion is blooming (and I'm anxious for it to spread!), the primroses on the porch and in the back yard are still doing okay, and both dogwoods are in full bloom. (Continued...) |
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