Always Growing

This post, “Checking Things Out” was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana 

Today was a complete change from yesterday.  Blue skies, bright sun, and cool temperatures were a welcome relief from the high winds, rain and warm temperatures.

I was able to go outside and take a look around.  I found another arbor in the back yard that had been hit by a pine tree limb.  It did not damage the rose that was on it, and I was going to replace that arbor anyway, so I am not upset about it.

I was happy to see that the Black Seeded Simpson lettuce I planted Sunday is already up.

This lettuce does well for us down here.

My Louisiana irises are also doing well.  They are about two feet tall and should be blooming in a month or so.  These are Bayou Classic that my sister gave me.  They are very vigorous, bloom profusely, and multipy.  I can’t wait to take pictures of them in bloom now that I have a digital camera.

Our little lime tree is also budding out.  I was rather surprised to see these buds because it has been a little on the cool side still.  Last year our satsumas put out blooms very early, and a freeze nipped them off.  But soon there were new ones on the bushes, and we did end up with a crop after all.

Lastly, I checked out the bed with the daylilies.  They had aphids and had to be sprayed on Sunday, but they are aphid free today.  These are an evergreen type, but they do put out new growth in the late winter.  I got these from my mom years ago.  I do not know their names because my mom never asked her friend who gave them to her.  They are two colors here.  One is a bright yellow, and the other is a bronze-red color.  They have done well for me in a raised bed.

As I walked around my garden this afternoon, I realized that it will not be long before the garden will be lush and lovely again, and dreary winter will only be a memory.

This post, “Seeds Planted” was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana 

Today I started my seeds.  I prepare my own seed starting mix.  I use 10% perlite, 10% vermiculite, and 80% peat moss.  This has worked successfully for me for years.

I start by mixing up the above, damping it, and then placing it in the six packs or whatever I am using.  I add the seeds, and if they need only a slight covering of soil, I just sprinkle a little of the dry mixture on top and then using a mister dampen the dry soil.

I make sure to label each container.  In the past, if I was planting the same thing in more than one flat, I would label just one and keep them all together.  But, I guess my memory just isn’t as good as it used to be, or maybe I am planting more because now I just can’t keep every thing straight in my mind.  For example, last year when I rooted three different types of hydrangas, I didn’t label each and every one, and now there are a few that I don’t know which are which.  So I now am more careful.  I usually write the name of the plant with marker on the container.  That way I don’t have to worry about losing a name because the wooden one discolored or rotted, etc.

I planted the following seeds: coleus, moonflower, morning glory, cypress vine, hosta, toad lily, lettuce and, for the first time, gerber daisies. 

I have a few more I want to start, but that will have to wait for another day.