No Care Mums

It’s true. Nothing was done to these mums this year.  They were not pinched back, though that might have made them more compact -- just the regular bit of compost and mulch and a friendly mother nature is all.

Shefffield Pink  is spectacularly large at over 3 feet tall. 

One little yellow volunteer appeared in my garden in 2007 and has almost taken over the bed. 

 

Great blooms following great summer weather.

Handicapped Gardener

 

 

In early April, since I’m unstable standing or walking, I thought I would trim the unruly Sunny  Knockout ® Rose sitting on my roll-a-long walker.  I gathered all my equipment and settled next to the bush with my hand pruner.  Imagine my surprise when my hands we no longer strong enough to squeeze my favorite Felco pruner.

 

I ended up using  Fiskar’s Power Gear loppers  -  a little heavy for my weak arms but it was possible  for me to make cuts. I keep trying to find ways to work in the garden with my limited strength and balance.

  

See Sunny  Knockout® Roseblog August  28, 2010   

Inclusion Body Myositus (IBM) blog June 10, 2012   

Alert! - Impatiens

Current news from plantsman Doug Green at Simple Gifts Farm (see sidebar for website):

 “Downy Mildew is currently wiping out Impatiens plantings and breeding work across North America and this article is intended to give home gardeners enough information to make informed decisions about this disease and the alternatives they have.”

 Here's the story -

http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/downy-mildew-impatiens.html

 I will miss all that color in the garden and in pots!

 

2013 Spring Shows

 

Get In the Mood… For Spring

The first of the spring shows to put you in a better mood in this frigid winter is Adventures in Agriculture. February 8, 9 and 10.  The Palmer Park Mall in Easton will transform into a showplace for antiques, crafts, gardening, hobbies, 4-H projects, organically grown food and much more. There is something for everyone adults and children alike.

 

 

On March 8, 9, and 10  the Valley Flower,Garden, and Pool Show turns  Ag Hall at the fairgrounds in Allentown into a garden.  Always a winner this local show includes local nurseries, vendors and speakers.

Master Gardeners will hold the annual Spring Garden Series in Lehigh and Northampton County.

Topics will benefit novice and experienc ed gardener.  Offered in Lehigh County 3/19 and 4/2 and Northampton County 3/20 and 4/.3 Topics include Salsa Gardening, Culinary Herbs, Lasagna Gardening and Organic Gardening.

 

Click here for complete information and registration form.

Amaryllis

 

This is first time I’ve had 12 blooms at the same time. There are three flower stalks with 4 flowers each from 2 bulbs. Quite a spectacular display.

The blooms are also earlier this year than usual. I brought the bulbs in from outside the same time as usual – the end of August. But they were put in a cool room in front of a window instead of under a table. They were completely ignored until after Thanksgiving, as uaual, when they were watered and brought down to a warm room in front of a bright window. The old foliage was cut off and in a few days a shoot appeared. Other years they were left under the table and brought out after a shoot appeared. The little changes made a big difference.

The blooms will last about two weeks.