Dear Carol,
I know that you host a monthly Bloom Day event there at May Dreams Gardens, where gardeners share their monthly in-bloom reports. I usually don’t participate because of 1) inattention, 2) lack of blooms 3) fear of competition 4) nothing particularly interesting to say and 5) general busy-ness.
But after suffering through nearly 30 inches of snow here in Southern Maryland, I am most impressed with this bloom. Therefore, I will break with my years-long tradition and participate in Bloom Day.
Whoever started using “pansy” as a word to insult someone has never grown these wonderful little flowers. They are hearty, hopeful and a joy to see under two feet of snow. I have to say, “Hello, pansy!”
Your gardening friend,
Robin
Robin
There must be about two feet of snow on the ground. I just trudged outside to check on the chickens. (They’re royally p*@@ed, by the way.) I also broadcast another 15 or so pounds of bird seed onto the snow in the back yard. Can your ankles get frostbite in ten minutes?
I’m back inside and my heart has finally stopped pounding from the exertion. Now I’m going to go play with my houseplants and forced bulbs and sing this little ditty: The snow won’t get me down…oh no…The snow can’t get me down.
Tulipa bakeri 'Lilac Wonder' in the kitchen window
Tulipa 'Prinses Irene' tulips in the kitchen
Tulipa 'Prinses Irene' closeup
Robin
Notes from the garden today (aka, too tired to write much):
I headed outside this morning expecting to spend a couple of hours weeding. Instead, I found that my strategy of packing in the plants was working. The flowers, vines and vegetables had pretty much crowded out any weeds, so my weeding took all of about 20 minutes.
With so many plants packed into the kitchen garden, it also means that real estate is hard to come by here at Bumblebee. I finally picked the last of the tomatoes on the plants that had rallied nobly against the fusarium wilt so that I could plant broccoli. I’m eying the Armenian and Burpless cucumber patch now because I have to find room for the Brussels sprouts and collards. And where will I put those savoy cabbages? Thank goodness the lettuce and spinach are planted.
I always marvel at the beauty of the garlic chive blossoms. But guess what? If you let them go to seed you’ll be dealing with thousands and thousands of little garlic chive plants in your pathways. Take my word for it. Don’t let them go to seed.
Why haven’t I planted Russian sage before? Note to self: Plant more Russian sage.
The container plants are lush and full. I recall reading in some design magazine that the container should be mostly concealed by the plants. No problem here. Do you see the container? I don’t see any container.
So, how are things in your garden this August?
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Robin
