We recently went to a monarch event, and they were giving out free seeds and plants (mostly milkweeds with some other seed mix that had natives for the area). We planted one of the shorter milkweeds (butterfly weed) near the mailbox just today.. it hasn't sprouted yet at all, but you can see lots of roots.. so next year it should be ready to go.
The other is a common milkweed that can get up to 6 feet (or stay as short as 2!), but we don't want to risk that for near the mailbox lol so we are going to plant in the backyard. I am thinking near our deck... near a window so we can view it from the living room and enjoy any butterflies fluttering by one day.
We also have the seed packs of these two, plus swamp milkweed. We will sprinkle those in the backyard one day. We do have a lot of wetter areas where the swamp milkweed will go. But we need a landscaper to come help us... after the power company chopped so much stuff, it's just hard to clean it up by ourselves and plant as many new trees and such that we will need, so it would be better to have someone do it for us in a shorter period instead of it taking us many months. Then we can plant our seeds, maybe next year!
We may need to remove two more trees in our backyard, as it appears they randomly died.. =/ Very tall, mature trees.. sad. I don't know what tree(s) I'd want to grow in place of them, but I do want to make sure it's something the birds will like. We already have some mulberries back there.. so maybe something with nuts for a well-balanced meal lol we have plenty of insects in our yard as well, as we do not spray to kill anything.
Last Edit: Oct 17, 2023 19:36:16 GMT -5 by heatherly
We recently went to a monarch event, and they were giving out free seeds and plants (mostly milkweeds with some other seed mix that had natives for the area). We planted one of the shorter milkweeds (butterfly weed) near the mailbox just today.. it hasn't sprouted yet at all, but you can see lots of roots.. so next year it should be ready to go.
The other is a common milkweed that can get up to 6 feet (or stay as short as 2!), but we don't want to risk that for near the mailbox lol so we are going to plant in the backyard. I am thinking near our deck... near a window so we can view it from the living room and enjoy any butterflies fluttering by one day.
We also have the seed packs of these two, plus swamp milkweed. We will sprinkle those in the backyard one day. We do have a lot of wetter areas where the swamp milkweed will go. But we need a landscaper to come help us... after the power company chopped so much stuff, it's just hard to clean it up by ourselves and plant as many new trees and such that we will need, so it would be better to have someone do it for us in a shorter period instead of it taking us many months. Then we can plant our seeds, maybe next year!
We may need to remove two more trees in our backyard, as it appears they randomly died.. =/ Very tall, mature trees.. sad. I don't know what tree(s) I'd want to grow in place of them, but I do want to make sure it's something the birds will like. We already have some mulberries back there.. so maybe something with nuts for a well-balanced meal lol we have plenty of insects in our yard as well, as we do not spray to kill anything.
In 2000, there was a drive to increase trees, so they were giving them away for free. Back then I had a acre for a garden, so applied for and got 4. I wonder how they are doing now?
We recently went to a monarch event, and they were giving out free seeds and plants (mostly milkweeds with some other seed mix that had natives for the area). We planted one of the shorter milkweeds (butterfly weed) near the mailbox just today.. it hasn't sprouted yet at all, but you can see lots of roots.. so next year it should be ready to go.
The other is a common milkweed that can get up to 6 feet (or stay as short as 2!), but we don't want to risk that for near the mailbox lol so we are going to plant in the backyard. I am thinking near our deck... near a window so we can view it from the living room and enjoy any butterflies fluttering by one day.
We also have the seed packs of these two, plus swamp milkweed. We will sprinkle those in the backyard one day. We do have a lot of wetter areas where the swamp milkweed will go. But we need a landscaper to come help us... after the power company chopped so much stuff, it's just hard to clean it up by ourselves and plant as many new trees and such that we will need, so it would be better to have someone do it for us in a shorter period instead of it taking us many months. Then we can plant our seeds, maybe next year!
We may need to remove two more trees in our backyard, as it appears they randomly died.. =/ Very tall, mature trees.. sad. I don't know what tree(s) I'd want to grow in place of them, but I do want to make sure it's something the birds will like. We already have some mulberries back there.. so maybe something with nuts for a well-balanced meal lol we have plenty of insects in our yard as well, as we do not spray to kill anything.
In 2000, there was a drive to increase trees, so they were giving them away for free. Back then I had a acre for a garden, so applied for and got 4. I wonder how they are doing now?
Around here, we mainly have free trees only for people who want to get rid of their bradford pears because they regret ever suggesting them here to begin with lol we don't have any, though, but thank goodness.. they stink.
You should see the size of one of my houseplants: it is over a metre tall!
I was sad when a cactus I had died. It was a bearded man cactus which grows upward in a single stem. I had it on the front windowsill and it grew to the top of the window so I moved it onto the living room floor and it grew toward the ceiling so I had to move it out into the greenhouse and it died in the winter.
Depending on the plant it is you may want to prune it tidily before you have to act.
This morning I did a bit of tidying in the garden. I had to prune a Buddleia which was in a planter as it was top heavy and blew over in the wind.
That was Ok but I did discover evidence of rats. I need to deter them a bit as they don't need much encouragement. I also found that the brambles at the bottom of the garden had been devious. Sending shoots high in the air through the apple tree branches such that they come straight down from nowhere. I can see my autumn will be busy.
You should see the size of one of my houseplants: it is over a metre tall!
I was sad when a cactus I had died. It was a bearded man cactus which grows upward in a single stem. I had it on the front windowsill and it grew to the top of the window so I moved it onto the living room floor and it grew toward the ceiling so I had to move it out into the greenhouse and it died in the winter.
Depending on the plant it is you may want to prune it tidily before you have to act.
Our biggest plant is currently our banana. It is over 6 foot.
I'm beginning to scratch my head in wonder now. I went into the greenhouse to pick a some of the last of this year's tomatoes for lunch and, on another dying bush beside them, I found one four inch long perfect cucumber. I remember saying that it was the last of them at the end of last month but almost November?
I'm beginning to scratch my head in wonder now. I went into the greenhouse to pick a some of the last of this year's tomatoes for lunch and, on another dying bush beside them, I found one four inch long perfect cucumber. I remember saying that it was the last of them at the end of last month but almost November?
I'm beginning to scratch my head in wonder now. I went into the greenhouse to pick a some of the last of this year's tomatoes for lunch and, on another dying bush beside them, I found one four inch long perfect cucumber. I remember saying that it was the last of them at the end of last month but almost November?
I'm beginning to scratch my head in wonder now. I went into the greenhouse to pick a some of the last of this year's tomatoes for lunch and, on another dying bush beside them, I found one four inch long perfect cucumber. I remember saying that it was the last of them at the end of last month but almost November?
It's leaving me speechless
Has that cheered up the so?
Probably I tend to rabbit on in my own little world though
Are spiders your main fear? But do remember: if you steer clear of spiders, they should also avoid you.
You should walk through my greenhose when the plants are hanging down and the spiders are about in autumn. I constantly walk into webs in the morning and know there are spiders close when my head is among the plants while I am picking my little tomatoes but seldom see them unless I search. I often re-locate spiders and they eventually get the message. It's perhaps a good job I don't live in a hotter place
It's amazing how few spiders we have, as our house is only 10 years old. I well remember the volume, and sizes, of them in our 600 year old house. That was something. The only time I have seen such large ones were in the zoo. lol
It's amazing how few spiders we have, as our house is only 10 years old. I well remember the volume, and sizes, of them in our 600 year old house. That was something. The only time I have seen such large ones were in the zoo. lol
Yesterday I got some seeds that I am going to plant next year. Peppers, hot and sweet, and a variety of tomato. The seed company I buy from were prompting early planting of peppers to get a, needed, long growing season. I know I need this anyway so I think I will attempr to start things very early next year and see how it goes. One of the peppers I ordered was a minature,ish, variety so I will see how it goes with indoor hydroponics, starting in January.
I am really pushing things this next year. I received my order of seeds just before Christmas and I have planted some of them today and they are now in the heated propagator. Some peppers and some tomatoes. I have a few ideas on how to help the little plants (if they come) but am a bit concerned about the short winter days. That will likely be more detremental than the temperature, particularly in the house, but I do have my growbulbs (growlights).
Well quite a few of my seeds have germinated although I didn't expect them to as it has been so dull and cool. The heated propagator does not seem to get very hot. I measured it yesterday and found that the surface temperature was around 22 degrees C. I think I will have to be careful with them but prospects seem better than I was expecting, at the moment.
Well quite a few of my seeds have germinated although I didn't expect them to as it has been so dull and cool. The heated propagator does not seem to get very hot. I measured it yesterday and found that the surface temperature was around 22 degrees C. I think I will have to be careful with them but prospects seem better than I was expecting, at the moment.
Well quite a few of my seeds have germinated although I didn't expect them to as it has been so dull and cool. The heated propagator does not seem to get very hot. I measured it yesterday and found that the surface temperature was around 22 degrees C. I think I will have to be careful with them but prospects seem better than I was expecting, at the moment.
What are you growing?
Peppers and tomatoes. It's mainly to get the peppers going really early as they need a really long time to mature here in the Uk. In recent years they have only been getting ripe late in the year, autumn time so I have had lots of green ones. I am also going back to smaller, hotter ones and have also selected a smaller variety of bell pepper which is said to do well in northern climates.
I potted on some of my seedlings yesterday as one or two were about to get too big for their location. I expect growth to slowdown now they will be out of their cosy incubator
heatherly: ::UEWGLkQ::
Jun 24, 2024 20:25:57 GMT -5
MaryContrary: I'm in and out lol
Jun 24, 2024 22:46:07 GMT -5
MaryContrary: Ok now I'm calling it a night for reals. Love you all.
Jun 24, 2024 23:33:37 GMT -5
MaryContrary: night my friends *hugs*
Jun 26, 2024 1:55:09 GMT -5
kjay: Have a great nights sleep Mary.
Jun 26, 2024 5:45:43 GMT -5
MaryContrary: Have a great day!
Jun 26, 2024 12:12:32 GMT -5
MaryContrary: Working today so have a good one!
Jun 28, 2024 11:58:53 GMT -5
heatherly: TGIF... have a great weekend.. even if you work... ;p I'll be grading some assignments over the weekend ::xYdmZ9L::
Jun 28, 2024 20:34:06 GMT -5
MaryContrary: You a teacher now?
Jun 29, 2024 0:46:11 GMT -5