What's going on -
nothing. We're stuck in some weirdo limbo.
We've had tornadoes, downpours, thunderstorms and snow flurries in the air (yes, snow) all within a few days.
My WS jugs are just sitting there doing nothing. I don't blame them. It's 37 degrees F right now and will only hover in the 40's F today.
This week is going to be total crap - cold, wind and rain. Nothing is really growing, more like biding their time. Even the cole crops have pretty much quit.
At this rate it will be July before I can get my veg hardened off enough to get them into the garden.
Nothing will get done this week . . . again.
Where the hell is May?
Monday, May 19, 2008
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Why Local, Experienced Gardeners Are A Major Advantage To A Newbie
The first thing people tell 'new-to-gardening' beginning gardeners is to do some research before you begin.
Good advice...
Most of these people take the most convenient way out and hit the internet.
But, there is so much misinformation wandering around on the web that they should probably take what information they find with a grain of salt, unless it is from a well known and trusted site. And, even then...
Take last frost dates as an example:
Old Farmers Almanac results for close to my area-
Syracuse, NY - Last spring frost date - April 28
Albany, NY - Last spring frost date - May 7
Victory Seed results for close to my area-
Syracuse, NY - Last spring frost date - May 14
Albany, NY - Last spring frost date - May 24
Big, big difference in dates.
And if you ask an experienced gardener in this neck of the woods - both WRONG.
Granted, Victory Seeds is close, but that date isn't anywhere near reliable. You'd be taking a huge gamble on believing those dates and planting warm weather veg and annuals that early.
Hardy annuals, no problem. Peppers, well...most likely dead if you didn't know enough to cover them.
Here, the safe date to plant is usually Memorial Day or after.
I almost always wait to plant on June 1, after checking the 10 day forecast. Sometimes I'll take that gamble, but not often. The last fog of winter was February 24, so the last frost should be before May 24 this year. According to the full moon for May, we shouldn't get one after the 20th. We'll see.
The problem most new gardeners run into is that they check, check, check the air temps and completely ignore the soil temperatures.
Warm season plants like warm soil much more than they care about warm air.
You can go ahead and plant, but if the soil is cool they'll just sit there doing nothing or end up stunted waiting for the ideal conditions. If you've lovingly nurtured your plants from seed all through the cold spring or don't have the cash to replace dead transplants, are you going to take the chance on gambling with Ma Nature?
I hope not.
Do you live at a weird elevation, slope or micro climate? Then those last frost dates are going to be even further off in one direction or the other.
So, got questions? Seriously, forget the net, find a book specific to your area or/and experienced gardeners and ask away.
You'll find the books inspirational and the gardeners more than happy to pass on their tips, tricks and hard learned knowledge.
Good advice...
Most of these people take the most convenient way out and hit the internet.
But, there is so much misinformation wandering around on the web that they should probably take what information they find with a grain of salt, unless it is from a well known and trusted site. And, even then...
Take last frost dates as an example:
Old Farmers Almanac results for close to my area-
Syracuse, NY - Last spring frost date - April 28
Albany, NY - Last spring frost date - May 7
Victory Seed results for close to my area-
Syracuse, NY - Last spring frost date - May 14
Albany, NY - Last spring frost date - May 24
Big, big difference in dates.
And if you ask an experienced gardener in this neck of the woods - both WRONG.
Granted, Victory Seeds is close, but that date isn't anywhere near reliable. You'd be taking a huge gamble on believing those dates and planting warm weather veg and annuals that early.
Hardy annuals, no problem. Peppers, well...most likely dead if you didn't know enough to cover them.
Here, the safe date to plant is usually Memorial Day or after.
I almost always wait to plant on June 1, after checking the 10 day forecast. Sometimes I'll take that gamble, but not often. The last fog of winter was February 24, so the last frost should be before May 24 this year. According to the full moon for May, we shouldn't get one after the 20th. We'll see.
The problem most new gardeners run into is that they check, check, check the air temps and completely ignore the soil temperatures.
Warm season plants like warm soil much more than they care about warm air.
You can go ahead and plant, but if the soil is cool they'll just sit there doing nothing or end up stunted waiting for the ideal conditions. If you've lovingly nurtured your plants from seed all through the cold spring or don't have the cash to replace dead transplants, are you going to take the chance on gambling with Ma Nature?
I hope not.
Do you live at a weird elevation, slope or micro climate? Then those last frost dates are going to be even further off in one direction or the other.
So, got questions? Seriously, forget the net, find a book specific to your area or/and experienced gardeners and ask away.
You'll find the books inspirational and the gardeners more than happy to pass on their tips, tricks and hard learned knowledge.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Over The Weekend
It's exactly 30 F outside. There is steam rising from the ponds this morning and I suppose there will be tomorrow morning also.
Not as much got done this weekend as I'd wished. Of course.
The hubs got some of the garden weeds rototilled in the veg garden.
They was gettin' big, Ma!
What the heck is it with plants you want and weeds. The one's you want have only grown to toddler stage and the weeds race ahead to teenage-dom. Hmmm, at the size of them, maybe even middle aged.
Most got cut down in their prime. Too bad for them!
Mother Nature needs a Prozac. We had a hot, dry April and now that it's May, were dipping into the 20's F at night and getting soaked. She really needs to level out her mood swings or something!
I got 2 flowerbeds weeded. Doesn't sound like a big whoop, but a true pain in the ass. The rock wall around the tree bed had to be completely torn apart and weed roots yanked from underneath.
I divided some Lamium clumps and threw them in the pockets of the rebuilt wall here and there. That's one plant I wouldn't mind spilling into the walkway. Lamium is a fab plant! It flowers from April until well after frost, has the cutest white and purple flowers, the bees love it, it will grow in deep shade and keep on trucking, the leaves are fabulous variations of frosted variegation and it's a peach to rip out if it decides to explore past it's boundaries. Choosing to use the white flowered type, or the variety with the brightest frosted leaves will brighten up a gloomy area with it's glow like nothing else.
Seriously, I think Lamium is one of the most underused plants ever!
That freaking creeping (insert whatever weed you can think of that creeps and makes you crazy) is a whole 'nother story. I've been ripping 'creepy' crap up by the handfuls.
~sigh~ sometimes living in the country has it's downside.
At the rate I'm having to go - I'll never get finished.
Not as much got done this weekend as I'd wished. Of course.
The hubs got some of the garden weeds rototilled in the veg garden.
They was gettin' big, Ma!
What the heck is it with plants you want and weeds. The one's you want have only grown to toddler stage and the weeds race ahead to teenage-dom. Hmmm, at the size of them, maybe even middle aged.
Most got cut down in their prime. Too bad for them!
Mother Nature needs a Prozac. We had a hot, dry April and now that it's May, were dipping into the 20's F at night and getting soaked. She really needs to level out her mood swings or something!
I got 2 flowerbeds weeded. Doesn't sound like a big whoop, but a true pain in the ass. The rock wall around the tree bed had to be completely torn apart and weed roots yanked from underneath.
I divided some Lamium clumps and threw them in the pockets of the rebuilt wall here and there. That's one plant I wouldn't mind spilling into the walkway. Lamium is a fab plant! It flowers from April until well after frost, has the cutest white and purple flowers, the bees love it, it will grow in deep shade and keep on trucking, the leaves are fabulous variations of frosted variegation and it's a peach to rip out if it decides to explore past it's boundaries. Choosing to use the white flowered type, or the variety with the brightest frosted leaves will brighten up a gloomy area with it's glow like nothing else.
Seriously, I think Lamium is one of the most underused plants ever!
That freaking creeping (insert whatever weed you can think of that creeps and makes you crazy) is a whole 'nother story. I've been ripping 'creepy' crap up by the handfuls.
~sigh~ sometimes living in the country has it's downside.
At the rate I'm having to go - I'll never get finished.
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Add Linens N Things To The Closing List
Linens N Things has filed for bankruptcy and is closing 120 stores.
Gift Cards will be worthless-
"Brian Riley, senior analyst at research firm The TowerGroup, estimates the filing will freeze about $42 million in consumer gift cards, affecting about 400,000 customers. While consumers may think of the gift cards as cash, the bankruptcy court considers gift cards as debt, and therefore holders are not necessarily going to get paid."
Say WHAT?
I see the point, but that doesn't seem fair at all.
You know, I've never been in one of their stores - not even the one in Utica that's on the closing list.
I'm sure Bed Bath & Beyond will get all their customers.
I've never been in one of those stores either. lol.
Gift Cards will be worthless-
"Brian Riley, senior analyst at research firm The TowerGroup, estimates the filing will freeze about $42 million in consumer gift cards, affecting about 400,000 customers. While consumers may think of the gift cards as cash, the bankruptcy court considers gift cards as debt, and therefore holders are not necessarily going to get paid."
Say WHAT?
I see the point, but that doesn't seem fair at all.
You know, I've never been in one of their stores - not even the one in Utica that's on the closing list.
I'm sure Bed Bath & Beyond will get all their customers.
I've never been in one of those stores either. lol.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Our Home Depot Is Closing
Well, not ours specifically (there's like 3 in the general area for pete sake!)...the one in Rome, NY.
So far, 400 will lose their jobs, but when it eventually closes for good, that number will be 1500 total.
15 stores nationwide will be closing and they will not be opening another 50, as planned.
Closing:
• #2015 East Fort Wayne, Indiana
• #2032 Marion, Indiana
• #2310 Frankfort, Kentucky
• #379 Opelousas, Louisiana
• #2819 Cottage Grove, Minnesota
• #6901 East Brunswick, New Jersey
• #6904 Saddle Brook, New Jersey
• #6171 Rome, New York
• #3702 Bismarck, North Dakota
• #3874 Findlay, Ohio
• #3865 Lima, Ohio
• #4552 Brattleboro, Vermont
• #4932 Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
• #4933 Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
• #4913 NW Milwaukee, Wisconsin
I really can't say I'm upset the big orange box is going away, but I can say it's crap that so many people will be losing their paychecks.
Now where, oh, where will I buy dried out, neglected, foliage frozen clearance plants? Oh, yeah- there's always Lowe's - for now.
I'm betting this is just the beginning of worse things to come.
So far, 400 will lose their jobs, but when it eventually closes for good, that number will be 1500 total.
15 stores nationwide will be closing and they will not be opening another 50, as planned.
Closing:
• #2015 East Fort Wayne, Indiana
• #2032 Marion, Indiana
• #2310 Frankfort, Kentucky
• #379 Opelousas, Louisiana
• #2819 Cottage Grove, Minnesota
• #6901 East Brunswick, New Jersey
• #6904 Saddle Brook, New Jersey
• #6171 Rome, New York
• #3702 Bismarck, North Dakota
• #3874 Findlay, Ohio
• #3865 Lima, Ohio
• #4552 Brattleboro, Vermont
• #4932 Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
• #4933 Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
• #4913 NW Milwaukee, Wisconsin
I really can't say I'm upset the big orange box is going away, but I can say it's crap that so many people will be losing their paychecks.
Now where, oh, where will I buy dried out, neglected, foliage frozen clearance plants? Oh, yeah- there's always Lowe's - for now.
I'm betting this is just the beginning of worse things to come.
We're All Reading The Wrong Horoscopes
Some randomness...
I don't read mine, but just thought it was an interesting tidbit for those that do.
Because of the shift of the constellations to the west, we're all in the wrong sign and reading the wrong horoscopes.
2% of the population are two signs off, while the rest is one.
Oh, and by the way, there's a 13th sign.
And here I thought I was a Capricorn for all these years.
Good thing the moon doesn't go all wonky, cause I'd be planting things at the wrong time.
Just sayin'.
Weirdness...
I don't read mine, but just thought it was an interesting tidbit for those that do.
Because of the shift of the constellations to the west, we're all in the wrong sign and reading the wrong horoscopes.
2% of the population are two signs off, while the rest is one.
Oh, and by the way, there's a 13th sign.
And here I thought I was a Capricorn for all these years.
Good thing the moon doesn't go all wonky, cause I'd be planting things at the wrong time.
Just sayin'.
Weirdness...
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Back (And Front) Yard Gardeners
Food prices are rising and people are gardening.
:)
Video from ABC News : As the price of food rises, homeowners turn their yards into minifarms
:)
Video from ABC News : As the price of food rises, homeowners turn their yards into minifarms
Losing My Links
BritBlog is one of the directories I've used for quite a while to find and check out (new and old) British gardening blogs.
Now it's closed.
Big Bummer.
Well, there's still Garden voices, The Power Guides, my Favs list, My Folia, Dig In Dirt, Blog Catalog, Top 100, etc.
Ummm, ok, nevermind. There are endless lists and possibilities and I'll still be occupied by virtual gardens for... forever.
Now it's closed.
Big Bummer.
Well, there's still Garden voices, The Power Guides, my Favs list, My Folia, Dig In Dirt, Blog Catalog, Top 100, etc.
Ummm, ok, nevermind. There are endless lists and possibilities and I'll still be occupied by virtual gardens for... forever.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
The Rich Discover Walmart
The rich (those with very high levels of disposable income) have suddenly become Walmart shoppers.
This is bad...very bad.
Seriously - does anyone else see this as the beginning of a major problem?
Oooooo...how will all those high-priced, pandering-to-the-rich places make ends meet?
~insert violin music and wide-eyed wonder here~
Honestly, I could give a rats ass if places like Nordstroms or all those high-end boutiques that cater to the rich go out of business.
But what about all those local Mom & Pop's that are also going to lose their business and sink into oblivion because of it? They've already had to inflate their prices so high to stay afloat that most 'regular' income people have abandoned them for Waldeath.
A recent report said that Americans worth 3 million dollars, and over, no longer considered themselves 'rich'.
Here's some advice to the wealthy when beginning your new shopping adventure at Waldeath: Walk carefully. We wouldn't want you to scuff your brand new, never worn Valentinos on those non-slip matts, now, would we?
This is bad...very bad.
Seriously - does anyone else see this as the beginning of a major problem?
Oooooo...how will all those high-priced, pandering-to-the-rich places make ends meet?
~insert violin music and wide-eyed wonder here~
Honestly, I could give a rats ass if places like Nordstroms or all those high-end boutiques that cater to the rich go out of business.
But what about all those local Mom & Pop's that are also going to lose their business and sink into oblivion because of it? They've already had to inflate their prices so high to stay afloat that most 'regular' income people have abandoned them for Waldeath.
A recent report said that Americans worth 3 million dollars, and over, no longer considered themselves 'rich'.
Here's some advice to the wealthy when beginning your new shopping adventure at Waldeath: Walk carefully. We wouldn't want you to scuff your brand new, never worn Valentinos on those non-slip matts, now, would we?
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Seeing Red
Do you ever get so mad at someone for giving out bad advice that you'd like to spit but still shut your mouth because you know they either won't listen or think their opinion on the subject is completely, utterly right and you don't want to start a row?
Grrrr...I am biting my tongue so hard right now that I can taste blood.
Breathe in...breathe out...breathe in...breathe out...repeat...
On a happier note -
I see Garden Rant has done a write-up on My Folia, but for some reason I can't get to the Rant blog. "Page cannot be displayed". Bugger. I don't know if they liked it or not. lol.
But, My Folia is an awesome site!
I joined as a member when they first started and can honestly say I think they are the cat's pajamas!
A bit confusing when you first start using it, but then anything worthwhile usually is. And no...umm...'points' stuff. Bonus!
:)
Grrrr...I am biting my tongue so hard right now that I can taste blood.
Breathe in...breathe out...breathe in...breathe out...repeat...
On a happier note -
I see Garden Rant has done a write-up on My Folia, but for some reason I can't get to the Rant blog. "Page cannot be displayed". Bugger. I don't know if they liked it or not. lol.
But, My Folia is an awesome site!
I joined as a member when they first started and can honestly say I think they are the cat's pajamas!
A bit confusing when you first start using it, but then anything worthwhile usually is. And no...umm...'points' stuff. Bonus!
:)
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