Countin' 'Em - NOT!

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Over at Mr. McGregor's Daughter, there is The Great Houseplant Census of 2010 going on.
Plant countage.
But, I can't do it. I just can't!
I can't bring myself to count hundreds upon hundreds of plants.
It would totally blow my non-reality that I don't have that many.
I don't! Right?
No one can ever have too many plants. (or seeds for that matter, but that is so totally a different non- reality)
Why would she want to be so cruel as to burst this happy little dream bubble of denial I live in?

Do people count how many candies there are in a bag of M&Ms? Or how many blades of grass are in their lawn? How many blossoms the dogwood gets? So, see - I'm being completely and totally sensible! I'm very good at rationalizing any argument I have with myself.

Which reminded me about a counting post I did 3 years ago - "I Will Not Walk That Path To Hell" - about garden book counting. Go ahead and count yours - I dare ya.

Geez, now I'm all stressed and can't even look my plants in the eyes leaves. Which means I'll pretty much be staring at my toes all day.

So, thanks, Mr. McGregor's Daughter. Thanks . . .

I think I'll go to do something to destress - like, my taxes.

Happy (houseplant counting?) growing!
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Silly Cannas!

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I checked on my stored Cannas today that I had started from a few seeds many years ago.
Yes, they multiply like rabbits, and I am so not complaining.
Silly things! Don't they know February is much too early for them to be doing this in zone 5?
It's usually March/April before I see much growth or any signs they're waking up.



Well, at least I know they're still alive.

Happy (early sprouting) growing!
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Sowing Coleus Seed

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It's time to start the coleus again.
It's ridiculous how easy they are to grow from seed and you can get some pretty spectacular plants.
Just grab any container, any potting mix and, as you can see, you can find some really cheap seed.



Remember to remove whatever you use for a cover as soon as they sprout. They aren't too finicky to grow.



You never know, you might end up with something so pretty you'd like to keep it as a houseplant through the winter, or take a snip and stick it in water.

This year, one of the plants I'd brought into the house gave me a very interesting sport. I think I'll call it 'Golden Sparkle'!
Apparently, Mr. Deville, she isn't ready for her closeup because this is the best I could get, and it's too bad because she really is pretty . . .



If you've never started coleus from seed, maybe this is the year to give it a try.

Happy (coleus) growing!
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Brightest Moon of 2010

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Last night's moon was the brightest it will be for all of 2010.

Since it was 13F below 0, this is as good as it gets. No way was I sticking a toe outside last night!
No, you don't have to say it - I already know I'm a big woosie when it comes to the cold.






Happy growing! (when it warms up)

Gardening Trends; What's In And What's Out For 2010

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Well, now.

GMG 2010 Garden Trends (pdf)

• 1. Main Street is In. ----------------Wall Street is Out.
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• 2. Edible gardens are In. --------Lawns are Out.
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• 3. Slow Gardening is In. --------Instant gratification is Out.
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• 4. Mindful is In. --------------Bling is Out.
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• 5. Eco-Boosting is In. ------Chemical Dependent Gardens are Out.
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• 6. Multi-tasking is In. -------------Single-Purpose gardening is Out
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• 7. Perennials and Shrubs are In. ---------Divas are Out.

Doesn't look too much different than 2009's, does it?

GMG 2009 Garden Trends

-------What’s In--------------------------------What’s Out

• 1. Eco-Boosting is In!----------------Conspicuous Consumption is Out

• 2. Grow It Yourself (GIY) is In-------Doing it ALL for Me is Out

• 3. Blended gardens are In------------Segregated gardens are Out

• 4. Locavore is In---------------------Big carbon footprints are Out

• 5. Water is In-------------------------Water is Out

• 6. Outside is In-----------------------Inside is Out (But not “out”)

• 7. Info Lust is In----------------------Lack of Knowledge is Out

• 8. Quick & Simple is In----------------Over-the-top gardens are Out

• 9. Global Colors are In-----------------Safe colors are Out

• 10. Worldly is In-----------------------Cookie-cutter is Out

• 11. Bubbling is In-----------------------Excess is out

Happy (trendy) growing!