Raised Beds

 Crimson clover in the "hell strip" about to bloom.  Red snapdragons still showing off next to the Valentine rose and Fiona.  Daffodils still on parade along the parking lot.

"Pig" troughs along the hot driveway.  Herbs in the front trough, then roses, vines, and last trough will be tomatoes.

New Set-up

Projects. Springtime. Hail storms. 

Took all the houseplants outside just in time for some rain and got the hail storm instead last week. I won't show the wounded - I can't bear to look at them - why make you. 

I recently ordered some plumeria cuttings from a place on FB. Received them but needed to spend a little more time on this one. The sender did inform me this one was not rooted well and even inserted another rooted variety for my trouble. 

When reviewing instructions on the proper procedure for rooting plumeria, I learned red take longer rooting.  This baby is called Key West Red. We will see.

Glad you have made the jump to the new blogspot. More adventures to come.

Bulbs o'Plenty

We are going for the botanical garden look.  This is a direct result of me buying too many pretty bulbs from the big box store for my little yard.

My husband says, "You have nothing to show for your day after planting bulbs."

"Yes, I agree - until this Spring. Then, one day it will be very pretty and we don't have to do anything for the show."

Forecasting the Weather with Persimmon Seeds?

I ran across an article on the internet about forecasting the weather with persimmon seeds. It's on the internet, it must be true.  Enquiring minds.  I took a few minutes to search the internet for some verification and located an article by the Old Farmer's Almanac.  Luckily, there are some old persimmon trees in our back parking lot at my day job. Let's see what I can find.

First, locate persimmons grown in your area for the forecast.  Very good advice.  If you get a persimmon at the local chain grocery, no telling what part of the country you will be forecasting.   This candidate provided 2 seeds.

Second, split the seed open.

Ok.

Wonder how I will do that?  How hard can they be?  (The Old Farmer's Almanac article does not give away any details for this procedure.)  Hmmm. I will need tools. 

The seeds feel hard, like a dried bean.   First try was with a pair of pliers.  In the photo below, you will see my failed attempt on the table.

Round two.  I am a little worried - I only have two seeds.  Tool of choice was the orange handled deboning scissors, which, by the way, are the best pruners for around the garden.  However, you will not be using them in the kitchen, ever, again.

I took little bits off the edge of the seed all the way around.  (Yes, I was in the garden. Yes, I need a manicure.)

Second, split the seed open.  Done.  What did you see?  First candidate did not fair well and I have a "shovel" in the second.  Quick look back at the chart.  Hey, wait a minute.  This article details winter weather and my seed with a "shovel" is forecasting "heavy wet snow".  Ugh.

Guess we will have to put a reminder on this posting for sometime in April to see if the persimmon seed did indeed predict our winter weather.

Now, would someone offer some seed, moth, etc. to predict a nice quiet winter instead?

*sigh*

"What do you mean 'That is my blackberry pot!' ?"

I am taking up blogging again for several reasons. First, one of the great blogging ladies that I have followed from the begining mentioned her distance from her blog. Made me think. Why have I let this path to some really great "friendships" lapse. (I know many of my day to day friends do not understand the bond that is made with fellow bloggers. "How can you call them friends - have you ever met?")

Secondly, these fellow bloggers are friends. We have shared many things good and not so good over the years. And, truthfully, you all have really been there for me.

Third, I do have a new home and there is a lot of progress I hope to share in the future, even if there are only 2 of you out there. For me it is also a way to look back and truly see progress when I might need a little boost in foraging into the next project.

So, LemonVerbenaLady, here it to you for inspiring me yet again.  @}

Changes in the Landscape

417 Project

It has been over a year since my last post. So much has changed in one turn around the sun.

One major change taking up all my time is that part-time, seasonal position has turned into a full-time career. Same company, different position, much responsibility, lots of driving around the area. One nice thing with the driving is I can see the seasons change beyond my previous workplace and my little garden.

And we just moved. Not to worry - I will still take care of the loft garden.  The new place is just a couple blocks away and this yard comes with a huge burr oak tree in back. Shade, finally!  Empty slate for a landscape as there was an elderly gentleman who lived there for many years. Who doesn't like a new landscape to fill?

So this is the "new" location. 

Photo courtesy of Google 

taken earlier last year.