About Those BIG Plans
Yes, I had wonderful plans for this winter wonderland of organization and plants. Well, as I have already explained. Life happened. Losing a job meant losing the paychecks that were to provide funding for all the projects. This had several effects on my winter plant plans. First it meant that I could not purchase the shelving to go in the extra room to clear the floor space for some of my plants and seedlings. It also meant that I had to come up with alternative plans for keeping the precious plants alive through some cold days and nights. (Thankfully we had a shorter than usual cold season this year.) So, here is what I did make work.
1. My large scented geraniums were brought in and out during the colder part of the year. At night they resided in my den. During the day they resided on my back patio under collapsible plastic greenhouses. This meant that I could protect them from the worst of the cold while still ensuring they get enough sunlight to live.
2. My bedroom is the sunniest room in my apartment. So it became home to a majority of the plants. My succulents and smaller scented geraniums were kept in there. Unfortunately this meant that I did not have much room to move around. But, it was worth it. My den became home to my ferns. They got enough light to survive. I made the whole fact that they are understory plants work for me.
3. As for the larger plant such as my elephant ear, confederate jasmine, tree fern, and large bird's nest fern, I left them outside under the stairwell. They were sheltered from the rain and wind. I covered them with some pine straw, a blue tarp, and whatever spare sheets/towels I had to keep them as warm as possible. I left my pots of bulbs outside also under the stair well where they would not get rained on and then freeze.
The result of all these make do preparations was much better than I anticipated. I nearly lost my tree fern despite having followed the advice to protect the growing crown. I lost a couple of my smaller scented geraniums. I also lost one of the three stag horn ferns I had in potted together. A few of the succulents did not make it due to a lack of sufficient lighting. And I did not get to start my tomatoes and pepper from seed this year like I had hoped. Just a sheer lack of space prevented that from happening. Even though I lost or nearly lost several plants, I still consider it a successful winter. I managed to overwinter the plants that I truly had some time and love vested in over a few years. Tia's lovely scented geraniums made it. My six year old bay laurel tree survived. As well as several ferns and succulents that I had started or had been given to me as small cuttings.
It seems the key to overwintering plants is to make the best of what shelter you do have available. Yes grow lights would have been great! Don't get me wrong, I fully intend to have some for next winter! But taking the time to simply Google the different plants and understand what each type needed, its hardiness, etc. made all the difference. I was able to use the resources I had available to make the best of a less than ideal situation. So next time you think you simply can not make a plant live, do not despair. Read. You may be surprised what you can do with limited resources.
1. My large scented geraniums were brought in and out during the colder part of the year. At night they resided in my den. During the day they resided on my back patio under collapsible plastic greenhouses. This meant that I could protect them from the worst of the cold while still ensuring they get enough sunlight to live.
2. My bedroom is the sunniest room in my apartment. So it became home to a majority of the plants. My succulents and smaller scented geraniums were kept in there. Unfortunately this meant that I did not have much room to move around. But, it was worth it. My den became home to my ferns. They got enough light to survive. I made the whole fact that they are understory plants work for me.
3. As for the larger plant such as my elephant ear, confederate jasmine, tree fern, and large bird's nest fern, I left them outside under the stairwell. They were sheltered from the rain and wind. I covered them with some pine straw, a blue tarp, and whatever spare sheets/towels I had to keep them as warm as possible. I left my pots of bulbs outside also under the stair well where they would not get rained on and then freeze.
The result of all these make do preparations was much better than I anticipated. I nearly lost my tree fern despite having followed the advice to protect the growing crown. I lost a couple of my smaller scented geraniums. I also lost one of the three stag horn ferns I had in potted together. A few of the succulents did not make it due to a lack of sufficient lighting. And I did not get to start my tomatoes and pepper from seed this year like I had hoped. Just a sheer lack of space prevented that from happening. Even though I lost or nearly lost several plants, I still consider it a successful winter. I managed to overwinter the plants that I truly had some time and love vested in over a few years. Tia's lovely scented geraniums made it. My six year old bay laurel tree survived. As well as several ferns and succulents that I had started or had been given to me as small cuttings.
It seems the key to overwintering plants is to make the best of what shelter you do have available. Yes grow lights would have been great! Don't get me wrong, I fully intend to have some for next winter! But taking the time to simply Google the different plants and understand what each type needed, its hardiness, etc. made all the difference. I was able to use the resources I had available to make the best of a less than ideal situation. So next time you think you simply can not make a plant live, do not despair. Read. You may be surprised what you can do with limited resources.
Making Plans
Time to get this show on the road if I want to have a garden this year. I heard about a new(ish) technique for raised bed construction using straw bales. The idea is to condition the bale for about two weeks before you plant in it. Yes, directly into the bale. The inner, rotting straw will feed the plants while the outer straw and string act as the "pot" providing structure. It seems like it may actually be a good idea to try. Space is limited for me, since I live in an apartment. It would eliminate the need to buy more large pots and lots of potting soil. At the end of the season,it could be dropped into the wooded lot near me where it would simply decompose. The plan is to use those for my larger vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers.
I have a wooden box I procured for free to plant my herbs and beans in. The box is quite sturdy with skids on the bottom to allow water to run under it. I want to construct a small frame of PVC pipe to attach to the box with garden netting on it for the beans and such. Again, at the end of the season, I would just trash it if it was in bad shape.
This is only part of what I want to grow this year. Surely I can make it happen.
Link to info about straw bale gardening here: Strawbalegardens.com
(No affiliate links in this post.)
I have a wooden box I procured for free to plant my herbs and beans in. The box is quite sturdy with skids on the bottom to allow water to run under it. I want to construct a small frame of PVC pipe to attach to the box with garden netting on it for the beans and such. Again, at the end of the season, I would just trash it if it was in bad shape.
This is only part of what I want to grow this year. Surely I can make it happen.
Link to info about straw bale gardening here: Strawbalegardens.com
(No affiliate links in this post.)
Gardens in Miniature
While I never need an excuse to get outside on the weekends, terrariums give me the perfect excuse. Now yes, I know one can buy moss, but it is so much more fun to collect it outside for free. Now mind you I am not advocating digging up moss in state/federal parks and natural preservation areas. But roadways and right of ways are always fair game. And if you happen to be able to get to some forested area that is not off limits that is great. Strange thing is collecting bits and pieces of leaves, acorns, rocks, etc. have made me stop and notice the world around me more. That is how I noticed the little white mushroom I took several pictures of. (If you want to see them connect to me on Instagram.)
Then there is searching through the thrift stores for the containers. That is a whole other treasure hunt. And just as much fun, especially on those icky days when it is just too wet and cold to be outdoors. This is where the creative aspect begins. Looking at bowls, candy dishes, cups and saucers, coffee pots, and syrup dispensers and imagining them as something holding a living plant is fun, fun, fun!
Next comes buying the dirt and rocks. Well that is not the most fun part of what you do have to buy, but the tiny plants are! There is a local nursery here that always has a pretty good selection of little plants for terrariums.
Now go home, make a big mess in your den and put them things together!
Then there is searching through the thrift stores for the containers. That is a whole other treasure hunt. And just as much fun, especially on those icky days when it is just too wet and cold to be outdoors. This is where the creative aspect begins. Looking at bowls, candy dishes, cups and saucers, coffee pots, and syrup dispensers and imagining them as something holding a living plant is fun, fun, fun!
Next comes buying the dirt and rocks. Well that is not the most fun part of what you do have to buy, but the tiny plants are! There is a local nursery here that always has a pretty good selection of little plants for terrariums.
Now go home, make a big mess in your den and put them things together!
Warmth For the Plants
It finally got warm enough to do some work outside this past weekend. For me that meant cleaning out some containers I use to gather moss and potting up the myriad of little plants that had collected in my den. I have not even had to cover them! WOOHOO!!! Maybe spring has finally sprung. I know we need a dormant season, but dang it, we gotta get warmth too.
My patio is not near ready for summer vegetables yet though, and I have not started the seeds like I wanted to this year. In light of this I think I will stick to transplants again for my tomato and pepper crops. My herbs and leaf lettuce plants I can still do from seed. So many of the herbs are very susceptible to transplant shock, especially my favorite, Dill. I am still so excited for spring!
My patio is not near ready for summer vegetables yet though, and I have not started the seeds like I wanted to this year. In light of this I think I will stick to transplants again for my tomato and pepper crops. My herbs and leaf lettuce plants I can still do from seed. So many of the herbs are very susceptible to transplant shock, especially my favorite, Dill. I am still so excited for spring!
Plentiful Preciptitation
I have a bunch of plants that I bought a couple of weekends ago. Unfortunately a moth decided to take out a couple of the smaller ones. But that is not my point here. Today I set out to get a few of them potted up. The rain let up long enough for me to be able to get out on my patio. Thank heavens. Then it started again....and the only thing I could think was please hold off long enough for me to get the plants in the dirt. It occurred to me that I was not the least bit concerned about getting soaked myself in the process. I just wanted to get those plants in the pot so they could get a good rain. Am I crazy? Because I think I have officially lost what little was left of my brain. However, now I am the proud owner of a nice big pot of several varieties of thyme, oregano, marjoram, lemon balm and bee balm. (The sage and rosemary are in another pot, gotta get the parsley....for those who know the song.)
Garden Veranda - Garanda(?)
So I guess this is what happens when a gardener moves into an apartment. Plants get tucked into every corner available. And then space is made for even more.
I am sure that all of you have heard of a veranda. (For those of you unfamiliar with this term it is what we in the South call a wrap around porch.) Well this, my friends, is a garanda, or a wrap around garden. My little garden has escaped the confines of my cement patio. I have all manner of ferns, herbs, and succulents thriving out back. Along the front edge though is where my sage and pitcher plants reside in their respective containers. My tomatoes are tucked in the sunnier spot and lassoed to the porch leg. Then along the side wall by my door I have a small rosemary, Japanese welcoming plant, a couple of coleus, three more ferns, a spider plant, and what to the unknowing eye looks like sticks in dirt. Actually those sticks are fig cuttings I am trying to root. I am lucky enough to live in an apartment complex where the lady that runs it does not care as long as I keep my stuff out of the way of the maintenance guys. Since there are only a couple of vile holly bushes and no grass due to the shade, I really do not have anything to be worried about. I just try not to push my luck too much. Although I have considered putting down landscape fabric and a thick layer of mulch right outside my bedroom window and adorning the area with a few birdbaths, birdhouses, feeders, and some pots of greens. I have also thought about asking my neighbor who only has a few dead plants in unkempt pots if I could use his sunnier patio for my tomatoes and peppers next year. No way that would be pushing my luck; would it?
I am sure that all of you have heard of a veranda. (For those of you unfamiliar with this term it is what we in the South call a wrap around porch.) Well this, my friends, is a garanda, or a wrap around garden. My little garden has escaped the confines of my cement patio. I have all manner of ferns, herbs, and succulents thriving out back. Along the front edge though is where my sage and pitcher plants reside in their respective containers. My tomatoes are tucked in the sunnier spot and lassoed to the porch leg. Then along the side wall by my door I have a small rosemary, Japanese welcoming plant, a couple of coleus, three more ferns, a spider plant, and what to the unknowing eye looks like sticks in dirt. Actually those sticks are fig cuttings I am trying to root. I am lucky enough to live in an apartment complex where the lady that runs it does not care as long as I keep my stuff out of the way of the maintenance guys. Since there are only a couple of vile holly bushes and no grass due to the shade, I really do not have anything to be worried about. I just try not to push my luck too much. Although I have considered putting down landscape fabric and a thick layer of mulch right outside my bedroom window and adorning the area with a few birdbaths, birdhouses, feeders, and some pots of greens. I have also thought about asking my neighbor who only has a few dead plants in unkempt pots if I could use his sunnier patio for my tomatoes and peppers next year. No way that would be pushing my luck; would it?
Making Some Hard Decisons -or- Cutting Back, Literally
It is that time of year again. Time to make some hard cuts. I only have so much space living in a two bedroom apartment. And only so much sunlight to go around. This means that when I bring my plants in I have to decide which ones of the large ones I keep whole and which ones I take cuttings from. My scented geraniums stay. No question. I have a few plants that I would cry over if I lost them. The scented geraniums, my bay laurel, and my aloe would be greatly mourned. You (and the people you bought them from in the case of my scented geraniums) put several years into keeping a plant alive and you get attached to them. I know, I know. Crazy plant lady here. But oh, well, I am who I am.
Now for the others. To keep or to cut..... that is the question. I took cutting from my cuban oregano and ditched the mother plant. Luckily I have had success rooting them before.
I plan to leave my large rosemary and my bulb pots out under cover this winter. I may also do the same with my confederate jasmine since it can tolerate temps down to 10 degrees fahrenheit. The big question, pun intended, is what to do with my two foot across elephant ear. Large plant needs a large space. At this rate, I will have no room for a Christmas tree unless I put it in the kitchen! Oh, well, that just means I will have to get creative with my smaller one this year. (Oh darn, I have to create something new out of stuff I already have....large sarcastic sigh.)
I will definitely have to share pics once I get all my plants in this winter.
Now for the others. To keep or to cut..... that is the question. I took cutting from my cuban oregano and ditched the mother plant. Luckily I have had success rooting them before.
I plan to leave my large rosemary and my bulb pots out under cover this winter. I may also do the same with my confederate jasmine since it can tolerate temps down to 10 degrees fahrenheit. The big question, pun intended, is what to do with my two foot across elephant ear. Large plant needs a large space. At this rate, I will have no room for a Christmas tree unless I put it in the kitchen! Oh, well, that just means I will have to get creative with my smaller one this year. (Oh darn, I have to create something new out of stuff I already have....large sarcastic sigh.)
I will definitely have to share pics once I get all my plants in this winter.
Winter Finally Found the Garden
Winter finally found us. Took until January, but it found us. This means that my back porch is just an empty slab. What plants remain outdoors are pulled up by the building and covered with pine straw and plastic. My home looks like a small jungle. But that is okay. I do like having the plants indoors. Now life gets interesting. I can not over water or the succulents will drown. The ginger and tamarind can not dry out though. Those plants outside, well they do not need to be wet and get cold. So watering is somewhat of a constant. Unfortunately I have already lost a few plants since I brought them indoors.
So here are a few hand hints.
1. Get creative about where you put your plants. Do not be afraid to use unconventional spots such as the ledge of the bottom half of the window by the latch. Or try hanging a few (light weight) pots from the curtain rods. But whatever, you have to do, keep them in the sunlight as much as possible.
2. About that watering can dance. Don't get too happy with it. Remember, the plants will desiccate quickly but you do not want to lavish too much liquid attention on them or they will drown. Empty those trays under them you use to catch the runoff.
3. Do not be afraid to use this time to get creative. Some of those small pots may be able to be combined into a single pot that will fit handily into your windowsill. Or if you notice a succulent starting to die, just go ahead and pull off the leaves. Let them scab over for about three days, put them on some soil, and you may just get more new little plants.
So here are a few hand hints.
1. Get creative about where you put your plants. Do not be afraid to use unconventional spots such as the ledge of the bottom half of the window by the latch. Or try hanging a few (light weight) pots from the curtain rods. But whatever, you have to do, keep them in the sunlight as much as possible.
2. About that watering can dance. Don't get too happy with it. Remember, the plants will desiccate quickly but you do not want to lavish too much liquid attention on them or they will drown. Empty those trays under them you use to catch the runoff.
3. Do not be afraid to use this time to get creative. Some of those small pots may be able to be combined into a single pot that will fit handily into your windowsill. Or if you notice a succulent starting to die, just go ahead and pull off the leaves. Let them scab over for about three days, put them on some soil, and you may just get more new little plants.