Friday, April 15, 2011

Fertilizer Friday & Windy Weather

 I woke up this morning to the sound of high winds roaring in the woods across the road. No storm in sight, just a lot of wind, blowing something in or out.  And away.... gazing out the window, I saw that much of our recycling put out by the road last night was now merrily making a quick escape down the road, tumbling and rolling at a high rate of speed.  I grabbed my winter coat and my mittens and set off in hot pursuit with Teddy and Pudding dogs in the lead.  We managed to capture all the wayward recyclables here before going up to Mom's and putting her recycling out.  She wasn't as silly and didn't leave it out overnight which was a good idea. 

Walking in this weather is truly an experience.  With the wind at my back it felt as if I had a heavy hand propelling me forward and the dogs and I covered the 1/4 mile to Mom's in record time.  Coming home was another ordeal entirely.  Ann stopped in for a visit and gave the dogs and I a ride home from Mom's which was really appreciated. 

Another Fertilizer Friday and I still don't have much to share flower-wise.  I tried to take some pictures this morning but the heavy winds nearly toppled me over and the flowers wouldn't hold still for their close-ups.

I guess I should not say they wouldn't hold still, that's being unfair to the flowers.....they couldn't hold still because the wind is so fierce.  This has certainly been a wild month weather wise all over the country. 

The crocus flowers are getting rather tattered, but that's to be expected since they were up and blooming in mid-March and then buried under 17" of snow in early April and then defrosted again only to be hammered by fierce thunderstorms and now assailed by 40 mph winds.  Isn't it amazing that something as delicate as a flower can last through all that abuse?

I managed to plant most of my flower seeds this past weekend and Yippee!!

Look:

Do you see it?  No, not the brown popsicle stick in the upper right hand corner, but in the middle of the picture there's a teeny, tiny green thing with three leaves?  That's an 'Avalanche Grape' Petunia.  I wonder how much it will grow by June 1st?  I hope it grows a LOT....Karen needs some color in the gardens.  We're off to such a late start this year, my greenhouse and plants look nothing like Tootsies!


Ornamental Millet 'Jester'
The millet was planted on Sunday and boinged out of the ground overnight almost. I've been starting flowers for years, but it still never fails to amaze me how fast plants grow, especially with bottom heat and natural light.  

Inca II Marigolds
Looks like I'll have about 2500 annuals this year, which is about average.  Every year I say I'm going to cut back but then the seed catalogs come in and well, you know how that goes.  I sit with a notebook and write down everything I see that appeals to me and before I know it, I've got a greenhouse full.  Now I hope the green house can stay on the ground and not fly away in all this wind.

 So many other blogs are showing off their gorgeous spring blooms and  here I am with a few puny crocus pictures....which is probably boring people to tears.  But wait!  I do have some daffodils blooming right up tight against the house in the only sheltered area they could find:

The daffodil on the left looks a bit depressed, doesn't it?  Head hanging low, wondering what it got itself   into, "This is Spring??"  The three daffodils on the right seem to be very curious about their downhearted friend. (Ok, ok, it's official.   Now I'm writing about the emotional state of flowers?  I'm spending WAY too much time alone.) 

Somebody will tell me to go jump in a lake or something.  Good thing there's one handy.....

and wowwweeeeee, do we have WATER in it this year!  The water table is higher than ever, too high actually, we'll probably have to pump this down a bit so the shrubs that are nearly submerged don't drown.

So, this weekend's weather is not shaping up to be real pleasant, but we'll have to make the best of it.  Carl just got the mail and the last of my seeds that were on backorder are now here, so that will be my job for the afternoon.

Carl is home by noon on Fridays and maybe since it's so unpleasant outside (yup, they're calling for more snow....but I said I'd take snow over tornadoes and I meant it!)  maybe he will work on soldering our latest lamp shade while I plant flowers.  We'll keep each other company. (And I'll spend less time wondering what my daffodils are thinking.)
Peonies in the SKY!!  

I took the three repeats outside and took a picture of them before sticking them on the form for soldering.

 We're not sure how this lamp will turn out but it reminds me of something.  I'm showing my age here, but I remember my Mom (and ok, me, too) wearing hats shaped like this to church at Easter time.  Anyone else remember that time period?  Ok, so I'm old and moldy.

Peonies in my Easter Bonnet!
Time to get some lunch made and move on with our planting and soldering plans. 
Now, head on over to Tootsie's and Fertilizer Friday to see some really beautiful gardens!
'Til next time.......Karen

22 comments:

Darla said...

All that wind makes me a tad bit nervous. Okay the millet...do you save seed from yours or purchase it every year. I bought one millet and divided it in to for two containers, just because I have never grown it but believe it's wonderful looking. Can I save seeds and are they in the cattail plume? That is a lot of water in your pond...it's lovely though....I say, no more snow or tornadoes..how about warm sunshine and gentle breezes? :)

Karen said...

Hi Darla, I buy the millet seed every year, but I'm not sure if you'd have to. The seeds are in the plume. I usually stick the plumes in the winter pots and the birds come and eat the seeds. Now that you mention it, I should save some seed and try it next year because the store-bought seed is rather expensive.

Roslyn said...

You've had more than your fair share of wild weather lately. I hope Spring is finally here for you and all those seedlings fill your garden.
We are heading into Winter here, but no snow - just cooler nights and maybe a couple of frosty mornings. Don't know if I'd cope with really cold weather.

Diana LaMarre said...

I can just see you running after the wayward recyclables!

We have had high winds, too. This weekend is forecasted cold/rain/maybe snow, so I know from where you speak.
I was really hoping to have a nice weekend so I could get a lot of work done.

2500 annuals????Wow! That's a lot of work. I can't wait to see how beautiful they will be in your gardens this summer.

Lona said...

Karen your peony shade is just looking gorgeous. I remember those hats.LOL! Your seeds really are sprouting fast. Wow, I did not realize you grew so many plants.I have noticed the ponds and lakes around here are really full of water this spring so far. This is good because ours were so low last summer. Have a wonderful weekend and watch those tail winds.LOL!

Unknown said...

WoW Karen you really do buy some annual seeds don't you? Well, I for one am not laughing so you can save that jump into the lake for warmer weather. ;-) I don't have much more than you do since our flowers bloom a couple of weeks behind everyone else and we've had so much rain it's a wonder they aren't all drowned. But so far they're coming up.
Your lamp is beautiful - I love the colors you've chosen for it.

Anonymous said...

A pretty peony shade Karen. And some really fine blooms. I am in the Fertilizer Friday meme for the first time. Glad to see a friend there too.

Sandy said...

Hi Karen.. I really love the colors of your newest creation. The lampshade will look wonderful in my b/room....
It's also hard for me to imagine how cold it still is up North.. we were 92' today and humid, my hair frizzed.
I do hope you all get warm soon!
Enjoy your weekend..
Sandy

Dandelion and Daisy said...

What a beauty that shade will be when it is finished! I LOVED hats! I still do but people look at you strangely when you wear them unless it is a baseball cap. Oh, yes, times have changed.

Val said...

Love all your pictures and your blog.

Alison said...

The peony lamp shade is really pretty. I remember those hats.

Your crocuses are looking good for all the abuse they've taken. You and Tootsie are starting to make me think I need a real greenhouse. I've been using three little portable ones for a few years now.

Hope your weather settles down. We need some warmth and sunshine here in the PNW too.

Mel_Cole said...

Beautiful crocus! My Fertilizer Friday Hope you can visit mine too.

Randy Emmitt said...

Karen,

The peony lamp is a master piece I'm sure. Loved the crocus photos ours are a thing of the past already.

Darla said...

Thanks Karen. I'm cheap so I try and save all the seeds I can :)

Beth said...

Karen, Your photos are lovely. You are quite a talented photographer! I love seeing the greenhouse plants. My, you do plant a lot of annuals! I have planted some seeds as well: the cold-weather tolerant outside: nigella, poppies, cleome, lettuce, radishes and peas and inside I've started pumpkin-on-a-stick, Easter egg plant, digitalis and lupine. I don't have a greenhouse. They're sitting on the bed in the spare bedroom!
Hugs, Beth

Kelsie from Our Country Home and Studio Photography said...

It has been windy here all day today, but not that windy (for a change lol)

I am with you, snow over tornados any day...Spring is my favorite season but for all the tornados and severe thunderstorms.

I love your photos, just beautiful and not sick of your crocus at all.

Blessings Kelsie

Rosemary said...

Windy here too.... Love the lake and garden photo. Yes I do remember those hats. Still like them . Your new stained glass already looks fabulous. I am very impressed at all the seeds you start.. they must be very happy as your germination is very fast.

One said...

Karen, Despite the wind, your photos are excellent. I wonder how you capture them so clearly. I do hope you have more comfortable weather ahead of you.

Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina said...

Wow, I just LOVE that little pond/lake with all of the stonework in your yard! Gorgeous!

Carolyn ♥ said...

Congrats on getting your seeds sown! Your Spring flowers are beautiful.

siteseer said...

Love your pond, and your plants... and they peony shades are amazing.

Sandy said...

Thank you Karen for your b/day greeting.. was so sweet of you and I had a great day today.. in the garden most of it and feel tired and great!
Thanks again
Sandy