Blogger Rose: Roseville, What a Glorious Day

Oh, what a glorious day we had.  I want to believe that spring is really here and this weather will continue for months – but, I do need to be realistic.  It probably will get cold and even nasty before the days and nights manage to be somewhat consistently warm and balmy.

Don’t get over anxious about raking, digging, planting or even setting your indoor plants outside for any length of time.  If you’ve planted seeds indoors, most likely
under lights, think twice about moving those little trays away from the warmth
and light.  Some people have window wells where they can safely put young plants before moving the plants to the garden. 

But, I think it is even too early to do that.  Those of you who have a greenhouse – oh, what fun you are having. 
Just the same, for you and the rest of us – we need to water, water our shrubs, water our gardens, water our bulbs.  It has been so dry for so long everything needs water as spring approaches.  

Remember that hosta root I put in a pot a few weeks ago?  It now has 16 leaves, many are 11 inches already. The hostas planted outside are showing growth as are lots of bulbs. 

The tulips on the south side of the house are up through the leaves about four inches. I won’t remove the leaves yet because as long as the leaf cover is loose the tulips, or other plants, can push through. 

However, if you have bags of leaves or a heavy matted layer of material covering the new growth it would be wise to stir that top layer so the new growth will not become straggly, distorted and not produce leaf color due to lack of light.

Plant societies and garden clubs are gearing up for the growing season. Already there are workshops, conferences and programs being held.  Soon there will be plant sales. Macy’s Spring Flower Show is March 25 – 27,  the Spring Show at Como Park Conservatory will be March 27 – April 22  and the African Violet Society Show & Sale will be March 30-31 at HarMar Mall in Roseville. 

I’ll try to keep you posted on upcoming events, but I could use your help.  Email me  gardenrose@q.com with your gardening activities.

I was recently in Wisconsin at a Rose Conference.  Yes, we’re getting ready for the rose season as well as all the other garden activities. One of the really informative speakers talked about “Taking Care of Yourself in the Rose Garden”.  This was an excellent talk by a doctor about what we gardeners all need to know and do when working in our gardens.  I’ll tell you more about this next week.  Stay tuned. 

Unfortunately I came home with food poisoning.  That is another topic to consider as we move into spring time: picnics, boating and all those mayo, creamy salads, meats in coolers.  Do be careful – ice, ice, ice, cold, cold, cold.  I wasn’t the only one that had the problem and the lodge didn’t do this on purpose.  It doesn’t take much to taint a dish of cole slaw or potato salad, some sliced tomatoes or cut fruit.  Of course, cleanliness is essential on the part of the preparer and vigilance on the part of the receiver.

If you haven’t purchased your seeds or put in that order for a “few” new plants, you may want to spend a bit of time with a list. 

It is too tempting to go to the garden mart or your favorite supplier and load up on plants, seeds and bulbs  -  then get home and find you really don’t have any place to plant this stuff and no time to care for it.  You’ve just lost a lot of money, time and added frustration.  
A little time with a simple diagram, a list and your budget will be well spent.

Have fun as you anticipate your garden.

Unfortunately I came home with food poisoning.  That is another topic to consider as we move
into spring time: picnics, boating and all those mayo, creamy salads, meats in
coolers.  Do be careful – ice, ice, ice,
cold, cold, cold.  I wasn’t the only one
that had the problem and the lodge didn’t do this on purpose.  It doesn’t take much to taint a dish of cole
slaw or potato salad, some sliced tomatoes or cut fruit.  Of course, cleanliness is essential on the
part of the preparer and vigilance on the part of the receiver.

If you haven’t purchased your seeds or put in that order for
a “few” new plants, you may want to spend a bit of time with a list.  It is too tempting to go to the garden mart
or your favorite supplier and load up on plants, seeds and bulbs  -  then
get home and find you really don’t have any place to plant this stuff and no
time to care for it.  You’ve just lost a
lot of money, time and added frustration.  
A little time with a crude diagram, a list and your budget will be well
spent.

So, have fun as you anticipate your garden.

What a Glorious Day

Oh, what a glorious day. 
I want to believe that spring is really here and this weather will
continue for months – but, I do need to be realistic.  It probably will get cold and even nasty
before the days and nights manage to be somewhat consistently warm and balmy.

Don’t get over anxious about raking, digging, planting or even setting your indoor plants outside for any length of time.  If you’ve planted seeds indoors, most likely
under lights, think twice about moving those little trays away from the warmth
and light.  Some people have window wells
where they can safely put young plants before moving the plants to the
garden.  But, I think it is even too
early to do that.  Those of you who have
a greenhouse – oh, what fun you are having. 
For the rest of us – we need to water, water our shrubs, water our
gardens, water our bulbs.  It has been so
dry for so long everything needs water as spring approaches.  

 Remember that hosta
root I put in a pot a few weeks ago?  It
now has 16 leaves, many are 11 inches already. 
The hostas planted outside are showing growth as are lots of bulbs.  The tulips on the south side of the house are
up through the leaves about four inches. 
I won’t remove the leaves yet because as long as the leaf cover is loose
the tulip, or other plants, can push through. 
However, if you have bags of leaves or a heavy matted layer of material
covering the new growth if would be wise to stir that top layer so the new
growth will not become straggly, distorted and not produce leaf color due to
lack of light.

Plant Societies and Garden Clubs are gearing up for the
growing season.  Already there are
workshops, conferences and programs being held.   Soon there will be plant sales.  Macy’s Spring Flower Show is March 25 – 27,
March 27 – April 22 will be the Spring Show at Como Park Conservatory,  March 30-31 will be the African Violet Society
Show & Sale at Har Mar Mall.  I’ll
try to keep you posted on upcoming events, but I could use your help.  You can email me at gardenrose@q.com with your gardening
activity.

Spent last weekend in Wisconsin at a Rose Conference.  Yes, we’re getting ready for the rose season
as well as all the other garden activities. 
One of the really informative speakers talked about “Taking Care of
Yourself in the Rose Garden”.  This was
an excellent talk by a doctor about what we gardeners all need to know and do
when working in our gardens.  I’ll tell
you more about this next week.  Stay
tuned. 

Unfortunately I came home with food poisoning.  That is another topic to consider as we move
into spring time: picnics, boating and all those mayo, creamy salads, meats in
coolers.  Do be careful – ice, ice, ice,
cold, cold, cold.  I wasn’t the only one
that had the problem and the lodge didn’t do this on purpose.  It doesn’t take much to taint a dish of cole
slaw or potato salad, some sliced tomatoes or cut fruit.  Of course, cleanliness is essential on the
part of the preparer and vigilance on the part of the receiver.

If you haven’t purchased your seeds or put in that order for
a “few” new plants, you may want to spend a bit of time with a list.  It is too tempting to go to the garden mart
or your favorite supplier and load up on plants, seeds and bulbs  -  then
get home and find you really don’t have any place to plant this stuff and no
time to care for it.  You’ve just lost a
lot of money, time and added frustration.  
A little time with a crude diagram, a list and your budget will be well
spent.

So, have fun as you anticipate your garden.