Never knew the name of the purple dead nettle we grew as horse mint ..
What's Growing in the Garden
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Always a problem using common names with many weeds. They vary so much by region and even county by county.
On a good note, my Montmorency Cherry trees from Stark Bros. came today. Was supposed to be delivered next week. They were much better stock and root system than Online Orchards (HD) who I had previously used. Pre pruned, but I wonder if a little too heavy. All the branches were pruned back to about two inches (pics tomorrow). I wonder how branches are going to grow from these stubs.
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Don't worry, you'll be amazed how well they grow. Most people (myself included) never prune hard enough, especially on young trees.
This year, I'm determined to really cut back my apple trees. I do ok on main structure, but never cut back enough on small branches. Every fall before harvest my trees looking like they are weeping the apples are so heavy.
TN weather - part of month have, snow, ice, frigid temps, and no electricity - the next part of month - early flowers. Somewhat surprised I have these blooming. I cannot show an overall view of my flower/hosta/fern beds as large parts do not exist anymore - they have been destroyed in the last 6 months with falling trees, limbs and the machines needed to take all that away! 30+ years down the drain, but at least I had the forethought to dig up and pot a lot of the plants and shrubs before the devastation of the machines. Maybe they will survive - but won't know for another few weeks. Seems that someone stepped outta the Nashville City Hall, saw his shadow, and announced 6 more weeks of idiots ---- wait ----- that should say that the groundhog stepped out of his den, saw his shadow, meaning 6 more weeks of winter. It should be kinda fun to build up a new garden design and garden. It's just that I am sorta at a loss of where to start.
Alfred Daffy
A couple of hellebores - I have had some since before Christmas.
Star Magnolia
One of the last of the Snowdrops
Alfred Daffy
A couple of hellebores - I have had some since before Christmas.
Star Magnolia
One of the last of the Snowdrops
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Nice to see the early stage of Spring! Flowers are lovely!
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Our daffodils on the south side are just coming up. At least a month early. All will probably have tips frozen when we get back down to 15° this weekend. Also starting to see some growth on the hellebores, but they are more protected next to the house.
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That's always a tough thing to start, especially as long as you had spent building it.
I've always told people to start with deciding on focus points with plants like Japanese maple, or non living things like structures, artwork, bird baths etc then decide on bed shape and size by laying down garden hose to visualize areas. From there, it's just lots of visits to nurseries.
You already know this though, so if it were me, I'd try to forget what you had and design something totally new. A chance to add all those things you've admired over the years, but never had room.
Here's one of my trees that I was talking about. You have to look through the hastily thrown up deer protection. Didn't want the critters snipping of the main leader. I would have the branches intact. But they are the professionals, so I guess they know what they are doing.
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That's a great looking tree! You'll get green shoots coming from all those branches. One reason for pruning so hard is when those trees are lifted, they no longer have the root mass to support all the branches. This way, you'll only get one or two buds per pruned branch that will develop as the roots develop.
Your fencing looks exactly like I do. One tip, when the sprouts start developing, consider wrapping the cage with bird netting. That will keep deer from reaching in and eating all the new growth.
That's just temporary cages.
I got the trees at 2P yesterday, soaked them for two hours and then planted them. Done by 5:15P. I was tired so I just threw the cages I had around them. Wanted to keep the deer off of them for the night. I plan on expanding the circle wider with different wire so the branched are far away from the sides.
If I don't get to the new cages, I'll wrap with some of the green plastic chicken wire you see.
Yeh, I'm envisioning something completely different than before - probably more formal than before. Even a sit down area with another fire pit/grill/fireplace. Need to measure the yard so I can put a sketch into Sketchup and can plan the hardscapes. Definitely going to have an area for a potting bench, a cold frame or two, some wood storage protection, and a cmu bbq pit. What I did not have was focus plants/shrubs - mainly due to the abundance of shade I once had. Still have lots of shade, but less and less deep than before. The beds are a place where I waver on. Whether I have some more cottage gardeny or beds with solo species/varieties. Fortunately/unfortunately I have many dozens of hosta varieties as well as hellebores and ferns. Used to have many wildflowers, but many have died out over the years. Also have quite the number of azaleas and OLH. Had also started a couple hundred boxwoods that I can incorporate, - although they are rather small now.
Probably need to figure in a storage unit of some kind for priceless wood.
While we were recently talking about weed control, is there a herbicide safe for blackberries/raspberries? The main weeds is yard grasses encroaching on the rows. I would think not since the stalks of both are susceptible to sprays. Just thought I'd ask in case there was something I didn't know about.
Currently, I protect the stems at the ground and spray with glyphosate close to the ground.
Currently, I protect the stems at the ground and spray with glyphosate close to the ground.
Article in yesterday's newspaper talked about finding some rare, unnamed apples down in southern Oregon. Evidently, there is a group of people who started an apple investigation project to find all the old apple trees from years ago. From what I read it appears these are hybrid species created by farmers who cross bred several types of apples. They said there were two in particular that they were excited about. It also sounded like they have a committee who samples and tastes the various apples and compile a document file about the flavors, texture, etc. That's about when I lost interest but it is kind of cool.
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There are several groups across the US and a lot of individuals that work on finding/Identifying old and lost varieties. It's interesting, but many of the old heirloom varieties were lost/abandoned for valid reasons. Many related to disease susceptibility or other reasons relating to production, storage, marketability. That's not to say there aren't valuable varieties with genetic traits that can be utilized. The advent of DNA testing is a tool that will not only helps characterize/ID these varieties, it can also ID traits that can be utilized in modern breeding programs.
DNA tools can speed up development of varieties which commonly takes 20+ years from initial crosses to a variety that is available to growers. With proprietary varieties, their release is typically limited to grower associations/States that supported development. Many times it may be another 5-10 years after that before varieties are released to homeowners.
DNA tools can speed up development of varieties which commonly takes 20+ years from initial crosses to a variety that is available to growers. With proprietary varieties, their release is typically limited to grower associations/States that supported development. Many times it may be another 5-10 years after that before varieties are released to homeowners.
What's growing in my garden???? We will start with a few new additions, I just planted a Samoan Coconut tree, they do not get very tall and they give big coconuts.
I also planted a air layered Tangerine tree that is seedless and very good for juice.
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I planted 3 Tahitian lime trees, they make great juice too. Here is one of the air layered Tahitian lime trees.
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I also planted an air layered Orange tree about 3 years ago and it is already giving a bunch of fruit.
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I also have a Mountain Apple tree and a Bread fruit tree.
Then we also have a rare green Hawaiian sugar cane and some Taro.
I cant forget the Bananas
I also planted a air layered Tangerine tree that is seedless and very good for juice.
.
I planted 3 Tahitian lime trees, they make great juice too. Here is one of the air layered Tahitian lime trees.
.
I also planted an air layered Orange tree about 3 years ago and it is already giving a bunch of fruit.
.
I also have a Mountain Apple tree and a Bread fruit tree.
Then we also have a rare green Hawaiian sugar cane and some Taro.
I cant forget the Bananas
