Edited: I was alarmed when these bulbs arrived this time of year. We had/have so much snow on the ground still, and I wasn't quite sure how I would get the bulbs to stay healthy until the ground thawed. The bulbs had broken dormancy in their packaging, and began turning mushy- I assume from reaching freezing temps in transit to my doorstep. Total bummer. I took a picture and asked the gentleman who runs Hirts greenhouse to send me a new batch, and instead he suggested I have him refund this order, and wait until I would ready to recieve shipment to re-order. I had him refund it, but I won't be ordering again. Every good nursery has a delayed shipping set- up where cold weather gardens can pick their week of shipment... he wasn't willing to work with me. I can't inagine the selection would be as good if I waited until May 1st to order from his shop--- varieties in my order were already selling out now. His ideas were flawed, and left those of us in the north at a disadvantage at getting a good selection. I also checked out his twitter and found out he really need a lesson in keeping his personal opinions and business in totally seperate internet realms. OMG. Yuck. Thursday, February 28, 2013
I cannot wait!
I cannot wait to plant these lillies! My mom ordered them for me from Hirts. I have the box open on the floor next to me where I am working just so I can smell them- the medium that they're packed in smells like fresh spring dirt, or like walking into a garden center.
Edited: I was alarmed when these bulbs arrived this time of year. We had/have so much snow on the ground still, and I wasn't quite sure how I would get the bulbs to stay healthy until the ground thawed. The bulbs had broken dormancy in their packaging, and began turning mushy- I assume from reaching freezing temps in transit to my doorstep. Total bummer. I took a picture and asked the gentleman who runs Hirts greenhouse to send me a new batch, and instead he suggested I have him refund this order, and wait until I would ready to recieve shipment to re-order. I had him refund it, but I won't be ordering again. Every good nursery has a delayed shipping set- up where cold weather gardens can pick their week of shipment... he wasn't willing to work with me. I can't inagine the selection would be as good if I waited until May 1st to order from his shop--- varieties in my order were already selling out now. His ideas were flawed, and left those of us in the north at a disadvantage at getting a good selection. I also checked out his twitter and found out he really need a lesson in keeping his personal opinions and business in totally seperate internet realms. OMG. Yuck.
Edited: I was alarmed when these bulbs arrived this time of year. We had/have so much snow on the ground still, and I wasn't quite sure how I would get the bulbs to stay healthy until the ground thawed. The bulbs had broken dormancy in their packaging, and began turning mushy- I assume from reaching freezing temps in transit to my doorstep. Total bummer. I took a picture and asked the gentleman who runs Hirts greenhouse to send me a new batch, and instead he suggested I have him refund this order, and wait until I would ready to recieve shipment to re-order. I had him refund it, but I won't be ordering again. Every good nursery has a delayed shipping set- up where cold weather gardens can pick their week of shipment... he wasn't willing to work with me. I can't inagine the selection would be as good if I waited until May 1st to order from his shop--- varieties in my order were already selling out now. His ideas were flawed, and left those of us in the north at a disadvantage at getting a good selection. I also checked out his twitter and found out he really need a lesson in keeping his personal opinions and business in totally seperate internet realms. OMG. Yuck. 
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Getting excited!
Every winter I spend a lot of time planning my spring garden. Usually January I'm already buried in my books, sketching, drawing pictures, taking notes studying last year's garden pictures. This year I have been working full time and I have not had any time to even think about my garden. I took a day off yesterday to be myself and just enjoy thinking about the garden. Last weekend I picked up my garden journal for the year and I was dying to write something in it! I also place my first order of the season for seeds online- from Park Seed (including profusion zinnias, benary's giant zinnias, snapdragons, black eyed Susan vine, coleus, Spanish lavender, and hollyhock). And I found this wonderful magazine at Walmart. I could hardly fall asleep last night coming up with all sorts of ideas! Back to reality today, working, but in my mind gardening season is on its way!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
For mum's sake.
I think I got lucky a few years ago planting mums in the garden as soon as they were on store shelves, when fall was really just a whisper- they must have had enough time to establish roots before winter. Come spring they all came back, and bloomed by late summer through fall. I tried a few more in protected places, and still had success. Coming to Minnesota, however, I surely did not think they would over winter. I brought them mostly to assure I had them one more fall. Little did I know we'd have the most mild winter, and come spring I would have the largest mums I've ever had. I've read about the Minnesota mums, bred to be super hardy here, but to my knowledge these babies aren't supposed to be reliably hardy. So you never know, this may have been their last time to shine... we won't know until spring.
I know this Rusty one below is 'Hannah'
A few snapdragons crept in the shot, too.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Awesome Autumn Asters
Asters are always worth the wait for me. They may not start blooming until the fear of first frost arrises, but when they do- the color is so welcome.
Here are some pictures of the asters blooming in my garden today.
Welcome Autumn!
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
For the Love of Nasturiums
It never fails. I never regret planting a ton of nasturium seeds in the spring. Right about now, when most of the perennials have pooped out, these babies are at their top performance. And something about those cooler days at the end of summer makes them grow even quicker. The leaves look like little lotus leaves blowing in the wind. These beauties are by my side walkway, spilling just perfectly onto the cement. The variety is likely peach melba, although I plant a dozen varieties of seeds each spring, and often lose track.
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