I might expect a little of this; paper whites in bloom, but even these are a little early for my garden.
Even a little false garlic, Nothoscordum bivalve.
and the odd grape hyacinth, Muscari starting to peak above their stringy foliage. When will I find some grape hyacinth that have more upstanding foliage?
and before the week is out the gopher plant, Euphorbia rigida, will be blooming.
and roses about to bloom. I had to put a stop to that because they need cutting back and I am not waiting any longer. Forget February 14th. It has taken me two days to cut back the roses in the birdbath circle. And I cut them back hard. Last year I didn't do a hard cut so I shouldn't have been surprised, but was, to see that many of lower branches were showing that hail damage. Now it is out and it only remains to see whether the rose will come back. If not then I will replace them with some new ones. I think they have been in there 10 years.
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| Bark damage caused by hail |
Having spent the day with the pruners I turned my attention to finishing another little job I had started at the weekend. Painting the small styrofoam cooler I was converting into yet another trough. So much easier and quicker than making the hypertufa trough and one I am starting to favor. This one was discarded by some party goer on. Dumped in a waste bin I quickly saw its potential and snapped it up. People are so wasteful. At the weekend I did the roughing up and sealing job and all that remained was to paint it, which I did this afternoon. Ever eager to get it planted I found some plants that were in need of a new home. It joins the other one I made which has a bunny ears cactus.
I have one more styrofoam trough garden to go and it's a big one. Maybe I'll get started when the temperature soars to near 90º tomorrow.
11 comments:
Now that's weather whiplash! We had a touch of that ourselves, albeit without the hail to 90 degree temperatures - our extremes were mid-50s to mid-70s with Santa Ana winds, then back again. My own Narcissus dried in place under the influence of the Santa Ana winds. Perhaps it's time to cut yours and bring it inside?
Wow, that is a hot winter day! I hate when the temperature is so erratic. I've never seen paperwhites outside before. Very pretty! I love the styrofoam trough gardens - they look so good!
I can't imagine the weather extremes you're facing, poor plants. Poor you!
So all you did to the styrofoam is rough it up and paint it? There's nothing added? (like a thin layer of cement or plaster)...you are amazing! They're very impressive.
This weather has been really crazy.
I've cut back a lot of things. They were already putting on new growth, so I didn't start it. Hope they don't get frozen again.
We could use some rain.
I do like your planters. Good job.
I think we have to get used to crazy, in weather at least.
I wonder about the styrofoam planters -- they look great, but how sturdy are they?
We just keep going between warming trends with rain and then super cold and snowy. Coming out of freezing rain yesterday and now going into single digits overnight for a few days and then a big jump up in daytime temps. Can't keep up with the swings!
If you are referring to the finish then so far they have stood up to both a summer and winter season. They may not last for ever but then there was no cost involved other than the paint. I like them for cactus and succulents but they also work well for growing seeds out of harms way-snails.
I rough up with a wire brush then seal by passing a flame over the surface. Then paint with craft paint finish seem to hold up pretty well.
I should have taken your advice about cutting but I saw several butterflies hovering around so hated to take away there food. On day two they fried. Grrh!!!
That is some very crazy weather! Poor plants and poor gardener alike. Those styrofoam planters are incredible! They look great and I love that you're keeping them out of the landfill, at least for awhile longer.
I am as confused as the garden and 87 degree days are a real pain this early, especially when I'm pruning like crazy. But what a great idea with styrofoam containers! You always have the coolest ideas!
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