Psychic Departure Bunny Lounge

Spring is around the corner

This has me planning garden things again. Loads of ideas, as usual, although the past few years' experience has taught me a few things, so perhaps my plans aren't as ambitious as they once were. This is your warning that things behind the cut may be mind-numbingly boring to those of you that don't care for gardening.

First up, I must paint the shed. It's such an ugly, rusty, dilapated building but we can't afford to replace it just yet, so I need to paint it before the Carolina jessamine sprouts into full growth for the season. I checked the specs and Saturday's weather looks like a good time to try. I hope to at least paint the front and one side. Then I'll think about what else to paint on it (Art Nouveau elements? Macintosh roses? An motif from a Dietrich Varez print?)

This year, I'm going to plant the taro in the dampest section of the back yard. I think that's the best place for them - mostly shade, not as likely to dry out. I should find a companion plant to help keep down any mosquito populations, too. This will mean that I need to run another drip hose.

Next on the agenda will be the back fence garden. The "cottage" garden plants will go there (I'm not into that cottage garden thing but I like the plants). I don't think they'll bloom much this year - the plants I am planning usually bloom in their second year.

On the south side of the house, I'm going to plant the cat garden in memory of our sweetie, Cooper. I'll make a concrete stone for him. The catmint and catnip will go there, along with nigella and some reedy plants. The kind of things cats would love to roll in. Perhaps we'll be finding all the neighborhood cats there by the end of summer! Oops, looks like I need a new place for the nigella. It has some minor toxicity to humans so no good for cats! Perhaps this is going in the cottage-ish garden, too, then. I need a way to corral the gardens and keep them separate from the yard, though, so sweetie doesn't have a problem mowing. Must remember to look for brick/stone/something other than ugly plastic.

This weekend, I'm going to prune the roses, hibiscus, and other woody plants and start seeds for cilantro, tomatoes, hollyhocks, foxglove, rose mallows, globe thistle, canterbury bells, nigella, sweet pea, catnip, etc.

I so want to grow the humble Okinawan sweet potato or the Filipino ube but finding a good source is difficult. I might have some success finding the ube in a local market - but can it be grown from a grocery store tuber?

Oh my. This is dangerous. I just did a search on ube and discovered that Toby's Homemade Ice Cream makes ube ice cream! And avocado! And they're located in Maryland (it's obvious they're run by Filipinos, isn't it?)! I have got to find out if they deliver to any stores near us.

I'm planning on going to the NoVA plant exchange, which sounds so great, I can hardly stand it! I'd love to get some night blooming cereus! Anyone want to come with? I suppose I could volunteer...

Sadly, although I told myself no more roses this year, I am almost seduced by the shrub rose, Midnight Blue, which despite the name, isn't even close to blue (not like there are any true blue roses yet). HelpMeFind has is too tempting! Keep me away! I'm also always on the lookout for Hot Cocoa. However, the ones I planted in the last two years have done pretty well despite the rampant blackspot that happens every year and are all showing signs of life already.

Other to do notes:

Find purple and chocolate bell peppers, akebia, more artemesias, lemon balm, black taro, chocolate mint, peppermint, and more. Much more.

Transplant the jasmines that have wintered inside and repot the caladiums and tuberose.

Go by Plow & Hearth for large, self-watering planters for the tomatoes and hopefully peppers.

This morning, I started seeds for dwarf sunflowers and violas. I usually wouldn't bother with those varieties but the seeds were a gift kit and just sitting there...

Finally, a link to a local blog about cooking, My Little Kitchen. Mmm. I loves me some food.

( 09:02 FH | green thumb. )