Vegetable Garden Update - February 2009

Well there isn't much happening in the garden this month, other than some deer trampling around in the snow. The only bright spot is that the stores have their seeds in, so it's very easy to get caught up in the thought of spring planting.

We did just that while at Lowe's the other weekend, coming home with the latest home repair necessities AND a bag full of seeds AND a trunk full of whimsical garden decorations. The garden decorations were an early Valentine's gift for me. Too bad they had to go right to storage and I probably won't see them again for another two months, but they can make their debut on the blog then.

Some of the seeds we purchased were:

Tomato - Juliet hybrid
Tomato - Jelly Bean hybrid
Pumpkin - Big Max
Pumpkin - Jack O'Lantern
Sunflower - Apricot Twist
Sunflower - Mammoth
Sunflower - American Giant
Sunflower - Autumn Beauty, mixed colors
Sunflower - Chianti Hybrid
English Daisy - Double Mixed Colors

Juliet tomatoes are a favorite of ours and although you can usually find them as plants at one of the nurseries, why take the chance that they'll be sold out.

The sunflowers that really interested me are the Apricot Twist and Chianti Hybrid. The colors are so very unusual. Hopefully I will win the battle with the deer this year and actually get to see some blooms.

This is the Chianti Sunflower.



And this is the Apricot Twist Sunflower. We'll see if mine end up looking like that.

And so, the garden still sleeps under a blanket of snow. These pictures are from January but it doesn't look much different right now, maybe just a little less snow.

February Flowers

Hello Blogging World!

I had taken a little vacation from blogging, well, maybe a long vacation from blogging, but I have not abandoned this blog. It's just that January and February are not so very exciting, gardening wise, here in Western Pennsylvania. And so I have been focusing my time away from the computer somewhat. Especially since if Lillian is awake and you are at the computer you will get nothing done as she must be at the computer working with you. So even though I have not been a good commenter as of late, my blogging friends, please know that I do keep you in my thoughts and I will be back into the blogging mania soon.

I thought I would post some pictures of my Valentine flowers and maybe it could bring some cheer to you as they have to me. I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day and that Spring is soon around the corner, despite what that Pennsylvanian groundhog indicated a couple of weeks ago.





Of course, I have to post an updated photo of my sweet baby who just keeps on growing and going! She doesn't like being shut up inside on these cold, cold days and can't wait to be outside digging in the dirt come Spring.

12 Days of Gardening Gifts: Day 12, Planthropology

Finally we reach the final day of this gift extravaganza. I almost thought I wasn't going to make it. I am sorry I haven't been visiting your blogs recently, but hopefully after Christmas I will have lots of time to catch up. I've had a lot of fun with this series and I hope you have too. Please know that I wish you and yours a very Happy Holiday season. Now, onto the gift selection.

"Planthropology" is the latest book by Ken Druse, and it's one that I'm sure any garden lover will enjoy. Planthropology is a word he made up to describe the study of plants and their particular history. In this book he shares with us scientific facts, myths, controversies, anecdotes, and good old fashioned garden wisdom. And lots of great pictures to boot.

So if you are looking for that last minute gift for someone else or yourself, you can't go wrong this this book. List price is $50. Amazon.com has it for $31.50.


Other posts in this series
Day One, Amaryllis
Day Two, Jasmine
Day Three, Give-A-Tree Cards
Day Four, Bonsai
Day Five, Hand Lotion
Day Six, Tabletop Tree
Day Seven, Magazines
Day Eight, Garden Gnomes
Day Nine, Stuff for your Vegetable Garden
Day Ten, Whimsy
Day Eleven, 10 Year Gardening Journal

12 Days of Gardening Gifts: Day 11, 10 Year Journal

Warm Hanukkah Wishes to those celebrating today!

When I choose the 10 year journal as the gift for Day 11 of this gift extravaganza, I was thinking of a regular journal, not specific to gardening, but one that could be adapted to gardening. However, while searching on the internet, I did find a 10 year gardening journal! Exactly what I wanted for this gift.

Lee Valley Tools is where I found this gem of a journal.

Because there description says it perfectly, I have copied it here. The journal costs $39.95 and can be started at any time.

"Because you will want to remember your gardening triumphs (and occasional setbacks), A Gardener's Journal is set up as a ten-year perpetual diary, which you may begin at any time.

In the diary section, one page is given to each day of the year, and each page is divided into 10 sections – more than enough for 10 years of personal jottings. In addition to the diary pages, there is also a section on such gardening techniques as composting, digging garden beds, tree care, soils, and garden tool maintenance, to name but a few. We also provide reference material and numerous charts.

There are several pages to record your inventory of perennials, more to record sketches of your garden, yet more to list plantings and harvestings, etc. In all, you will find 544 pages, most of which you can write upon. (An interactive gardening tool?) This format is designed to help you plan your way through years of gardening. Also, for your enjoyment, we have included intriguing notes on the history of plant lore, culled from arcane and often surprising sources.

Hardcover, Smyth sewn, and protected by a sturdy cloth binding, A Gardener's Journal is both a useful reference and your companion for gardening adventures. Measures 9" x 11". Published by Lee Valley."

Other posts in this series:
Day One, Amaryllis
Day Two, Jasmine
Day Three, Give-A-Tree Cards
Day Four, Bonsai
Day Five, Hand Lotion
Day Six, Tabletop Tree
Day Seven, Magazines
Day Eight, Garden Gnomes
Day Nine, Stuff for your Vegetable Garden
Day Ten, Whimsy

12 Days of Gardening Gifts: Day Ten, Whimsy

We're moving right along in this gift giving series. For Day 10 we are headed into the world of whimsy. And Plow and Hearth is just the place to take us there.

Look at this adorable Elfin Door, perfectly decorated for the holidays. Your garden fairies and elves will appreciate a portal for getting between their worlds.

Elfin Christmas Door - $12.95 on sale for $9.99. 7 1/4" x 8" H.



This is not something I would ever see me having a use for but it does qualify under the heading of whimsy. Does anyone use bush covers like this? You'll have to let me know.

Snowman Bush Cover - $19.95. In their words "Bags made of special non-woven Frost Protek™ polyester fleece cinch easily around your bushes when the forecast calls for a freeze. Stick-on facial features let you give the snowman his smile."



Onto something that I actually own, these cute animal ornaments. Although they were among those items which stayed stored away this year, safely out of Lillian's hands.

Animal Ornament Set includes Skunk, Raccoon, and Beaver for $24.95



They also have plenty of garden statues which would also lend a bit of whimsy to your garden or your gift giving. Thus concludes our list of ideas for today.

Other posts in this series
Day One, Amaryllis
Day Two, Jasmine
Day Three, Give-A-Tree Cards
Day Four, Bonsai
Day Five, Hand Lotion
Day Six, Tabletop Tree
Day Seven, Magazines
Day Eight, Garden Gnomes
Day Nine, Stuff for your Vegetable Garden

12 Days of Gardening Gifts: Day Nine, Stuff for your Vegetable Garden

Being the 20th of the month, which is a day when several garden bloggers often give updates on their vegetable gardens, I thought I would pick today's gift to also center on the vegetable garden. You can go to Tina's blog, In The Garden, to find other vegetable garden updates.

There are many, many websites which sell gardening stuff. For this post, I visited Gardens Alive because I like how they are dedicated to the biological control of garden pests. Even though it may be hard to think about vegetable gardening when there is snow and ice in abundance, it's never to early to start planning for spring. Spring is just three months away, you know.

Jump Start Lighting System - $64.95
Just the thing to get those seedlings started. Especially if your windowsill space is at a premium.


Seedling Heat Mat - $39.95
For faster germination and higher success rate - pamper those little seedlings.


Mason Bee Nest - $39.99
According to the website "Mason bees are up to 90% more efficient at pollinating plants than honeybees. Plus, they don’t sting. You can encourage their presence in your garden by offering a place for the bees to nest. About 2/3 the size of a honeybee, mason bees nest in holes created by woodpeckers and beetles, so this similarly designed nesting habitat will invite these hard-working pollinators to nest and help pollinate your garden. Made of durable, decorative cedar, it is easy to hang. No assembly required; nest includes 10 nesting tubes and 2 replacement tubes. Comes with complete, easy to- read instructions."


And if you can't wait for spring to grow something tasty...

The Portabella Mushroom Kit - $39.95
Everything you need is provided in the kit and it produces in 3-5 weeks. Just add water and place in a cool, dark location, such as a basement.



Other posts in this series
Day One, Amaryllis
Day Two, Jasmine
Day Three, Give-A-Tree Cards
Day Four, Bonsai
Day Five, Hand Lotion
Day Six, Tabletop Tree
Day Seven, Magazines
Day Eight, Garden Gnomes

12 Days of Gardening Gifts: Day Eight, Garden Gnomes

On the subject of Garden Gnomes, I know people either run hot or cold. I happen to like these industrious and sometimes mischievous looking imps placed sporadically throughout the garden. Mine inhabit the vegetable and herb garden. Although I have to admit, they did take some getting used to, I am now a fan. But despair not, for if you don't like gnomes for your garden or they don't fit into your gardening gift giving scheme, there will be another gift idea tomorrow.

According to Wikipedia Garden Gnomes were first manufactured in Germany in the mid-1800's and the terracotta gnomes were made for people to enjoy the local myths that gnomes helped garden at night. Garden gnomes were first introduced to the UK in 1847 at Lamport Hall in Northamptonshire. Only one of the originals survives and is insured for one million pounds. Garden Gnomes have endured many pranks and kidnappings as well as exclusion from some of the more prestigious garden clubs and events.

Thanks to the internet, I was able to locate Kimmel Gnomes. Their gnomes are not mass produced but are handmade and cast from rare 19th century antique gnomes and from original sculptures by Welsh artist Candice Kimmel. They are glazed inside and out for a frost resistant finish. They are made in the U.S.A. and are outdoor safe and UV protected. Although it is past their ordering date for Christmas delivery, I still had to include them in my gift series because they are everything that the mass produced plastic, tacky gnomes are not.

All descriptions and photos are from Kimmel Gnomes.

Forest 12" green gnome with free mushroom. Regular price $89.95, On sale for $59.95
Forest is a classic gnome. He is handmade in Stoneware pottery and is glazed on the outside and inside so may be placed outside all year round with zero maintenance. A fantastic, large, robust gnome full of character.




Harold is a shelf sitter gnome with a grasshopper. 7" x 7" x 4 1/2" - $69.95


Mr. and Mrs. Gnome, set of two 9" gnomes. Regular price $84.95, On sale for $49.00.
Mr & Mrs Gnome have been married for 500 years and they're still smiling! A beautiful gnome couple that will bring a ray of sunshine to any home and garden.


And you can't forget your gnome accessories.
Set of Three Round Cap Mushroom Spikes, 5" to 6" tall - $24.95.
Life-sized clay mushrooms are designed to look like they are growing out of the ground. Use to accent your gnomes. Set of 3.



Other Posts in this Series:
Day One, Amaryllis
Day Two, Jasmine
Day Three, Give-A-Tree Cards
Day Four, Bonsai
Day Five, Hand Lotion
Day Six, Tabletop Tree
Day Seven, Magazines