The Current layout

This is going to be a lazy look pretty pictures blog! I am going to show my current lay out. Let me know what you think! Of course I am moving things around all the time. That is the beauty of hanging baskets, in my case buckets and pots.

Sideways picture again! Sorry that is the wooden crate in the far right.

The upside down blue pot is so I can walk across and water and tend to the plants on the other side. The cat has decided it is a perch for her to stare at birds. Well played kitty.

Frost!

Logan Airport is advising there is a chance of frost for most of Massachusetts today. Proving that even though the weather has been in the 70's and 80's this week sneeze and it can change. The last frost date was April 21st. A common mistake gardeners often make is planting early. It is much better to plant a week or two after the suspected frost date.
In areas where a late spring frost or even an early hard frost threaten garden plant, being prepared is your best defense. I just have to pop the top back onto the winter sown seeds. I can throw a blanket over the roses and a few other not quite cold hardy plants. I find the plants most vulnerable to frost are soft woods, blooming , and potted plants. I happen to have all three. The bloomers will have to stick it out as they are already past prime and covering is useless at this point. Frost usually occurs overnight and I can drag everything in and covering everything but I will probably forget and make it worse off. Common signs of frost damage are black leaves, mushy leaves and buds.
Many people mistakenly use plastic to protect plants from frost and while this can be effective, it is a practice that some expert gardeners warn against. Plastic doesn't breathe, but rather trap moisture inside. If the temperature drops low enough, the increase in moisture presents a greater threat to the plants if it should freeze. Since I winter-sowed using plastic covers  that are well ventilated I am popping them back on. You can also make cloches by cutting a soda bottle in half and putting it over your tender plants and it's o.k. to leave them on if you forget. Just make sure that you remove them before the real heat sets in.

A fabric covering will allow moisture to escape, but will still protect plants from frost by preventing the freezing air from coming into direct contact with the moisture. Bed sheets an old duvet or thin blanket are ideal for covering large plants and shrubs as well as tender sprouts.

What to put here?

The front by the steps. It has a few tulips. when they are done I'm debating what next.

I was thinking of Lord Baltimore hibiscus?

My reasons are....
* Large, tropical flowers
* Virtually maintenance free
* Highly adaptable to various soils
* Showy for up front
This hardy hibiscus looks like it came from the tropics, but is cold hardy. Produces deep red blooms. They are huge and reach sizes up to 10 inches across.  It will add a tropical feel to the front landscape, without having to replant every year. Lord Baltimore hibiscus is low maintenance requiring almost no care. Drought and frost are no match for this hardy shrub. It produces a spectacular show year after year.
Demonstrates extreme tolerance to almost any soil condition.
Will not crowd out or kill the already established plants. 
       Perhaps some rock roses?

 
 The Rock Rose grows in full sun. As you can see from the previous photo the spot get's sun most of the day but not full sun. The reason I think rock roses may be a better choice it that it is tolerant of dry, stony soils that lack organic matter. This spot is neglected and hard for me to get to on the third floor. Rock Roses look good and showy even in hot dry areas.That will help when I can't get down to water it often in august. The Cistus aka rock rose  is one of those plants you can use in a drought tolerant garden that can make a landscape look lush and colorful. Rock Roses need excellent drainage and are tough enough to withstand desert sun and hot temperatures.They can also withstand salt. This is important for a plant next to the driveway. The hot asphalt won't kill it. I can group them in a hedge. A little more carefree than my already carefree lord Baltimore. The problems I have with this plant is that it isn't very cold hardy. I will have to plant again next year. With apartment living it doesn't much matter though as I may not even be here next year.
What are your garden plans?

Drumlin farm

I took the kids to Drumlin farm today. They had so much fun looking at all the animals and learning about how a farm works. Most of the kids are from the city and other states so it was exciting to see them interested in agriculture
.  

 It was a nice change of pace. Drumlin farm is a real working farm and a wildlife sanctuary. There is so much to do at Drumlin Farm. The kids loved visiting the animals on the farmyard, trying on their green thumbs in the learning garden, and riding the hay wagon. The sanctuary provided a good learning experience for all the children. Plus learning how to milk a cow was cool for everyone and iodine will forever be the stuff on the cows udders.
 
     
It was cool to see the owls from the:Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole 
in real life. The kids could learn all about real owls and relate it back to the movie. 

 

My Metal Tub Has Blooms!

 
So Pretty! I'm glad at the amount and placement of my bulbs. Today was super hot so they are a bit floppy. I will have to take a picture in the morning when everyone is happy. I love the red tulip and the triple daffodils. A few more are coming up now and will bloom later this month.
 

Ditch Lilies!!

Ditch lilies!  They are often called a weed and do spread. Well I for one love them. I love the deep orange color. They are edible, I found a wonderful recipe that calls to stuff it with cheese yummy.  My back yard is barren and weedy.I hope they push out the crappy bamboo some genius planted and I have been pulling up and fighting all spring. I can really use some hardy and fast blooming plants. I plan to surround my raised bed with them adding color when in bloom and foliage when not. I have about 20 right now. These flowers are resistant to everything. They grow in all conditions seriously anything above zone 4 and your golden. Since our back yard is only weeds and debris you can see the value of planting them and why I am putting them near the raised bed but not in it. They will quickly overpower any nearby weeds and leave a pretty yard instead of crap dirty weed yard. They are spread with underground runners. I plan to dig down and protect the raised bed from being over run but know that I may lose that battle but not before I move. I want them to take over. This place needs some beauty. One can often find them planted along old buildings and vacant lot's where homes once stood. They are a good plant to give as gifts in large pots as they are plentiful and impossible to kill, giving even the blackest thumb some joy. So plant snobs I have come out of the closet. While not the most distinguished of flowers it will be finding a place in my garden. I am hoping the butterfly's and my neighbors agree.

How my Winter sown seedlings are growing in my apartment garden

Winter sown seedlings!I am having about 70% success and even more at the program. I'm guessing the program ones are doing better due to the bottom watering. It is always so exciting to see the little sprouts pushing through the earth. How is your winter-sowing doing? I must admit I'm a believer after a few years of doing it and relived to avoid a costly clumsy light set up. If you have ever seen winter-sown roots you would see how great and strong they are. Keeping that in mind I'm going to take a chance and plant a few things out this weekend. I saw a great idea of using cloches in this post Seed Starting Tips for Beginner Gardeners. While I am not a beginner gardener I am always scouring blogs for tips and tricks. I have only gardened once in a real yard. Living in my apartment doesn't allow for much in the way of ground. All of my garden is done in containers and hanging baskets.I found some wonderful metal tins at Target in the $1 isle using my trusty drill I have a few more make shift containers. When I have some more time I shall post pictures of those as well.  My boss asked if we could plant out the seedlings at the program since it has been so warm. He was worse than the kids when I said no it isn't quite over yet. In fact next week we are expecting snow!

Bulbs!!

I went a little crazy with the bulbs this year! I do feel like it will be very pretty when they bloom. I hope they are not to crowded. I may inter-plant them with some annuals. I kept picking them up all over. Plant swap groups, building 19 and the Christmas tree shops. I  must stay away from the christmas tree shops when they have the garden supplies. I forgot what soil that is and I wish I knew so I can buy it again. It is rich and fluffy and the plants seem to love it. I have severely neglected this planter as it is on the first floor and I live on the fourth. Whatever I toss in there seems happy no matter my neglect.

I am thinking the angel roses from renne's garden may be just the thing


What bulbs did you plant?

What I'm winter sowing!

Here is a quick list of what I have winter sown so far. I will be adding more soon!!

 Aster's , Lavender hidicote dwarf, Dianthus, Candy tuft ( sprouting), Marigold french, snowdrop and fernleaf, 4 O'clock's
Blue and white columbine and rose columbine, Crucosima, sunflower teddy bear and little pink

Purple gay feather, pink rock roses, black, blue and pink morning glory, Corpeopsis, rose campion, cardinal flower, nicotina, broccoli, tomato patio, Cherokee and sausage. Basil, oregano, thyme. Salvia lipstick and blue. Laverta silver cup. Pincushion above in purple I have white, purple and maroon I love them.

 

     Take a look at my pretty four o'clocks from last year. They held out well past the first few frosts much to my surprise. I collected quite a few seeds and traded for some other colors as well so I'm excited to try those out as well. I was very excited to finally get some snow but now I'm ready for the warmth and growth to return. 

 I got Cody 19 years ago. I was 12 years old and home from school with scarlet fever. My mom was just supposed to have him for the week. He came up to my room crawled into bed and didn't leave my side ever again. He chose me and we often joked he was my shadow. Once when I was dying my hair he ended up looking like a dalmatian. He was standing so close I dripped on him. I lived right near a pond and after a few failed attempts learned to leave him home during trips to the pond. He also hated the groomer with a passion. We went through several who all labeled him a bad dog. Every bath and every haircut was a screaming match. I used to have to warn the neighbors when bath time was coming up you have never met a dog who hated water more.We spent time watching movies going for walks and sharing our lives together. I miss my little fluff. I don't know if I will ever get another dog but I do know for 19 years I had the most loving sweet little dog anyone could ask for. I had to put my dear dog to sleep a few weeks ago and it's taking some time to adjust. My bed feels lonely. When I drop food on the floor I have to remember to pick it up as the cats are not vacuums quite like the dog was lol. I received his ashes and am planning a memorial spot in my tiny garden. Does anyone have any ideas of what would be good to plant? I have bought several rather deep baskets and a large urn for the porch.