February 6, 2012

my 2012 planting calendar

I’ve been thinking its nearly time to start my onion seeds. So today I made my 2012 planting calendar using an on line program I wrote several years ago. (Here’s the link. Its on my side bar too.) The onions need to be in by Valentine’s Day! I will start getting my trays ready.

February 2, 2012

indoor flowers

Let’s see, I have a big white paph blooming, and “Trick or Treat”, a fluorescent orange Lc. And Ise x Sachi, a delicate white dendrobium. These three orchids have bloomed for me every year for more years than I can count. I love the way they catch the winter sunlight.

February 2, 2012

I am a salmon??

Jeepers, of all the animals one could be…. Although I do love salmon (its our dinner tonight!) Who does these silly tests anyway – and what does Betty get out of it? My mom sent me this link, but she didn’t tell me what her inner animal is. I will have to ask. (Maybe she will leave a comment???) I think this link gets you to the quiz.

February 1, 2012

my planting zone has changed!

My sister pointed out to me that the USDA has updated the plant zone hardiness map. In many areas, zones have changed reflecting warmer climates. I am just north west of Boston and was in zone 6a. Now I am squarely in zone 6b. This means there has been a 5*F change in minimum average extreme winter temperature. Up from -10* (in the last USDA version released in 1990) to -5* (the average from 1976 to 2005) in the map released a couple days ago. A couple of links are…

February 1, 2012

January snow drops

I was surprised to look down in my front yard and see flowers about to bloom. ITS STILL JANUARY!! OK, only a few hours left to the month, but still, I don’t remember a winter like this. I’m certainly not complaining. Tomorrow is supposed to be particularly balmy (50’s) and Skippy and I are planning a nice lunchtime walk. I have not had to shovel any snow this year. (Yippee) Its tempting to think, what’s happening to the climate – but then, the average of this year and last year…

January 18, 2012

first snow of the year

Finally. We got a couple inches of snow last night. Looks like it will melt in the next few days.

January 18, 2012

Nearly 100 reasons to grow a vegetable garden

I was listening to an NPR radio show this afternoon and heard vegetable gardens mentioned. It was a show about Sugar. Author Robbie McCauley talked about how everyone used to have access to home grown food. She said its a crime that we don’t anymore. Here here! And then Molly commented on an old post of mine that listed reasons to grow your own vegetables. Molly said “..for FUN!” So I am posting my list again. I’ve added lots of reasons sent in by other gardeners. The list is almost…

January 17, 2012

winter sunset on the big pond

Another very chilly day. The day was ~10-25*F. Fortunately less wind than yesterday. Lots of birds were on the big pond (Fresh Pond in Cambridge). The ones I saw:20 Canvas back ducks20 Ring necked ducks50 Canada geesea pair of bufflehead ducksmaybe a male wood duck?lots of sea gullsa few robinsand a Coopers hawk eating his dinner

January 15, 2012

winter flora

When I walked Skippy yesterday I brought my camera and macro lens. I looked for dried things to photograph while Skippy sniffed and played. Usually I wait for him. This time, he waited for me. It doesn’t compare with other seasons, but I found a few interesting things. Still no snow here to cover the plants.

January 10, 2012

my community garden plot

Pretty quiet at my garden plot now. The parsnips I planted too late are still in the ground and still too small. The only action is the garlic. I planted this very late too. Tiny sprouts are just poking up in the cracking soil. Its another winter like 2007 with no snow and mild weather (my favorite type of winter!!!). I was looking back at my records from previous gardens. We were knee-deep last year, but 5 years ago was very much like this year. I like this quote that…

weeks and counting until my last spring frost

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