Sara Begg, Executive Editor

I haven't been able to get into the garden for long chunks of time lately, but that doesn't mean that I don't get things done in the garden, they just get done late. For many of my beloved bulbs that is fine. For other things, well, it causes problems, especially when the "other things" are bareroot plants desperate to get in the ground. To say I like to experiment with how long things can stay out of the soil is a stretch. I leave things out for days, convincing myself that plants are resilient. And they are, but I think my garden would be much better and the plants would be happier, if I would just get them in the ground. So, my fall garden resolution is to buy, acquire, accept from others, only the amount of plants that I can successfully get into the soil in a span of three days (could I stretch it to five? Any thoughts out there? Guess it depends on the plant). Yes, a solution to this would be to have a nursery bed (no room) or have containers and potting mix at the ready for those barerooted numbers (too much clutter already in the small garden). So I'm stuck with my resolution.

Of course, I have to start this resolution after I get my two new Adiantum pedatum (Maidenahair ferns) and a few chunks of bare-root peonies that came from a good friend's neighbor's garden in Garrison, NY. The clumps are alleged to be 100-years old, so it will be interesting to see what the peonies look like (if they make it....gulp).

I wonder if anyone else out there makes these resolutions, and if they do, how fast do they break them?

Read Meg Lynch's blog

Wednesday, October 17, 2007 2:01:17 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)    Comments [1] 

Sara Begg, Executive Editor

I think for many gardeners the best times of year are the times when the seasons shift. When you live in a part of the world like New England these times are even better (in my opinion). This fall is providing particular relief to us in Boston because we are finally getting rain! Phew. My garden has had a tough summer go of it and I'm looking forward to an upcoming weekend of bulb and perennial planting, having waaaay over-ordered from Brent and Beckys Bulbs and Odyssey Bulbs as well. While I might be cursing myself as I struggle to find one more open spot in my tiny city garden, I will be happily hopeful all winter long as I wait for the show  in the spring. If you haven't ordered bulbs yet for planting this fall. It is not to late. Do it now and you'll thank me in the spring. This spring for me (not unlike most springs) is going to be all about tulips, the viridflora 'Spring Green' and parrot tulips 'Black Parrot' and "Professor Rontgen' (see attached photo) which is a gorgeous swirling combination of orange, peach, salmon, and pale yellow. You have to pick them for the house or they fall over from the weight and get wrecked.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:41:49 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)    Comments [3]