I've been Outside, under the sunny skies and the warmth of 60F plus. I just couldn't bear to be inside reading or writing anything, so I've been very derelict in responding to comments and in reading other blogs and/or leaving comments. Like these bees on the Smooth Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve 'Bluebird'), I've been making the most of the best days of autumn.With minimal help from the kids (alright, the girl helped some, but the boy found his Hot Wheels in the basement while hunting for the Halloween decorations and decided to do that instead), we attempted a graveyard.
The dead Cosmos and Dahlia add just the right touch. So don't be too hasty in putting those frost killed annuals into the compost. They work a treat in Halloween vignettes.
The dead Cosmos and Dahlia add just the right touch. So don't be too hasty in putting those frost killed annuals into the compost. They work a treat in Halloween vignettes.
I was all set to start planting bulbs. I even had the Daffodils laid out when I discovered that the soil was cold, wet and sticky.
I need to find someone to plant them for me. The conspicuous absence of large drifts of spring bulbs is owing to my disinclination to plant the things. I could probably do large drifts of the small bulbs, such as Crocuses and Scilla, because they need a hole that's only a couple of inches deep, but with Daffodils, we're talking 6 or 7 inches down. That's a lot of digging in the cold, cold ground when you have to dig each hole individually. I can't just dig a trench, because I stuff them in between existing plants. Must hide hideous aging foliage somehow. Or maybe I should trash the idea of planting Daffodils in the ground and just stuff them in large containers that stay outside. (An idea inspired by Elizabeth (The Bulb Queen) of Gardening While Intoxicated and Garden Rant and by Mary Ann of Idaho Gardener.) These bulbs are hardy; they could probably manage a Zone 5 El Nino winter.
I need to find someone to plant them for me. The conspicuous absence of large drifts of spring bulbs is owing to my disinclination to plant the things. I could probably do large drifts of the small bulbs, such as Crocuses and Scilla, because they need a hole that's only a couple of inches deep, but with Daffodils, we're talking 6 or 7 inches down. That's a lot of digging in the cold, cold ground when you have to dig each hole individually. I can't just dig a trench, because I stuff them in between existing plants. Must hide hideous aging foliage somehow. Or maybe I should trash the idea of planting Daffodils in the ground and just stuff them in large containers that stay outside. (An idea inspired by Elizabeth (The Bulb Queen) of Gardening While Intoxicated and Garden Rant and by Mary Ann of Idaho Gardener.) These bulbs are hardy; they could probably manage a Zone 5 El Nino winter.
There aren't many glorious days like this left, so when you get one, Carpe diem, baby!
18 comments:
We had a greenhouse that used to just cram different bulbs into whiskey barrels and leave them out all winter. They always bloomed beautifully. I've thought about trying it myself.
Weather will be taking a wrong turn at the end of the week so carpe while you can;)
Marnie
I used to plant daffs and tulips and hyacinths ... but, our dirt is so darn yucky ... have to do new dirt each time. Now, I mean too but don't get it done ...
There is all kinds of Carpe Dieums going on here. Gorgeous day, windows open.
If not hardy to 2 zones colder (my general rule of thumb for containers) could you throw the containers in a garage or something? Then not bring them out until springtime? Hmm...
Have you considered a long handled bulb planter or a bulb auger for your cordless drill? Search on bulb planter in Amazon and you will see a range of selections. And wear gloves to protect your hands from the cold and wet.
MMD, for the containers, you will need to bring them in a garage, as Kim says. Especially if they are clay, as they will crack, no matter how hardy the daffs are.
Otherwise, as my advice has been in the past, just get a big shovel, dig ONE big hole, and throw them in.
I've been carping the diems myself lately as we are enjoying such fine weather. Only a fool would stay inside on the last golden days of the year.
Recently I bought over 500 bulbs that I need to bung in but haven't so far. Would it be possible for you to plant bulbs earlier, say September, if the ground isn't too cold and wet then?
Those fake gravestones in your garden cracked me up and so did that hand. Wish we celebrated Halloween!
It's hard to stay indoors when the sun is shining and it's warm enough to garden. After weeks of rain I can barely sit at the computer....the garden calls and so do all the bulbs that arrive daily. The only problem I have with bulbs in planters are the darn rodents eating them; so no more tulips to their buffet. I do like your spooky graveyard. gail
Great graveyard MMD, and the dead plants are the perfect touch. I hate to dig into our clay for the bulbs, so put most in a few larger holes rather than one at a time. Just too time consuming. If you have other things planted there, dig them up then replant after putting in the bulbs. The daffs will come up right through anything. It was a great day here too, we were outdoors all day, it felt wonderful.
Frances
We've been enjoying some beautiful fall days here, too, so as soon as I get home from work, I head out to the garden, even if it is just for 30 minutes.
Have you ever tried using a drill and a bulb auger to plant the daffodils? I've used a spade bit for naturalizing crocuses in the lawn and it works pretty good.
Love the makeshift Halloween graveyard for your front garden.
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
Marnie, Blackswamp Girl & EAL - I think I might try an experiment. A few bulbs in a large resin container outside & some in a smaller container in the garage. I hope I remember to water the 1 in the garage.
JC - I hear you. There was a string of several years where I didn't plant any bulbs in fall, just divided some of the Snowdrops in June.
Lisa - terrific. It's not quite that warm here.
Kathy & Carol - I have the long-handled bulb planter, but it can't get down 6 inches, only about 4. The auger idea sounds interesting. I love power tools.
Yolanda Elizabet - I'll trade you Halloween for Carnivale. We seem to need the fun more in January & February.
Gail - the squirrels won't eat the Daffodils, so maybe they won't dig deep enough into the planter to disturb them. Maybe.
Frances - If the soil was workable, I might consider digging everything up, but it's wet & sticky. I think it's time for some soil improvement.
I don't blame you for not wanting to dig all those holes. I just planted a bunch of tulips, hyacinths and nectaroscordums last week when we had a break in the rain, and it was exhausting! Luckily the nectars only need shallow holes. The wet soil was surprisingly easy to get through, but after 20+ holes I was getting worn out. PS-I love the dead plants in the graveyard!
Spring is the very best time for my sandy garden, so I should be out there seizing the day, instead of just seizing up. It has been a busy fall for all kinds of non-gardening reasons. Thanks for the fillip -- it might get me out there digging a big hole and bunging them all in.
MMD, I plant 3-5 bulbs in one hole. Of course I use a spade, but don't dig out the dirt. Juts shove the spade in and rock back and forth til you have an opening large enough to drop the bulbs in(with a little bone meal). Then use your foot to push the dirt back. Or barring that, hire a local teenager to dig the holes for you. :) Carpe Diem to you!
Lots of Carpe Dieum going on around here too. With the weather finaly cool, I want to spend every moment I can outside. It's never enough! I have to go in and do hideous things like laundry and cooking--Ugh!
Everybody loves you cause you aren't afraid to tell it like it is. And like I tell all good garden bloggers who have a ton of good garden blogs to read...just come see me every so often and I'll do the same and we'll chat in passing.
Great weather, just like a boy to get distracted....you must plant the Daffs somewhere...you will be glad you did!!
I've been "carpeing," too, MMD! Who knows how many of these beautiful days we have left? Your Halloween decorations look great--I bet the kids enjoyed putting this together with you.
After last year's planting of 300+ bulbs, each planted individually, I'm not going to be so ambitious this year either. Besides, I'm spading up a new flowerbed, and my aching muscles can only take so much:)
Post a Comment