Garden thread

One of my annual chores is 80% done. I had to take a break to let my hands warm up. They get so cold.

I cut down all the old canes from my Marionberries. I laid out all the new canes and untangled them. I picked five or six that were healthy and growing up near where the trellis starts and weaved them through the trellis and up onto the fence. I tied up a couple of the ones that went east; I need to go tie the ones that go west. I also need to tie up the final ends.

I also cut off the ends of the canes I saved if they were too branched or if they had roots growing out. I will keep the rooted cuttings alive in case anyone wants to plant some. I usually do that.

Then I cut out all the remaining canes that don't have room. I also cut out any blackberries that sneaked in. Even with thick rubberized gloves, I got a few holes poked in my fingers and hand. I think the rubber coating is failing; time for some new gloves perhaps.

Yesterday I raked the last of the leaves. I keep most of my leaves and pile them up near the trees to add nutrients back to the soil. The exception is the Black Walnut. I really don't like that tree. It's under power lines, and it's right on the property line. I'd love to see it gone. In the meantime, we keep cutting it back. The roots exude Juglone, and so do the rotting leaves. Those walnut leaves go out to the street for collection. The oak leaves take a long time to compost, but they do. They are such good leaves. The filbert leaves fall apart really quickly. Fruit tree leaves are sort of intermediate. I'm glad those chores are done, and I'll go finish the Marionberry canes after the sun comes out.

These are the peppers in my first ever attempt at over-wintering. All except one are slowly but steadily turning brown. Not sure if this is normal in dormancy or if they are dying. They get 12 hours of artificial light per day and are also near large south-facing windows. The room is ~9°C/48°F. I water them every week but do not soak; the soil remains fairly dry. They are potted in fresh fertilised commercial potting soil.
Does anyone here have any experience over-wintering peppers?

Thanks. The soil is darker than it looks in the photo since the light is so bright. Those pots are black! You can see the true color of the soil in the farthest plant. I will give the brown ones more water. Every online resource recommends keeping the soil on the dry side... but I've nothing to lose with the brown ones. Also wondering if I should try moving the brown ones into darkness.

I have been enjoying this thread!

This year I signed up for a few catalogs because I just need something pretty to look at in the dreary gray winter. My small vegetable garden is converted flower beds, plus a few pots and deck boxes for herbs and lettuces on our porch. This year I am attempting a few new medicinal plants - calendula mainly, and I will see once I sketch it out if I want to be brave enough to try something else. I try to restrain myself to one or two new plants per year to not overwhelm myself with either the growing or harvesting and preserving. I am not always successful with restraint. 😅

The end of winter is nearly in sight. Here's some clues:

• I have seen a couple English daisies blooming in my lawn.
• Catkins have been hanging from the Filbert tree for a few weeks.
• Snowflake plants have plenty of leaves coming up; flowers will be coming soon.
• Indian Plum, the first native tree to blossom, has broken initial buds; flower to follow soon.
• Daffodils are up, and buds are swelling.
• Hyacinth are coming up; I can see flower clusters starting to swell.
• Belladonna lilies are up all over; I hope more of them bloom this year.
• Hellebore and Corsican Hellebore have flower buds that are so fat I can't believe they aren't open.
• Buds on the flowering cherry tree are swelling enough I really should take some cuttings to bring in and force.
• Madrone tree is threatening to start flowering
• I had to mow the back yard last week.

These are happening here in Michigan's palm, a little earlier than average (the first one popped open in mid-January). There are lots more now.

As long as it stays not-too-warm, they'll last a long time, too. They even melt the snow around them, if it snows after they bloom - tough little things.


(Galanthus sp. - Snowdrops - usually the earliest bloomer for me, but probably usually first one's sometime in February . . . or later.)

SuzanneC1l9zz wrote: »

<cries in zone 3>

I'm in 5. Hang on. Spring is comin' for ya.

Our weather is all over the place. We had a dry, very dry February and now we are having it rather wet.

LovelyChair you are so fortunate to have planting weather. I had been thinking about growing things again this year only having our hands full with children, having done no planting prep this back end with such variable weather condition, I'm not so sure now.

Anyone do Permaculture? The edible eco-system, I've been given a book and wondering if anyone has any ideas, please

Its so good when a plant comes back despite all the odds.

We had a dog who ate peas in pods and another which ate gooseberries. I wonder, how many other peculiar food choices some dogs have made?

Hmm. I may simply prune back my "dead" eggplants from last year and see what happens. I can't plant much outside until May. Indoor seed have just sprouted.