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Grape hyacinth bulbs brighten snowy March day in 2018
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A light exists in spring, not present in the year,
at any other period, when March is scarcely here.
~ Emily Dickinson
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Hello Gardeners!
Welcome aboard to Newtown & area as well as other recent subscribers. I hope you find a tip in every newsletter you can use. As a reminder to all readers, you may unsubscribe any time using the link at the bottom of this email. I do hope you'll stay aboard and share in our adventures. 😊
Well, fingers crossed, March came in like a lamb.🐑 A big change from the March day I took that picture of forced grape hyacinths on my windowsill a few years ago.
In recent weeks the anemic tips of potted bulbs (iris, crocus, daffodils, tulips and grape hyacinths) told me it was time to start easing them into the sunshine. They really needed a drink of water too. Some growth has turned pinky red, but apparently that's normal, based on a photo from Tiny Hearts Farm's Instagram feed.
My $2 amaryllis bulbs are all showing different rates of growth. One of them is impersonating Jack in the Beanstalk--it's already over 12" high. Looks like I'll have to figure out a staking method soon!
I'm delighted with the response to my February pollinator talk. See all my talks at the end of this newsletter. If you are a member of a garden or civic group and would like to discuss a speaking opportunity just let me know.
What have you been up to? And what questions are on your mind? Drop me an email at beehappygardener@gmail.com.
Wishing you a great start to spring! ☀️🌷🌱⛳️💚🐝🌞
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Pot of forced mixed bulbs on left. Amaryllis trio, each growing at own pace.
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To-do's & how-to's
- start fertilizing houseplants every other watering with 1/2 strength liquid fertilizer to help them take advantage of our longer days
- check dahlias in storage for shriveling (mist lightly) and rot (discard). Check other bulbs too.
- get organized for seed starting. Disinfect plastic materials
- encourage household members to save toilet paper and paper towel tubes (cut in 2) and use for seed starting
- pick up seed starting mix to start seeds indoors and/or in pots
- start outdoor pruning - info & tips here
- check pots of forced bulbs and slowly introduce to sunlight
- get ready to apply crabgrass preventer - after ground thaws and dries a bit, and before grass starts growing, usually when forsythia blooms
- slowly remove protective winter mulch off plants. Pull away from crowns but keep root zone covered until we see if winter is truly behind us.
- order seeds and other garden supplies before your favorite items sell out
~ ☘️☘️☘️ ~
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Iris reticulata "Harmony" potted up on Feb 9th, after chilling in fridge since Nov - not sure if bulbs will outgrow the mold some of them developed.
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🏷🛋🖼 Spring makes me want to freshen up my decor.🪑🍽🧺
Scoop up beautiful antiques at my friend's estate sale Sat, 3/14!
Check out the wicker patio furniture & other photos here.
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🐈 Adventures along our Deer Fence & Citizen Science 🦌
We were really excited to see a bobcat wander across the back of our property last week. Its coat was mostly gray and white, not the tawny and gold colors I expected. CT DEEP urges everyone to report sightings.
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If you're like me, you're tired of the usual winter fare by now. Here's a twist on Chinese fried rice using cauliflower - make your own cauliflower "rice" or buy it in the freezer section. Once prep is done this meal comes together quickly.
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Hold the date...maybe
📽🍿🎬🎞 FILM SCREENINGS 📽🍿🎬🎞
⏳4/08, 630 PM - "Five Seasons: the Gardens of Piet Oudolf," Darien Library, details here.
Piet Oudolf is a world renowned landscape designer, probably best known for his designs of New York's High Line garden and Chicago's Lurie Garden.
⏳4/28, 7 PM - "The Pollinators" film & panel discussion - Riverview Theater, Southbury, CT
I'll be joining Holly Kocet of Protect our Pollinators on the panel. More details & panelists to be announced soon.
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~ My UPCOMING Events ~
🌿Thu, Apr 9, 7 PM - Pollinator-perfect Gardens **free & open to all
Newtown Hort. Club, Meeting House, 31 Main St., Newtown, CT
🌿Sun, Apr 19 Afternoon - Pollinator-perfect Gardens More details soon
Sherman Library, 1 Sherman Center, Sherman, CT **free & open to all
🌿Wed, Apr 25, 530 PM - Pollinator-perfect Gardens (Earth Day 50th anniv.)
Danbury Library, 170 Main Street, Danbury, CT Register here. **free & open to all
🌿Thurs, May 7 - Wicked & Wonderful Weeds...and What to do About Them
🌿Wed, June 3, 10 AM - Container Garden Design Tips and Tricks
New Hartford Garden Club, Nepaug Firehouse, 20 Antolini Rd, New Hartford, CT
🌿Tues, September 8, 1:30 PM - Fall Bulb Planting (correction to prior notice)
Garden Club of New Milford, Trinity Lutheran Church, New Milford, CT
🌿Thurs, September 10, 2-4 PM - Dahlias - Fall Garden Rockstars
Fairfield Co. Extension Office, 67 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel, CT, Registration link TBD
🌿September - Date & time TBD, Sherman Garden Club, Sherman Library
🌿Thurs, Nov 5, 7 PM - Bulbs for Year-round Beauty
Lewisboro Garden Club - Lewisboro Library, South Salem, NY
🌷Your event could be here--just email me with your needs. 🌷 |
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