The Joy of Gardening

[homoe]

Seeds vs Seedlings


In the depth of winter looking through a seed catalog is the gardener's equivalent of planning a summer vacation-a chance to fantasize about warmer days ahead.

Growing from seed allows one to try a wide variety than you'll typically find as seedlings the the garden center.

[kittygrrl]

Originally Posted by homoe

Seeds vs Seedlings


In the depth of winter looking through a seed catalog is the gardener's equivalent of planning a summer vacation-a chance to fantasize about warmer days ahead.

so true homoe....i live for autumn, hibernate in winter and bloom in spring

[homoe]

Originally Posted by kittygrrl

so true homoe....i live for autumn, hibernate in winter and bloom in spring

Exactly.............

[homoe]

In today's Seattle Times Pacific Northwest Section Forkner offers tips on plotting for spring but what really grabbed my attention was his reference to a 2015 book by Ken Druse.The New Shade Garden: Creating A Lush Oasis In The Age of Climate Change.

Forkner agrees that the garden of the future will be shade ones. Last year was one of the hottest summers on records in the Pacific Northwest and agrees Climate Charge will play an important factor in future gardening endeavours.

[kittygrrl]

Originally Posted by homoe

In today's Seattle Times Pacific Northwest Section Forkner offers tips on plotting for spring but what really grabbed my attention was his reference to a 2015 book by Ken Druse.The New Shade Garden: Creating A Lush Oasis In The Age of Climate Change.

Forkner agrees that the garden of the future will be shade ones. Last year was one of the hottest summers on records in the Pacific Northwest and agrees Climate Charge will play an important factor in future gardening endeavours.

it should be snowing here, with at least 6" on the ground this time of year. However to date only a sprinkling here and there but mostly rain. I am enjoying it but quite worried this means a searing hot spring & summer......so perhaps i will only grow tomatoes this year..i am a little worried about my fruit trees now...

[homoe]

If you're new to gardening like myself, a recent article in the January issue suggests tips on sowing timelines, but mostly importantly they indicate if one has no clue to their area's average frost date they visit garden.com

The article also lists several seed companies and a bit of info on each.....

[homoe]

The Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants, established in 1986, collects, preserves, and distributes historic plant varieties and strives to promote greater appreciation for the origins and evolution of garden plants.

The program centers on Thomas Jefferson's horticultural interests and the plants he grew at Monticello, and covers the broad history of plants cultivated in America by including varieties documented through the nineteenth century, and choice North American plants, a group of special interest to Jefferson himself.

According to a recent article in Better Homes & Gardens one can buy seeds of plants he tended in his garden at Monticello.

[homoe]

Pay Attention to Temperature
Most plants, like people, are comfortable in daytime temperatures between 65 to 75 degrees F. and nighttime temps above 50 degrees F. To provide that for your plants, keep them away from both cold drafts and sources of heat, like radiators, ovens, fireplaces and electronic devices. Fluctuations in temperature can be just as damaging as prolonged periods of heat or cold.

Low Humidity
Low humidity is probably the biggest hurdle to overcome during winter. The humidity level in heated homes can drop to 10 - 20% in winter and plants prefer a level closer to 50%. If you have a humidifier in your home, move your plants to a spot where they will enjoy its benefits. If you do not have a humidifier, you're going to need to raise the humidity level by other means.Start by clustering your plants in groups. Plants naturally release water through their leaves by transpiring and grouping them together will put that moisture to good use. If you have room in the bathroom or kitchen, these are the best rooms to congregate your plants, other than the one with the humidifier in it, because they accumulate the most moisture from showers and boiling water.