Thought it would be nice to chat about our great finds at the swap and see what other people got. Thought it would be nice to start a tread to keep in touch for awhile.

JoAnn

Had a bit of a setback in my backyard. My neighbor, the landlord's brother, is suddenly getting very territorial about his side of the yard. He feels the broken appliances, plastic garbage cans, and rotten wood pallets he drags home from the dumpsters are preferable to my garden beds. And, to be honest, I was surreptitiously creating "facts on the ground" and simply planting things. Last week I spent a few hours clearing a trashpile along the fence on his side, hauling out bucket after bucket of broken glass, dead tennis balls and doll parts. I leveled the dirt, and laid a 4'x4' paver "patio" where we could leave the Weber kettle all the time. I finally finished and was feeling pretty pleased with myself -- when my neighbor comes out and tells me I'll have to move it all because he wants to put another one of his dumpster-sized planters there for his tomatoes. (He already has 11, with the carcasses of last years over-fertilized plants still in them.)

So, in disgust, I've turned my attention to the upstairs front porch. My neighbor's been asking me to help turn the space into a more useable area. So far, we've put up rope lighting all along the ceiling. We bought a bunch of 18-gallon plastic totes to use as planters, and 5 hanging baskets, and we're in the process of planting those with cannas and creeping jenny from the swap, as well as datura, agapanthus, thyme and nasturtiums. (Some fairly riotous plantings!) We've got plans for seating and dining, and I'm hoping the neighborhood wide yard sale this weekend will turn up some treasures.

And once my neighbor forgets about it, I'll be sneaking back to the backyard.....

I just now got all my plants in the ground from the swap and go today and buy more i think the addiction to digging holes is taking over my mind. Just when you think you are finished planting for awhile, a fit of withdrawl starts and a new project just has to start.

Sounds like the front porch will be a great space for entertaining I will come for dinner LOL.

JoAnn

I did notice tonight that one of my Autumn Joy sedums had some mushy spots on it. Several stems had turned a pale color and were very mushy. The leaves just pulled right off and the stems were squishy. (A very scientific and technical description isn't it? :) Any idea what could cause this? I put some homemade compost that we got from a friend there last fall but this is the only plant that seems affected. The compost was very old - like 10 years old and the friend's parents couldn't take care of it any more and needed to get rid of it. I don't think that' s the cause but I've never seen anything bother a sedum like this. It is in a West facing bed so it gets plenty of sun.
Kim

DH and I will get them in the ground, hopefully, within the next week or so.

I've got a new garden that I am "lasagna-ing" up for many of my swap plants. In fact..mainly swap plants will go in
this garden . This will include a yellow iris, lupine & sedum from from Michigan Betty, mystery lily from Granny 57, daylilies & phlox from Trishzone5/6, a phlox from Bluestone and others.

I have a new rock garden..some swap plants in there too - a short blue grass, sedum from Diane, and others.

Still have many plants to put into the ground. Annuals and perennials.

This time of the year is SO busy. Murray got 25 bags of mulch down. Just 80 more to go. Boy, am I glad he does the mulch. In fact...he loves to mulch!!

Once everythings in the ground. We can relax and enjoy the garden for many months with just the day to day primping, deadheading, yardwork stuff.

Also...beside the garden - I've been working at my real job, too.

Beverly

I can't wait til they grow up and flower this summer!!

Storygardener, a mystery lily from Granny 57 that could prove to to a winner.

Gardengirl, That has happened to me also with some sedum,I thought it might be contibuted to too much water, I don't really know for sure.

I went today to a place called Juanita's not to far from me with Granny57 who told me about this place, I had a great time with Granny57 and found some great plants and only spent $38.00 which is amazing for me. The plants were great and the prices even better what fun.

Joann

I wanted to tell everyone how wonderful the plants are that I've gotten from previous swaps, though. Today, a mini hosta (medium green with chartreuse edges) opened its' first flower and I was reminded of the wonderful people and fun times from the swaps I've been to. What a blessing in these crazy days! Bev, I have a purple heuchera that I think came from your garden. It has quadrupled its' size since being planted in spring of '03 and it's just so pretty! Thanks for sharing this beauty.

Thanks to everyone who has made these swaps so wonderful! Although I've missed one, I'll be back eventually and the plants are so beautiful and happy. I think of you 'swappers' every time I look at my lovely trades.

Happy gardening! ...Tiffany

JoAnn

I hope you enjoy it keep me posted on how it is doing. I would post a pic for you, but I haven't figured out how to do that yet.

Gee...seems like your friends ( & swap buddies ) have had a rough spring. We missed them too.

I hope you aren't moving out too, too far.

Yes, it's so much fun to think of the plants in our gardens from the swap!! Hope you can take some with you Tiffany!

Beverly

Joanne : the halo peach brug i got from you at the swap has put out more growth and looks great! this is my first brug so i am so tickled to have it and learn more about them. I may email you for cultural advice from time to time too if you dont mind! im also jealous that you have all your plants from the swap in the ground already!! i think i have about 7 left to plant. Granny57 mentioned that she took you to Juanitas!! Its a nice little nursery and the plants are grown with love there so you know they have to be good!!!

Alison:
your nasty neighbor sounds alot like mine. he got mad when i planted a hosta 3 inches over the imaginary property line (in his mind) but well within the surveyed line from my title and mortage co etc....this is in an area well away from his house etc... he just digs up the plant and sit it on my driveway. and i could go and on about his lunatic actions. lol

gardengirl:

i had some similar problems with certain patches of my sedum autumn joy last year and the others were fine. i also read that there were alot of problems with sedum autumn joy last year but i cant recall what it was exactly... let me check around and see what i can come up with. mine are looking good so far this year though.

Tiffany:

a new baby is a blessing indeed. (((hugs))) when the time is right...it is your mission in life to introduce this little one to the joys of gardening < giggles >
where are you moving to? will you be able to come to the fall swap! id love to meet you and i'm hoping you can bring the little baby then too for us all to see!!1

Beverly:

can i borrow your Murray for a day? i need help big time with mulching. my own husband prefers to watch tv < laughing > you are very lucky to have him.

Sue
"The one thing all gardeners share in common is a belief in tomorrow"

Love you all

JoAnn

I'm doing fine. The lastest with the "T" boys is that Andrew, the oldest, has a mysterious stomach ailment that mimics Appendicitus (sp.). We have spent hours doing every test and the doctors are still scratching their heads. Everything bad has been eliminated so we're just waiting it out.

Tiffany! WOW! New baby, new house! Congratualtions! Of course I remember your daughter. I'm glad that she so helpful. She's right at the baby crazy age. (I'm told it comes right before boy crazy. ;) Glad that I have boys!) Keep us posted!

Granny 57- I got your email and will get back to you. You can see it's been crazy lately.

I've got all of the plants in the ground that don't require me to have my new patio and sattelite dish gazebo finished. Yesterday Lee, my DH, and I used a rented sod cutter and laid the groundwork for the patio, edging around all of my gardens and a sidewalk extension. I really have my work cut out for me now! Lee is in charge of the tomatoes so some are in the ground and some are on the potting bench.

I'll be checking this thread to hear frome everyone!

Thanks for checking on the AJ sedum. If you hear anything I'm really curious to know what it is! So far, only one seems to be infected but part of the plant looks o.k.

Mimi-So sorry to hear about your little boy. I hope the docs get it figured out soon! The new patio sounds like it will be fabulous! Clearly you had better luck with the sod cutter than we did. Actually most of it went fine, there was just one patch that my husband cut out that he shouldn't have. My fault for leaving the DH to cut beds while I wasn't home. When I got home, I patched it up with the cut sod and watered and it grew back, so no real harm done!

Granny 57 - the little batface plant is adorable! I put it in a pot on my front porch with Blackie Sweet potatoe, a white Euphorbia and red petunias. I love it! Thanks again - I hope the Blood grass is doing well for you.
Kim

Kim I also got one of those adorable Batface plants and they are so cute I also fell in love with it, I think I will try to pot it up in the fall and continue to grow it in the house for the winter.

JoAnn

Busy, busy, busy weekend -- and I still never got around to cleaning the apartment.

I never got to tour the VV yard sale this weekend, because I was running my own. Three friends from outside the neighborhood came over with their stuff, and we had a good time. I think the smartest thing I did was buying two caes of pop to put in the cooler and sell. Made as much on that as I did everything else!

Finished putting up the rope lighting for my neighbor's porch by hand -- the power was out, so I had to use my little Fiskars hand drill. Finished planting the hanging baskets, and tucked some night blooming stocks in all the containers for a little extra fragrance. Also planted some terracotta pots with lilies, forget-me-nots, blue dianthus and sweet sultan. Now she wants tomatoes and basil and mint -- we may be approaching the herbage limit for this porch!

My clever touch for the weekend was to take two crib sides I'd found in the trash and spray paint them green to match the baskets, then hang them from chains on either side of the porch. Sort of like Victorian fretwork. Ange and I like them; our macho upstairs neighbor is not so sure, but says he'll live with anything.

Got all my tomatoes out front, including some from the swap; Cherokee purple, Black plum, Grandma Mary's paste, and Santa grape. Also planted the Akebia vine I got at the swap, and shuffled some of the malva Zebrina and cerinthe volunteers from last year. Then I got out a bunch of blue and green glass tumblers and filled them with roses, sweet william, mints, dianthus and the last of the irises -- then left them on neighbors stoops. (heheheh)

Sunday we spent several hours weed whacking all the stuff on the messy side of the yard, and in the weed-covered parking strip. I don't think this yard has ever looked tidier! Then we weeded the alley "bed" -- 8" x 80' -- and shovelled up all the debris that accumulates where the brick alley meets the curb. Seems I do this 3-4 times every summer. It's nice to have water drain down the alley like it's supposed.

Dug up more of the weedy strip outside the back fence, where we park our cars. Put in my mothers navy blue tradescantia, the last of the hollyhocks and the last of the Vicotia pink forget-me-not. A shot of fertilizer, a shot of preen, a layer of mulch -- oops! Gotta go back to the store for another sack of mulch.

But I swear, I'll get the laundry put away and the apartment cleaned sometime this week....

What a busy person, who cares about the inside of your apartment you'll have all winter to do that Heehee. I quess you do have to take time to do the laundry, I don't think a naked gardener would be appreciated by the neighbors.

what a clever idea with the crib sides, you are really creative I bet that really looks good. I sure hope your macho neighbor enjoys all your hard work and the others enjoy the flowers. I would love it if a neighbor would put flowers on my porch.

I have just finished a second truckload of mulch on my gardens and now I need a third truckload, I am kicking butt on this mulch project I hope soon to sit back and enjoy all gardens for awhile ( at least until I go buy more plants) I can't seem to just kick back and leave things alone there is always another plant i have to have.

JoAnn

I also got both of us 2 ft tall glazed terracotta strawberry jars with holes that have molded plant cups around them. they look awesome filled with various herbs and can stay outdoors year round if you have some perennial ones in there. I placed hers in the cutting garden by her deck near the stone footpath so she had easy access to it. even her husband was quite taken by it... and he never has an opinion!!

Sue
"The one thing all gardeners share in common is a belief in tomorrow"

What kinds of things do you put in the strawberry pots? Whenever I've planted them with herbs it seems like only thyme and cilantro do well; everything else gets too leggy or just never has enough water. I hadn't thought about it, but I bet a strawberry pot planted with just different kinds of thyme would look nice. And there's certainly enough different varieties out there these days!

Didn't get many big projects accomplished this weekend. Planted out some odds-n-ends; two agapanthus that have been limping along in tin cans, a few winter-sown blue dianthus, pink and blue forget-me-nots, a few red scabiosa. I potted up some dancing fairies for the upstairs neighbor and for some co-workers -- I love those little flowers. And I keep sticking clumps of night blooming stocks wherever I can.

A friend came and picked up two trays of things I was holding for her. And I tossed a few of the lasagna pans I used for winter sowing. So, lest the yard start to look too uncluttered, it's time to start to bring things out from the apartment and home from work. I have three big scented geraniums that spend the winter in the plate glass window at work. I've cut two of them waaaaay back, and brought one home. (They're big enough that I can't get too many in my car at once.) And this morning I'm giving the key lime and the calamondin, which have both grown into respectable 5-6' trees, a good spritz for spider mites and aphids, so they'll be ready to come home and take up their posts in the back yard. The little calamondin that was stuck in the shady window at work is still only about 3' -- but it's about 3' around as well. It's going to take some slow adjustment to sunlight -- don't want it to go naked from shock!

The monster in the study hasn't emerged yet. And I'm a little ambivalent about what is probably it's final trip. It's a tropical hibiscus trained as a tree that I bought at a clearance sale years ago. For years it kind of limped along in the winter, losing a lot of leaves when I brought it in and when I took it back out into the yard in the summer. Two years ago I discovered a 500 watt shoplight ($20 at Lowes) would keep the hibiscus not only green, but blooming all winter long, with these big 4" maroon flowers. Talk about gaudy -- it's even better in February!

Unfortunately, the tree now reaches to the top of the window, over 7'. And the room where it lives is only 10'x10'. So.... big bruiser's going to have to find a new home this fall! I hate to say goodbye, but I'm going to need to get a bigger apartment just for my plants! (And you know I'll probably just turn around and get a little hibiscus and start training that.....)

Allison, A larger apartment that's funny, you know the larger the space the more plants you will bring in until it is full again, that is just the way it is.

Here is my little story about my spare bedroom last year.

I got hooked on tropicals in a big way, Brugmansia's, Jasimines, Mandavilla and lot of citrus trees so I had to over winter them in the spare bedroom, they were everywhere, on the dresser, tables and nightstands, opps not everywhere hmmmmmmmmm, so I took a 4 X 8 sheet of plywood and put it on top of the waterbed and put the Brugmansia there, they are in 24" pots and 6 ft. tall well they continued to grow until they hit the ceiling and I had to cut them down. Hubby took one look at the mess and thought I had lost my mind for sure.

Well this spring I had the opportunity to completely empty this room of everything including the furniture as the daughter and grandson moved back home ( they will be moving out in August) so I have decided not to put anything back in there and turn it into a garden room for the winter as I have already added more Brugs and Jasimines to an already large collection.

I see a chair, those little drinks with umbrella's and tropical music playing all winter now I know I have lost my mind and hubby doesn't have to wonder anymore.

JoAnn

Remember: Where flowers grow Angels will sing.

I need to get all my plants in the ground soon. So - I can enjoy the garden without that hanging over my head.

Alison..you should post some more pictures of your pretty garden - when you get the chance.

So many things are blooming these days..it's fun!!

later.......Beverly

This spring we had -- how many people, Bev? 125? And thousands of plants.

And just as importantly, great food, and several hours of socializing with other horti-geeks. You can check out the threads for the "Central Ohio Plant Swap" on the Get-Togethers forum for a flavour of what they're like.

Keep your eyes here for a notice about the fall swap, coming up in September.

I just got back from Los Angeles. WOW..even in the spring, it's so amazing. All the flowers are everywhere. Really beautiful.

I did my "rain dance" this morning. No rain here...at least in Hilliard for quite a while. I know many places in Ohio have had plenty in of rain. Please share!!

It's fun..the daylilies are sending up scapes and a few are blooming...stella, black eyed stella, paper butterfly, penny's worth (from Hallemans at the swap a few years ago), many happy returns & right on target.

Now that I am back...I'll concentrate on getting all those plants in the ground and the last of the mulching.

Alison..those white susies are growing so well. I got some susies at Bakers in Alexandria this spring...they are a pinky terra cotta color. Really pretty!

....Beverly

Man, I wish I could put in a rain barrel, though.

Other than that, the weather has been really nice the last few days. I love these cooler temps.

JoAnn

FOLKS....check out the Get-togethers Forum. Dianne has posted the information about the Fall swap there. YIPPPEEE!

Mimi & I hosted a neighborhood party today (her street & mine). Our houses are back to back at the end of two cul-de-sacs. It was a farewell party to friends moving away, a hello party to new neighbors and a "how are ya" party to folks we live near. We did alot of plant talking and showing our gardens to friends. Such fun.

I am almost done getting things into the ground. I am loving to see my WS plants blooming. It's really exciting. Also, many plants from last years swap are starting to bloom. What a treat.

...Beverly

Joke was on me and I have a lush grouping this year. I'll be posting a pic on winter sowing if I get a chance today.

I love ComFest, I really do, but every year people park the length of the alley, right where I've got my "alley garden". When they get out of their cars on the fence side, they walk all over the plants.

I found mulching the strip, and plopping in a few blooming marigolds the week before helps people realize it's a garden, not just a waste strip. I'm also putting up a sign that says "Please don't kill our flowers".

So if you see that sign -- please don't!

This heat is reeking havoc on my plants - as all as many other's plants too. Everyone...Please do your best rain dance!!! I've been out in the garden at 5:30 am to get things planted, watered etc.

Alison...your blind eyed susies and starting up the oblesk. I am anxious to see if they are black or white eyed this year..

..B

Sue
"The one thing all gardeners share in common is a belief in tomorrow"

The Community Festival is a 3-day event in one of the city's nicest parks, near downtown. It's a more than 30-year tradition. Lots of food and vendors, with a vaguely hippie-flavour. The best part is six stages, with bands playing all three days, maybe 200 bands over the course of the festival.

The downside is it takes place in a neighborhood which is notorious for a shortage of parking to begin with. It's when of the weekends when everybody from the outerbelt in comes to town, so people tend to park in all sorts of crazy places.

And I must be completely sick in the head because I went to Lynd's Fruit Farm yesterday and bought 7 daylilies!! LOL I hope I can keep them alive long enough to get them planted. Don't think I'll be out planting at 5:30 a.m. though like Beverly--I am NOT a morning person! More likely I'll do it one evening later this week when hopefully the temperature will be below 80!
Stay Cool!

Alison..did you survive Comfest. I found parking right across from the Live Arts Stage at 10:30 this am. (My storytelling guild did stories there) I feel lucky about that. I kept looking about to see if I saw a place with LOTS of flowers!!!

I fear I am losing the watering game...yet, just several miles away from me lot 1.5 inches. We haven't had any rain in nearly 4 weeks. Yikes!

Beverly

I worked at our booth at ComFest from 10 until 5 on Saturday and the heat just about wiped me out. I went home a took a nap in the air conditioning for a little bit, then got up to turn on the sprinkler on the front lawn. (In part of the grass, but mostly for the festival goers!)

When I got outside, there was a light rain falling, so I thought I'd wait until it stopped. (Nothing looks sillier than a sprinkler in the rain.) Well, it didn't stop. It turned into a full blown monsoon! Heavy, heavy rain, blowing winds, falling tree limbs, and the temperature dropping noticiably. My little sprinkler was definitely not needed.

I still had to water the hanging baskets this morning, but the lawn is looking a whole lot happier.

And we all survived ComFest. For the first time in the 11 years I've lived here no one parked on the alleyway. Hallelujah!

Beverly, Lynd's is at the intersection of 310 and Morse Road. There is a traffic light there. The house where they sell the daylilies is just east of the intersection. Sorry if I'm feeding your plant habit! Mitch Lynd said the daylilies should be at peak the weekend of July 9 and 10th.
Kim

Finally pulled out my Pink Fairy rose bush -- vicious little ankle-biter. Luckily, our office manager wants it, so I brought it into work this morning. In its place I put Bev's geranium and a large Lemon Rober scented geranium. I'd forgotten there were so many Stargazer lilies behind that. And this will give the acidanthera a little more room to stretch their roots.

I moved some of the immortelle that hasn't bloomed yet, and put in another Husker Red penstemon at the far end of the strip along the fence.

Who brought the red cannas to the swap? Any advice on diggin them up and keeping them over the winter? I'm really liking them; next year I want to plant around them better. I planted them in the big containers on the upstairs porch and they are doing great. They're almost 2' tall now. I didn't realize the foliage was reddish, too; it matches the brickwork and the painted railings! As the green stuff around it grows up it's going to set that off spectacularly.

It's gotten grey and rumbly downtown, sure hope it's a little more rain!

Alison..I am taking out things to put in new, too. Although next year I am ripping out the holly bushes next to the garage (next to the walk to the front door). That will give me a "new pallet". I don't like those hollys.

Always something. I told my mom...no new gardens. Can hardly keep up with what I have. She started laughing & said "It will never happen". I suppose she's right. It's that darn real job that gets in the way of my gardening fun!

..Beverly

JoAnn

Beverly

you got bit by a snake??? ggeeezzz id woulda freaked out lol and run to the hospital or something ... I hope your arm gets better real soon!

Alison: Comfest sounds like great fun. What kind of booth did you work in there? I always enjoy doing stuff like that. If we lived just up the street to a big event like that i just KNOW my DH would make some extra cash by charging folks to park on our lawn as they all do near our local county fairgrounds ...but I think I would worry about the lawn and all the 'compacted soil' etc < laughing >

In my strawberry jar I have Stevia rebaudiana(sugar plant), Ocimum basilicum (Sweet basil), Origanum vulgare variegatum (variegated sweet marjoram), Origanum heracleoticum "Greek Strain" (Greek oregano), Thymus vulgaris 'Silver-edge'(Silver Edge Thyme)
Thymus vulgaris (creeping Thyme), Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens'(purple sage), Mentha pulegium(pennyroyal), Rosmarinus officinalis prostratus (creeping rosemary)
So far all are doing wonderfully and are very bushy.. I planted the basil in one of the lower cups as i know it will get tall. all the herbs look great so far. i know some will get too big but that what pinching is for right? ... now if i only knew how to cook with fresh herbs id be all set < giggles > i figure this is a good chance to learn. i have always had a hesitancy to use fresh herbs as maybe id do it wrong and id get sick or something lol... but i think this is the year for me to get past that and check out what everyone else is talking about. i have grown herbs for years but they were strictly for ornamental purposes.

i took out a HUGE yucca clump that was 19 yrs old night before last... all by my self!! < proud > took me a while ..about 2 hrs working off and on resting in between but I didnt give up... god bless my transplanter spade!!! DH was promising to do it for me for about a year lol so i finally did it myself. it looks soooo much better with the Miscanthus sinensis Minuet grass in its place and some Cotoneaster dammeri Coral Beauties surrounding it.

Sue
"The one thing all gardeners share in common is a belief in tomorrow"

Alison- I brought the red Cannas. You just cut them back hard,dig them up and shake off as much dirt as you can. If you want to wash them you can. Let them dry very well. I put mine loosely stacked in a cardboard box in the basement. Dark, cool and dry is the ticket. You can save onion bags and hang them too. Next spring, after the frost date, plant shallowly and ENJOY!

What have I been up to? Hmmmm... I finished my salvaged granite patio. My BB penny bubbler is finished. I got a claw foot bathtub to make a planter with. I organzed the garage and hung up all of my garden tools. I painted the three scroll posts that I have for the satellite dish gazebo so they will be ready when I find their companions and can finish it. I've made more glass hose gaurd totems. I have dug and moved lots of stuff. I have a baby burning bush and some blue Iris potted for the fall swap. My ikebia is still not rooting! What's up with that? Oh yea. Did I mention my 5 boys? They are all well thank goodness.

Hope you are all well.

~~Mimi

Enjoy!

~~Mimi

Beverly

Had folks up for the weekend, so I didn't do much in the garden -- just too darn hot and bright.

Ended up leaving the hose running on the front bed for several hours Saturday morning before the landlord's brother turned it off. Then forgot about the running soaker hose last night when I went to bed; he'd turned it off before I got up at 11. If I don't get a lecture about wasting water, I should get one!

Don't dare turn on the sprinkler for the lawn -- I can't wait for those Hurricane Dennis rains we're supposed to get later this week!

Let me explain this strange statement. Alison started some white thunbergia (sp.) and I got them at the swap this year and last years. These are the white version of black eyed susan vine. Last year part of the Susies had the dark center (eye) - part were white in the center. (thus blind) This year NO black eyes in the black eyed Susies.

Beverly

The the first year it's a fluke.
The second year it's a mutant.
The third year -- we're in the money with our new variety, Bev!

(But I think, for marketing purposes, we should probably come up with something better than "Blind Susies"....)

I've had only one bloom so far, and it was blind. But mine are still very small.

In general, I've noticed that the WS seedlings I give to other people far out perform the ones I keep for myself. I think I'm a better birth parent than nurturer!

That is interesting about the blind susies, I purchased seeds for the white ones this year from Parks Nursery and guess what they are blind susies also, I thought something was wrong but I just couldn't put my finger on it. Well now I know I have Blind Susies I think that is kinda cute to call them that.

JoAnn

PS..it was Alison that came up with the great term- Blind Susies - clever!

I've decided my lilies are toying with me. They've been on the edge of blooming for 10 days now. I want lilies!!!!

Also doing some cutting, some yanking, some tying up (of plants) and the all important black-spot spraying. Might even get some grilling in...

I definitely need to do some (ahem) scooping. I came back to town late Sunday night to smell that the litter box definitely needed to be cleaned. When I woke up Monday morning the cat was already at the back door, batting at the keys and pawing the handle, fairly dancing in his eagerness to get out.

As soon as I opened the door he raced out, headed straight for the peony and did his business. Usually he seems pretty prudish about that, and insists on going inside to do his business! Hope no other cats pick up on the idea....

I got some work done in the yard Saturday, but I worked all day Sunday. Since I didn't have to be in until noon, I thought I would work in the yard this morning. But I found I couldn't stay out for more than about 15-20 minutes, then I had to come back in the AC for a while.

This is the first year I've really run my AC, altho' the landlor installed central air 5 years ago. But after this summer -- I don't know how I'd live without it! (Plus I make myself go outside to smoke -- the heat's cutting back on that habit, too!)

I left my home to do things this afternoon and it was 93 degrees and came back in an hour and it was 73 degrees. Love that rain... yippeeee! I know it's just a spit and a promise, but I'll take it.

I've been enjoying my newer daylilies...the first time bloomers for me this summer. Many are swap & passalong plants from friends. Some are so, so pretty. They knock me out.

It's been a busy summer...can hardly believe this is the last week of July.

I am a bit of a "phloxhead"...I love them. I found a really interesting one at Lowes called Phlox Fancy Feelings. YOu'll have to check it out. In fact..this hybridizer has some bazzaro plants.

I left my sprinkler on overnight from 9 to 4am when I woke up wondering what I forgot. Taking bets on what my water bill will be.

I'm summer sowing Green Wizard ruds from my one sole bloom. Wish me luck.

I'm going to get those HHs that I emailed a few of you about. They're not quite ready, but I am. They're catty-corner across the street from Katzingers.

That Green Wizard flower looks like a Martian plant to me! Have fun.

While you near Katzingers Deli getting the seeds...pick me up a bowl of matzo ball soup and some chopped liver to go! *giggle*

Finally got around this week to hauling out all the summer tourists -- not that summer is nearly over! I have a 5' tall calamondin and key lime that both have tiny fruit; a 3' tall, 3' wide calamondin that grew in a realtively dim window at work and had to be exposed slowly (since they don't make spray-on sunscreen for plants!) And the monster hibiscus tree -- which looks much tamer since my mother whacked it back this spring.

It's kind of fun to arrange them around the yard. We don't have any trees other than the Franken-maters, so it's like decorating my outdoor room.

Came home last night after 11, and water the pots on the front porch. got up this morning at 6 and water the pots on the back porch. While it was nice and cool, that meant the mosquitos had no problems finding me!

Granny...you'll have to let us know what daylilies you get!

~~Mimi

There is a place close to where I live on RT123, It's called the Valley of the Daylilies.I'm not sure what the Hrs,are and it's family owned and run.The Daylilies are field grown and you can go in the field and pick and choose.
The family members or the hired help will go with you when you've made your selection and dig them up for you. There is a $5.oo lot and there are lots with different prices.
I have bought some Daylilies from there, But I mostly buy Hostas there. They also have perennials,Shrubs and trees.
I bought a Witch Hazel Tree for $11.00 and it's a nice large tree.I also bought a Redbud Tree $5.00 and other plants I can't remember right off.
If you would like to get on their mailing list,Email me your addresses and I will give it to them when I go there this weekend.I will get the days and times of operation for you as well. But If my memory serves me right(and Most times it doesn')LOL They are only open on weekends.I will find out for sure.Hope this has peaked your intrest and will bring you this way at some point and time.That would be Real Nice!!!

Here's my story and I am sticking to it.

Never go anywhere with someone you really don't know ( I thought She knew where she was going LOL.) Made plans with Granny to go to a place called Jeff's on Rt. 68, ( she knew where it was) so we start out, WELL we found John's, Brads Nursery and 3 other nurseries in the process But no JEFF's hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. We left at 10:00 am. Okay we are lost don't have a clue where we are, all I know is my odometer is broken on my car, but HUBBY told me it was good for 300 miles ( surely that was plenty of gas LOL) Well we stopped for water and junk food
(not gas) oh and directions of course. I said well I have 40 miles to go before we have to get gas. ( I had used 266 miles) We left the store and not more than 2 or 3 miles up the road who knows where I run out of gas and of course it is pouring down rain so we walked about 1/2 mile or so down to a house with a very nice man who came to the womans rescue.

Okay problem solved, at this point I knew if I found Rt 73 i could get us back home. Glory be route 73 yea we are home free. Guess what we found JEFF's on route 73 not rt. 68.

Round out this story, We had a blast found 5 nurseries in the process bought a truck load of plants got home around 6 pm that night.

Moral of the story if you go plant shopping with Granny get the name of the place and do a internet search for directions before you go.

Do not trust the phase " I think it is right around this bend LOL.

JoAnn

Here is the info on the Valley of the Daylilies:
Valley of the Daylilies
1850 S. State Route 123(One Mile East Of 71)
Lebanon,Ohio 45036
Phone#(513)934-1273-Cell(513)739-3322
Email;valleydan@earthlink.net
There is also a website,But I'm not sure I can post that.
The owner Dan, Says anyone wanting on his mailing list, All you have to do is email him your address and he will be happy to oblige.I thought this was a great way to get the info out to anyone who would like to visit this place. This flier that was sent to me has alot of sales on everything over the rest of the year, Ending Oct7th and 8th.Mimi, I know your a big fan of Irises and there will be a big sale this coming weekend Friday and Saturday August 26th and 27th.Hope you check it out. Let me know if you or others will be this way and maybe we can meet up or something.
Hope to see some of you soon.

when Granny and i were on our way home from visiting Beverly and Mimi's lovely gardens a couple months ago she saw some short little fluffy roadside grass that she had been admiring for a long time and i told her i had always thought it was a pretty looking one too. well shut my mouth!! before i knew it she had me out tromping along the busy highway with a big shovel in hand and some kroger bags lol as you know... granny cant get around too well sometimes so she relaxed in her airconditioned van while i was trying to dig some up for both of us before the cars blew me off the road or a cop came by! < laughing > i saw some taller ones down farther in the gulley so we think the short ones by the road are that way because of road crews bush hogging the edges.
well i managed to get us both a decent clump of it so it was time well spent... and we were laughing our butts off!!
now if i can just figure out what in the heck that grass is i will be able to sleep at night! not knowing the botanical names of plants makes me NUTS!!!

never know what will happen on a roadtrip with Granny!!
but at least we didnt run out of GAS!!! lmao

Sue
"The one thing all gardeners share in common is a belief in tomorrow"

Plant road trips always have extra adventures and great stories. Thanks!!

Thanks, Margie, for the daylily info. Maybe next summer Mimi and I can take a road trip your way!!

Beverly

Beverly and Mimi, I look forward to you coming this way next summer!!Too bad you can't make it this time around.
I will be thinking about you while I'm there.And you can count on it that I will be able to find my way there,Seeings how it's only 10 mins,away from my house.LOL!
Maybe if the prices are right,I will be able to pick up a plant or two for the both of you.
I know there is a buy one get one free sale.I'm always looking for a good buy.And FREE sounds mighty inviting to me!!

As you read the last few posts, it is obivously a great time to go on road trips with Granny. You never know what is going to happen next. I will say if laughter is what you are looking for, then be sure to go out with Granny and I guarentee you will have a great time and find all kinds of plants.

Granny, you say the lily place is only 10 minutes from your house, well I don't know if I will go or not as 10 minutes could end us up in heaven only knows where. Just kidding looking forward to going with you.

Boy Sue, I am glad you warned me about the roadside dig-ups, I will be sure to leave my shovel home so she can't do that to me. But If I know Granny she probably has all kinds of gardening equipment stashed in her car. be my luck she would want me to dig up a 6ft tree or something.

JoAnn

And Sue ,You shouldn't have warned JoAnn,Now she and everybody else is on to me,!!I really just love you guys to death and Cherish any and all road trips we experience together.What fond memories we are gathering in my old age!!!LMBO(BUTT)!!I'm looking forward to experiencing alot more road trips with you both in the near future.(As long as you two think you can handle it. (ME)LOL!LOL!OH And ----
I never minded getting lost (As long as I had plenty of gas)
I never minded running out of gas(As long as I could laugh about it)(And had a cell phone LOL!)(And JoAnn was with me)
And I never minded asking my friends to dig up plants along the roadside,As long as my friends(SUE) don't mind.(BIG GRINS)!!!
But darned if I didn't mind missing out on the Greatest Lowes Sale Fourpaws found and hit BIG!!! on!!LOL!LOL!!
I'm Still licking my wounds on that one!!!

Sue
'The one thing all gardeners share in common is a belief in tomorrow'

I'll never get caught up!!!!

(That Super Nice Dan) is holding back for us.
Listen Folks,You not only get a nice variety of plants to choose from,But you get to meet the most wonderful people
who will go out of their way to help you and do it with a sense of humor and a smile.I can't wait to go back empty handed knowing I won't leave that way.LOL