February is already coming and going! It’s time to fertilize, prune and hedge back all those shrubs, trees and perennials that bud on new growth. It’s also time to do any repotting of houseplants or anything overwintered in containers. Then, it’s more of a watch and wait scenario. So much of my plant babies are already showing signs of buds and new life, but I don’t really have much going on in terms of gardening at the moment. I have mainly been slowly getting around to pruning and hedging anything that needs it and starting my seeds. I am desperate to start digging in the dirt, but I know what a bad idea that would be. I’m sure we are in for at least one more good cold spell before Easter. I am also superstitious enough to know that the second I stick a spade in the ground, snow will fall out of the sky.
I never start spring planting before Easter. However, that doesn’t include indoor propagation. I am deeply satisfied as a gardener, and humble servant of the land, when I know I raised a beautiful plant from a tiny seed to its mature state (plus, it’s 95% cheaper and just as easy to do it yourself than buying specimens from the nursery). I started my seeds indoors several weeks ago, and have been attempting a picture diary. Unfortunately, my pictures are spread across 3 cameras and haven’t been organized well. Currently, I am growing a few varieties of Zinnias (seen above), as well as Columbine, Hollyhock, Salvia, and Blue Flax. My herb selection includes various colors of Basil, Oregano, Cilantro, Parsley, Mint, Fennel, Lavender,Lemon Balm and Rosemary. So far, all of my seeds have come up, and I am doing the dreaded thinning. It makes me so sad to kill the innocent, but it’s better to not have an over-crowding issue.
Calling the local Agricultural Extension office is a great way to get information about one’s county or area’s zone hardiness. They also know what’s been proven to grow well in my neck of woods and are the hardest plants to kill. They do actual trials of specific plants and situations and will always have recommendations and tips. Twice a year, they also have plant sales in which one can order top growing specimens that would normally be rare and hard to find in local nurseries, at a fraction of the cost. Yesterday, I put in my order with the AgLife Extension Office for some of Texas’ best and finest plants for my hardy zone 7b that I would be less likely to murder.
In the ornamental grass category: I chose Little Blue Stem, Mexican Feather Grass and Autum Glow.
In the perennials category: I got White Oxalis. These are a fantastically hardy plant that is drought resistant and attracts butterflies. (Butterfly attractiveness is one of the main things I look for in a perennial.) I also ordered passion flower vines. This vine features a super spaceship looking blue flower. I was told to order 2, one for the butterflies and one for me. I also chose Cotton Lavender and Green Santolina. These make amazing ground cover and fillers in a natural landscape.
In the Shrub category: I added a Hardy Flare Hibiscus that I plan on babying in a container for a few years, and an American Beautyberry. I have heard wonderful thing about this bush and it produces long stems of beautiful and tasty berries.
In the rose category: I chose a few eye poppers and nose tempters. The Antique Cadenza is an amazingly hardy, deep red, climbing rose shrub with an out-of-this-world fragrance. To compliment this rose shrub, I added the Duchesse de Brabant rose. This rose is cream to pink and equally fragrant. Maybe later on I will add some white Knock-Outs to add more ooompf….Phases…phases! I have to learn that I can do things in stages and not all at once.
One of the main issue I am having right now is garden confusion. I’m still working and planning stuff for the farm here….but we will be moving this summer to Anna with Simon, and so my main area of gardening concentration will be there. I guess I will have to have a hard lesson in consolidation. I am used to having acres to do what ever I wanted to. Soon, I will have to figure out how to fit 5 acres of plants and veggies in one main bed…….surely it won’t be a problem…….. DANG! Never-the-less, I am really looking forward to adding more urban landscape to my green thumb experience. It is so exciting!