Gardening and Observing Life in SW Washington

back to normal #98

Posted by: BriarCraft, 01:07 AM GMT del 31 Dicembre 2011

January 18:
The photos below show a little of what I woke up to this morning. Right after taking these pictures, I cleared the snow from the greenhouse and the laurel. The tops of my boots measure 16 inches above the ground and the knees of my jeans got seriously wet, so my best guess is we have about a 17 or 18 inch accumulation. Yesterday, there was only 3 inches of snow, so that means 14 or 15 inches fell overnight. The overnight low temp was 31.7F. And we might get freezing rain this afternoon. Oh joy!!!

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Those seed companies know me -- or at least they know their market. Old-fashioned printed seed catalogs started appearing in my snail-mailbox on December 23. My e-mailbox started getting links to new-fangled virtual catalogs a week before that. They know as soon as the Winter Solstice is past that nuts like me (aka gardening fanatics) will start scheming-planning-wishing-dreaming about what we want to grow in 2012.

I have my favorites that I plant year after year, or at least until they get discontinued. Every year, I make it a point to try a new flower, a new vegetable, a new herb -- either a new variety of an old favorite or something totally new to my experience. I don't save seeds because I plant multiple varieties close together (some open-pollinated, others hybrids, but never any generically-modified) and who knows what the resulting cross-pollination would yield?

Pouring over catalogs is the catalyst for a lot of fun thinking. I refer back to my garden journal, recalling what seeds worked well and which ones didn't, and putting that in context with what Mother Nature threw at us last year. Was the yield down because the weather did something unusual? Or because that variety is questionable for my garden's micro-climate?

I hunt up my graph-paper garden plan from last year and start sketching a new one, making sure I won't plant the same thing in the same place. Looking back at last year's yields, do I want to plant more or less or the same amount?

And then there are the flowers. I love flowers! And I try to make sure there is color from earliest spring until fall's first killing freeze. A mix of annuals and perennials is what I like best, along with a selection of interesting shrubs and bushes.

Gardening time where I live is a long ways off yet, but I can dream. Of course, I can't just dream. I need to be doing things, too, but there's plenty of room in the Comments section for that.

As always, your comments, graphics, photos, and random thoughts are welcome. This is your place as much as it is mine. Come in. Grab a cup of coffee. Put your feet up. What's on your mind today?

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17 inches of snow (BriarCraft)

Whoever cleared this branch -- Thanks! (BriarCraft)

Hungry birds waiting in line (BriarCraft)

Snowed-down laurel (BriarCraft)

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101. shoreacres 01:28 PM GMT del 23 Gennaio 2012
"Catatonic"... ;-) Member Since: Ottobre 4, 2004 Posts: 195 Comments: 14798

102. Proserpina 05:22 PM GMT del 23 Gennaio 2012
Catatonic, the word should make it to Bug's blog! It is a state often visits me. Glad that all is back to normal. Member Since: Maggio 6, 2008 Posts: 152 Comments: 16723

103. SBKaren 06:50 PM GMT del 23 Gennaio 2012
Glad to hear everything is back to normal. It sounds like you have a good time at your Board Game nights! Reminds me of the days when we used to play cards! What kind of board games do you play? Member Since: Febbraio 21, 2005 Posts: 191 Comments: 14182

104. BriarCraft 06:56 PM GMT del 23 Gennaio 2012
Glad you understand about being catatonic, Shore and Pros. It isn't just being held down by one or more cats. They create a powerful sedative that's hard to resist. Currently, the sun is shining, there are only some patches of snow left, so the cats are busy outside, patrolling and marking territory. I should be safe for awhile. ;-) Karen, since you asked, here is some of our collection: And then, others often bring games from their own collections. Or games they have invented and want to try out. Member Since: Giugno 21, 2004 Posts: 49 Comments: 2412

105. Ylee 10:00 AM GMT del 24 Gennaio 2012
Briar, I'm still shaking my head(and smiling) over "catatonic", lol! Glad you can see the ground! Member Since: Febbraio 3, 2011 Posts: 65 Comments: 11299

106. sandiquiz 10:38 AM GMT del 24 Gennaio 2012
My mind is boggling, I am dumbfounded and amazed at your collection of games... and I can't see one I recognise!! Glad the snow is going and you and the cats can get out! Member Since: Ottobre 29, 2005 Posts: 252 Comments: 22411

107. calpoppy 08:00 PM GMT del 24 Gennaio 2012
Upwords is the only one I know! Quite a collection. Cats can also turn cat haters into cat lovers. My two nursery cats have turned the grizzled lumber yard manager into a cat lover. Especially Taz who decided that this guy's lap is the only one to lay on. She even left a skinned out rabbit on his chair. True love, LOL! Member Since: Febbraio 18, 2008 Posts: 33 Comments: 2431

108. BriarCraft 10:40 PM GMT del 24 Gennaio 2012
Ylee, Sandi! So happy I've managed to provide a head shake and a boggled mind. Poppy: Most cats are very skilled at people training. And they seem especially drawn to people who think they don't like cats. It's as if they take it as a personal challenge. This has been a fun blog, but it's getting pretty full so I think I'll start a new one tomorrow. Now, if only I can come up with a fun idea or three... Member Since: Giugno 21, 2004 Posts: 49 Comments: 2412

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Live. Love. Harm no one. Help when you can. Be happy.

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