Growing Under the Snow

Yesterday's sun and warm air overnight left some of the garden plants uncovered. It was only natural that I would get out there and check things out. The perennial flax is having a bad hair day, but the plant looks very healthy and happy at this point. Unfortunately the tricolor sage has a rather gray unhealthy look. It's unlikely to be alive in the spring. It really is too tender to make it here in zone 4, but there's always a small chance.

Ed's 'Autumn Joy" sedum looks fantastic at the base. New shoots are ready and waiting for spring to arrive. Being on ice doesn't seem to bother them a bit.

Here two feverfew plants are doing very well. The snow cover was much to their liking. There are several others looking green and perky as well. This plant is one that dislikes a freeze then thaw winter, but for now it's doing great. It would be best for all the plants if snow cover returns quickly.

I was pleased and surprised to find a flower in the garden on this first day of 2011. I know it's a pretty pathetic looking Johnny jump up , but it is a flower. Just yesterday it was under the snow. It won't be stopped by a thick mat of Dianthus foliage or a patch of granulated ice.

I spent some time this morning watching the red squirrel and three crows from the living room window. For a time the squirrel tolerated the crows presence, but eventually his red headed temper got the best of him. He dropped down from the bird feeder, ran up the locust tree trunk,and  streaked headlong out the branch where the crow perched. The crow didn't flinch.  Unsuccessful at his first attempt, he dropped to the ground and repeated the process. This time the crow flew away, his rowdy friends joining him. But the crows returned. Ed and I moved to the window to get a better look at the next round, but the crows felt our presence and flew away leaving the red squirrel triumphant.

With the patchouli plant in the compost, a perfectly good pot of soil awaited planting. Ed used to plant leeks on New Years' Day, but we don't (BURP) plant those any more. January 1 is a bit early, but Ed planted 12 of his "Iris enstata" seeds instead. They have been chilling in the refrigerator in a plastic bag. Now is a fine time to begin!

I've Crossed The Border!

The garden is in a holding pattern. My plants are just sitting there. It has been cold, but it has also been dry. Right now we are looking at a very dry March.We have had a sprinkle of rain or a dusting of snow, but no real moisture. I think my bulbs are on strike until they get their April showers.

In the meantime I have been thinking about the herbs I used to have. I decided that I would grow patchouli again this summer. Tired of waiting for a promised catalog, I spent some considerable time with my fascinating Richters catalog. I have frequently ordered seeds from them in the past with great results, but never ordered plants from them before, because they are across the border in Canada. Well, I've gone international now, and it was soo... easy!

I ordered some Ayurvedic herbs,Ashwaganda, Bacopa,sushni and mucuna, for my daughter, patchouli (of course), a new Wintergreen mint,feverfew, lemon verbena and wintergreen plants. I ordered anise basil seeds too. The seeds will come soon. They do not ship plants until the weather is favorable. That will probably be a month at least. It will be interesting to see how I make out with my Canadian herbs. Eh?