In the hoophouse, my plants look awful. The hardwood cuttings still show no sign of understanding that they should be producing calluses for the roots they'll need this summer. My perennials that I started from seed last year have one, maybe two leaves each. The willow is busting out of the containers. I NEED to get them in the ground soon. And I still have all that are to clean up first. The gully needs some attention soon.
But outside, the wintersown plants are just sitting there. They're taking almost anything mother nature throws their way. I get it. They're not pampered. They have their own roots. They get no support from me aside from emotional. And they're thriving. Some are even growing.
So what did I learn? I'm burned out on trying to find ways to cheat mother nature. Aside from tomatoes, this will be my last attempt as seed starting indoors. Or maybe I just won't start as early. My zinnias are blooming for pete's sake. I'm just over it. I'm over winter, and the frostbite makes me feel a little more than burned out.
Dying figs
Leggy seedlings
Damp
Dead
Struggling
Zinnias in bloom
Barely surviving
Yeah! They've got leaves and no roots!
Ready for spring
Watching and waiting
Poppies
Just when I feel like I can't take the waiting any longer, I see this.
A few more weeks. That's all.
10 comments:
Tom ~ I'm sorry you are feeling down and frustrated with your wintersowing project. I think all gardeners have felt the same way and most likely more than once. I know I have. I don't know what to say except for to hang in there. Spring will be there for you before too much longer. At least you are seeing glimpses peeping out from under the snow.
FlowerLady
Tom the figs do not look that bad....sometimes plants look like they are doing bad...but they actually pull through. I have opted to wait another 2 weeks before I start any seeds. I have learned from the past to not plant or seed anything before the first day of spring (unless it is a fall planted bulb). I jumped the gun one year and planted a ton of stuff the first of March...and it all died! But I don't think the plants look bad at all....
Sorry you're having a rough day! I hope you find more happy surprises like your crocus :)
There is going to be a plant swap in the Hickory area the 15th or 16th of May. Go to the GW thread of NC Cottage Garden Folks and email Erasmus (sp?). She is heading it up.
I've never had luck with seeds other than larkspur, poppies and nigela.
I think you would be surprised at the people who are willing to share divisions and other plants.It helps to get out there and meet the people (gardeners)in person. If you are ever this way, I've got stuff.
Jim
Frogview Cottage
ps. It could be worse!
Well, I think your plants look pretty good, but I understand how you feel. We are GARDENERS for petes sake, this is not suppose to happen to us! We love our plants and nurture them as a mother (or father) and then they DIE!! Sometimes, I sit and look around my garden and think, how ugly! what am I doing? pretending to be something that I am not, that I will never be.
And sometimes I look around and think, beautiful! So, it is just a mind state I think, tomorrow you will have an entire different perspective!
I'm just sick of winter. Looking at the 10 day forecast makes me wish I could sleep til Friday morning. Spring will be here soon enough. I'm sick of being cold.
Jim, I will have to check out that forum. I have lots of plants to swap and will have more by then.
Sorry to post anonymously but I haven't figured out all this "identity" stuff.
Tom, first let me say how I look forward to checking your blog every morning. My own garden has given me fits for a while now and your pictures and projects never fail to make me smile and feel better. (LOVE what you have done with your house!)
Gardening IS frustrating sometimes. O.K....pretty often. But think of the satisfaction and wonder when something does come right. That's a joy you can only have if you work through the difficulties.
The last days of winter are very hard to take but just be glad you don't live way up north (as I used to) where spring won't be setting in until late May! By that time your garden is going to be amazing!!
Thank you for posting about your house and garden. Chin up!
SC Linda
Boy howdy you really need this upcoming weekend with warm sunshine and working out in the garden! Keep your spirits up - don't look at what might be failing. From what we can see from your pics, you got a TON of stuff SUCCEEDING! WOW!
We're looking at the light at the end of the tunnel, spring is just around the corner, better days are coming! Really, honest... (and this from a frozen zone 5 gal!) ;-)
Thanks for the kind words and encouragement. I know some things are doing well. My wintersown containers are going to go nuts next week. The tomatoes in the basement are ready to go outside every day. Some of the seedlings in these pictures will get moved out too. I plan to start more tomatoes on Saturday - cherry varieties. My sister is begging me to bring her a couple plants when I head down to redo a circular bed in her front yard. I really am looking forward to all this stuff. Winter has just been very long and very cold this year for all of us.
Again, I can't imagine living in a colder zone. Sometimes I think I should be in zone 8 or 9, but the tulips, someone think of the tulips.
It's coming. Already we're above freezing and the snow is slowly melting even in the shade. Just a few more days.
WOW, looks like you've got a lot going on! I get so excited this time of year. I can barely wait to get outside.
Post a Comment