(no subject)

[ebonlock]

Sorry to go radio silent lately, my only excuse is that the weather has finally taken a turn for the better and I just can't seem to spend much time inside. Going to a class at the organic nursery Common Ground yesterday has only fueled the fire. I now know a good deal more about growing food biointensively on relatively small space than I did before and some tips about growing that should come in handy in general. I've also been experimenting with growing plants from seeds this year which has become something of a mild obsession. I had way more success with specialty roses than I ever expected as well as some hibiscus. Fortunately I've managed to talk tersa and aelfsciene into taking a few of the seedlings off my hands.

Now I'm turning to veggies and herbs, including some cucumbers for tersa and Shinjaku cucumbers for my former boss. I also picked up something called "chocolate vine", a viney plant with chocolate-scented flowers. And, uh, I might have ordered some Skullcap, Licorice Mint (because, hey, mint!), Meadowsweet and Sweet Annie last night as well. Hey I've always wanted a traditional medieval garden and dammit I'm going to have one, and I'm going to build it plant by plant.

Soon I'll be collecting seeds from my cauliflower and broccoli for planting this fall. I'm also trying to avoid buying veggies and fruits that I'm unlikely to actually use. I'm currently growing cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, asparagus, two kinds of strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, goji berries, pluots, potatoes, pomegranates and more herbs than you can shake a stick at. I nearly nearly left with a fig plant yesterday after the class but instead contented myself with a new version of Basil, Pennyroyal (no garden should be without it) and more Roman Chamomile (which has about the cleanest and most beautiful scent you can imagine).

And best of all? The little lilac bush that I thought for sure was a goner last year is producing its first flowers.

Comments

[phillipalden.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a great garden!

[jakejr.livejournal.com]

Yay garden! We are putting in a crapton of veggies here, some are already done and the rest will go in hopefully today if my fever stays at bay long enough.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

When you're feeling better I would very much love an invite up so I could visit your veggie patch!

[jakejr.livejournal.com]

I am dying for some girl time, and keep meaning to see if people are free, but JakeSr's in town next weekend and last weekend was WonderCon and I've been sick since, like, the end of January or something. I should be better soon, so poke me if I don't get back to you soon.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

I will poke you then as I'm dying for an excuse to hang out with you again :) BTW might you be able to give a Black Dragon rose? They're supposed to look like this when mature:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67104822/black-dragon-rose-bush-30-seeds

I've got one more seedling coming up if you're interested.

[jakejr.livejournal.com]

Yes, please! I am blowing a chunk of my paycheck on gardening at the moment, but haven't gotten around to buying any rosebushes yet, despite living a quarter-mile from one of the best known rose nurseries in the region. That looks like a gorgeous one to start with. :)

[jakejr.livejournal.com]

Maybe we should plan now for weekend after next?

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Might have gaming that Saturday but nothing on that Sunday to the best of my knowledge.

[zdashamber.livejournal.com]

Lilacs! I was so sad that I seemed to have left them in Colorado, as they are nearly my favorite flower and scent. Last week I saw one blooming in Berkeley, though! Perhaps they are just not in fashion here?

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

This area isn't the ideal climate for lilacs, they really want a more humid, damp climate (they grew to tree size around my family's home back east). So you can grow them out here (indeed, tersa just bought one today, but you have to baby them a little.

[reluctantgenius.livejournal.com]

That was a fun class, apart from the woman who, apparently, wanted her money back. Although I'm not sure there is enough sun for a good vegetable garden here. I might work up the courage to ask the landlady about it. I should get a copy of that grow more vegetables book.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

I did like the class and I learned a surprising amount. Interestingly the whole thing wrapped up like five minutes after you left. And seriously what was up with that woman? There's no reason to throw a temper tantrum in the middle of a class.

[moonlightnrain.livejournal.com]

Yay, the lilac is coming back. Also, you should see this: http://mravenbrown.blogspot.com/2011/04/donde-esta-preston.html