Enjoying male cones on my fir tree.

My post about them…

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/6443765/i-ve-waited-25-years#n=10

tj

How do you know if they are males?

Size, shape and habit. Female cones are much larger and grow upright on firs. Some of these are already releasing pollen.

tj

This week I have started potting new plants and some small hostas that need to be repotted. Pandora’s Box almost heaved completely. I potted that. I also potted cuttings from the “old hydrangea”, a new dwarf butterfly bush and 2 over wintered hostas. It’s going to rain tomorrow so on Wednesday I will put out the sluggo+.

The bathroom is coming along slowly, but it’s coming along. We joined a great health club which is free due to our insurance, so we have been showering there….lol. But I am also using the pool to work on strengthening my hips.

debra

Tj, those little cones are showy in their own way. Another healthy sign of spring, …..except for the pollen if you’re allergic. Ah-choo!

Debra, you make me feel better about losing track of where all my hostas are planted. It will come to us at some point. My Tootie Mae has snow on it now.

I’m wondering how bkay is doing? I don't know where in Texas bkay is. Some places have had so much rain and flooding. Bkay, I hope you’re okay where you are and will check in with us.

I’ll post more in a bit, but we've gotten 3-4 inches of snow over the last 24 hours and are dipping below freezing for a night or two. I expect my hostas that were leafed out the most will be mush, but maybe the snow will insulate them? Wishful thinking!

If this storm is coming your way, get ready for a wintery punch from Mother Nature. There was no way I could cover things, but I did bring my newly arrived potted hostas into the garage.

Indianagg, your garden looks great!!

debra

tsugajunkie thank you for the explanation on the pinecones. Here in Florida, we grow telephone poles with a tree on them. Anything on the tree is too high up to see.

I too hope bkay is ok. Texas got hit hard. I am so thankful for the retention pond out back as I was in a flood area. And anyone in the path of any freeze I also wish you luck.

I have been repotting for what seems forever. Dirt in dirt out. I did set up a shade cover for my working area which has been kind of nice

I have come to the conclusion that I need a hosta walk. I am taking over part of the front row in the greenhouse so there will be hostas on both sides of me. It is starting to be 90 degrees this week and I have a feeling that it is time for the rest of them to come in out of the sun. Water, Water and more water. Sadly, I have been missing out on a lot of rain.

I have also been setting up the cacti area. I got this smart idea to match the color of the boards from last year's paint job and I do have to say it does look nice.

I have 90 minutes till the Boeing Rocket takes off and it is a clear night.

Cacti area and boards ready to paint.

last days in the sun.

Already inside hanging in the shade. 2 new ones this year. Paul's Glory and Dancing Queen

rocket in 1 hr 15 min yea

Paula, too bad the Starliner launch was scrubbed tonight, but it looks like tomorrow is a strong possibility. Better to be safe. I don’t know if I’d want to repot cacti! Not the stickery ones, anyhow. Any closeups of your favorites would be good to see! 90 degrees /32 C already. I'd want to hang out in the shade with your hostas.

Indianagg, your hostas look good and like they’re in a protected area. Having to rearrange them because they’re growing so well is kind of fun.

Before the wintery weather hit, I’ve been working on weeding, weeding, and more weeding. Mulching when I have any energy left. All that green behind my little Ninebark ‘Center Glow’ is lemon balm. One of my worst self-inflicted weeds.

My LB has an extensive root system that spreads, and it’s very hard to pull up when my sandy soil is dry. I’ve dug out every bit you can see here! When the snow melts, I’m on a mission to get the rest.

I’m surprised that these bleeding hearts flowered this year. Pretty good when you think about how they were roots in a bag (Longfield Gardens) at Costco only ten or so weeks ago. I think buying them when they were still fresh and potting them up right away is the way to go.

A couple pics from last week when we had sunshine and the promise of a mild spring.

I really enjoy reading what’s going on with everyone!

Paula..the Black Rift gives me the creeps..since you posted a picture I’ll never need to go there!..

it’s interesting reading about the various stages of our gardens..

sandyslopes..you shocked me..3-4 inches of snow in May?..is this abnormal?..

indianagardengirl..I’m right there with you..my hostas are growing like mad too..

debra..you’re making me look bad..I haven’t potted anything..and I need to..

pics today..a viburnum on my east side yard..August Moons..

a couple of backyard shots..there’s a few hosta in these pics..Krossa Regal..Regal Splendor..a variegated ?..

another viburnum and August Moons..

we ripped out a few railroad ties..now my husband and I have poison ivy 🙁..mine isn’t too bad..husband’s is worse..

Ann, we were posting close to the same time. Our last frost date is about mid-May, but this much snow is unusual and was unwelcome by me!

I like the way your Viburnum is layered like that. It has such an elegant appearance. And your hostas are already pretty big.

Sorry you and your hubby encountered poison ivy. That sounds itchy. ☹

Really like seeing what everyone is up to and the progress in the gardens.

I think I'm almost caught up with the weeding (first round) and ready to spread compost and possibly mulch, still haven't made up my mind on that yet. Lots of potted hostas that should be re-potted with fresh media but on the to-do list.

I keep getting distracted from the work to little nature walks. This time of year there is so much activity in the fields and woods I hate to miss it all. I work for maybe an hour then walk with camera for two.

This little fella keeps me company and empties my bird feeders.

I'm not in a low lying area, so other than being muddy, I'm not having a problem with all the rain. It's so muddy, the yard man can't mow. (Other people are having real problems, however.) The dogs have muddy feet all the time. They keep bringing in mud balls on their feet. (I, at least, have an excuse for the dirty floors.) We have more rain predicted for tomorrow and on the weekend.

On the bright side, the hosta are loving all the rain. As my grandmother used to say, "It's an ill wind that blows no good".

bkay

Paula, sandyslopes and Ann…..your gardens/yards are all looking good! Ann, so sorry about the poison ivy!! Yuck! 😬

Old_dirt, love the picture of your little friend…..squirrel or chippie? I recently saw an idea about using a slinky on a bird feeder pole so the critters can’t climb it. I wonder if it really works. Squirrels are sooo clever and determined when it comes to birdseed! Show us some of your other photos from your walks.

Sandyslopes, I am there with you when it comes to weeds. There’s one in the backyard that spreads under the neighbors fence into my yard…..it’s connected by runners underground as well. It drives me nuts every year because it grows right up in the middle of my plants which means I am half digging up a plant to get it out!! 🤬
This is what it looks like…..no idea what it is.
debra

debra

Raining every day. Need to redo some of my drain trenches.

Lol Alamo, Larry & Curly! Yep, you would not find me looking into the void!

Nice TJ!

Debra pity that PB heaved but good you noticed and took care of her along with all the other jobs. So great that your insurance is covering the Health Club.

Lisa I feel for you with the snow, that could easily have been me. It is no fun when nature is unkind. Hail then snow...not any fun but all your plants will recover after some uglies. Been there done that. happy you got to put away your new ones.

Looking good igg! It is subjective and when we feel the need to make changes....

Paula you are having a wonderful year so far. All the repotting was worth the work when you get results like that, so impressive!

Lisa our self inflicted problem plants are something I think we have all dealt with, three of mine are Campanula glomerata, C. punctata Cherry Bells & Elizabeth. Congrats on going after your LB with a vengeance. Nice BH's. Your garden was looking so good before the snow & will again.

Ann as usual your yard is terrific...having poison ivy is not!

bkay happy to hear your Hostas are loving the rain. There is usually an upside thank goodness.

Debra your weed is the dreaded Aegopodium podagraria - ground elder, Bishop's weed, Goutweed one of the most horridly aggressive plants in existence. It is in two spots on my property and it is nearly impossible to eradicate. I feel sorry for us!

lindalana you have been getting so much rain but your plants seem to be loving it so far.

Spring is still chilly at night here some nights.

Appletini

Winsome. These two are the farthest ahead. I still have a lot that are tight pips.

A new Hepatica I put in last fall.

Hellebore

Adiantum pedatum - Maidenhair fern. I love the pink crosiers as they emerge.

Pulmonaria 'Mrs. Moon'. I still have a lot of clean up to do!

Old-dirt, great close up of such a cute Chipmunk. You got the lighting on its face just right! Keep on taking your camera on your walks. Being out in nature is the best! ….. And I know you were asking about mulch, but I’m envious that you have enough compost to spread around your gardens. I can’t make enough, and it’s expensive to buy.

Bkay, I know TX is a HUGE state, so you were probably fine, but it’s good to hear it from you.

Debra, I don’t recognize your weed, but looks like Laurie has ID’d it. And you didn’t even plant it! Have you peeked over your neighbor’s fence? They must have a carpet of it.

Lindalana, good thing that hostas like water.

Laurie, some of these self-inflicted weeds start out so pretty, don’t they? That’s how they trick us. I’m less confident that I’ll ever get a handle on the Lily of the Valley, also self-inflicted. ….And I love your Appletini. Mine stays small. Your hepatica is so sweet looking, and now I want a white hellebore.

We’ve been upgraded a couple degrees in the forecast. If plants can hang in there tonight, it’s supposed to warm up after that. Feeling hopeful.

And just because ... Tulips!

Laurie..thank you!..your garden is on the way!..everything looks good!..I love your pulmonaria and maidenhair ferns..I love the pink crosiers too! (crosiers - a new term to me..I’ve heard fiddleheads)..I love my Autumn ferns for the same reason…the new fronds are a little hard to see..they blend in with the leaf litter..

isn’t spring wonderful?..

old_dirt clearly I got distracted and missed commenting on your adorable chipmunk. It is so nice to be able to take a break for a nature walk. I must try to get out and check on a big swath of Trout Lily in my bush.

Lisa I dug out an area of L of the V over 30'x12' meticulously and still I have it coming up between rocks. I still persist but it has a will of its own!

Ann I see your lovely fern. Spring is truly wonderful & wondrous!

Debra, it is bishop weed, worst nightmare. Remove lots of soil with it and be very vigilant. Ask me how I know.

Midwest took a lot last night, I have seen hostas shredded like cabbage south Chicago areas . Thankfully it was localized.

Nicholworth , love those ferns, I too have them everywhere. I did not think they are common as I have not seen it in many gardens

lindalana..I love all ferns!..they’re great for my shade..I took pics of a few for you..boy do I need to weed..sigh..

Thanks to everyone who identified the goutweed. My neighbor does have a carpet of it along her fence and does not dig it out. So it’s a battle for me always! Lindalana, I think I know how you know! 😝😝

Here are some photos from today:

debra

Finally have time to read full thread. It was raining again today so got late start . Appreciate everyone e posting pics, there is nothing like spring gardens full of hope... Indianagirl, rain was good for you, loving how it looks! I did not know that Texas can flood, somehow I imagine that as all water just absorbs right away.

Sandyslopes, hopefully it was your last frost? I have decent damage this year too but they are growing out. Nicholworth , you and me both on weeding. My knees won't be the same ever. I just bought a bit of cedar mulch and pine needles and will start applying judiciously. Peren, I love those red ferns! I think I need to look for it.

Debra, that garden looks immaculate! How are your GL hostas doing?

Skywriter

Very pleased, I thought I killed my War paint.

Amalia as always looks like a painting.

Lindalana yours are looking beautiful. I can’t wait for my Amalia to look like yours.

Here are my 3 GL hostas:

GL PEEPS

GL Elegance

GL Blue Banana

debra

Wow! I caught the end of that storm yesterday. Anywhere from 73 to 64 mile winds. I went to look outside, and my greenhouse was headed east. I have never seen it take off like that. And then I heard a crack. This frame is maybe 15 years old, and it is on its last leg. The very last one and I had 5 spares. I have a large Elkhorn that occupies the back corner and I believe if it was not there, I would still be picking up orchids across Florida. Where I thought I could hold that thing down I do not know. My son and finally did find a foot that worked. I was having the greatest time. My son not.

Today I am replacing the legs with 2" PVC 6' pipe and tie it down. That house walked off by a foot and a half. Going to be a fun day.

NO hosta was hurt during this storm. I hope your days go better. This, by the way was my fault. While I was sitting in the smart car recliner the night before, I had a thought that all the painting and moving of plants was finally almost over.

Everyone's gardens look great. I am glad to see spring everywhere. I have to get in gear. Home Depot is coming. I need a War Paint.