Survival in the g/h this winter
greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
9 years ago
Can't get rid of this perishin' pic at the top of my post...despite Josh's advice about using backspace (it worked perfectly before Josh!) it must be me, oh well. There is a succulent in it so I guess that counts for something, it's an Agave attenuata
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Anyway, putting my 'Houzz issues' aside (for the moment), I decided to come back to GW after not being around for a while to help cheer me up a bit.
Here's a few shots taken the other day in the g/h. I'm surprised they have pulled through winter 2014/15 as they have had very little attention from me during the past 2 months.
Gill UK
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (13)
LilBit7765
9 years ago
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
9 years agoRelated Discussions
Butterfly Gardening article on front page of H&G section
Comments (16)Seedmama - welcome, welcome, welcome! We really need more people from Oklahoma "entertaining" the butterflies with hosts and nectar plants and I'm glad to hear you are helping their cause. There are a lot of people on the Oklahoma Forum, too, that are interested in providing habitat for the butterflies, but not all of them post here. I encourage you to check out the Monarch Watch website as well. I am a Monarch Waystation, as is Linda and Sandy, and I live close to downtown in the older area of Oklahoma City. I "grow" lots of butterflies and sphinx moths, too, since I have a lot of their food plants that were planted here many moons ago (like Elm, Hackberry, Virginia Creeper, etc.). Some of the most common trees, shrubs, and forbs are host to a myriad of butterflies and moths. I winter sow a lot of my butterfly plants. Gives me something to do in the winter when its cold, wet, snowy, or icy. My seeds didn't do as well this winter (2006-2007) as they did last winter (2005-2006) for some reason. And, I'm finding that a lot of the native plants seem to do best just direct sown on the ground. I think they don't like all that rich potting soil, but prefer the lean soil they grow in naturally. Sorry to get off track here. Linda, as I said last night - your article was wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed it. While they didn't mention Monarch Waystations, they at least provided a link to Monarch Watch which, hopefully, some will check out. I have to say (altho sometimes I get frustrated, disappointed, and tired), that butterfly gardening has given me much more joy than not. Susan...See MoreBlackberry Winter Survival 2015
Comments (28)Only slightly related to the current thread... Could someone point me to a GardenWeb thread (or two) which gives good info on year round care of my blackberries? Along with the why! It would be most appreciated. Some quick info: - We are in SE Michigan, outside Ann Arbor, recently reclassified from 5B to 6A, but I'm not so sure. - My wife is the Master Gardener, and gardens for a living, so I don't get to say too much. <grin> - She is responsible for the two rows of raspberries. - I'm from Georgia, so want my blackberries. We planted a 22[ft] row of Chester Thornless, and I am taking over responsibility for these. - We've had trouble with the red neck cane borer, and cut all canes back to the ground at the end of 2013. - I removed all but the most vigorous 5 or 6 canes from each plant at the end of 2014, because I think that's what I was supposed to do. (yes?) - I really need to know what to do right now. Spring is here and it's all about to start. So what do I look for on the canes (last year's primocanes, right?)? What do I prune off? How far back do I cut what is still there? I'm an engineer, detail oriented, data driven... but not a horticultural idiot. I've got a rather green thumb I think, but am not so good at mapping the day to day (or seasonal) efforts to the long view, big picture in the fruiting plant world. Again, any help would be much appreciated. And thanks in advance. ~Allen...See MoreVigorous rootstock & leaves for health & nutrients & winter survival
Comments (4)Really like the link of U. of Vermont of the pH of soil, and how to change it. It also has pH preferences of plants, from trees to fruits and vegetables. http://pss.uvm.edu/ppp/pubs/oh34.htm "The structure of the soil, especially of clay, is affected by pH. In the optimum pH range (5.5 to 7.0) clay soils are granular and are easily worked, whereas if the soil pH is either extremely acid or extremely alkaline, clays tend to become sticky and hard to cultivate. How to correct pH Normally, lime or dolomite is used to increase the pH, or "sweeten" the soil. Lime contains mainly calcium carbonate and dolomite contains both calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. Ground limestone and dolomite are less likely to "burn" plant roots than hydrated lime and are therefore recommended for home use. The greater the amount of organic matter or clay in a soil, the more lime or dolomite required to change the pH. Table 1 shows the amount of lime needed to raise the pH. Table 1. Pounds of ground agricultural limestone per 100 square feet need to raise the pH" http://pss.uvm.edu/ppp/pubs/oh34.htm...See MoreBegonia survived the winter outdoors
Comments (6)Fabulous! It sounds like the decomposition/microbial activity in your dump pile kept the temp high enough to stay unfrozen, even if it was covered with ice on top. That, coupled with excellent drainage, is usually enough of a microclimate for the roots of many tropical plants to survive. Putting a big pile of leaves over a plant that is not supposed to be hardy is one of the easiest "zone cheats."...See Morecamellia1_gw
9 years agomarguerite_gw Zone 9a
9 years ago
kaktuskris
9 years agogreenclaws UK, Zone 8a
9 years agoHa-ha Marguerite, it doesn't always look like that, believe me! I had to have a tidy up before the photo shoot, lol! The glaucous (sp? that word just doesn't look right somehow?) blue plant is Pachyphytum oviferum aka Sugared Almond or Moonstone plant and it's a type of Crassulaceae...apparently :)
It has bell shaped flowers in red and green on an arching stem...mine has flowered as you can see, but I failed at never got an underside view of the flower.Thanks Chris, I do enjoy my plants, and the forums on GW, so yes, it's good to be back.
Gill UK
marguerite_gw Zone 9a
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agogreenclaws UK, Zone 8a
9 years agomarguerite_gw Zone 9a
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agowhip1 Zone 5 NE Ohio
9 years ago
bikerdoc5968 Z6 SE MI
9 years agorina_Ontario,Canada 5a
9 years ago
Related Stories
LIFEThe Moving-Day Survival Kit: Lifesaving Items and Niceties
Gather these must-haves in advance for a smooth move and more comfortable first days in your new home
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDESGarden Myths to Debunk as You Dig This Fall and Rest Over Winter
Termites hate wood mulch, don’t amend soil for trees, avoid gravel in planters — and more nuggets of garden wisdom
Full Story
YELLOW FLOWERSGreat Design Plant: Winter Jasmine Gladdens Snowy Gardens
Sunny yellow flowers defy the frost, bringing cheer to the garden on gray days
Full Story
LIFE6 Ways to Beat the Winter Blahs
Snow and dark days dampening your spirits? These ideas will have you looking on the bright side
Full Story
WINTER GARDENINGPruning Secrets for Exquisite Roses
Encourage gorgeous blooms year after year with this time-tested advice on how to prune your rosebush in winter for health and shape
Full Story
HOUSEPLANTS8 Essentials for Healthy Indoor Plants
Houseplants add so much to our homes — and can thrive when grown in the right conditions. Keep these tips in mind
Full Story
WINTER GARDENINGCalifornia Gardener's January Checklist
Winter-defying blooms and pruning saws earn a cheer, while California-focused gardening design books get a well-deserved shout-out
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Mertensia Virginica
Virginia bluebells provides relief from winter with a big display of color
Full Story
EDIBLE GARDENSHow to Grow 10 Favorite Fruit Trees at Home
Plant a mini orchard in fall, winter or early spring to enjoy fresh-off-the-tree fruit the following year
Full Story
BOOKSLouis Kahn's Modern Residential Masterpieces Get Coverage at Last
See 9 of the celebrated architect's lesser-known projects, U.S. homes, in a new book filled with photos and details
Full StorySponsored
Your Industry Leading Flooring Refinishers & Installers in Columbus
greenclaws UK, Zone 8aOriginal Author