Gardener's Group discussion

Happy Solstice everyone! Summer for some, Winter for others (Down Under).

I lucked into a 'French Lace' floribunda rose (Jackson & Perkins) at the supermarket for $13 today! Very light apricot colored buds that slowly turn more white with a light yellow center. Delightful fragrance, not too strong. What better way to celebrate the first day of Summer than with a new rose?!

Jo wrote: "I lucked into a 'French Lace' floribunda rose (Jackson & Perkins) at the supermarket for $13 today! Very light apricot colored buds that slowly turn more white with a light yellow center. Delight..."

Sounds heavenly.

At the moment we are under another severe weather watch. A storm that has already produced a tornado is heading our way. My neighbor and I were joking or trying to this afternoon while cleaning up our yards about maybe having to do it all over again tomorrow. I certainly hope not. It is very humid but it has cooled off in the last hour or so and I'm hoping that means less fuel for the storm.

Gabi--ignorance showing here--are there tornados in Oz?

I have always thought they were a North American phenomena, but for no good reason actually.

Gabi wrote: "Crossing Fingers for you, Cheryl. The blasted things are starting to turn up here, too. The Storms are bad enough without tornadoes, too!

Jo, that is a fabulous rose and it is on my wish list. How..."

I can almost smell it, it looks so delicious!!

Last night wasn't bad here, only in the Twin Cities. No wind for us, just rain. Still very humid today, but not hot so it's bearable.

Gabi wrote: "Crossing Fingers for you, Cheryl. The blasted things are starting to turn up here, too. The Storms are bad enough without tornadoes, too!

Jo, that is a fabulous rose and it is on my wish list. How..."

Wow, what a gorgeous rose! I'd love to have that in my garden. What is it called?

A whole 24 hours without rain predicted so I'm going to try to get my mulching with the wood chips done tomorrow.

Wow, looks nothing like the 'French Lace" rose I bought (or the description included with it). Mine has very light apricot-white buds that are light apricot in the center as it opens with the petals turning more white, eventually turning all white with a light yellow center. Funny how roses that are the same can differ place to place, grower to grower!

Finally broke down and ran the AC for the first time this year. Humidity is almost 70% and I felt like I couldn't breathe. Once I got the humidity out of the house I shut it off and just use a fan and it stays very comfortable. I was trying to make it to July 1st before running the AC but I was too miserable.

Gabi wrote: "It's OK, Jo. The Photo I chose, I now realise hasn't had much sun. You have the real thing, don't worry!
This one is more like it!


"

Gorgeous!

Beautiful

NJ is under a tornado watch until 10pm, 'likely to be upgraded to a warning...' Ridiculous t-storms passed through last night with hail and a flash flood. Apparently more of the same or worse is nearing. Parts of PA are getting nailed with flash flooding and they've had tornado warnings per the news. (DE, MD, VA and NY may be added to the list as well). There hasn't been a bird or insect chirping here *all day*. Creepy. I've grabbed what "important paperwork" I can and stuffed it into a tote bag that's now sitting in the hall closet. I prepare for hurricanes, so why not tornadoes?

I'll be glad when this week is over. It's been one of those from the start.

I am in the part of Pennsylvania that got nailed last night with flash floods.The thunder and lightning was wicked. We are also in a tornado watch tonight. They are predicting rain, hail and high winds. I haven't packed a bag but I have candles and flashlights handy. Hopefully, we will just get some rain to chase some of this heat and humidity out to sea.

Where are Auntie Em and Uncle Henry when you need them?

Jo, we always prepare for tornadoes. (not many hurricanes in Indiana, although there was one a few yrs ago, wicked).

When there is a watch and the radar looks serious, I put my bag and some shoes near the door to the lower level/basement; my husband's wallet, etc. are routinely placed in a letter box near the door for easy grabbing; I make sure I am dressed in clothing suitable for outside wear; and the "kids" go to the lower level. I also get my medications and put in box with DH stuff. All our financials are on the server, which lives in a closet underneath the garage.

Luckily we have a generator, so we'd have power unless we take a direct hit, we're OK there.

But they scare me to death. Be safe.

I hope you are all safe tonight. I've never been in a tornado but they are really scary when I see them on the net. I hope no-one gets hit.

It is hurricane season here but early, nothing happening yet and hopefully nothing at all.

Tornado watch cancelled thankfully just a short time ago but we still have plenty of storms coming through. Wicked lightning! Rain wasn't too bad so far. This is going to be the norm well into next week thanks to this super soupy humid air we've got with us right now! I awoke this morning to a sunny 72* with 97% humidity! Bleah! And with the 20+ inches of rain since the beginning of May, mold is everywhere in our area. Yuck. I've also got all the re-chargeable batteries at full power, candles & matches at the ready - winds have been gusting something awful. My poor garden has been through so much these last couple of years, I can't help but keep a worried eye on it.

It looks like a blanket of heat and humidity is covering the whole mid-Atlantic region, Jo. Thank goodness for air conditioning! The pounding rain and high winds started here at about 5:30. Just when I thought that the storm was tapering off, it started up again. Thunder storms are predicted here every day for the next week as well. My back yard looks like a swamp. If this continues, I might just convert it into a cranberry bog:-)

Right now I'm hunkered down with a fully charged Kindle and praying that our sump pump doesn't give up the ghost. Thankfully, I didn't have to go to work tonight. It looks like I will be able to catch up on the indoor work I neglected while gardening over the past few weeks.

Stay safe, everyone.

Sudden shift from rain to sun with unusually high humidity here. Fortunately I'm only allergic to one of today's dominant pollens. Much frantic blooming and stem growth is evident.

Four power cuts in 24 hours here. And my car broke down - overheating (water hose leaking), aircon not working, window won't go up.while it was parked in a marina bar car park where you think it would be safe someone came and tried to screwdriver off the passenger side wing mirror.

But the weather is ok, 75 today as it was yesterday and the day before etc etc, 72 at night. Could do with a better breeze though if the power is going to be out.

My peppers, tomatoes and garlic are all dead, as per usual. The watermelon looks like going the same way. If the vines don't get them, then mould does or some other seed wanting that particular space, or a bloody insect or the fowl... Sometimes I despair I can't grow anything.

It seems one way or another the weather is wreaking havoc everywhere this year. My friend in Austin, TX texted me it was 106 there today. I don't know how she stands it, but I do know she doesn't set foot outside. The heat is one thing but storms are another and I empathize with those of you having tornado warnings. I don't live in tornado alley but we have our fair share here too. Seems to me gardening is getting to be more of a battle every year.

Sorry, Petra! Would it help to grow in containers or hanging baskets? That's how we keep the slugs off our greens.

We put in three new artichoke plants this spring, and the one that gets the most sun and water had three buds. We celebrated tonight by eating the largest artichoke, which was about the size of a big lemon. I parboiled it, then cut it in half and fried it in olive oil with a little coarse salt. Apparently this is the Judeo-Roman style of cooking young artichokes. It made a lovely appetizer, though it was small enough that it might have been more of an amuse-bouche.

Nowhere near the Thames.
I live between London and the Caribbean. My "garden" is in a rainforest in the Caribbean and it's far too rampant to actually do anything without the services of a full-time gardener. And we (I live in a block of 4 apartments) only have one every few months and he just cuts grass, bush, chops the vines and the out-of-control trees down for two days.

We get power cuts because we have crap generators and people who don't maintain them as well as they should. Sometimes it's load-shedding. Since I live in the least important part of the island this is the area that suffers it first.

I keep meaning to get a gas fridge and a gas stove. Well I have a gas stove. I should get it hooked up but I hate cooking.

Perfect weather here today but the mosquitoes make it miserable to work outside as there was no breeze to keep them away today.

Did you ever try Skin So Soft lotion by Avon? It repels mosquitoes.i always slather myself with it before going outside.

peg wrote: "Did you ever try Skin So Soft lotion by Avon? It repels mosquitoes.i always slather myself with it before going outside."

Evidently the mosquitoes in Minnesota don't know about Skin So Soft as many people I know have tried it but it seems to have no affect. I'm allergic to bug spray so can't use that either. When the bugs are bad I just have to stay inside. Mosquitoes are annoying but I don't react to them, however I'm very allergic to deer flies and gnats and have had to go to the ER a couple of times when I've been attacked by deer flies as I get a reaction the size of an orange at the site of the bite and also get short of breath. Thank heaven deer flies usually don't show up around here until August which is kind of a dud month in the garden anyway.

We had 3" of rain this morning -- quite the downpour. And thunder, but luckily no close strikes. But the temps are great, in the low 70's and we opened up the house. The cats have gone mad, running from door to door, they are never happier than when we open up.

Don't feel too bad, Petra, I have a very nice large tomato plant, growing in a nice large private planter among the flowers in the lovely sun, watered as necessary and it has many many flowers. Exactly ONE tomato has set, one, and I suppose the squirrels will eat it before it ripens. I have never succeeded with tomatoes. And my marigolds are croaking. I did not think it was possible to have marigolds that didn't flourish, but they aren't. But the daylillies are wonderful.

Cheryl S. wrote: "peg wrote: "Did you ever try Skin So Soft lotion by Avon? It repels mosquitoes.i always slather myself with it before going outside."

Evidently the mosquitoes in Minnesota don't know about Skin So..."

Oh, Cheryl, sounds like we will have to get you a Hazmat suit!

Did they give you an EpiPen to use when you are bitten?

You could try citronella oil. It's all-natural, very cheap and has a lovely somewhat strong lemony smell.

http://citronella-oil.blogspot.com/

I don't know whether it is something that causes a lot of allergies but it might work for you.

I'm allergic to a lot of stuff especially things with a strong smell--many perfumes, cleaning solutions, wood smoke etc. My neighbor had a bonfire the other night and I had to close the house because I was starting to wheeze. I do have an rescue inhaler to use when that happens.

Really nice day today. Quite a few of my clematis are blooming along with rosy pink yarrow, purple blue bells, and most of the coral bells. Some of the new things in the perennial bed I redid are also blooming. Even though they are small it's nice to have some color there.

You must add long white gloves and high buttoned boots. And bloomers to protect the underside. It WOULD be lovely.

But the neighbors would think you had finally gone round the twist :)

Gabi wrote: "And you a Gardener? Oh well! Cheryl, Ti-tree Oil is good too. It all depends whether you might be allergic to that, too??
You will just have to get a wide hat with a graceful veil tied to it and d..."

LOL! My neighbors would die laughing! My gardening costume consists of elastic waist denim capri pants with lots of pockets (good for toting stuff and easy bending), a sleeveless pull over T-shirt, rubber garden shoes, a golf visor, garden gloves and sunglasses. I honestly don't own a dress of any kind, never mind floaty and romantic. Obviously I'm into comfort in a big way. One of my friends just posted on FBook she wants to bring back the house dress like our moms wore when we were kids. Maybe between us we can start a new fashion!

MissJessie wrote: "You must add long white gloves and high buttoned boots. And bloomers to protect the underside. It WOULD be lovely."

You guys are really making me laugh!

Amen to that. Laughing is necessary; beats the alternative.


Cheryl, you could swan around in your drifty dress and serve tea at a little cafe table and chairs in the garden. (I actually have a cafe table and chairs near my flowers, holding planters).

You should do this for the garden tour. It would be very effective.

MissJessie wrote: "Amen to that. Laughing is necessary; beats the alternative.


Cheryl, you could swan around in your drifty dress and serve tea at a little cafe table and chairs in the garden. (I actually have a ca..."

My Garden Club would die laughing too. When we go on group outings to visit gardens etc we put on "nice" T-shirts and clean capri pants. I do have a table and chairs on my porch where I've been known to offer guests a soda or a beer. Anyway I've been in a good mood all day just thinking about myself trying to pull off wafting around in my drifty getup.

Spectacular weather here for the 4th. 89 degrees, sunny and low humidity. However, the humidity is coming and the heat stays so the yuk factor will be rising.

I'm glad your mood was lifted by our silliness :) (But it WOULD be beautiful.)

Weather here overcast, sprinkily, 77 degrees, muggy. Dull would describe it.

http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/st...

Gabi: I don't know if they export and if it's economically realistic to ship that far, but I have one of these robes and they are lovely--strictly a winter robe as heavy but WARM and very absorbing after a shower.

(and it weights a lot, even dry.)

http://www.landsend.com/products/wome...

these are also nice robes, have one of them too.

Hot and windy today. Had to give the pots a big drink tonight and brave the mosquitoes to do it. I would love to sit out on my porch (unscreened) and read in the evenings but I don't see it happening anytime soon.

Well, if you aren't into the swishy white linen dress, hat and gloves, why not invest in one of those insect-proof outfits I see advertised in garden catalogues; you know, hat with face and neck protection, long gloves, insect-proof shirt and pants, and socks and boots.

Then you could sit outside and read and enjoy it.

Of course, the neighbors might think you had gone round the bend......

Today between the bugs and the humidity it was a miserable experience working outside. I was literally soaking wet after putting down 7 bags of wood chips. I hate to be a wuss but this 72% humidity is just awful. Tomorrow is supposed to be stormy and then relief is expected on Wed. I sure hope so.

Citronella, if you don't mind strong citrus is a natural oil and also an insect repellent.

Cheryl S. wrote: "Today between the bugs and the humidity it was a miserable experience working outside. I was literally soaking wet after putting down 7 bags of wood chips. I hate to be a wuss but this 72% humidi..."

We are cooking here on the east coast as well. It has been in the 90s all week and the air is like chicken soup. I haven't done anything outside but water my pots and deadhead a few plants. It is supposed to be in the mid 80s by Friday. I can't wait.

Did have a rainy day today but the humidity is still with us. Supposed to drop during the night. Certainly hope so.

Tropical storm Chantal, although a very long way off, breezed by today. Rough seas and a lot of wind. It was lovely to walk in by the sea for my son and myself. Tonight, it's calm and the wind instead of that rather harsh storm feeling is soft and gentle again.

Greetings from Illinois where for once I can say we have been having gorgeous weather or it could be that warm temperatures and sunny days have taken so long to get to us that I don't mind 90 + degree days... I always manage to spend hours outside piddling around with my pots and plants , but nothing very strenuous for me as my spine has still been giving me fits.
Tomorrow I have to get serious and clean off my front porch , move all plants currently sitting there to the back of my garden and try to manage to give my little house some curb appeal. I have a couple urns to plant, two old rockers to put on the porch and some lanterns to scatter about. My little front flower patch needs some drastic weeding too. I am expecting company for dinner Thursday evening and I would like to give them a good impression. Plus it will be pleasant to reclaim my porch since its been a veritable plant nursery since Spring; housing plants that need potted, put in the ground or those that seemed to require close monitoring . Having guests for dinner will hopefully inspire me to stow it all away out of sight. All my friends and family know that I am plant obsessed but I do try to keep some order usually but this last month I let things get out of hand.
Wish me motivation, please !

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...
Can someone explain what copying the URL topic does ? I did it but its not making a lot of sense to me ...
Gabi, what is wrong with your spine ? I was chuckling reading how you dread changing your bed. Me too! I have it pretty simple though as I have one of those Tempurpedic beds. I also sleep with a heating pad and electric blanket. Getting chilled at all makes moving around the next morning a misery. My poor husband has learned to adjust to my hot bed ... He has been known to click the electric blanket on before I do at night ! All household tasks are a challenge for me now -- especially mopping. However I have no excuse not to do it when I insist on going out to try to schlep pots around for my plants ...

Viki--how do you like the Temperpedic bed? I have been thinking of getting one as the mattress is getting old. But they are kind of pricey. Worth it?

For myself I like a cool sensation in bed when I get in (except when it's the dead of winter) but then want to snuggle down.

I particularly like a cool pillow and bought one of those pricey ones that claim to stay cool. They do, and are firmish and I love it. I never cared for electric blankets and use quilts in appropriate layers instead. The cats love them ! Snuggle down and burrow under/in when it's cold. Cute.