Here it is Sunday again, and I sit in front of the computer listening to the rain fall, oh such a well needed rain. I haven’t looked at the rain gauge yet but I am hoping for at least 1 inch, 1 1/2 inches would be sweet though. That would certainly fill the rain tanks that we have set up, take away some of the mud and give the plants in the garden a good boost to grow. Okay, as of 5:45 we are at .65 inches, not nearly what I wanted. Between my every few hour garden tour circuits I can almost watch spring happen.
So. You are asking what is happening in the gardens at Lottarock. Plenty, believe me. The daffodils are emerging from their winter hibernation, the tulips, OMG they are popping up like crazy. This is last year’s photo and I would say they are further along than the photo, and maybe we are a week later.
In the perennial beds the asters are looking good, as are the chrysanthemums, sedum, kniphofia, and today I saw little itty bitty bits of the delphinium emerging, along with the alliums. Oh yes. Things are getting exciting.
In the annual department my trial bed of cool annuals are actually growing! The bells of Ireland, stock and bachelor buttons that the resident mice didn’t basal prune are looking good. Anemones and ranunculas are putting on growth as well now. I am spraying all seedlings in the little greenhouse and high tunnel with a solution of castor oil, dish soap and water. If it works to keep the rodents away from the bulbs when they are planted why not mice nibbling on the foliage? Knock on wood. It seems to be working. Must be applied after each watering though which is a bummer, but what the heck.
Sweet peas are germinating and should be in the ground the first week of April, or maybe the second week since the first week is this week. Where does the time go?
Now is the time that we are opening up Lottarock flower memberships. Yay! We are still doing it the old fashioned way. Cash or check made out to Flowers at Lottarock. Price is still $100. It still works like a gift card so your “purchase” is deducted from your balance. As soon as flowers start, the newsletters will begin keeping you informed of what is being harvested for each open hours. The hours have changed slightly this year. Now it will be Tuesdays from 3-6 and Fridays 9-12. Hopefully these times will be good for everyone. I need to limit the time open because I have to lock up the dogs during the open hours so they don’t greet everyone. What have I missed? There will be plenty of flowers so bring a flower loving friend along and get them hooked on our beautiful, responsibly grown, farm fresh local flowers.
I leave you till next week with this photo of last year. Allie
