What have you done today in the Garden?

That orange Amaryllis is stunning. I shall keep an eye peeled for the daffs then. Yea....come on Spring!

Ahhh, I see. Perhaps that explains the beautiful style. BTW, what is that little head just left of the Kalanchloë?

The thing about saving Amaryllis bulbs over is to let the leaves grow in order to fill the bulb out again. I would then lift the bulb in september, cut the leaves off and wrap it in layers of newspaper then pop it into the fridge’s veg crisper for two weeks then remove it and store it dark and very cool...wrapped in new newspaper. You could then remove the bulb and plant its roots in soil in late nov or begin december. You know not to plant the whole bulb, right...only the roots.

It is fun to hold them over, but once you get the knack of it you may have the luxurious problem of too many bulbs....which you could give away at christmas.

 

Ah!! Thanks SJ. I did not know about the timing, how to get them to bloom at Christmas! I just plant them in pots them bring them in for a rest when it gets cold outside. Sometimes they just continue growing. I'll try the refrigerator ,& darkness, see if i can persuade them to bloom at the right time.

 

You know Cayu, if you do decide to hold the Amar’s over, i would remove that third flower stem now of that one in the arch. The bulb must be shrinking like mad in its loose, brown skin.

 

Ah. Ok. Poor thing, huh?

 

I'm seeking advice for growing Sweet potatoes. My parents grew them, but I cannot recall if they grew the Slips from our own potatoes or if they bought the slips. I can't find a place nearby that sells them. Can I just
grow from a few sprouting sweet potatoes? I think they should be put out before too long.

 

Yeah, poor thing. He has been blooming his heart out and needs a rest. Chuckle.

 

Pulled out all the stops today.
As it's a lot warmer, I've turned back on the water supply to the two hose reels, both garden taps and the sink in the garage and re-filled the fountain. Checked that it still turns on from one of the switches behind the lounge curtains, then turned it off again.

 

Good start, Riley. Last night brought us a few inches of snow
so all my gardening was reading how to create sweet potato slips.
If I can find organic sweet potatoes I will be growing my own for the
first time. I learned the leaves are also edible. Who knew?

 

Well lets see, I planted 2 new roses into their respective pots. Cleared out 1 4x4 bed and planted green beans. Watered, then I wandered back into the house pooped.

 

I was going to do a bit but it started raining so I didn't. I didn't need much persuasion.

 

Cuatro-gatos, how nice to be in an area where it isn't too cold
to plant beans! It will be 3 or 4 months before i can plant beans without
danger of frost.
Riley, I could be easily persuaded to postpone garden cleanup. Thankfully we do a good cleanup before putting the garden to bed.

 

Getting ready to plant eggplant, celery and peppers seed by end of week

 

I overseeded the lawn with some fescue. It will be a while before the warm season grasses start up. What kind of squirrel chews on a spreader? Nutty creatures.

 

Sweet potatoes do not necessarily need to be organic ! Just buy one or two you like and stick it in the dirt ! Pick the potatoes with the most eyes ! Warmth and sun and water will give you more slips than you know what to do with ! Sweet potatoes are not usually sprayed to keep them from sprouting like white potatoes are ! Yes the slips can also be eaten ! And they will continue to make slips til the potato is played out ! Just snap off the larger ones when you plant and keep watering and they will keep producing !
I have never seen the slips for sale anywhere, Just grow your own !
I will say this,, when sweet potatoes are growing in the garden, the tops run everywhere !

 

Raining on the snow today. Rotated houseplants.