Featured Blog: Still Time To Dream

Time to turn the page, set some new goals, come out into the sunshine, take another shot at those dreams.  Time to haul last year's stuff to the basement, or toss it, if you haven't already.

Did you take plants to the basement last fall?  Better check them, see how they are doing, then give them a drink of water if you want them to last 'til spring.

Because of a badly sprained ankle, I wasn't able to take pots of plants to the basement last fall.  Pots were lined up in the den, in the kitchen, even some in one of the bedrooms.  Mobility was a problem.  Something had to be done.

The Rosemary, Oregano, Basil and Thyme were cut and hung to dry.  As each dried, I stripped the leaves, cleaned out any obvious stems, rolled them between wax paper using my rolling pin.  When they reached the consistency I wanted they were bottled, labeled and I've been using them all winter. 

It is possible to purchase little bags to use for the herbs one wants in soups or other foods.  When the herb bag is removed the flavor is in the food but not the actual pieces of the herb.

I brought in my orchids before it got too cold.  I'm not a bona fide orchid grower.  I have only six Phalaenopsis and really know fairly little about their proper care.  I crowded them onto a shelf in front of an east window.  I did manage to remember to water them a little about once a week.  Much to my surprise, before Christmas three started to produce stalks and then buds.  All three now have blossoms.  I'm delighted, considering my neglect. 

Now I really need to check the internet for what to do next.  They will continue to bloom for several more weeks.  That is one of the beauties of orchids - their long blooming period.  One of the frustrations is the long period between blooms.

The Mandevilla I had growing on the deck has been very happy inside.  It continued to bloom until I squashed it up against the Croton and the Cactus in front of the heat register.  Had to do that to make room for the Christmas tree.  It is doing much better now that it has been moved back to its own space.

Are you receiving and collecting the 2013 nursery catalogs?  These catalogs are great to help you plan your garden space, consider new varieties, different colors.  Start pursuing the magazines, make your lists or if you order do get those orders in soon if you want to be sure to get certain items.  There are a number of new shrub roses, hardy, low maintenence, excellent for the perennial garden.  And of course there are lots of new annuals and perennials.  Dream on.

But ... this is my year to cut back, not buy more than I have garden space prepared for ....  Oh, sure, who do I think I'm kidding!  I'm already dreaming about my fantasy garden with its aromatic herbs and fabulous blossoms.