I was thinking of planting herbs in the ones that get sun, because that mischievous canine that came to live with us , thinks plants are for target practice, and I want to get more of my edibles out of harms way!
Wow- it’s now raining sideways, guess I won’t be working in the yard for a while.
Ah. My big dog used to eat all my tomatoes but left everything else alone. She went over the rainbow a few weeks ago but we got a new doggie already and I don’t know what he likes yet. He isn’t as tall so putting all my pots on tables should work (unless the deer come onto the deck.)
Another thumbs up for window boxes - great idea to include some herbs! Just keep the boxes fed and watered.
Well, I had missed this and hoped someone would start some sort of gardening '15 thread.
I had no idea the frost date could come so late in the NE. If you have containers outside and expect cold, you can pull them up against the house, there’s some radiant or retained heat that protects them. Works for me. But my really great garden shop has all their veggies still in the greenhouses and signs that they aren’t ready to be planted out.
This year, it’s a “square foot garden” for me, elevated and on wheels, 2’ x 4’. (That’s only 8 plots, some will hold multiple plants- its all a bit counter-intuitive.) If it’s successful, may build another next year. As the sun moves during the summer, I can move that baby, instead of dragging containers. And this year, went with the Mel’s Mix recipe (equal parts compost, peat and vermiculite. What a pain to mix.) So far, peas and green beans coming up, (yay! Last year was the first time I could get GBs to grow,) transplanted broccoli- and have some black cherry tomatoes to pot. More things on deck. Some will still be in containers, I think the tomatoes.
I kind of miss Mini’s updates. And, btw, it’s almost Lilac season here. WF was selling bunches and that Hyacinth thread, about boiling water, did the trick on reviving them. Thanks to those who gave the tip.
I so wish we could all show pictures of our various plants, gardens, contraptions, deck pots, etc. !!! I’d love to see these!!
Ah, abasket! that would be cool.
My lilacs are already in bloom. I will need to prune it after it is done flowering (lilacs bloom on old wood)! The variety is called Moscow Beauty.
http://www.springhillnursery.com/product/beauty_of_moscow_lilac
Checked on the little plants in the greenhouse - they are doing well. They are too delicate to go in the ground yet.
I’m jealous, I love that Lilac. My father in law had to apologize to me when he cut his front yard Lilac.
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a lilac that color - looks beautiful!
I’ve pruned my lilacs in the back already, they came with the house, which was built in ‘01. 1901.
I have planted Pocahontas lilacs in the front & mme lemonie, ( white, but very fragrant) but they are only about 3’ high so far.
No sign of any lilacs blooming here, but my Korean spice in front yard is and the fragrance is so lovely. And since it is so warm out and all the windows are open I get to smell it indoors. 
The two I have in the back yard are at least a week behind. Everything else is still in the growing stages and if we don’t get some rain soon I’m going to have to schlep out the hoses. 
I have one lilac that came with the house and another planted maybe 5 years ago that started as one of those a $3 sprigs from a local cheapo store. It’s already over 6’ tall, likes its spot, I guess. Another little babe sprig I planted last year is trying. If only they bloomed longer. My other spring favorite is Grape Hyacinth.
Finally got my soil mix together (top soil, peat moss, coconut coir, composted cow manure) a couple of days ago, but discovered that I needed more composted manure. Made a late Sunday afternoon trip to the big corporate home improvement center. Compost sold out. Same story at the competition. Oh well, clerk said they expect a new shipment of bagged manure on Friday.
The chili peppers and the sweet pepper seeds finally emerged late last week. Read up on Mycorrhizae for plant roots and purchased a package online. Picked up a couple of unfamiliar seedlings out of curiosity, since the market was giving them away for a song; Pineapple Sage and Bee Balm. Mistakenly thought Pineapple sage was related to regular Sage, which I love. Thought the Bee Balm was some kind of Mint. Nursery didn’t have any Mint that day.
I went to check out on the lilac and realized that my honeyberry outgrew the spot where Mr. B stuck it “temporarily”! Guess I have a project for this weekend.
Someone please come and dig up my bearded iris. Take as much as you want!
Also hyacinths. ( English and Spanish blue bells)I love them, but mon dieu!
I have so many, and I originally only planted them because they were Moms favorite.( the bearded iris, not the bluebells)
I prefer Japanese iris, I used to have grape hyacinths, but they must have gotten taken over by the English.
I brought 2 of my Korean Lilac plants back to Armstrong nursery and got to exchange more tomato plants. All kinds of variety, mortgage lifter, brandy wine, black Krim, green zebra, etc… The one I bought couple weeks ago is doing so well. I also bought another Satsuma tree, an early mother day gift to myself. 
Does anyone know how long a newly planted bare root roses show any sign of life? Mine are in the ground for about three weeks.
@LakeWashington - lucky you! I had to go on a quest to find pineapple sage this year, but I did find it. I think the leaves have an excellent flavor and I use them in sweet baking. They are also good in tea. It may even overwinter for you if you surround it in leaves. If you’re extra lucky you’ll see hummingbirds going to the red flowers.
Bee balm is great too. Bees love it, the flowers are interesting, and depending on what kind you bought it was also used to make tea by the colonists after the Boston tea party. It would make a savory tea, not a sweet one.
@greenwitch; Thanks for the tip.
On a mildly depressing note, all of my seedlings (from seeds I planted in starter packs) are now officially dead. The Costoluco Tomato was the lone hold out. It was very healthy looking until last night. Scratching my head as to the cause of all this misery. I was careful not to over-water the seedlings. Fed them with substantially diluted liquid fertilizer. Hope it’s not a soil problem. Maybe it was just too cold for them, even though it’s May and we’ve had about three days of 65 plus since May 1. No choice but to directly seed into the growing pots now, amid warmer temperatures.
On a happier note, there’s an open-air greenmarket across the street from my office that is selling various seedlings today. I’ll pick up some Mint, Rosemary, Cilantro, and Purple Basil during lunch hour.
emily, thank you for the article. I hope they are not dead.
The deer in my yard have very expensive taste. They ate up all my rose flowers.