Lilies

I love lilies.   My favorite is probably the star gazer; but, I haven't met a lily I didn't like.   Recently, the local grocery store near my house has started carrying other varieties of lilies other than the Easter Lily (white), and the Star Gazer (hot pink with white).  It has been fun to see the other varieties come in.  

My friend told me one year after I had bought a lily in a pot at Easter, that once the lily blossoms and had died that I had to pull the bulb out of the dirt and keep it warm and dry and replant next year.   I asked her if a zip lock would work and she said yes.   The following year I didn't remember where I put the bulb for safe keeping.   I'm sure somewhere in my garage a lily bulb is sitting in a zip lock, even now four years later, as I still don't remember where I put it.  

When I couldn't find the bulb the year after sequestering away the dry and warm bulb, I gave up looking and went and bought another lily.  I bought a different variety this time.  This time at the end of the blossoms life I just snipped the stalk as close to the dirt as possible and kept it in the pot.   Over the course of the year I continued to water it.  It sat where I had originally placed the pot on the back patio.   Summer passed.  Fall came and went.  Winter flurried on by, and spring arrived.   

The little bulb shot up a little stalk and I had lilies.  (Smaller flowers than the year before as it was only half the height of the one I had clipped.)   I was sooooo excited that it came back to life and grew again, that I bought another...a stargazer this time.

I planted the new arrival kiddy-corner to the other (since the little one was in a huge pot).  I clipped the new arrival down to the soil after it was done sharing its beauty with the world.   The little one I just clipped the florets off.   I'm leaving them in the pot again this year...so I won't forget where I put them....and I'm excited to see if they come back again next year.

I'm very new to growing lilies.  So all of this is trial and error....the same way I apparently learn about all gardening...(grin and shrug).   Time will tell if this method will be acceptable to the bulb.   

P.S.  nothing in my garage has bloomed....so maybe one day I'll find the Easter Lily bulb I sequestered away and it can join the others.  

2nd Lily purchased, year 1.

Close up of year 1 for this lily.

Year 2 for the lily at the top.   Stargazer, lily #3, in the foreground.

Close up of Lily #2, year 2. :)

Close up of Stargazer, lily 3, year 1 in the pot

Roses - Entry 4 - Nifty bug deterrent

Somewhere in my quest to learn about gardening with own root roses, I had a bug problem.  I had gravitated one of my pots outdoors to see if it would do better outside (in a pot) than inside (in a pot). 

Also, as another control type...that happened rather by accident...my boyfriend, at the time, had front row seats to my little gardening endeavor and he saw the size of the own roots when they were first shipped and felt that there was no way they would bloom for me that season, and so he went out to the local market and bought me a $5, grafted rose that was sure to bloom that season so that I would have roses.   We affectionately called it the mystery rose since no one knew what it was at the store other than 'a rose bush'.  (Picture below).    I went out and bought another 15x15x30 pot and stuck it out on my patio to live or not live. ;)  

Back to my own root rose living on the patio.   For awhile it did seem to thrive better than the indoor ones.   Then lo and behold one day some time later it seemed to be shriveling up and all but kicking the bucket.   I was distressed.   So I went in for closer inspection.   Then I screamed, as my discovery yielded the realization that ants had traversed up three stories to come and eat my own-root rose!!!!   It didn't take long to see they had told the whole colony or perhaps all the neighboring colonies too since there was a steady stream, or moving line, up the side of the building, around my rose and all over the dirt.  

Out of curiosity, or horror, I went to inspect the mystery rose.   Not one ant. 

I dashed inside, and made the call to my favorite rose company in Oregon.    They had never heard of such a thing as my problem.....yes, leave it to me to have unique problems ;).... but they had a fabulous recommendation for me to try.  

Diatomaceous earth, the powder.  

Huh, what, and can you repeat that was my response.  Diatomaceous earth is the fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard shelled algae.    It is like a pumice powder that makes the exoskeletons of insects itch, or dehydrate at a rapid pace, and they leave like they are being chased by the hounds of h-e-_-_.   You can buy it in food grade quality so that if you have pets who will inevitably taste test it, they will not be harmed.  As I understand it there is a type of this stuff that can be used by vets to de-worm your furry family friend.  (Consult a vet before taking matters into your own hands).  There are also a variety of other uses for it.

What I can tell you is that this stuff works!!!!  It will not hurt your flowers!!!  

I had to go on a search for it...and trust me...most clerks in stores will not know, nor have they heard of this stuff.   I heard plenty of, "DIE-AH-what???   Ummmm....."    So my recommendation is to search for a garden nursery nearby and go in there and ask.   My local nursery had it in a small bag for $12 or a 3lb box for $20.    Let's just say, I hate ants, and so I went with the big box...and used it liberally....think confetti, at new year's, in time square.  

My rose recovered.   It took about a month.   I've reapplied since then.   I also used it as my first and last layer when building my elevated garden.

Happy Gardening!

Mystery rose -- uneaten by ants

Roses - Entry 3 - Inside vs Outside...and option number 3

One thing you may hear, see, or encounter when you start your own-root roses....'they have to be planted outside in the ground'.....

Well...again, I'm no expert but I'm here to say you can do it...you just need a few more tips.

Inside

1. Again, dirt, as mentioned in my previous post is crucial!
2. Make sure that it has some time either near an open window, or one day outside (in the shade).
3. It will need a substantial pot.  It doesn't need to be a pot that is the size of a couch or anything, but it does need at least 15"x15"x30ish" within 3-6 months, you can start smaller at first to get it established.  (Picture below -- without the cedar bark).
4. Indirect sunlight is also a must, good ambient light, but not direct. 
5. Pay attention to the watering...the soil cannot be too saturated
6. Preferably water in the morning so that the rose has all day to drink, not overnight as the rose consumes water differently inside vs out and inside they really don't like wet feet so-to-speak.

Outside

1. You can follow the instructions that come with the roses.
2. Go out and pay attention to sunlight and shade for where you plan on planting it.  See the elevated garden step for the explanation.
3. Inspect your ground soil first....if it isn't the right thing, adjust accordingly.
4. OR if you live in Texas where the soil is basically clay....what I've done is an elevated garden.   Well...we are more in process to put that in since my household is on a budget and dumping a thousand on elevated gardens is not as feasible as I would like...not to mention I'd need a truck to rent a tiller of mass power to churn up the brick we have underneath the grass.....we've gone for option number 3.... :)

Option Number 3 - an elevated garden

1. Take note of the sunlight and shade you have in your backyard.   The roses aren't as much bothered by the heat as direct scorching sun.   (With proper watering of course.)
2. You can purchase long deep, wooden trench like pots...but for my budget we went to home depot and bought the really big plastic tubs.   One really big plastic tub was about $15.   The pots I bought for the indoor ones (15x15x30) were more pricey than this one big tub.  (shown below)
3. Next take a drill, flat spade like bit (I don't remember the name of this bit, but it exists), and drill out some drain holes for the tub.  
4. Layer the soil as described in my previous entry about dirt.  I bought 14 bags of Scotts Premium Organic Top Soil for two of the big plastic tubs.
5. Max number of own root roses, when they are young and just getting established is 6.
6. Begin preparing the bigger garden so that when the roses are happy and growing, and enjoying life you can give the roots more room than in this little tub.
7. Don't fertilize until 3 or 6 months has elapsed.
8. Don't use the typical rose fertilizer from the stores.  Go looking for Alaskan Fish Oil...it is a liquid....and it does smell....but the roses will be in 7th heaven.   (This is also good for other plants, but personally I can't stand the smell....I make the sacrifice for own root roses though).
9. I used the lids from the plastic tubs as sun shades.  (I will describe this in a later blog.)
10. Water depending on your climate zone.   The goal is not to drown the roses, but you do need to keep them hydrated.   For Texas, in summer this means either once or twice a day, a good soak.    We've been having hundred plus temperatures with intense humidity...and the soil has been drying out like it is the Sahara.   
11. Be prepared that in intense heat the roses will bloom less.  
12. If the leaves are spotting like black chicken pox...see if you can move it into a more shaded place or adjust your sun shade.
13. If they spots still don't go away, well, I think there's a deeper issue.   Call the Heirloom people...as I haven't had this problem I cannot speak to it. :) 

Happy Gardening!

Indoor beginner pots...you will need to plan on transplanting
once they've established themselves a little.

Going up one size....15x15x30ish...you can't see the depth in this shot,
but you can get a feel for what I mean

Tub shot - elevated garden... this was the first night
only 5 of my 6 were ready to send, the 6th came about a month later
I was sooooo excited.

The 6th has arrived.   I added more peat moss over the top of the bark
it is hot in Texas and I want to ensure the roots don't fry

Roses - Entry 2 - Dirt

Sigh.   Who knew that I'd actually ever be writing about dirt...or soil?  I mean seriously...I didn't see it coming!  But it's important.   The wrong dirt can KILL your roses.   Hence my intimate knowledge of the customer service replacement for roses from the Heirloom Roses company.

Ok...I called them and asked BEFORE I did anything...and they said go buy the cheapest dirt possible and that you usually have to find a clerk and make them show you where the cheap, no fertilizer dirt is.  It should cost about 97 cents. 

I went and found said dirt.  I didn't buy enough so in came my second lesson.  But I'm getting ahead of myself.

The cheapest dirt I found was indeed 98 cents.  It was top soil and nothing else... I planted my new roses in it, and watered it to assist in overcoming transplant shock.  I was confused because it looked like clay when the water saturated it. 

The roses did good for about three weeks.   And it turns out I was right.  Top soil with nothing in it is like clay...and eventually the clay has no oxygen in it and the water won't even seep in...and the rose suffocates.    So...avoid straight top soil. 

Lesson number 2....remember how I said I didn't buy enough....well I did have a pot's worth of miracle grow and I planted one of the seedlings in that.   Wow...I thought hooray at least one of my plants will live.   It did for about three months...and then it died too...I had no clue.   I called Heirloom for my weekly panic-check in.   I hadn't mentioned until this call that it was in miracle grow.  Well...the basic explanation is that fertilizer and young own root roses don't mix....the roses basically binge on the fertilizer in an uncontrolled fashion and then have no way to cope after a huge consumption so they end up overdosing. 

The lady sent me new roses, even for the last one which was over 3 months. 

And, I went out looking for not quite top soil, but the next step up....well, round two wasn't successful either. I'll save you the agony.  Despite the pure "organic" something or other $15/bag soil, this round did last eight months.

Third time is a charm though.  I have the perfect soil now...the roses started blooming within the first month so here's what you need for own root roses:

1. Scott's Premium Organic Top Soil (picture below)
•  it is more than 98 cents per bag,  but it is W-O-R-T-H it!!!!!  Trust me...don't skimp...dirt/soil as it turns out is CRUCIAL to healthy roses.
2. Peat Moss
3. Cedar Chip Bark

Then proceed to layer the premium organic top soil and peat moss until you have a sufficient amount for the area you are planting....once you have that, plant the roses in at least two feet down, and proceed layering.  When you have about four inches left, put the cedar bark down to discourage bugs and to give it added protection from direct sunlight heat.  

Hooray!!!  They will grow. :)  :) :) :) Happy Gardening!

Zone Maps

Zone Maps confuse me.   Plus it isn't like I carry one in my back pocket...so I never have one when shopping for plants...perhaps it's poor planning on my part, but hey, you have to have some spontaneity in life right? 

I figure I'll plant what appeals to me, and it will grow, or not. 

Bottom line if you want to understand zone maps, and plant accordingly, you'll have to approach someone else for explanations.

Happy Gardening!

Roses - Entry 1 - Own Root vs others

Ok....I'm not the expert....but I do have preferences.    I love roses.  I love them.   My Mom had a wonderful tradition that has sealed my love of them as now they remind me of my Mom as well as being beautiful and fragrant. She would buy me a rose bush for my birthday and in this way we built our rose garden together.   It was one of the harder things about moving out of the house for me....knowing I was leaving behind that garden and the memories.   Sometimes my Mom would pick a specific color, or fragrance, or name for the fun of it.

When the movie Bed of Roses came out and in the movie they discussed favorites and the Sterling Silver was named as one of the characters favorites because it was thornless...and the other character said that a rose without thorns is too much perfection...the next day she received bouquets of them with the note that read, "thank you for a day filled with too much perfection"...my heart sighed and I wanted one.   That year my Mom gave me my own little slice of too much perfection to remember that those days do happen and for the little romantic idealist she had for a daughter.

For my 21st, she gave me a Don Juan as in her words, "you need a good man in your life." :) It was said with humor, love and affection.   It was a deep red climber.   He was a good man.  

So it has been years since I had my own rose garden....to play in and I miss it.   So I decided to research rose types...as I was living in Oregon at the time it seemed apropos.   Roses grow pretty much year round in Oregon and I discovered Oregon is rather renowned for their roses.  I found Heirloom Roses and knew this was the place I would order from when I got a chance.

Several years later I am now in a more permanent place in life instead of just apartment hoping, on the go, changing addresses every year or six months.  And, I pulled out google and began dreaming for real with Heirloom Roses from Oregon...despite the fact that I live in Texas now.

Own root roses have several differences and I'll leave it to the experts to explain it.   If you want the details here is the what and why of Own Root.  http://www.heirloomroses.com/care/own-root-roses/   For me it was that you have a disease free, pure rose not something that starts out one thing and because of a grafting ends up being something else, a rose that is hardy and healthy. 

This company also has a guarantee that I KNOW they back up if the seedling dies within 3 months of you having it.   This kind of guarantee makes them one of a kind.  Plus this company really truly has friendly people willing to help you.    They also won't send you a seedling until it is ready to go out in the world and live on. :) 

I highly recommend own root roses.  They are different than other ones and so require different treatment to have them grow.    Thus the series of blogs.   I also highly prefer Heirloom roses from Oregon.  http://www.hierloomroses.com/  

But onward and forward as I have several crucial lessons I learned since I received my first seedling.  And, happy gardening to you all...

Example taken from the Heirloom roses site.  
Pic on far left --- shows a typical graft rose vs the own root. 
Middle---the roots exposed....left a store bought graft one with less fibrous roots, the own root on right with lots of fiber roots.  The more fibrous roots the higher chance of rose survival upon transplant.
Right ---- an heirloom rose that you will receive if you buy one. :)

Plugs and Pleas

I'm about to dive into a series of blogs on roses and I wanted to clarify one simple point.   I will be mentioning one particular company for own root roses....and I think it's worth mentioning....that I am NOT being paid to be their spokes-person.  I wish I were.   You know how some people become Avon reps or Candle Company reps or Tupperware reps because they spend so much money on the product that they may as well start selling it from their living room  and get a discount?  This is me for this one company.

I can only dream that some day this particular company will read my posts and say 'well thanks for telling people about us, here's a discount or free roses...' so if you do read my posts and go to this place and order something perhaps tell them about how you heard about them...and my dream can come true. :)   No, sadly...or happily, I'm not a case for Miracle Network one last wishes....so you the people have the power.  

:)   And yes, I actually have their store number in my cell phone as a contact. :)   I also used to call them weekly/monthly when I first started growing things and I would say 'is this normal?'  and 'now what do I do?'....it was like I was a new mother and somehow forgot how easy my Mom made it look but when the child is crying in my hands I space on what to do....

Also, I'm sure there are other companies that sell similar things but I stick with this one for good service, and because I've seen their set up despite not living there, and because it's what I know.   When you are trying to learn from your mistakes it's easier if you don't have a zillion variables in the mix.   Scientists have the control method for testing hypothesis...this is my version of the control method.   All things being equal...what actions really impact the outcome, etc.

And, with that, happy gardening!

Tools of the trade

I keep the basic essential tools when gardening, but it occurred to me as I sit here reminiscing on the beginning and I thought I'd spend a few words on basics just in case a beginner gardener should happen to read my humble contributions.

If you are an advanced gardener and happen to see something that should be included feel free to add a comment.  :)  The more the merrier.

Basic Tools

1. Gloves.   Even though it is tempting to sink your fingers into the soil and revel...you'll spend countless minutes digging dirt out from under your fingers, not to mention encountering the unexpected worm isn't as much fun...and that's not counting any other stickerly stuff...or spiders...and depending on where you live fire ants...enough said.
2. Spade...and Shovel...rake...hoe (depending on the area you are gardening).
3. Liquid fertilizer...if you grow roses, there are different fertilizers.
4. Pots & Pot trays :)
5. Dirt.  (Again depending on what you are growing there are different types...miracle grow is the most popular brand, most soils these days have some fertilizer in them.)
6. Water mister bottles (less than 12 oz) - this is useful to have for home made remedies for buggies.  
• Some plants are sensitive about having water hit their leaves so despite the idea of spraying your plants instead of watering them...it may cause some plants more bad than good.
• It is usually difficult to do a good job sitting there with a tiny little bottle of water when what plants usually need is a nice soak once or twice a week/month depending...but you may have more patience than me
7. Cutters...scissors will only be sufficient for very small plants or herbs...beyond that you need the ability to cut dead/yellowed/browned pieces off.   Roses especially need dead heading for the plant to keep growing. 
• sometimes this is hard to do because you sometimes have to cut the plant down to a twig to give it a chance to recover....but just think if you have something that is beyond saving all it's doing is taking the nutrients and water away from the remaining living plant and it will eventually weaken the plant and kill it.
• an Oregon historical rose gardener once told me the best pruning method for rose bushes is to treat them like teacups, and make sure the middle of the plants with plenty of space in them for wind and sunshine to reach all around it and give the plant a big hug....this is harder for me to do than trimming away dead parts...chopping live green growing limbs...but it does allow for a healthy bush overall...from my experience.
8. Patience.
9. Perseverance.
10. A sense of joy.
11. Hard work/sweat/tears.
12. Watering can/hose.

Happy Gardening!

A plant every beginner should have

THANKS Stace~!!!!!  You truly have a gift... :) 

This post is a tribute to my friend who took pity on me one year in my black thumb woes where I was on the verge giving up on gardening altogether.

She talked me off the gardening suicide cliff I was perched on.   Then she looked at me and said, "what you need is a philodendron.  They will grow no matter what.  I've had one for 10 years and I've even been able to give parts of him away and he's as happy as could be, and as fat as a happy tom cat."   I woefully replied, that she didn't just have a green thumb she had green fingers and toes, so of course her plant was fat and happy!   "No sweetie, you can grow one of these."  

So we went shopping together on spring break, and found this tiny little plant, like four inch diameter...one stem, four leaves...and I looked at that thing with a sense of doom...it was far too little to survive a black thumb like mine.

It survived!   Within 3 months I had to re-pot it!   This was an amazing success for me.   I was so excited I went out and bought two more.   I even learned how to graft my own plants....and gave my own Mom one of these grafts for Mother's Day.   It grows happily in her house.

My recommendation:  every beginner should have a Philodendron, yes I know, it doesn't have flower buds, but if you truly have a black thumb like me...start with something green...learn how to understand your plant...and then you can expand after having at lease one success.

Philodendron Tips:

1. Any Home Depot,  nursery or garden center...and yes even walmart, will have these in the spring/summer.   During winter months, start at home depot or your garden devotee centers.
2. Start with at least a 10 inch, or 12 inch pot that has drainage (holes).  Don't forget to get the pot tray that catches water that comes out of the drainage holes.
3. You can buy the $3 philodendron...it will grow into the surroundings soon. 
4. If you cannot stand the idea of one lonely little start in a pot...you can buy two and put them in the same pot.
5. Keep indoors if it is in the winter and your climate is likely to distribute snow on you.
6. Keep it out of direct sunlight.
• It will grow profusely if near a window that receives a good amount of sunshine in the afternoon. 
• if it's growing too fast for your tastes, or too slow...move it around to find the "sweet" spot.  Each place should be given at least two weeks before you determine it is a good/bad place.
• don't forget to turn and rotate it if it's growing too much in one direction and you are afraid it will tip over ;)
7. Any generic soil (with fertilizer) will work.
8. Water once a week, or twice a week if it's very warm.  (Very warm might be influenced by where you put it.)
• if the soil is dry or doesn't stick to your finger if you wiggle it in, then water.
• over watering will make it limp...so back off if you see it doing the "limp wilty ahhhhAhhHHH" act reminiscent of fainting debutantes.
• my favorite technique was to gather up the pots/plants and water them in the sink so that I could make sure to soak them nice and good, but then give them like 30 minutes to drain before placing them back around my house...this prevented a lot of little bugs and dirty trays, or spillage from too much watering...I know this from experience. 
9. Should you see the occasional yellow leaf - snip them off
10. Should you see brown/black leaves....sometimes is natural for broken or bumped leaves....again like fingernails...clip them off and don't give up hope.   Too many black/browns and you may have a plant crying for help.   Diagnose as best as possible yourself or with google, or call the garden center...or take your plant on a field trip....most garden center shops are happy to help little green things grow.
11. If you see a bunch of ....unwelcome...flying little bugs...these are gnats.  You can use some house friendly sprays or you can sprinkle tobacco on the soil and it will kill them off.   
• You can also put the plant outside in a shady area for a day or so while the buggies die off.   Bring it back in at like a week at max.
12. In like 3 months or 6 months you may need to add a little more soil to the top of the pot as it compacts or washes away over time with watering.
13. You need to fertilize 3 times a year for fertilizer sticks, or once a month with fertilizer water. 
• also broken egg shells from your cooking can be broken up and added every once in awhile to give the soil some protein....the shell is biodegradable and will eventually go away as they are absorbed back into soil....I did this like twice a year.
14. If you lift up your pot for it's weekly watering and you see roots peeking out, then your plant is in danger of being root bound and needs a new home...a bigger home....repot as soon as possible.
• my first repot I took the plant in as I was soooooo worried about killing it after I had actually grown something for the first time ever....my garden specialty store guy helped me, no problem.  
• it basically involves gently squeezing the sides to loosen it from it's home and then turning it over and gently pouring the plant into your hands....and sometimes gently pulling on it to free the roots that are growing through the drainage holes. 
• do not forcibly break up the root bound situation...unless you really cannot stop yourself. 
• My friend says it's a hardy enough plant that if it becomes take-over-the-world size you can break it up into two plants by separating the root ball into two or three if you want.   I've never done this but I've also not achieved the take-over-the-world size.
• the plant may go into a little shock depending on how root bound it was and the technique of re-potting...give it 2-3 weeks to normalize.

happy philodendron.....
I couldn't figure out how to rotate the picture in blogger...sorry

Grafting a Philodendron

1. Sit with your plant and really look at it.
• pay attention to whether you like the solid leafs or the variegated ones, or the straight and talls or the hanging over the side drapey ones
2. Along the vine of the plant leading to a leaf will be these little knobs, or joints....these little brown joints will be the place new roots grow from.
3. I usually have a 16-20oz drink bottle from like a soda or Gatorade handy, and this is what I use to grow the new plant.
4. You can either cut or pop the joints off of the big plant.   For the best chances, give it at least two joints in the water, a shoe-in for grafting will be at least four joints.   
• I count up 3 or 4 joints and then head towards the 5th and cut just below the 5th so the 5th is on the plant, but the 4th joint isn't choked....this is what makes sense to me, I'm not sure that if you don't do it my way that it won't work...it might, I'm just a cautious gardener.
• I also have seen the pop technique done, but again...am too cautious to do it myself.  So if all you need to know is you can pop the joint...and that makes sense to you and you are adventurous...go for it.  I use scissors.
5. Fill bottle with water, insert your new stem, soon to be plant.
6. I then take a paper towel or two and wrap it around the mouth of the bottle like a kind of stopper, and then soak the it by tipping the bottle upside down until the towel is soaked.    I feel it gives the graft some support, and that the water seal is a better technique. (Again cautious black thumb gardener advice....may or may not be necessary).
7. Word to the wise, place this bottle in the shade....or wrap a towel or other dark cloth around the bottle so that the newly growing roots aren't burned.    A clear bottle will scorch the roots without a little protection.   
8. Give the graft at least 3-4 weeks time to have roots appear, aka "sprout".   Roots will be long and stringy.   You can then plant in a pot....and give to friends and family or place in your space to keep spreading the green.
9. ****If you have a plant that is really full on one side of the pot but not-so-much on  the other side....you can use this premise to fill in your pot with growth on the empty side.   
• you don't have to cut the plant for this to work...you just have to grab a longer branch/vine and wend it around to your empty place
• then bury the joint and place something on it to keep it under the soil...
• within the same amount of time you will have new growth in a previous empty place
• consult your own preface as to whether you want to cut the proverbial umbilical cord after 3-4 weeks
• repeat as needed until your pot is how you want it

new graft example, with the towel technique shown, and bottle type example

close up of the bottle, towel, and joints in the water

picture of a joint, as close as my camera zoom will go without being too blurry



Happy Gardening!



November

So, randomly enough....I always have an amazing urge to garden in winter sometime.   I think that it's my rebellion to a season without plants and flowers.    I know, I know, I should appreciate the time where the world is in stasis, rejuvenating or whatever....but I inevitably still go out on quests sometime in November or December looking for a plant to add to my indoor environments.

And, as a note....finding even potting soil in the off-season, is sometimes tricky.  Preserve!   Go forth!  

My tips to circumventing the soil search and November impulses are as follows:

1. save some soil, a pot's worth, from your spring/summer garden jaunts
2. buy a great pot that you look forward to filling
3. skip walmart, or any equivalent...they really won't have anything, not even in the remnant bins
4. go out and find those devotees, special garden centers...usually it has "nursery" in the name, and you will be greeted with both puzzlement and joy since there are few nuts like me who cannot resist defying odds and planting in winter....so service will be great...5 star...diamond...you will feel like some royal with secret service in the wings and the whole place has been shut down so you ---YOU--- can shop.  
5. don't resist the urge
6. set aside at least 3 hours for the fun of shopping in a quiet world
7. perhaps, plan on a second pot sequestered away  (the longest lived plants I've ever managed have been those intrepid plants purchased in off season).

Happy Gardening!

Tom Till - Wintering Leaves

Preface - The Gardener

From an early age growing up I remember weekends always had a sprinkling if not a deluge of time in the garden with at least one of my parents, if not both of them.  I love gardens, and flowers, and trees.  God's creation is glorious.

My Mom tended the yard and the flowers.  She still does, expanding her repertoire to include entertaining feathered guests and furry jumpers.

My Dad loved to try and wiggle in some trees, and veggies.  He still does add trees where-ever he can, and has expanded his repertoire to include grape vines, and other fun fruits, turning his old parent's homestead into a farmer's garden with decorative garden plots to honor my brother's love of cards.

At one point in my childhood my Mom was able to end neighborhood hostilities by having a planting party and all the budding young hoodlums in the area were assigned flowers to plant.   We went from having garbage and refuse and destruction wrought upon our property to having them stop by to check and see that no one had messed with "their" plants and all the little green shoots had enough water.

So it's quite natural to assume with such great roots, a plant like myself would be able to create gardens in her sleep.  Not so.   I have had many a plant come into my life, and leave this humble world far too quickly.  It has been a sad, frustrating, and sometimes funny adventure.  I'm stubborn enough to keep trying...and since I tend to seek instruction and follow it to the letter with mixed results...I decided to reach out to the blogging world and document my journey in the hopes of inspiring other would-be-hopeful-garden enthusiasts and sharing my garnered knowledge.

Should you be a gardening guru, you too are welcome, come, share, teach, and laugh along with the rest of us.

Enjoy the experience.  Life is short...especially if you've been a plant of mine.    Hope does spring eternal...and often.   :)  Happy Gardening to all those in the world!!!  May your flowers and trees grow with happy profusion.

The Garden Cat by Greg Gawlowski