This past Monday a very rude awakening as I opened the curtains on this 'spring' day in Winnipeg. I should not be complaining as I am a snowbird and have been home only two weeks. But this snow has to go so the outdoor gardening can begin. I think that spring will not be experienced this year. We will go from winter to summer. Thank heaven I am a gardener who does clean up my yard in the autumn. Yes, I chop down the Hostas and many other perennials. I especially do not enjoy their sloppy leaves after being frozen. I do leave some perennials with wonderful seed heads to offer food for the birds and winter interest to the yard. Eupatorium, Sedum 'Autumn Joy' and Rudbeckia with their stiff stems are the chosen ones to remain.
As a true gardener not to be dismayed by the snow falling outside, I headed down to the basement to do my seeding of plants that I enjoy growing that are not readily available for sale in the nurseries. Some are just very easy to grow and this guarantees that I have them in my repertoire for planting season. Tomatoes are my favourite to seed; Park's Big Whopper, Sungold and Black Cherry. Miscellaneous vines; Adlumnia fungosa, Cobaea, Tropaeolum peregrinum (Canary Vine),and Ipomoea sloteri (Cardinal Vine) are seeded. One plant that I have yet to see at a nursery is Park's Mirabilis 'Limelight'. It grows large and has stunning electric chartreuse leaves with brilliant fuschia flowers. A beautiful addition to one's sun garden!
Playing further in my downstairs den I plant my favourite Dahlias 'Park Princess', Cannas 'Red Futurity' and Dahlia 'Muskoka Sunset' which I received in my goodie bag at the National Master Gardener conference in Huntsville, Ontario last weekend. It is not for sale to the public as of yet. I will be looking forward to its bloom.
As you see gardeners make the most of what nature hands them and are always positive thinking regarding their gardens. They are dreamers who are always thinking and planning their next sojourn into their gardening world.
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