Coming along

Spring seems to be eluding us so far, though most
of the week was pretty sunny.

It was in the 20's a few nights ago and I've heard rumors of

SNOW .....but the north western part of Ct.

Thank goodness not along the shore.

Even our poor little pansies that

were left got a little shocked.

But heck they're pansies and they'll be fine.

Anyways we planted a few of these.

I should have cleaned them up or watered them in so they'd

look all pretty for ya.

I try planting flats as fast as possible and race myself.

Sometimes I get scolded that I don't push them down into the dirt enough.

My inspector (hum... hubby)

likes to go around pushing them in deeper as he shakes his head.

I like them just at soil level or above.

That way they don't rot.

He has his way, I have mine.

 

Then we planted a few of these.

I like seeing them when they're little and waiting for the first blossoms.....especially when it's a new variety.

Everything has really been growing with all the sun we've had.

Except today it rained.

It has to rain sometimes.



A white lavender that I wish I could tell you the name of

but it lost it's tag......that happens a lot....and why I have it the back

where I keep all my rejects with the hopes of adding it to a mixed container at some point.

Coleus called "Freckles"

...what a great name

I'm thinking I'm really going to like this one when it grows up.

 If you've read this blog

for awhile you'll know how much I adore coleus.

One of the easiest plants to grow.

They are in the basil family so just like basil they

don't take much to cold weather or too much overhead watering.

Other then that they're a piece of cake.

 

I was surprised to find that I still had one Black Panther

Streptocarpella left.

The grower I bought it from originally no longer grows it.

For 3 yrs I couldn't get my hands on it because it kept selling out.

Finally one year I smartened up and ordered it early.

I was hoping to propagate more but it's not all that big.

One thing I've learned about plants and gardening

is that you have to have patience.

Nature has her own time table.

Are you impatient when it comes to your garden?

and want instant gratification.

oh sorry Janet and Z no pics of Mr. George( YET)

I'll keep working on him.

he's camera shy just like moi.



Paula's Windowboxes

Two weeks ago last Sunday the weather was gorgeous.
I had intended on posting much sooner...

boy how times flies!!!

It's already Memorial day weekend!!!

and I really should be getting ready

but since I already had most of the post done I'll

get it done lickity split!!!! haha

The best part of the day was when Paula came
to pick out her plants for her 16 windowboxes

yep 16!!!

Every year she's done something different....

well most years.
For a few years she would plant all bridal veil and they would fill the

boxes in no time with these delicate little white flowers.

It was so her!!!!

I remember the year she decided she was going to use some

color.

I almost fell over from shock!!!!
It looked great against her all WHITE house at the time.

Now it's painted a soft gray with crisp white trim so every color

still looks wonderful.

The color theme this year is purple after she spotted some simple purple salvia.

The search was on for more PURPLE and these oxalis called Iron Cross

with their purple centers on the leaves were perfect.

The pink coral flowers set off the dark colors used.

Paula needs no help picking out flowers and most times just does her own thing.

No need for my silly imput

but she still lets me give her some suggestions.

I had asked her a few weeks before what colors she was going to do this year.

She replied.

You know me I'll just

wait 'til something pops out at me.

That's the way to approach it.......just let it happen and don't stress out.

If you like it then it'll be great!!!

I did suggest the lime colored vinca vine...it's so much more interesting then the

plan green and white.

Trailing and upright coleus with dark foliage were next on the list.

Petunia mini blue vein.

Love the spot of dark blue in the center.

It'll look great near her blue hydrangea's along the front of the house.

This is what the boxes looked like last year in June.

I took the picture late in the day and the

oxalis was closed up which they do in the evening

so unfortunately you can't notice them.

Cart in hand and windowbox under her arm she was

off and running!

Can't wait to see how they come out.

Thank you so much for all the

well wishes for George.

It's really meant so much to me to know you all care.

He's getting better and is now walking without crutches most days.

It's been frustrating to

not be able do things for himself.

Makes us realize how we can take

our mobility for granted and when you are in a phyical job

like we are, that we need to be careful and not take too many risks...

but even doing the mundane things you can get hurt.

I miss blogging so much and hope when the

craziness subsides and I stop working 95 hrs a week(uggh)

I can get some time to

visit all of you.

Hope your holiday is a safe and happy one!!!!

hugs,

Carole

The promise that Spring is coming!

While having lunch today and sitting in front of my computer

I remembered that I didn't know

where my pictures of last years plugs and cuttings had gone off to.

Then I found them on my little zip drive kicking around in my pile of papers.

Have I mentioned I hate to file papers!!!

These are from last year like I said but in a few more days some of the

same will be coming in.

Most of our trays have 82-100 plants already to get planted.

Most times they come on a heated grower truck. My favorite way for

them to arrive.

We used to start planting first week in February

when oil prices were less but we've changed what we grow

to accommodate that.

Sometimes they arrive in boxes sent Fed Ex where they are stacked on top

of one another divided by cardboard.

We get to know our delivery guys pretty well.

They know our plants are perishable and know that they

need a little more fragile handling then most of packages and need to be

left in a heated house.

On occasion we get the boxes delivered tipped on it's side and the plants

are damaged a little or the soil gets bounced out.

Doesn't happen that often.

We used to have to pick up at the airport in Hartford but I

avoid having to do that. Many growers do it that way to save shipping costs.

It amazes me that they can arrive in such good shape

with the cold and the handling.

Coleus is very tender as you may know and the slightest cold will damage it.

This one is called "El Brighto"~ appropriate name!!!

Vegetative coleus (from cuttings) had been touted as being

the best plant around but it took our customers a long time

to fall in love with them. Now it's the first thing

everyone wants to buy when we first open.

It can be a sunny, cloudy or a rainy day in the greenhouse and it's always a place

I love to spend my time in.

Right now we're still cleaning before our first delivery and the heat is only set at 40 deg.

or 4C. but that doesn't bother us.

We dress warmly but gloves are things I have a hard time using.

I see my hands in a picture and I can't believe how

wrinkled they look but that's ok. I guess when I get

really old::))) if I'm so lucky

I can look at my hands and know I did work hard but enjoyed what I did

for a living.

We work long hours...7days a week for months on end

but I can't imagine doing anything else.

We are truly married to our work.

Good thing we work together...haha...

we'd never see each otherwise.

There was a time we used to seed so many trays

ourselves but now we purchase them

mostly in plug trays.

Just pop them out and plant them.

Easy squeasy!

Marigolds, herbs and some veggies we still do.

The first day they poke there first set of leaves still excites me.

What do you plant by seed???

Floral Tour of Mystic

Tuesday this week George and I went to Mystic Ct.

It is one of our favorite towns to visit. Most people may go visit the Seaport here or the Mystic Aquarium but we like to go to the center of town where there are the cutest shops.
This is the floral tour of the town though I did get some pictures of some the interiors of the shops. To come later. Though some of the shopkeepers don't like you to take pictures but I managed to get a few to let me.

Each shop had it's own planter but each one was a little different.

Many included my favorite plant of all time "Coleus"
It's maybe been about 10 years or more since they first introduced this kind of coleus to the public.
I remember a time when they were hard to sell. I could not understand it. They were touted the new wonder plant yet we never sold out. It was almost 5 years before people would ask for them. I kept thinking I'm going to get people to like these even if it kills me. Well..... not kill me....
that's a little extreme.
But they were going to love them as much as I do.
NOW they finally do!

This image is shown just as is...


This one I edited with bloom, film effect and vignette.
Just thought you might like to see the difference.
Gives it that "dream-like" look!

Display window of Peppergrass and Tulip....mostly clothing but they carry an array of victorian style gifts too. The salesperson saw how excited I got when I saw this creamy white dress and insisted I try it on.

Go ahead play dress-up.....ok sounds good to me!!! I love dressing up. I tried on a couple more things but came out empty handed this time.

I had intended tonight to show you some pictures of Brimfield Antique Show that I went to yesterday but as I was loading them I realized I had not moved the file to my external hard drive and deleted them off my adobe photoshop. OPPS.......I'd be crying about it but I'm going back tomorrow. Some of the booths I'll have to go back and reshot. Some are really worth going back to show you!

It's been raining all day today. I just feel so bad for those poor vendors who have to keep their things from the weather.

Tomorrow it's clearing up after the morning.....wish me luck!!!!

See you again soon,

Carole