Phaedra's Adventure

[ducks4you]

Rain in the morning, so I stayed in the kitchen and enjoyed breakfast, music, and the garden magazine.
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The strawberry shortcake that I made yesterday
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This week, I took a small order and prepared three lunch boxes for DH's colleague.
Kind of Asian fusion meals
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Everything is growing nicely.
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Very unique lettuce
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Ha, Ha!!! DD's are always talking about "lunchboxes" that they see on Anime. NOW I know what they look like.

 

[Phaedra]

The quail lived in this sickbay already went to the rainbow bridge a few weeks ago, and I buried her under the new honeyberry plant. I didn't want to touch this customized residence that I renovated for her not too long ago, but eventually, it deserves to be re-purposed.

So, I removed the plywood at the back and use the greenhouse panel on the top as the new back. The top and the front were also replaced with same panels. Now the sickbay was lifted on a shelf and becomes a small greenhouse inside my glass greenhouse. I used the recycled plastic trays (from supermarkets) here to carry plants.

I also changed where the solar light would stand.

That means, now I have several places for plants to stay, based on how much cold they can tolerate. Those warmth-loving/frost-sensitive ones and newly-sown seeds will stay indoors during nights/cold days; those can stand a bit cold but appreciate warmth, they will stay in the two mini-greenhouse inside greenhouse; those can take more cold will stay in hoop tunnels; and those are fine with frost were transplanted already.

So far, this one will receive direct sunlight from 11am to 2pm.

A lovely image from last year's calendar - great to find a right place for it. Good to get this project done today.

 

[Branching Out]

That's a very beautiful and contemporary looking greenhouse within a greenhouse!

 

[ducks4you]

Nice recycling @Phaedra !

 

[Phaedra]

Every year, I want to try propagating something from the garden. I divided daylilies, sedums, Shasta daisies, and Asters last year, and they all settled down very well in the new spots. This year, I am working on the pink currant plants that I bought several years ago.

I didn't give them sufficient attention last year, and the small raised bed is somehow invaded by all kinds of weeds. I checked them a few weeks ago realized that all three plants look very sad - almost no new leaves. So two days ago, I dug them out. Yes, my bad, I didn't even prune them.

Some are very old stems that need to be pruned.

After taking closer look, it's interesting to find that many branches developed roots as they were buried with soil (not me, just after years of growth and my neglect). In other words, the nature did some 'layering' works on them. I read this 'layering' technique for a long while but didn't try yet. It's fascinating to see this with my own eyes.

So, I removed and discarded all dead branches. Then, I took a somewhat bold step - I divided the plants based on their current structures, rather than simply removing more inward-growing branches.

I kept the main plant with the most complete root system, and several sub-plants with comparatively less but should be sufficient roots. For example, three plants were divided from one in the photo below. The main plant (middle) still has the problem that all branches are too centered, but this can be improved later via branch training.

They are soaking in water with a bit liquid feed now. I will transplant the main plants into bottomless containers and buried the containers in the ground. For the sub-plants, I will pot them on, let them stay in a tray(they will get water from the tray as a root training), and keep them where receives mostly filtered or dappled sunlight for weeks. As the sub-plants begin to develop stronger root systems and show signs of new growth, I will gradually transition them to locations with more sunlight.

I also made some cuttings (mostly for fun). So maybe, if the divided plants do well, I will have a currant patch next year. Those are pink currants, and I have propagated black currants two years ago from cuttings (they are bearing fruits now), plus the red ones brought by birds - I have collected three colors already.

Meanwhile, I am also trying to use the basal shoots from the apple rose (Rosa rugosa) to form a short hedge in front of one chicken coop.

Plant propagation is so much fun!

 

[Phaedra]

Plants sitting on the window sill for germinating - it's very effective as the heater is underneath. I add some water on the bottom tray so the soil in the tiny seed tray won't dry out. Most of them will leave the tiny tray soon.

It's still cold and wet outside, due to the rain, snow, frost, and wind. However, whenever the sun comes out, I will clean the garden with grass shear manually. Don't know why, but I do enjoy such quiet working moments.

Melons are doing well.

Peppers are growing nicely, too.

Scallions and Leeks, will be transplanted today.

Very young plant for sea lavender (Limonium) - their leaves are so cute!

The 2nd batch potatoes, ready to be transplanted.

Tomatoes and Amaranthus (for eating their leaves) - I am satisfied with their current size, not in any hurry.

Very new sprouting from Echinacea seeds I bought this year 'Sahara' - they are sooo tiny.

 

[digitS']

Don't know why, but I do enjoy such quiet working moments

Luckily for us, Phaedra , you enjoy communicating online and with photos.

People seem to have a balance; some may be “skewed” one way or the other. Some may swing ttooo far with some behavior.

It doesn’t surprise me that you enjoy quiet, garden moments. Certainly, it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that you enjoy working in the garden.

Steve

 

[Rhodie Ranch]

OH!! I have three flowering currants that are so pretty. I planted them last year. I'll try to remember this so I can "produce" more! I love their shape and color!

 

[Phaedra]

Luckily for us, Phaedra , you enjoy communicating online and with photos.

People seem to have a balance; some may be “skewed” one way or the other. Some may swing ttooo far with some behavior.

It doesn’t surprise me that you enjoy quiet, garden moments. Certainly, it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that you enjoy working in the garden.

Steve

Thanks, Steve.

For me, working in the garden is the moment I am always honest to myself. It's playful and delightful because none forces me - self-motivation is the best fuel. I'm grateful for having a garden (or a kind of tiny amusement park?) to work with - there are endless things to learn and enjoy.

I changed a bit setting in one of the corners today and can't help myself thinking how forgiving this place is, for all my trial-and-errors.

 

[Phaedra]

Did some mowing today and used a small part of the clipping as mulching for small areas I sowed directly. Seedlings are emerging, so a bit protection is welcome.

I pricked out one tray of seedlings and wondered what else should I sow - bush beans, more leeks and scallions, large brassicas for autumn harvest, and maybe another batch of adzuki beans? I already have a lot of young plants waiting to be transplanted.

And I received three new sweet pea seeds that I will sow later today.

The working result of today, a much cleaner corner - there are still some fixing and feeding tasks to do, but I am satisfied with the progress so far.

The next tulips that are ready for their prime time - lily-flowered tulip 'Sarah Raven'