Snow and Such

I lived in Tennessee for 30 years and every Holiday used to "Pine" for snow.  Now living in Upstate New York right off Lake Ontario, no lack of snow.  When it starts to snow, I get this feeling: Don't ever stop.

Fuchsia Gartenmeister Upright.  In no time, it dropped all its leaves and now looks like this.  I will put it in my mudroom where it will stay dormant to early spring.  Looks dead, doesnt it?  

Fuchsia Gartenmeister Upright Live Plant Sun / Part Sun Hardy Landscape 6"plant

The life of this plant:

My fuschia stays out all summer on my deck in full 8 hours of sun, green and full of blooms.  Then as fall and cool weather approaches here in Upstate New york, it begins to drop its lower leaves and its blooms.  You can take cuttings now if you like. Eventually it will just be sticks.  I keep it in my mud room, where it stays cool, water sparingly till it drops all leaves. then rarely water, keep in a corner under bench, etc till next spring.  I watch for the little sprouts of new growth, bring it out give it light and it begins to grow.

Right now I have cuttings for sale 4 inch size for sale here:http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=151108062445&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

do you see my 6 waternelons??

It has been "very" hot here in Upstate NY, and humid, humid, humid.  Finally easing off a bit.  Not much rain lately, our creek and pond are beginning to lower.  Last year we lost our pond completely, a sorry sight, and the creek was left with 2 pools from which we watered our geese and ducks..Thank goodness.  We also lost our well..went dry... not fun, but we survived.  Hopefully it will hold this year.

The Grandkids have returned to Tennessee and I will miss them.  Now back to my work, straightening up and tending the food garden.  I've had Lucsious peas, juicy onions, gobs of lettuce, spinach, ....now saw our first tomato, head of broccolli, beans are coming.  I dont know why I plant Cauliflour it never makes.
Some things in gardening vegetables take a special hand, more tending, which I havent developed yet..may never.  I am really tending my watermelon.  Have you paid $7 for one yet?  Yikes!!  We have gotten our wood for the winter.  First winter going to heat all with wood.

This is my little 'Gamper" a Wild cat.  I hope to fix it up.
If you have strawberries, maybe for the first time like me.  You can cut them back and fertilizer them for next year.

We planted 2 cherry trees, had to watch  and water, as this is not an ideal time, but they were on sale.  Watered them today with root stimulator to encourage root growth.

I am going to try and grow vegetables in my greenhouse: lettuce, spinach, greens...I believe now is the time to plant them.

Greenhouse, Zebrina and My Clematis Vine.

Zebrina and my Clematis.  I had hoped my clematis would climb and bloom.  It first had a big show of blooms on the bottom. There are different types of Clematis: some grow andbloom on stems from the prior year, and others ( this one grows new stems and blooms. My Zebrina is just starting to bloom, these re seeded from last years blooms.

Here is my greenhouse.  It is very sturdy and the plastic is guaranteed for quite a few years.  It is cemented into the ground.  Better be since we get strong winter winds in New york North country.  I will see how it last the winter.  I put this together with very little help, once at the beginning and then to move it to its permanent spot.  It is only a 6'x 8'  There is nothing like the smell of fresh earth and growing plants on a cold spring day to make you feel good.

Hey!! Summer gardening.

Here in Upstate New York:

Finally a normal summer, Rain.  I know some are flooding, thankfully we are not, but it is so good to have rain.  And what a difference it makes for the garden.  Things are growing like weeds...Weeds too.  I have always struggled with weeds, not good at getting rid of them.  Truthfully, I am a lazy gardener.  Any suggestions?

We have added creatures to our life:

Bob, the Goose, Jack the Dog, and Root Beer our Momma Kitty, who has added a few kittens.  

Now to Gardening.  I have a greenhouse, got it here in the spring. greenhouse  I love it will show a picture next. It has given me a place besides my living room to start many plants.  I'm not sure about using it in the winter, very cold here.

I cant say enough about Zebrina Hollyhock, plants pop up everywhere in my flowers and I love it.

Not too late to plant beans, squash, cucumbers, in the north, late tomatoes in the south.

Good gardening.

Spring gardening  Peas: Do not add fertilizer to peas they get their nitrogen from the air.  Put them in well drained soil.
Radishes:  Add fertilizer with seed organic preferred, as they develop very quickly.
Spinach: I side dress with dried blood great nitrogen.

Last year we began raising ducks for fun and eggs.  We were given 3 Pomeranian Geese. The female,  could be "Mother Goose" for sure.  We had to fight her for her eggs. The are good tasting and great for baking, both duck and goose. I also was able to sell some blown out goose eggs to help cover the cost of food.  we now have 6 baby geese is it goslings??  and 9 baby ducks.  We incubated them, our first time by building a homemade incubator.  It was a wonderful experience.  Well mother  goose has just taken over, it is fun to watch.  We are using the straw from their house in our garden and hoping it will naturally improve it.  Will let you know.

More later and will add pictures.