The Daffs Go In While the Snow Flies

That title sounds a little more dramatic than it was (some snow, blustery wind - but hardly a storm) - finally got the last of the Thalia daffodils in. They are a lovely white colour. I had planted some about 5 years ago, but found with my sandy soil they really start to dwindle in size and flower power. In fact of the 50 I originally planted I only had a couple blooms last spring.

I have replaced them now and tucked 20 or so in the spot where our dear Saint used to pretend she was invisible. It will be a pretty reminder of our big old girl.

Potting up Giant Bulbs to Beat the Winter Blues

It's hard to believe looking at these lovely large bulbs - but in a couple short months I will have the ultimate in floral tonics - 6 giant pots of amaryllis (Hippeastrum)in bloom. Always the procrastinator, I should have gotten them potted up weeks ago for Christmas bloom. But it's kind of nice to think that come January and February when it's truly cold, miserable and cloudy I'll have my own spectacular display. And besides, the flowers can shine without the competition of the Christmas ornaments.

Sunshine & Kitchen Cabinets!

Yesterday we got our first blast of winter. Hard to believe it was sweater weather just last week. This morning was surprised by our kitchen installer Phil who showed up at 7:24 a.m. to begin working on the kitchen. He took my husband at his word when he said, "Come as early as you want!"

I made a dash for the garden with my camera to capture the early morning light. Lovely to see little bits of snow combined with the brilliant fall colour. Hopefully, the scheduled thaw will materialize next week - must confess, there are still more bulbs to get into the garden. I'm definitely pushing my luck - however, if I can still get my shovel in the ground........

Garden Activity Moves Inside

I made a mad grab for a number of my favourite tropicals a couple of weeks ago and dumped them around the house. I'm doing my best in the midst of this kitchen renovation to keep them alive. Over the next few weeks I'll start to take some cuttings. I'm particularly keen to see if I can make more of this gorgeous variegated brugmansia. It bloomed just before the last frost. I left it in its original container when I planted it in the larger ceramic planter. This made it a little easier to bring inside this fall.

And for a while when it lived in the living room - it looked fabulous. The flowers were beautifully scented. However, its looks faded quickly - now it's a pathetic 2 meter creature of bare stocks and just a few leaves. While it may be ugly now, I think I'll be able to take at least three good cuttings. And, just imagine how beautiful they'll be next summer!

Getting Ready to Plan

Yesterday was simply stunning. I got 80 Mount Tacoma tulips into the ground. They are a late variety - double white - and from the package photo resemble peonies. Rather than plant them one at a time; I dig a large hole at least 50 cm wide and at least 20 cm deep. I press the tulip bulbs into the bottom of the hole about 5 cm apart and then back fill with soil. What I like to see in the Spring is a drift of colour, rather than the very formal soldier plantings you see in front of large buildings. Last year, I combined old-fashioned orange, yellow and red tulips and planted in river shaped bands.

Instead of planting the whole box of 100, I saved 20 Mount Tacoma tulips to force, so that I'll have some colour inside during those bleak February months. I'll pot them up this week and tuck the pots under my deck for safekeeping and conditioning.

So aside from cutting things down and cleaning things up for Winter, I plan to take measurements and inventory of my plants in preparation for my new front yard plan. It has always been my official testing ground, I've got hundreds of different plants, and consequently it is far more work than it needs to be - my backyard, that I designed 5 years ago is a breeze to maintain, so my goal is to achieve an easier-to-maintain and prettier garden.

Little Woody Plants for Giant Blasts of Colour

It has been such an unusual Fall - warm, dry and not very colourful - so I was just delighted to see the sunshine, blue sky and these wonderful punctuations of colour throughout my garden this morning. From the Japanese Maples, my Berberis 'Gold Ring' - which loses its leaf rings in the autumn, and the double coloured leaves of the Hamamelis it's all just grand.

The Land of the Giants at the Royal Winter Fair

I love the Royal Winter Fair. Today was Holstein Day! What do I know about cows? Very little, but I do like a beauty contest and this was the ultimate in bovine beauty. These lovely 3- year-old girls were chosen from a quite a field. There's nothing like watching their slow procession around the ring. When the final selection was made and the winner was crowned the announcer proclaimed, "These are all fine cows, but when you have a cow as beautiful as the black one, the job of picking the winner is simple." I'm still no wiser as to what constitutes a beautiful cow, but do have to admit she is quite lovely.

One of my favourite parts of the fair is the award winning vegetables - chosen for their size - these top beets would give any child nightmares. And can you believe the Sicilian zucchini! Kevin is 6'5" - they are enormous. Taller still are the sunflowers and corn - just a-maizing. (forgive me). The gigantic pumpkins always draw a crowd. I cannot imagine growing a squash over 1000 lbs - and then having to haul it down to the Royal.

So it's out in the garden tomorrow - there were a few flurries yesterday, followed by rain - so if it's dry enough, I'm going to get some of my bulbs in. Fingers crossed!

The snow has started and I still have 500 bulbs to plant!

Perhaps I've waited a little too long to get those bulbs in the ground. First the weather was too warm, and now I fear I'm going to need a jackhammer to get them into the soil!

Perhaps the squirrels will have a little bit of trouble too!