I love my orchids, although I do not profess to be an expert when it comes to their care.
Greetings fellow gardeners,
My operation went smoothly, but still, it hurts. It tests the levels of my patience and probably the patience of those who are caring for me. On one hand, I want to push so I can get better faster. On the other hand, I don’t want to move because everything hurts.
I am starting to emerge from my pain into the sunshine of my garden. Today I wobbled about with my four-wheeled walker because those tomatoes had to be fed! I did not spend all that time and energy to end up with blossom-end rot. They are not happy, and there are signs of blight, but the fruit is ripening, so I am going to take that as a positive.
Sit Orchids in Water
Right on cue, my orchid started to bloom as I lay recovering. That was such a treat. I love my orchids, although I do not profess to be an expert when it comes to their care. About every week or so, I bring them into the kitchen and have them sit in water for about 30 minutes. I let them drip-dry on rocks, and that little bit of humidity seems to help. They are in the plant compound as they are a bit too interesting to the too-many cats.
The too-many cats have been very supportive. They are encouraging me to move about, although I think it might be because they would like more food. They have been keeping me company and showing me how great it is to lie about in the sunshine.
Leo
Making Plans to take back my Garden
For now, I am watching gardening shows and taking notes. With the damage done to my trees and all the noxious weeds that have grown in the back, I am making plans to take back my garden. It is a huge job. I decided to approach this the same way I approach my seed catalogs. When I start my seed order, I write down absolutely everything that I want. and then I start to take stuff away. What I am doing with my entire garden is writing down everything that I want to do. From this list I will start to prioritize. What needs to be done first? What can wait for a long time? I am extending my timeline to two years so I don’t feel so rushed.
The sun is shining, and life feels sweet. Be sure to keep watering your pots and prepare for the vegetable harvest ahead. My sweet cat Leo is keeping me happy, and all is well with the world. Enjoy your week. Judith
Judith Cox is a Master Gardener and President of the Stittsville Goulbourn Horticultural Society . The many topics covered in her blogs include starting a garden, planting seeds, selecting the best seeds, identifying specific plants, and growing produce other than what is found at the grocery store. Every issue offers solutions to common issues faced by gardeners, including wildlife, whether to water, pests, snails, and other issues. During the winter, Judith writes for local journals and newspapers, give talks at local horticultural clubs on a range of gardening topics. She also finds time to run a small business selling watercolor and pen and ink cards.
Answer: Tomatoes grow good vines because they require plenty of sunlight and warm temperatures. To get the most out of your tomato plants it is important to provide them with at least 8 hours of direct sunlight and an average temperature of 75- 80 degrees. Additionally, they need plenty of soil nutrients and regular pruning to keep them healthy and to generate more tomatoes. Learn how to maintain your tomato plants for maximum fruit-bearing potential!
Discover the importance of saving water, from graduated water bills to sustainable gardening practices like rainwater harvesting and runoff prevention in Ottawa.
Discover how to grow and use Aloe Vera, a popular cactus-like succulent, as an effective medicinal plant. Learn how to harvest the leaves, make your own gel, and care for your Aloe Vera plant!
This a summary of the most frequent comments received from 81 questionnaire responses received by Gardens Ottawa between February 8th and March 31st, 2019.
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