Phaedra's 2023 Adventure

[Phaedra]

I don't understand, @Phaedra .

There is a big hole in your terrace?

What that for - some kind of drainage feature?

Under the very old and heavy pavers, there was one layer that could prevent the water from penetrating. It's a terrace shared by our neighbor and us. Once, the entire small area belongs to one big family. The drainage hole is on our neighbor's side, but that old layer was made two generations ago.

Our neighbor suggested that we remove the paver and redo that water-resistant layer. Their side first, and then ours - and we can put our plastic shed temporarily on their side. They also rebuilt the drainage hole and the pipeline to the sewer. (Ah, this description includes a lot of vocabulary that I am not familiar with. Hopefully, it's understandable for you.)

So, their side is done, and ours will be done this Friday.

 

[Phaedra]

Today is a pruning and propagating day for houseplants.

Monstera

Pachira aquatica, Clusia rosea, Schefflera arboricola, Dracaena sanderiana (I forgot to take a photo.)

 

[baymule]

Under the very old and heavy pavers, there was one layer that could prevent the water from penetrating. It's a terrace shared by our neighbor and us. Once, the entire small area belongs to one big family. The drainage hole is on our neighbor's side, but that old layer was made two generations ago.

Our neighbor suggested that we remove the paver and redo that water-resistant layer. Their side first, and then ours - and we can put our plastic shed temporarily on their side. They also rebuilt the drainage hole and the pipeline to the sewer. (Ah, this description includes a lot of vocabulary that I am not familiar with. Hopefully, it's understandable for you.)

So, their side is done, and ours will be done this Friday.

Perfectly understandable! Your English is always spot on and correct. You are amazing!

 

[Branching Out]

Beautiful Monstera cutting!

 

[Phaedra]

In the recent two weeks, we will have strong frost every morning. Most of the young plants stay in the greenhouse, and I use a greenhouse heater to maintain the temperature above 0 degrees C. However, it is also very sunny from about 9 AM to 5 PM. I will bring them for a happy sunbath. About a good 80% of young plants or seedlings are outside, not only enjoying the sunlight, but also kind of hardening off.

Look at these healthy German chamomiles!

The solar light is also re-charging.

And it works when we go to bed.

I also cleaned up indoor plants, like this mini Azalea. The new leaves are coming.

Deadheading and removing the debris can secure reasonable space for the new growth.

This is much better.

Then, I soaked it in a bucket with water and diluted seaweed fertilizer for 30 minutes.

 

[Phaedra]

Charles Dowding already suggested that we better don't transplant anything outside before the spring equinox, and our forecast also shows the same trend - this March isn't a friendly one. I temporarily stopped my weekly sowing schedule and might re-start on March-17.

For vegetables, I already have more than enough seedlings for this spring. What I will sow on March-17 would be an early variety of carrots, tomatoes, pot marigolds, the second batch of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and more peas.

I just pricked out close to 50 seedlings from the germination domes today:
Vegetable - early purple broccoli (8), napa cabbages (10),
Flower and Herb -
two varieties of Pansy (16) / Pot marigold (3) / Eucalyptus (8) / Rhodiola (3)

Yes, and I pruned some roses again but I didn't have time to prepare the cuttings yet. Those roses are so ready to grow!

The waterproofing layer was almost done. I need to think about how to make good use of this space - 1/3 of the left side will be where we put our plastic tool shed, and I still have another 2/3.

Mmm, they already came earlier to do some quality checks. We will discuss with our neighbor and decide on a new covering layer. The original pavers are just too heavy.

It's still cold, but more hens started to lay eggs. Collecting eggs is always rewarding.

 

[Branching Out]

Yes, so popular here View attachment 55437

Okay, Sea Bird Guano is sold here as well, and I bought a box of it a while back. This version has a seagull on the box. A penguin would be much cuter.

 

[Phaedra]

Although I stopped sowing for two weeks, many to-dos awaited me.

I added a lot of perennial plants in the garden and started receiving what I had ordered earlier. Till today, I finished the first box with Ranunculus, Dahlia, Begonia, Crocosmia, Freesia, Sidalcea, Stachys, Thalictrum, and two varieties of Siberian Iris.

I seldom used this (QP) trays in the recent two years - they need too much seeding compost. However, they are suitable for small bulbs, onion sets, or garlic cloves.

Crocosmia and Freesia

After almost half a year, the olive cuttings finally generated some callus.

clary sage grew from seeds, lovely leaves

Spring is not far away!

 

[ducks4you]

Love that labelling system!

 

[Phaedra]

Bagel, Microgreens (rocket) and fresh orange juice

Succession planting