Phaedra's Adventure

[Phaedra]

About three weeks ago, I pinched the tops of Dahlias that I grew from seeds and propagated them as cuttings. Some make it, and some don't. For those successfully rooted, it's time to give them their own cells.

Meanwhile, the pruned Stevia cuttings were soaked in water. I didn't have any expectation, but it works. The first one roots nicely also got its own cell today.

From the early pinching/pruning, you can still harvest new plants without additional costs.

Melons seeds that sprouted inside a melon - nice of them already show the vitality to grow. Life is miracle, isn't it?

 

[flowerbug]

i really like the bulb irises and enjoy them when they come out. a specific variety is often the first flower here of spring.

 

[Phaedra]

Another day with super heavy rain, so, it's time to stay indoors for reading and chores.

The flowers picked yesterday - they look gorgeous after resting over night.

There is an introduction of Green lacewings - it's great to learn about that their larvae are known as "aphid lions" (also spelled "aphidlions") or "aphid wolves". Besides, I realized that their larvae are sold as biological control agents, wow!

It's also interesting to learn more about biennial plants. Never too old to learn.

Well, something funny here, I don't know why some wild roses (they look like wild roses to me) 'invaded' those plastic planters. Maybe because of the compost? I might throw some rosehips and some branches I pruned last year? When I pull them (there are two) out, each has an about 6" long tap root! Anyway, I put both plants in a glass jar with water now, and maybe I can identify them better much later.

 

[Phaedra]

We had a lovely Sunday with friends at home.

Two types of homemade sandwiches and fruits

Two types of cake rolls - Japanese Matcha & Raspberries / Cacao and Banana

Flowers from the garden~

Basic set-up

Dogs are happy, too - they have their special lunch set

 

[Rhodie Ranch]

I see the white shepherd dog is blowing its coat!! Spring has sprung!!

Sooooooo pretty - all of it!! Thank you.

 

[ducks4you]

Another day with super heavy rain, so, it's time to stay indoors for reading and chores.

View attachment 65966
The flowers picked yesterday - they look gorgeous after resting over night.
View attachment 65967
There is an introduction of Green lacewings - it's great to learn about that their larvae are known as "aphid lions" (also spelled "aphidlions") or "aphid wolves". Besides, I realized that their larvae are sold as biological control agents, wow!
View attachment 65968
It's also interesting to learn more about biennial plants. Never too old to learn.
View attachment 65969
Well, something funny here, I don't know why some wild roses (they look like wild roses to me) 'invaded' those plastic planters. Maybe because of the compost? I might throw some rosehips and some branches I pruned last year? When I pull them (there are two) out, each has an about 6" long tap root! Anyway, I put both plants in a glass jar with water now, and maybe I can identify them better much later.
View attachment 65970

Wild roses need to be burned. They have horrible thorns all OVER the stems--I got rid of one on a fenceline a couple of years ago.
Also, the first man who received penicillin suffered a cut from a rose thorn.

 

[Phaedra]

Wild roses need to be burned. They have horrible thorns all OVER the stems--I got rid of one on a fenceline a couple of years ago.
Also, the first man who received penicillin suffered a cut from a rose thorn.

You are right, I already chopped them and threw to the bio trash bin. Originally, I thought it might be the apple rose (rosa rugosa), but after some closer looks, mmm, not what I thought.

 

[Phaedra]

Rainy day, I just did three things in the garden - harvested loads of salad green when there was no rain yet in the early morning, used the electrical trimmer to clean the edges of pavers, and guarded my young plants with a flash light and the scissor - to kill as many slugs as possible.

The container method for growing salad greens is pretty nice, I will say - much easier to manage and harvest.

Today's harvest - all rinsed and dried. So fresh, crisp, and pretty - and the water used for rinsing was also poured into a barrel for watering other plants later.

I also harvested the very tips of fava beans, and pruned them back. The pruned stems and leaves were for the chickens. I will pan-fry the tips with garlic tomorrow as a dish. Fava beans will keep sending side shoots from bottom, and I don't need them flower as I am not that interested in the beans.

I love to eat their young shoots as veggies, and with this way, the plants' nitrogen-fixing function will work much better than letting them flower and bear fruits.

 

[baymule]

You can open your shop now! That is wonderful news! Your most favorite peony has rewarded you with beautiful blooms and it is so lovely. Your garden has come back to life and is breathtaking! I adore your beautiful garden, flowers, vegetables and all the little things you do to make it your oasis. Thank you for all the pictures you post.

 

[flowerbug]

congrats on finally being able to have your cafe open.