Thursday, January 7, 2016

Gardening 2016: It’s time to get to work

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In about 6 weeks, the experts say that zone 9 gardeners should be able to start their spring planting.


In South Texas that falls around Valentine’s Day.


The key is the temperature, and as hot as it is most of the time in the Rio Grande Valley, it is often too cold to

plant in February.


Last year I planted my zinnias and tomatoes at the end of February.


Zinnia seeds and baby tomato plants do NOT like to be cold.
 

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I really doesn’t matter because I have so much work to do and

that makes me smile.

It is going to take a great deal of time and elbow grease to
 
get back to this

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when things look like this.


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Gardening To Do List #1
.


*Find zinnia seeds.

Last year I bought seeds in every small town hardware/feed store while on trips to Montgomery to see our

grandsons. On our drive home, that included stops in Montgomery, Navasota, Brenham, and Cuero.

I found wonderful gardening supplies at a hardware store in Cuero.

This year I may have to order my zinnia seeds.


* Turn the soil in all of my raised beds.

It is too early to amend the soil .

I am just going to ‘air things out’ a bit.


*Clean out and organize my garden shed .

I am going to completely empty the shed, hose it down, and organize my tools and supplies.


* Clean the patio by my raised beds.


Oh dear- what a mess.

I will probably need to use my high pressure washer with just a little clorox.

On second thought, maybe clorox isn’t such a good idea.

Any suggestions?

It looks like mildew from the rain and moisture we have had this winter.


***

Come along with me as I get things ready for spring!


19 comments:

Stacey said...

We've hardly had winter this year so I can't wait! This is a first but the pots on my porch (from fall) are still thriving. The mums are still putting on new growth and blooming! It is supposed to get into the 20s tonight so that might be the end. I'm always looking forward to spring. :)

Elizabethd said...

We do put a touch of bleach in the water for cleaning, not too much as it can be slippery. You are wwell ahead with your garden plans!

Theresa said...

Ahhh, something to look forward to:) We have a big list of things to do also for our garden! Enjoy your day dear friend, HUGS!

Patty said...

Laura, I'm a few hours north of you in a little town west of San Antonio. I believe I have some zinnia and tomato seeds in my stash I'd love to send you. If you'll email me your snail mail address, I'll put them in the mail for you. And if you don't mind a drive, or making it a weekend trip, we have an upcoming plant swap in San Antonio through GardenWeb.com. It's usually in April. Ask me about it if you'd like more information.

Patty Soriano
soriano471@sbcglobal.net

Linda said...

First, thanks for visiting me...and I am your newest follower as well. What a beautiful blog you have and I had to giggle over explanation of your "white paint". Nice to meet you, many Blessings to you.

Stephanie said...

Hi sweet Laura! I wanted to thank you for the lovely visit to my blog - your kind comment was a joy to read :)

Your post was a delight to read and I must say that we have oodles and oodles of snow right now so no gardening for us {{smiles}}

Have a beautiful weekend. Hugs!

Buttercup said...

We've got a long way to go, but with the recent weather spring may be closer this year. Looking forward to seeing all of your garden delights.

Joy Junktion said...

It will be a pleasure to follow you along this garden path. I'm sure I will pick up many helpful hints as your journey along. Blessings, Cindy

Brenda Pruitt said...

Wow! Wish I could start thinking gardening then!
Brenda

An Oasis in the Desert said...

Your beds of zinnias look beautiful, Laura! I can understand why you are anxious to get things moving to have those beauties again this year. Our backyard is a work in-progress and has been for 4 years now....lol! I'm afraid neither my hubby or I have green thumbs, but we are trying to plan out some raised beds for veggies and flowers.

Thank you for following my blog, and I will follow you back!

Warm hugs,
Carol

Pura Vida said...

I am so envious as I shiver under this frosty blanket of snow in the Texas Panhandle with more snow this weekend. What a difference a zone can make!

Red Rose Alley said...

Your garden looks great! I have a small garden of roses and they were blooming just until recently with the cold winter weather that we're having. I notice these zinnias on a lot of my friend's blogs, and they look like sturdy flowers. I look forward to seeing your garden this year. :)

~Sheri

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Thank you for sharing this friendly reminder that we need to get ready for our Spring Gardens in Texas!
I can't wait!
xoxo
Jemma

Katie Mansfield said...

Great tips. I am going to have zinnias this year. It's something to look forward to.

Entertaining Women said...

You are so ambitious with your garden...the sign of a dedicated gardener, I think. It's in the 60's here right now. Certainly more winter to come, so we'll enjoy this while we can. Thanks for stopping by to visit my blog. It was good to hear from you. Cherry Kay

Andrea at Opulent Cottage said...

Look at those zinnias! Goodness, I just cannot wait to have some again. Your garden is just *gorgeous* and I'll be excited to see this year's! xo, Andrea

Maria said...

You have such a beautiful garden space. I love the touches of colorful pottery.
Thanks
Maria

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