I know it's not spring everywhere...
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Been out working in the yard for the last few days. Weather is decent, with cool temps ideal for transplanting some things that I needed to move. Am mixing up soil to put in various raised garden beds. And trying to rabbit-proof a few things. There are a lot of the little beggars out there and soon to be more.
My neighbor is getting rid of some large limestone stepping stones and also a really nice chunk of decorative rock that was in his garden. I schlepped the rock over here yesterday and am going back later this week for the steppers.
Am also trying to reduce the number of spring and fall maintenance tasks around the yard. I'm not getting any younger...
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Ammonia fumes work better than soaking. Put grates in something like a Rubbermaid tub or small covered trash can, then pour maybe 1/2 cup of plain ammonia on the bottom. Cover and let it sit some 24 hours.
Wipe off with a paper towel.
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Nothing in our yard is flowering yet, but we really enjoyed the neighbor's cherry trees! Those are done now, but now the red buds are out in force. Maybe I'll share some photos, even though unlike the rest of you, none of this is anything that we had a hand in...
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The French tarragon is coming back beautifully (second year). The oregano will come back if I let it, but it's about 4 years old and taking over too much...think I'll dig it up. The rosemary came back last year, we'll see it if does this year. I'd like to cut the old ugly woody stems back and see it if comes up fresh from the root, but I don't know if it's safe to do that. This is the third year for the sage, which is a large-leaf varietal, and it grows too profusely, like a pest. Will definitely plant 2 or 3 flat-parsley plants. I want to try something more exotic like summer savory or more obscure herbs.
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The French tarragon is coming back beautifully (second year). The oregano will come back if I let it, but it's about 4 years old and taking over too much...think I'll dig it up. The rosemary came back last year, we'll see it if does this year. I'd like to cut the old ugly woody stems back and see it if comes up fresh from the root, but I don't know if it's safe to do that. This is the third year for the sage, which is a large-leaf varietal, and it grows too profusely, like a pest. Will definitely plant 2 or 3 flat-parsley plants. I want to try something more exotic like summer savory or more obscure herbs.
@RealPlayer I'm going to try sorrel this year. It's a bit unusual and I don't see it in grocery stores. Sorrel soup is very tasty!
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The French tarragon is coming back beautifully (second year). The oregano will come back if I let it, but it's about 4 years old and taking over too much...think I'll dig it up. The rosemary came back last year, we'll see it if does this year. I'd like to cut the old ugly woody stems back and see it if comes up fresh from the root, but I don't know if it's safe to do that. This is the third year for the sage, which is a large-leaf varietal, and it grows too profusely, like a pest. Will definitely plant 2 or 3 flat-parsley plants. I want to try something more exotic like summer savory or more obscure herbs.
Your climate must be more benign than mine. The only two herbs that survived the winter are garlic chives and teragon. No sage, no rosemary.
I’ll plant again but it’s discouraging.
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Your climate must be more benign than mine. The only two herbs that survived the winter are garlic chives and teragon. No sage, no rosemary.
I’ll plant again but it’s discouraging.
@Steve-Miller In our areas rosemary is treated like an annual. Technically it's a tender perennial but unless the winter is very mild, chances are the cold will get it. I've tried bringing in a potted plant but it never does well inside for me.
You should be able to grow other perennial herbs like sage, oregano, and thyme outside in addition to the tarragon.
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Your climate must be more benign than mine. The only two herbs that survived the winter are garlic chives and teragon. No sage, no rosemary.
I’ll plant again but it’s discouraging.
@Steve-Miller Yes, the coastal area around NY City, including coastal New Jersey and Long Island, is in a warmer climatic zone. I don’t think we’ll ever have rosemary hedges like they have in California, but I’ve seen a small bush in a neighbor’s yard.
Where my rosemary is planted, it’s protected from wind on two sides by the garage and house, so that may help.
People grow fig trees here too. One place has a front yard of cacti!
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Rosemary does not survive up here but sage often does. Oregano grows rampant and I had to take it back to a manageable size last year. Lemon Balm survives and does well. Lavender is iffy, sometimes it comes back but always looking like it's had a down and out with winter. I'm told the variety named 'Munster' is more cold hardy.
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Last year we had two basil plants. That was the first time we saw leaves that looked like they were chewed on. They’re usually pest-free. I wonder if we have snails or something.
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Cherry tree bloomed last week but it didn’t do much. It’s leafing out well, though, so maybe it’s just young.
Third year for this compact rhododendron and this is the best it’s ever looked! CATV cable heaved out of the ground over the winter and I haven’t put it back yet.
This weeping redbud was planted last summer and so far it looks great! So graceful.
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Great info from the Chicago Botanic Garden about growing spuds :
https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantinfo/smartgardener/growing_potatoe_spuds
