Wednesday, February 1, 2012

My Garden Notebook - February 2012



This month, I begin to document my garden here--projects, plans, inspirations, garden activities, etc.  I will be posting My Garden Notebook on the first of every month. I will look back on the previous month and look forward to the coming month, recording weather conditions, garden phases, project plans, and other important elements of my gardening month.



stats


Gardening Zone: 7a
January High Temperature: 70 degrees F
January Low Temperature: 19 degreesF
Precipitation: 1.86 inches


We had a few dustings of snow that melted very quickly. Some ice storms covered the landscape in crystal magic over a period of a few days in late January.




wildlife


The birds are eating voraciously. I must fill the feeders about twice a week. Squirrels have been raiding the feeders, but they do not seem to steal very much since the feeders are 'squirrel-proof.' They do, however, get a few tidbits.


American goldfinch

I hear a great horned owl hooting at dawn and dusk, but I have not been able to catch sight of him or her or the pair. I would love to get a photo.



photo courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Digital Library


The owl hooting:


Great Horned Owl Hoot








I still was not able to see the owl or owls. I believe they are further inside the wooded area than their calls seem to project.


Your Gardening Friend features Friday's Photo Blog Hop on Fridays. See what other bloggers are photographing.


blooms, sprouts, yield, observations


Because of the mild winter we have had, some of my daffodils are budding and one has bloomed. This is very unusual. I do not usually see this until March. 




All of the hydrangea shrubs are budding. I was very concerned about this when we had the ice storms, but they seem to have taken it well.




The maple trees are budding.




My African violets are blooming indoors.




I noticed a few molehills, proof of mole activity, around my juniper skyrockets. I stepped on and crushed as many as I could find to stop any voles from using the tunnels.




I found some vole activity near the birdfeeders. I sprinkled castor oil pellets around this area.




Something has been nibbling on my ice plant. I am guessing it was a rabbit, but I think the plant will survive.




I have broccoli, kale, lettuce, chard, mustard greens, green cabbage, and napa cabbage in the vegetable garden. The vegetables have flourished in this mild winter weather. On nights when it goes below freezing, I cover all the vegetable beds with tarps. If it goes below 21 degrees F, I cover the tarps with blankets. This has worked very well.




I had planned to continue this practice until the weather became consistently colder, then I would harvest all the vegetables. However, the colder weather has not arrived on a consistent basis, and if this weather continues, these vegetables may last until spring.




I harvest the lettuce as I need it for salads.


The broccoli has been doing very well with the warmer temperatures. In November the heads were very small, and I thought that would be as big as they would get as we neared winter. Because of the warmer winter temperatures, the heads have had a chance to expand and mature.




I use the napa cabbage in soups and harvest the heads as I need them. I harvested one this week, and I have four more in the garden.




I use chard, kale, and mustard greens in soups and salads and harvest the leaves as I need them.






I use parsley in soups, salads, meat and vegetable dishes, and in teas. Despite the ice storms, it is going strong. I have some in the herb garden, in the vegetable garden, and in pots on the deck for easy harvesting. A friend of mine gave me a gift of some herb snips, and they work perfectly to mince parsley.




I planted this creeping thyme last year to cascade over a wall, and it is doing very well. I watered it consistently throughout the growing season, but I had left it to winter over the last couple of months. I have found these to be very delicate and have lost some plants over the years, but these seem to be settling in very well. I believe this is woolly creeping thyme, Thymus pseudolanuginosus. The winter color is a very muted greenish gray.






completed garden chores


✔ clear away plant debris
✔ trim buddleia
✔ prune blue atlas cedar




Because we had such a mild fall and winter, I did not clear away much of the perennial plant debris as it remained green. Now, everything has faded to brown. I cleaned all the garden beds of debris and faded foliage.


Many years ago, I would leave all of this debris with the leaves until spring to add another layer of mulch around the plants, but when I moved here I began to have vole problems. And voles prefer plant debris and leaves as a shelter while they sneak around beneath it to find and nibble on plant roots. Since I have been removing the plant debris and leaves in fall, I have had fewer problems with voles. I use other methods of control as well, but that is another post. 


garden chores for February


* plant spring vegetable seeds - indoors
* prune raspberry bush


products


These are some of my favorite seed catalogs.




Seeds of Change


John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds


The Cook's Garden


Prairie Moon Nursery Native Gardener's Companion


Territorial Seed Company


Pinetree Garden Seeds


inspirations


My inspirations are winter color, texture, and scenes. I am hoping we do get a bit of snow before winter departs, but I am enjoying exploring whatever Mother Nature brings.




What is in your Garden Notebook for February?


I am linking up with:


The Patient Gardener for End of Month View
Town Mouse Country Mouse for First Views
Bumble Lush for Best and Worst of My Garden
The Gardening Blog for Garden Bloggers Harvest Day


Stop by their blogs to see what other gardeners are doing.


© copyright 2012 Michelle A. Potter

77 comments:

  1. Beautiful and inspiring. Thank you.

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    1. I am glad you enjoyed what is in my garden notebook.

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  2. I am just in love with your blog..you are the one taking all the photos? they are amaziiiiiiiiiiing. Congrats and a whole lot of love from me :).

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    1. Thank you, unikorna. I am an amateur photographer who is still learning.

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  3. Good morning, Happy Feb 1... I have to say that your Garden Notebook is very inspirational.. I think that, that is what I was trying to do with my blog... but it didn't turn out that way... I can't wait for the next one, March 1, Right? I am dealing with a blackberry bush... I have no idea what I'm doing... I am under the impression that raspberry bushes are quite similar... Any hints???

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    1. I think I was hoping to do something similar, but my idea for that got lost as well. I wanted to do this so I could document what I am doing and what is going on in the garden. I have planned to do this on the first of every month. I posted a link for some blackberry care in a comment on your blog...good luck!

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  4. I like your idea of extending first views with your monthly round-up of garden activities and work ahead. I've started keeping a paper trail - I keep a notebook in the greenhouse, which is where I think about jotting down the daily activities. I think a computer based one would be better, more searchable, but it's easy to jot down in the notebook. Maybe once I get the habit really established, I'll move on to the computer. It's so handy to look back on and learn from. That woolly thyme is very attractive. I've noticed a little modest native plant around here that behaves in something the same manner, and I'm going to try and propagate it. I forget what it's called but I hope to give that some attention in the upcoming weeks and maybe blog about it. Great to see all your veggies. One day....!

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    1. I also have lists and notes, but they are scattered. I really need one spot for it all. I am hoping this garden notebook will be helpful to me and maybe to others.

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  5. Great idea to summarize on a monthly basis. I enjoyed reading everything that's going on in your garden. Your vegetables look gorgeous! My cats are my method of vole control!

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    1. Thanks, Holley. I am so surprised that we have been able to keep the veggie garden going this long. I have two Siamese cats, but they are indoor cats that go outside periodically. And they do catch moles and voles and such from time to time, but I think the better opportunities are at night. I am hoping those owls and hawks that are in the adjacent forest come by for a feast now and then.

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  6. Such beautiful winter garden fare! I've got a variety of lettuces growing but that's about it besides some herbs in pots. But you've got it all. So cool! And your African violets are beautiful!!!!!!

    Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage

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    1. Thanks, Cindy. If I had known this weather would have been so mild, I would have planted more...but I am grateful for what I do have. And even then, I wish for some winter weather, some snow. I am glad the African violets are blooming in winter...a real treat.

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  7. Thank you for visiting my blog....
    Sorry my last posts aren't in English anymore... I had the impression I didn't get any English speaking visitor anymore, so I stopped translating my posts in the last weeks...

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    1. You are welcome, AnneTanne. I am fine with visiting and using Google translate..works just fine.

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  8. what a lot you cover in your note book, amazed at veggies in winter your broccoli looks yummy, glad you have had better weather than last year,
    I also love the trees in the previous post, Frances

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    1. Thanks, Frances. We have really enjoyed all the fresh broccoli from the garden. That has been one of the bonuses from this warm weather.

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  9. Your garden note's are inspiering. That you can grow your own vegetables must be wonderfull.
    gr. Marijke

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    1. I enjoy growing my own vegetables...I know where it came from. Have a good day, marijke.

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  10. I feel inadequate in the light of all the above plans and projects.

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    1. It feels like a lot, NellJean, but over a month's time it really isn't. Once spring begins I will be rushing to keep pace.

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  11. I'm so jealous of your winter harvest, and I'm kicking myself for not being organized a few months ago when I could have started my own, especially since we've had mild temps! Ah well. You know, a strange noise woke me up last week too, and I'm pretty sure it was an owl. I'm going to go through thos owl calls and see if I can remember it. Thanks for linking up with my meme. And if I haven't mentioned it already, I like your blog redesign. It's very striking with the dark background.

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    1. How could we have known the temps would be as mild as they are? I am not very familiar with owl calls either, and that list really helped me identify what owl was hooting at dawn and dusk...especially since I could not see it.

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  12. aloha,

    you are quite busy with your february activities...love all the macro shots, the Depth of field is nice and focused.

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    1. Thanks! Later, I realized that perhaps I should have included some long shots...but...next month...

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  13. I hear Great Horned Owls here almost every night, but we have so many trees, I never see them. I was startled by a Saw Whet that flew over my head in the dark near the coop last week, but of course, I wasn't carrying a camera!

    Your veggies all look wonderful, I'm still waiting for our Broccoli to finish heading up. Overall though, it's been quite mild here, except for some chilly mornings, and like you, I think we'll have quite a few greens for the table over the next few weeks. I just need the winter veg to be done in time to plant the spring crops!

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    1. I thought these crops would have been harvested by now, but with this warm weather we are still getting yield. I suppose I will have to move some of them out as I plan the spring garden. I hate when I see something and I don't have my camera...

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  14. hi,I haven't been here for awhile but I'm so please to the beautiful photos; they are so excellent... plus they pop out because of the black background. I especially like the African violets, such pretty blooms.

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    1. Thanks, Perla. I am so glad you like the photos of my garden and wildlife. And I am glad I have blooms from the African violets in winter.

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  15. That was very comprehensive and impressive. You picked a good winter to have all those vegetables growing. It was 65 degrees here today, and I don't think the ground has even frozen. I forget where you are located.

    Are you going to the Asheville fling?

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    1. Thanks, Carolyn. It was surprising to be still harvesting some of these veggies now...but I welcome it. I don't think our ground has frozen either...I wonder if winter will even stop by for a visit. No, I had not planned to go to Asheville Fling...I am very busy with many projects. I would like to go someday. Are you going?

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  16. What do castor oil pellets do? Voles are a constant issue here so quite intrigued with these pellets. Owls, how wonderful. There's a bird that I can't resist. They are just so magnificent. and they'll help take care of that vole problem as well!

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    1. The castor oil pellets repel voles. The castor plant is poisonous to them, and they usually avoid it. However, I have read that the real repellent is the oil in the pellets which they don't like on their fur. However it works, I have found it does help. I like owls as well...I wish I could get a photograph.

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  17. Love seeing your garden and look forward to your monthly updates. Some special food growing there, must be great to eat.

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    1. I love growing my own food...the best...and organic, too. In the winter, there really aren't any insect pests which helps...maybe a thrip here and there...

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  18. I love your idea of a Garden Notebook. Lovely images and so much documentation too. You found so much that seems so spring-like in the garden, like the hydrangea. The weather is given gardeners a lot of great weather for those chores.

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    1. It feels so strange to be seeing the daffodils bloom at this time of year. At the time I took that photo above, it was the only daff bloom. Now, I have three blooming...strange. It seems my chore calendar will be moved up.

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  19. This is a great idea, Michelle, a good way to keep track of monthly activities and accomplishments in the garden. I was amazed at your buds and blooms until I realized you're in zone 7. No wonder! Even though we've had a mild winter thus far, too, my zone 5 garden probably won't be doing much for another month. Mother Nature may still have some surprises in store for us in February.

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    1. I keep thinking that as well, Rose...that we still may have some winter weather before all is said and done. And I am not sure how to proceed at times...should I go ahead and plan and perform spring chores or should I wait...a dilemma for sure.

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  20. Wow, an ambitious project, and how clever to include it in so many memes. I love your veggie photos (even if they're close-ups...)

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    1. I thought about that after the fact...to do more long shots. I plan to do that next month. I wanted to include all the memes that seem as if they are related to my subject matter...I hope I did not leave anyone out.

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  21. You have such a beautiful bounty of winter veggies. Great way to recount what is going on in your garden and you've gotten so much done.

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    1. I am hoping it will help me keep track of things more easily and share with others. And I hope it will keep me more organized.

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  22. Excellent way of keeping track on garden progress! I like to see your fresh vegetables!

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    1. I am hoping it will be a good tool for me and my garden...we'll see.

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  23. You're very organised, Michelle. Keeping a garden note book was one of the reasons for starting my blog but that's fallen by the wayside a bit. I tend to just scribble things on a blackboard in the shed, which at the moment I can't get into.

    The blog is looking very appealing and the colours show up your impressive photos really well.

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    1. Same here, Janet, but I hope this will help me get back on track documenting all the elements of my garden. Thanks for your kind words.

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  24. Love you post and photos! I am trying to do a similar project on my blog - tracking the garden from starting seeds through harvesting and enjoying the bounty including the garden projects, recipes and photos. It's a very challenging task and you have done a wonderful job with this post. Can't wait to keep reading!

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    1. Thanks, Bepa. I am hoping this will keep me organized, and I will have one place to go to for all the info I need for comparison and future planning.

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  25. I think it's hysterical that your brothers started a fire in the kitchen just because they were cold. I also think we live pretty close to each other. :o) Thanks to Unwinter I have more green in my garden every day. My bulbs have started coming up but nothing is blooming yet. But a group of daffs pushed out of the soil a scabiosa I had unwittingly planted on top of them last fall. I guess it was in the way!

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    1. My mother was very frugal, and so she would turn the heat down during the day while we all were away. So, my brothers were cold when they came home from school. I like your term 'unwinter' ... so true! When I posted this, I had only one daff blooming...now there are four!...in February!

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  26. What a great way to keep a record of the month, and gorgeous photos as always! Thanks

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    1. Thanks, Alison. I am hoping this chronicle will help me track my garden more efficiently...we'll see...

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  27. Happy to find your Blog today.
    I'm impressed your way of tracking the garden!!!
    and so wonderful your pictures!

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    1. Thanks, Keity. Next month I want to add some long views, so I can see how the garden compares to the growing season.

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  28. Thanks for joining in the end of month view - I like your approach to using your blog. Its really interesting

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    1. I enjoyed it! I think I will add some long shots next time. Thanks for hosting!

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  29. I must do something in my small little balcony garden too. This post inspires me.

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    1. I had a balcony garden when I first started gardening. I was lucky enough to get the afternoon sun on the balcony which helped a lot. Good luck!

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  30. That's incredible that you may end up with a 12-MONTH vegetable garden - wow! I'm also getting excited about getting my vegetable garden in soon.

    We, too, have owls in our area. Sometimes they get my Doberman to howl, which I find rather comical.

    Thanks for linking up to my Friday's Photo Blog Hop. :)

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    1. It is surprising to me as well that we still have veggies...but it is very nice. If my cats are on the deck when the owl hoots, they want to come back in. :)

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  31. Jeg kom bare lige forbi.
    Skukke billeder.
    Tak for kigget.

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    1. Some of the photos turned out well. I still wish I could get a photo of the owl...I'll keep trying.

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  32. Thanks for the tip about the castor oil pellets for repelling voles. I will try that! How wonderful to have so many tasty veggies in winter! Enjoy!

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    1. The castor oil pellets work if I am good about re-applying them every few months. Good luck!

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  33. This is a great overview of what has been going on in your garden! We also have been enjoying our fall/winter veggies. Swiss chard is my favorite!

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    1. I like Swiss chard as well. I only became familiar with this vegetable a few years ago, and I love it!

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  34. I think I should try the castor oil pellets for my voles / moles. Nothing else has worked on them. Your veggies are amazing! I can't believe all the effort you have to go to to care for them over winter.

    PS: Love that first photograph of the tree with the icicles and of course the birds! Lovely.

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    1. Thanks, Christine. I find it so interesting to view your summer garden while my garden is in its winter phase. I am looking forward to spring veggies...

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  35. Inspiring- I am having a hard time learning what to do during the winter- since we have had such little snow I actually when out to see if anything was available in the herb garden today- of course nothing - still learning

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    1. The only things I have in the herb garden are parsley, rosemary, and a little lavender. The yarrow is coming up in spots because of the warm winter.

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  36. What a fabulous post - I have a real feel of whats happening in your garden. And the veggies - they look all so well cared for and loved. The cleaning up part is not my favourite either, but my summer wilts needs removing. Guess I better get to it! Thank you for sharing - love the lettuce!!

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    1. I walked around the garden the other day and notice that I still needed to clear away some spent plant material and prune a few plants. I suppose a gardener's work is never done...

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  37. I am impressed at how well you have kept your veges growing over the winter. I've nothing left, really, apart from a few herbs and some broccoli that should be ready to eat soon.

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  38. I noticed you have some adorable cats, I am a huge cat lover myself.
    Your art left me speechless. I am sure you are just as beautiful as your art :).

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  39. Fantastic! I loved the photos, and the write-up. I liked the bird-feed.

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  40. Michelle, I'm late getting to this post, but I love the idea of a monthly chronicle of what's happening in your garden. All your fresh greens and veggies made my mouth water. When I'm in Maine in the winter, I have easy access to fresh greens because a number of local farmers have adopted Eliot Coleman's four-season harvest techniques. But I haven't found any reliable source of winter greens in south-central PA, and I'm often reduced to buying California greens from the supermarket. -Jean

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  41. Hi, How do I subscribe to your blog? I don't have a blog, only an email. Thank you. glabraswell@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete

'I see trees of green, red roses, too
I see 'em bloom for me and for you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world'
--What a Wonderful World

Thank you for visiting The Sage Butterfly blog. I enjoy reading your charming reflections very much. Have a great day!

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