Look what was just delivered from the CARE patio-garden “under construction.” Things are getting out of control; I have too many plants!! However, I couldn’t say “no”; after all, I’m the “plant person.”  These Hens ‘n Chicks are a new experience for me!! They look woefully neglected!!  (I checked the Internet so I’d know how to work with them.) I’ll try to separate them into smaller planters for sale at the Thrift ‘n Gift Shop. (They look puny so I may need to nurse them for months before they are attractive enough to sell?!) ~~ More planter soil and containers; oh woe is me 😉 !!

.

The local morning TV news advised the viewers of “freezing” temperature all over the area. Due to the wind gusts, the “feels like” temperature listed ten degrees below documented number. I didn’t sleep well due  to wind shaking my trailer home. It is supposed to warm up “slightly” so I will brave the cold and cover my large plants. ~~ I was shocked to see the Bluebird house and feeders on the ground. There is approximately thirty pounds of cement at the base of the pipe supporting the bird house. Likewise a similar weight of planter soil (that’s a large planter). I won’t be able to move the planter alone.

Our weather is mild compared to the miserable conditions north and east of us.  The predicted snow fall will cripple many cities (including Charlotte, North Carolina, a former “stomping ground”).

I won’t bore you with pictures of all the plants I covered. You can see an earlier effort to protect my perennials in large planters. One exception: I recently purchased a large “frost blanket” capable of covering several planters at one time. ~~ Temperature is forecast to dip to twenty-eight degrees (or colder) tonight.

.

My second Garden Tower was delivered to the sidewalk. I didn’t know it was here because I hadn’t been outdoors for two days. (I have plenty of good groceries; I don’t need to go to the CARE dining room.) I’ll move the Garden Tower to my storage unit (down the highway) until ready to use it.

…so I spent time indoors. See my “other” blog for details of my activities.

Seventy-one degrees outdoors at one o’clock but temperature due to plummet in the next few hours.

.

.

Honestly, in my humble opinion, the newly planted Begonia, and Kalanchoe, are too fragile for the tarp-shelter. Selfishly, I don’t want to lose the plants to freezing temperatures Friday night/Saturday morning. ~~ Tomorrow I’ll cover the outdoor plants too large to move under cover.

A not too hot, not too cold day. I spent the morning trimming plants and starting some new plants (from trimmings). Plants were moved from “the basement” to the picnic table for sunbathing. A total of forty-seven plants were nurtured. ~~ Part of the afternoon was spent cleaning up the clutter of pipe and lumber alongside of the trailer. (I was weary of the unsightly appearance.) ~~ A wire cage was removed from storage for a brick of mealworms and seeds. (Recent mark down purchase.) Something new for my Bluebirds.** Will they accept it?

I thought my day was over when I entered the trailer and started this blog. The five o’clock Houston TV news meteorologist detailed the weather for the next few days so I rushed outdoors to move all the plants under cover. Tonight we’ll have rain–and my plants are too delicate for a soaking rain. Tomorrow (Thursday) or Friday, all the plants need to be under cover and/or covered with sheets. Friday night/Saturday morning we may have the coldest night of Fall 2015/Winter 2016–28 degrees or colder.

—

A planter with a fern monopolized some time during the morning. I don’t know the name; it isn’t my plant. Because I am “P.P.” (plant person) friends and acquaintances ask me to shelter their big plants. I trimmed away a lot of dead stuff and placed it in my big container for a thorough watering. It is so root-bound; it needs to be transplanted into something much larger. Likewise, a neglected Angel Wing Begonia was trimmed and cuttings were planted. True story: Not a single plant I consider “mine.” Most are destined (a few at a time) for CARE Thrift ‘n Gift Shop. Fern and Begonia will return to owner when no threat of freeze.

**Postscript, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016: Lots of birds on the feeder–but no Bluebirds.

Your age by your shoe size.

—

This morning I transplanted Kalanchoe. The plants came out of  “the basement” and four individuals went into four new (used) planters from the Thrift ‘n Gift Shop. I’ve committed to supplying plants and one dear friend alerted me to the fact that four nice planters had been donated. I took my blooming plant as a demonstration but unable to carry it home along with the four acquired planters. When I returned an hour later, my plant had a $7.50 price tag on it. Such an insult to think that a blooming plant–in a beautiful ceramic planter–has so little value (in their eyes)!!

—

My plan: On nice days, I’ll put the plants out for sunshine. Hopefully, beautiful blooms on the Kalanchoe when I take them, for sale, at Thrift ‘n Gift Shop. ~~ “Money Moss” en route, also, to T ‘n G.

—

Honestly, I spent the entire day on this project!! Afternoon, I wanted to print details–from the Internet–about Kalanchoe. The printer was obstinate!! At least two hours spent… and I’m empty-handed!! 😦  (Instructions for buyers of the plants/planters.)

Working with my Garden Tower, and exchanging information with Garden Training Project, I learned about Wonder Soil. Oh my goodness; how did this product escape me? It sounds great (with my brief initial exploration). I’m checking the Internet for additional information.

Wow!! Interesting—but expensive.

Enriched with worm castings to enhance growth! Just add water to this compressed Wonder Soil and watch it expand to 10 times its original volume.

Tired of lugging around heavy bags of potting soil? Save your back with Wonder Soil. Just add water to the compressed Wonder Soil and watch it expand to 10 times its original volume.

Great for seed starting, this soil-less medium contains a mix of coconut coir, peat moss, nutrients, and water-absorbing polymers. These special biodegradable polymers store and release water as needed, for healthier plants and less watering. It’s also enriched with worm castings to enhance growth. Recommended for containers, cuttings….

This is what really caught my attention: Tired of lugging around heavy bags of potting soil? Save your back with Wonder Soil. Just add water to the compressed Wonder Soil and watch it expand to 10 times its original volume.

Even “on sale,” I opt for the “old-fashioned way” of “lugging around heavy bags of potting soil.” At Lowe’s, I can buy quality product two-and-one-half cubic feet bags of container soil for approximately $10.00 per bag.

That was interesting.

Have you visited my new blog?

—

For the second time in two weeks, I saw a Hummingbird on my Cape Honeysuckle bush. Therefore, I rushed indoors and prepared nectar. There are so few flowers now; I wonder where a Hummingbird is finding food. ~~ No freezing temperature overnight, but frost on the roof of storage building.

—

—

A recent answer to my question from Project Feederwatch. Today, I checked the Internet and I speculate I saw a female Ruby-throated and not Rufous (because color not right for Rufous).

Hi Lorraine,

We just posted a blog post a couple of weeks ago about the winter range expansion of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. But keep in mind that in winter any hummingbird in the east should be checked carefully because western hummingbird species often wander east in winter, especially the Rufous Hummingbird.

You are welcome to feed hummingbirds all winter, if you can keep the nectar from freezing. It will have no effect on their movements, and it might help one that wanders off course.

Happy FeederWatching,
Anne Marie Johnson
Project Assistant

Project FeederWatch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
159 Sapsucker Woods Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
http://feederwatch.org
(607) 254-2416