How wet was it?

Ok, enough! Sheesh, time to turn off the water works. The garden is green and lush, my plants are happy as can be but webs are starting to grow between my toes. This morning I even found ducks in my pool!

Some lovely primula poking up through the foliage of Alchemilla mollis (nothing like Ladies Mantle covered in rain droplets).

I couldn't resist this shot, check out these hosta eyes!

Just one last spring shot taken between raindrops. I'm too tired to post an inspirational post tonight. Tomorrow and Wednesday are booked solid, hope to be back on track soon.

Keep paddling,
Melanie

Plant Sale!

Yes, it must be the weekend because it's Plant Sale Time! Today was one of those wet and drizzly days that is so perfect to dig and divide perennials. My goal was to pot up 100 pots but I think I fell short of that number (not by much). I haven't taken an inventory lately but must have over 400 pots right now.

We've got pots of the pale pink Stachys monierri (just try to find this for sale, I only see the purple one at local garden centers) and the hot pink annual Silene armeria that self seeds around the garden to return year after year.

Sedums are a passion of mine, many are here on display and others have been potted up for sale. This photo shows 'Sedum' Matrona' which is one of my favorites.

Of course with over 400 daylilies, you'll find lots to choose from like this lovely 'Regency Masquerade with it's luscious purple eye.

The palest orchid pink (lighter than this photo shows) with a lovely green throat is 'Prague Spring'. It's blooms like the energizer bunny is running the show.

Phlox are potted up too. Remember, we do not sell plants that have been grown in another weather zone or in greenhouses. Our plants have not been forced to bloom so if something is in flower now, then it normally flowers now.

Most of the perennials are not in flower yet and they won't be in flower here in the pot. Wouldn't you rather have them flower for you in your garden than at the nursery?

Hope to see you tomorrow, we'll be open 10:00 to 4:00. If you can't make it this weekend, don't worry, we'll be open three days in a row on Mother's Day weekend.

One last note, we love to give back to the community so 10% of the gross sales are donated to a club at our local high school. Stay tuned and we'll let you know the club of choice this month.

Off to rest up for tomorrow,
Melanie

Praying Mantis at our schools

Yesterday I did another program on the Healthy Garden at Maplewood School. Maplewood is one of the two intermediate schools in the South Huntington School District with grades 3 through 5. The entire third grade came to the assembly to learn about gardening and beneficial insects.

The day before that I had done a similar program for a single class where we were able to make pots and plant them (scroll down for more on that). With such a large group, a hands on workshop wasn't feasible. Since I had already brought a praying mantis egg case to Mrs. Labate's class, I thought it would be fun for the students to have a second case outside the school.

Can you see the egg case attached to the branch? I used twist ties to put it on the limb of the Andromeda just near the entrance of the school. It will be interesting to see if the baby praying mantis emerges at the same time inside the building and outside. I hope somebody lets me know if they see the babies start to crawl out.

Mr. Roemer's garden is right at the entrance of Maplewood. I thought it was very fitting that it was filled with Myosotis which has the nickname Forget-me-not. I think Mr. Roemer would be happy to know that there is going to be praying mantis in his garden.

For those of you planning on stopping by here today or tomorrow, the showers in the forecast won't be slowing me down. I'll still be out there in my boots and slicker. The garden needs this rain desperately after being shocked with our heatwave earlier this week. These are perfect conditions to split and divide perennials. If it gets too wet I can always spread mulch.

Bye!
Melanie