Plant sale!!!!

I am going to this plant sale (info below) this Saturday morning at 9-00 in Cincinnati near where I work (University Hospital). I heard about it last year and couldn't go. This year I am off that day and will be there with some cash and my oldest daughter Sarah, who is becoming an enthusiastic gardener herself. I am really looking forward to the miniature plants and whatever else is different and basically cool. I am so excited to go and see what they have. Luckily I just pulled up a bunch of ivy and rearranged some other stuff in my garden so I actually have room for some new things.
I hope to see you there!


Plant, Herb, & Hosta Sale

WhenSat, May 2, 9am – 3pm

Where - Civic Garden Center (map)

DescriptionRain or Shine Booths Include: Ask the Experts Awesome Annuals Blooming Shrubs Climbers & Clematis Connoisseur's Corner Donated Perennials Fruits & Vegetables Herbs Hostas Necessary Natives Shade Perennials Sun Perennials Tropicals Troughs an Miniatures Used Books Posy Power Herb Bread & Baked Goods Hand-Crafted Pottery by the Clay Alliance Other Merchandise from Special Vendors

Fritillaria meleagris

These are two photos of Fritillaria meleagris in my garden. This is my absolute favorite spring bulb. Also called Checkered Lilies, Guinea-hen flowers, Leper Lilies, and Snakes Head (according to Wikipedia, this was the original English name). They are so different and understated. Fritillaria have a gentle beauty and don't seem to shout at you like some gaudy tulips or huge daffodils. I am not saying I don't like bright colors, but the delicate beauty of these is simply soothing to the eye and the soul. They do not seem to live for long, returning for at least a few years in ideal conditions. Every year, when they come up, I always wish I had planted many more. This fall I am DEFINITELY going to plant at least 200 to 300 everywhere I can think of. I planted some in my church's garden, but they did not seem as vigorous and large as the ones in my own garden. Now I don't know if that is because of the bulbs or the environment. They like some dampness but not downright wetness. Hmmmm.....Guess I will just plant some more ner where the really healthy ones are this year and some other experimental spots. I love the photo here where one flower alost seems to be hugging the other flower.

Plant some this fall in your own garden. These delicate bulbs are best purchased by mail as then they will arrive in fresh condition. At a store it is difficult to keep them in prime condition. When they arrive by mail, plant within a couple of days if possible. Another day I will discuss Fritillaria imperialis, a sister bulb - it is "imperial" as the name states - it is larger and makes more of a statement.
But the little meleagris or Checkered Lily is to be had for just a few dollars for a hundred, while the imperialis costs about $5 a bulb.

Missing my readers and my spring garden

I decided to start writing on my long neglected blog again. Why? Because my weekly garden column for over ten years was discontinued due to budget cuts at the newspaper. I miss writing every week and I miss being in contact with my readers. Hopefully I can get the word out that I am still here - just not on paper. I have done a lot this year already in my garden. Seeds were started in early March, and bulbs were planted last fall. The spring bulbs are now coming to an end for the year. I have been picking fresh greens for the past week already and my snap peas are several inches high. I have lots of radishes and lettuce that should be ready to start harvesting in a couple of weeks.
My tomatoes and peppers have been growing under lights in the basement and are now outside getting "hardened off" in a morning sun/afternoon shade location. I do need to bring them in tonight as it will dip into the 40's tonight - hopefully for the last time this spring.