We Got Spoiled - FAST

Last week the weather was so unseasonably warm that we all were nipping at the bit to get started on the gardens.  The grapes and apple trees were budding out because they too were drawn in by Mother Nature and her teasing of an early and long growing seaon.  For some, like me, it was a tough warning not to get to anxious, and a cruel joke to several of my tomato seedlings and my Magnolia blossoms.

 I was feeling great about the seeds I started and brought them up to the deck so they could get used to the natural light in hopes of an early spring.  The deck must have gotten so cold......I did THINK to bring them in, but I ignored my intuition.....

Most survived but I am going to plant more seeds in case I make another error in judgement.  I am determined to enjoy heirloom tomatoes this year, especially the purple grape from the Beekman collection.

The good news is the fig tree is beyond happy and leafing out nicely.  I think I will have to trim it back when it goes outdoors.  That will be a difficult day!  Of course I will try rooting my trimmings for others who would like to take a shot at fresh figs.

The kiwi is going nuts.  I brought it in way too early so the male and female plants are constantly getting tangled with each other.  I do not want to move them across the room from each other, which seems logical, because of the grow lights involved.  NYSEG loves me - and the kiwis are loving the lights the way they are.  Next year they will be in their permanent home in the garden on their new trellis.  The fence guy is pricing that out for me and I am a little scared...

Is it Spring? maybe!

What a lovely day to be outside!  A little chilly but nothing a sweastshirt couldn't fix!  It is probably a good thing that I have to work because I would be outside trimming something, and it really is to early for that - except for the crazy vinca vine which I could never eliminate even if I tried.  I think it is in the same category as the strawberry weed that is insistant on strangling my myrtle, which is also a vinca but it is planted in the sun and does not get enough water because of the raised bed situation along the pool.  Still, I cannot imagine EVER not  having it planted in such a prominant place.  It brings back the memories of going to the railroad tracks with my Dad to uproot it and plant it around the trees at the house on East Lane.  Ahhh, gardening memories with my Dad, always pleasant and comforting.

My seeds are sprouting in the basement and I am under a little fun ridicule from my coworkers about rushing the season.  We will see who is laughing when I am eating heirloom tomatoes a month earlier than they will be. The kiwi is already out of control.  I have begun to research the trellis I will need when I take it outside.  It is clear that this is the last spring that I will be able to bring it in the house. Hopefully it will be as resilient to the winter as I have been reading.  I will need chicken wire to place in the soil to protect the root ball from pesky rodents and several 4X4 posts....maybe a bench underneath?  Crazy how these projects grow in ones head.

The fig is doing nicely but since it is not nearly as vigorous as the kiwi it causes me worry.  This is my lesson that all living things are different and must progress at their own rates....children and plants.  We want to hurry them along to mature and be wise but it is not up to me to determine the timetable, sigh....

Leafing Out

The kiwi plants began leafing out 5 days ago. I should mention that it is necessary to plant both a male and female plant for cross pollination. I wonder if I brought them in a bit early now since you can visibly see the growth everytime you look at them.  I have started to turn the plant light off at night to slow the growth down a little.  The vines should not be trimmed because the fruit forms on 'old wood'.  I will certainly need to research this further because I am not sure it will be possible to bring the whole plant(s) in the house next year due to their size.  I am also concerned about how the pollination process will occur since I have no bees in the house!  As soon as the weather trends warmer, I will move the plants back onto the enclosed porch.

I was so excited today to notice the buds swelling on the fig tree!  I placed my tree in an East window (dining room) without artificial light.  I contemplated adding a light to help it along because I was getting nervous that I was not seeing any growth.  The Hibiscus loves that window so I was hoping the fig would as well. I now think I will leave my other light downstairs on the Mandevilla (even though I am quite certain that they will not grow back this year due to me neglecting to bring them inside before it got too cold).

Time to commit

We thought spring was just around the corner with the mild temperatures we were having, but this day we woke to snow!  I am still inspired to start preparing for the arrival of true spring however, and have managed to drag my fig tree into the dining room so it can begin the process of greening up.  The Kiwi and the Mandevilla were brought inside today as well.  Since Amber is recovering from her tonsillectomy, maybe these plants will offer something to look at as she recovers.