I’ve got my work cut out for me this weekend! Yesterday evening my husband and I went to a new garden center that opened up near us – it’s called Reeves Nursery.
We’d driven past the site a few times in the last couple of weeks and when I took a look at their website I discovered that they have a “no tax” Wednesday every week … so we figured we might save some money if we went shopping for our plants last night.
It turned out that they were having a 20% off sale … so we got that instead of the “no tax” as that saved us an extra 7%. They had a great selection of plants in a variety of sizes and the prices were ok … I’d be happy if the prices were the lowest I could find, but the discount and the quality of the plants made me a happy gardener.
We ended up spending more than I thought we would. You see we have several hanging planters, window planters and 7 balcony boxes (those large low rectangular planters) to fill with annuals.
I did grow some of my own annuals this year, but not nearly as many as I need.
So … what did we end up getting?
A flat of Impatiens, 2 nice double flowering Begonia, 2 small Fuchsia, 6 dwarf Dahlia’s, 6 Gerber Daisies, a few Coleus, several Lobelia and Petunia plants, dwarf white night scent Nicotina, several Marigolds in vibrant orange and yellow and I’m sure a few other plants that I can’t think of right now.
I also picked up some early Girl tomato plants, Sweet cherry 100, English cucumbers a few types of lettuce and Swiss Chard.
The only plants I couldn’t find, but ones that I usually use in my garden or planters were annual Geraniums and Cleomes. When I found the dwarf Dahlia’s I thought I’d use them instead of the Geraniums but if I can find some Geraniums this weekend I might use both.
As for the Cleomes I did find some at Reeves but they were single plants in 4 inch pots at 2.99 each … and I need about 20 of them to border the back of my garden beds so I’ll have to find cheaper ones. Oh and I did take some seeds off the plants last year so I’ll be planting some of last years seeds in the back of the garden beds this weekend too.
Earlier in the week we’d been to another garden center. I wanted to find a replacement for one of my roses – Chicago Peace – as it didn’t seem to come back this year. With the great weather we’ve had all year I’d think it would show signs of life by now, especially considering that all the rest of my roses are 3 to 7 feet high, full of leaves and rose buds … but no luck.
So … I thought I’d replace that rose with perhaps a Weigela or another type of flowering hardy shrub since I’ve now lost two roses in the same spot in the garden. I did pick out a purple Weigela that I love, but then I found yet another Chicago Peace … so I guess the Weigela will go in another place in the garden and I’ll try the rose for the third and final time in my small oval patio garden bed.
All in all I think I picked up 75 or more plants! You know what I’m going to be doing this weekend … planting, planting, planting. I’ll also be pulling out all my seeds and get some veggies and a few other annuals started by seed.
Hows the weather in your area? Are you going to be planting this weekend too?
Oh the joys of gardening? It’s actually exactly one month since you made this post so you should be in full swing now and reaping some of the rewards that the early hard work generates. Unfortunate about the loss of your roses and I suspect you will have the same result on your third try, but who can blame you for trying. Also not sure about using dahlias in place of geraniums. what’s your climate like? because the geraniums are extraordinarily ‘heat’ hardy and will tolerate some quite extreme lack of water. Not sure dahlias will be quite as tolerant.
75 or more plants?!!!
I am jealous!!
Getting new plants always make me the happiest person on earth. I recently bought some great looking palms (ponytail, bamboo, sago etc). Now I am out of space in my garden. 🙂
I prefer bigger plants mixed with rock gardening. The satisfaction you have seeing them grow each year is awesome but it makes me very sad when one of the trees gets ill.
Nice post! I really do like your blogging style.
From the start of the seed opening to the transplanting of my plants I treat them as children. I cant explain the feeling, I check on them every day sometimes I obsess over them but i love my garden fill with fruits and veggies. I love your blogs.
Sounds like you have a lot of work ahead of you. I am sure the garden centre loves you! I like your selection of plants. Chicago peace is one of my favorites- I can understand why you want to get it to grow!
I’m not sure what part of the country you are in but I was curious if those flowers you planted are still doing well. I am in Orlando and like you, in April and May planted lots of annuals. Endless deadheading of flowers, weeding, etc. and then our rainy season which really makes weeds grow. My frustration is so many of the cool annuals die off or look sad after 2 to 3 months of looking great despite deadheading, bloomboosters, etc. It seems only the larger annuals like pentas, butterly plants of different breeds last much longer. Of course, the roses always soldier on. Anyway, enough of the rant, it is all just the natural cycle, just wish I could keep some of the smaller annuals in top shape longer. Good luck with your garden.
Summer’s been and gone, yet again. Here in the UK, we’re tidying up the garden and cutting back in time for winter. Can’t believe how quickly this year’s gone by.
I certainly agreed with Richard..
I am in Vancouver Canada, and we just experience the 1st snow of the season. I am putting my gardening equipment right into my store room..I guess I won’t be using them for awhile!
Jay Chua
Publisher, PorchSwingSets.com
I seriously enjoy planting too. I have some coffee bushes on my backyard… It somehow loosens me up.
I have always found gardening very important. Growing plants like tomatoes and flowers in the backyard adds aesthetic to the entire surrounding. Not only this tomatoes and others are foods and thus you will not will not waste time and money going to the grocery store to replenish your stock. Keep up the good work and focus on gardening because it can be your next income earner.
There is nothing like feeling the dirt between your fingers! I’m looking forward to expanding my backyard garden this year, kinda was slacking last year so gotta make up for it!