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February Gardening, Last of Winter in the Flower Garden

February 12, 2019 by Ilona Erwin

I’ve had plenty of winter this year, yessiree. It is mid-February and that means the worst is over and spring is on its way. Eventually. February gardening in Ohio usually means lots of waiting, unless you are starting your seeds inside. Then, under the lights you see sprouts of spring -just about when March is ready to blow into the calendar year. The last of winter in the flower garden will not likely yield many flowering plants here, unless it is one of those unusual mild winters.

We were in deep freeze until recently when the climate had wild swings from near zero (or below) to tropical 50-60 °. Presently we are looking to receive more rain on top of our already saturated ground. I didn’t experience them, but learned about frost quakes for the first time. Apparently places like Pennsylvania and Minnesota had them. Due to the saturated ground and polar vortex, there were pops and explosions of the earth.

Yes, I’m a little worried for my peach trees. I planted three new ones and gave them no protection. They would have been better prepared with some mulch and wrapped trunks.

Winter Beauty

We had plenty of winter beauty this year, and with the snowfall this month, it was prettier than usual for this month. I have memories of February being soggy with dirty half-melted snow. We either have snow or not around here (usually not) in cold weather; and it looks halfway presentable for photos. Although I took almost none this winter.

I love the beauty to be had, but was a bit jaded when it comes to photographs. I get tired of winter snowscapes -except when experiencing them firsthand.

We had some exceptional scenes, and it is too bad I had such an attitude about using a camera. We had ice storms that coated the trees, winter wonderland snowfalls, and a particularly magical scene of hoarfrost and new fallen snow together one night. The ground was covered in fluffy white, while the fog froze on every branch and withered weed. The wands of the willow tree hung like cascades of diamond dusted ice curtains over the driveway.

Truly magical in the deep night of winter.

I did take a few pics for instagram, after one of the recent snowfalls.

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A post shared by Ilona (@ilonagarden) on Feb 1, 2019 at 7:32am PST

The Flowers Are Coming

All this month the spears of daffodil and snowdrops have shown that they are eager to emerge. I should be inspecting since sometimes the snowdrops have come into full bloom without me even realizing it. I used to get a glimpse from the window, but now I have to actually venture into the yard to see them blooming. (I let the pyracantha grow over the window last year)

After about a decade or more they finally decided they liked my yard. Galanthus nivalis has been planted here in a couple spots, but never multiplied in the happy way that the Glory of the snow (Chionodoxa) bulbs have. Until the last year or two! Then there were snowdrops coming up in the lawn and all around the Magnolia stellata.

The snowdrops are the earliest blooming bulbs, here.

Then come the daffodils, and ‘February Gold’, despite its name, usually does not appear until March. A diminutive sized plant and flower that has perfect proportions in a clear golden yellow. It is one of my favorite daffodil cultivars. ( Although I have many, many favorites, honestly).

Spring 2009 — Scillas in the box, a young Magnolia stellata immediately behind.

Magnolia stellata starts budding out at the end of this month, but because it flowers early sometimes the blossoms are ruined in late frosts which we can expect into April. Groundhog Day predicted that winter will end sooner rather than later… but I have my doubts.

All The Rain

I can’t imagine being out in the garden anytime soon with all the rain we have had, and continue to have. It gets soppy-soggy and muddy even in normal years. This year is exceptionally wet… as I think I said.

The frozen state of the ground helps a bit, but when it thaws- it sucked my husbands shoe right off!

That reminds me. On a topic detour: so many gardening people complain about grass and lawns, but it is during mud season that you can appreciate the quality of grassed areas. The grass is useful for swales to help water runoff without losing soil, and when walking anywhere in my yard at this time, the protection of grass means one can walk through necessary areas. A garden isn’t the place for fads, but a stewardship of the ground we borrow for a time. I don’t love lawns at all, but they do have their uses.

That winds up my little chat as I drop in on this blog and update you on what is happening in the garden.

‘Til next time

Mid-Ohio Gardening Update

August 2, 2018 by Ilona Erwin

The weather has proved unusual, and here is the impact for my garden; plus some jots about other notable conditions and effects.

It has been far wetter than usual, and then there is the inverted effect of our temperatures… June was as miserable as any July-August might have been. The heat and humidity was horrible at the beginning of summer, but what happened in July? Perfect June weather happened. The month of July was perfect for me: cooler temperatures, regular rainfall, prevailing blue skies. It was just lovely.

The Weather This Summer

Now, how did that weather pattern effect my garden? I could not, would not, work in those terrible temperatures of June. Weeds went wild whilst I secluded myself in an air conditioned sanctuary. However, I did manage to plant some containers and a small raised bed with many herbs, a tomato plant and some pepper plants.

Since the weather turned rainy, cooler, and more often cloudy than not, the tomatoes have not yet produced. There are a few green ones coming on… but the Swiss Chard got big and beautiful. Cucumbers have done well, but peppers (who like the same conditions as tomatoes) have done diddly-squat.

I, however, cannot complain since the weather has been good for catching up on weeding. When not working in that capacity, I simply enjoy the lovely days stretched out on my zero-gravity chair.

Getting older means not feeling guilty about such pleasures.

Now, Let’s Talk About The Japanese Beetles

japanese beetle -aug 2018 — Japanese beetle feasting on a rose leaf-Aug 2018

They were back in their hordes this year. It meant the death-knell for my Contorted Hazels. Every year the beetles had been eating the leaves and weakening the trees, but this year there just wasn’t the strength left to the trees to rejuvenate. My dear Harry Lauder Walking Stick trees are gone and I blame the effect of the beetles.

The cherry trees were defoliated before I realized, not that there would have been anything done about it. The leaves looked a strange apricot color from a distance. That was because they were becoming skeletonized. The farmers had crop dusters out in force this year, and I suppose it was to spray pesticides for the beetles and their ilk.

Hazel with spider web — Contorted hazel branches with spider web

A nearby orchard draped all their trees in white netting. That was a first for this area.

Here, we went ahead an put out some of the traps and (emptied loads). The trouble with traps is that they work by attracting the pests, but we had to do something. Grapevines and some of the roses were also eaten into apricot-colored oblivion.

When invaded by such numbers there is no defense from trying to pluck off the little beasts from your plantings.

After emptying out piles of beetles from the traps, I wondered whether such things could be turned into feed for chickens on those huge egg farms or something?

Butterflies And Beauty

At the beginning of this summer I was pleased to see lots of butterflies and the spotting of a lone praying mantis, but after the crop spraying, the numbers dwindled noticeably. Except for some of the cabbage butterflies; their presence survives despite all onslaughts, apparently.

There were many more Monarchs in June, and perhaps they have laid some eggs on the milkweeds. I haven’t had the idea to check for them. All my time outside is spent weeding, or harvesting basil for salads and pasta.

I also have the most adorable hummingbird. I noticed the presence of hummingbirds fairly early, so went off to buy some red flowers to pop into the container plantings. The red fuchsia and scarlet sage (Salvia splendens) provide morning stops. As in past years I notice that the lilac bush is a favorite rest stop. Butterflies and hummingbirds enjoy resting on this bush for some reason.

The Rural View

Earlier summer had flooded the fields. The crop plants are mostly recovered and while some corn remains stunted, most fields around here have 8 ft. cornstalks. All looks lush, from soybean to cornstalk to tree. As I mentioned previously, there has been much farm field spraying. While the latest was probably for insects, the other spraying was likely for diseases and fungus.

The hayfields look like they yielded exceptionally well.

I imagine other neighbors are also having a slow harvest of tomatoes- I don’t see any signs for roadside sales of the fruits.

Today was misty and cloudy with comfortable upper 70 temperatures. I hope it stays comfortable during the coming month, and I might get my chores, well not done exactly, but progressing forward.

How has your summer gone? (Because yes, it is almost gone already!)

In Touch with the Weather

March 7, 2018 by Ilona Erwin

Galanthus nivalis — Snowdrops are blooming

A definite benefit of gardening is being in touch with the weather. It’s a necessity, and counters the tendency of a modern life to live in isolation from nature. Of course, mankind has always been in something of a struggle with natural forces; but that is just an explanation for why we complain so much about the weather. (A vestigial sense of our recognition of nature’s importance in our lives).

Funny how the weather in spring sends a message about the rest of the growing season. We can’t always make predictions, but we sure know if we are going to start early, late, or on time. This year in Ohio it has been wet. Despite the fact that neighboring farmers have tiled the fields in past years, a large pond formed in the field across from my house. Gardening and farming will have a bit of a late start in my area.

This is what it looks like. Usually such rains come later in the season.

(This is my main indicator on how saturated the ground is in the entire Central part of the state). Plenty of flooded fields and swollen streams noted between here and the city, too.

The ground is much too soggy to work, but pruning and clearing winter debris is in full swing.

The Spring Walk

I took the “garden assessment” walk the other day. Crocus are starting to bloom, and many other early spring bloomers have popped up and are showing color: Muscari, Scillas, Puschkinia.

Scillas and the P.s are in the family Asparagaceae, I just found out.

snowdrops blooming — Original spot under the Magnolia stellata

I had a nice surprise with the Snowdrops. Planted here very early on, they stayed put in their little places for years and years. Even the crocus tended to rove, but the Galanthus nivalis just seemed content with its little spot.

I finally planted more, because I like them so well, but drew the opinion that snowdrops didn’t particularly like my garden. This year, however, a number have popped up in the grass in surrounding ground. It was one of those unexpected delights of the garden.

Multiplying Bulbs

Every year I tell myself I will dig up some of the bulbs around here and replant them in new places, so maybe this year. And perhaps scatter some fertilizer to give the bulbs a boost.

2017 was the first year, in as long as I can remember, that I didn’t plant bulbs in the fall. If I divide my daffodils this spring, it won’t matter, because I can increase the plantings by hundreds if I want to – all I need is the energy.

The State of the Roses

My roses go through hell here. The winters winds are so desiccating, the temperatures so low, and the snowcover so nil, that I am reduced to only the hardiest. Each year had picked off more and more of the Hybrid teas, the heritage roses, like ‘Madame Isaac Pereire’, and even the shrub roses like the ‘Königin von Dänemark‘. The real blow came with the advent of Japanese Beetles to our region.

But I have a few survivors. I was worried that my new rose hadn’t made it, but thankfully saw green stems below the snow line. This year there was snow cover during the worst of the winter freeze. I’ll try to coddle it once it gets growing.

It is “Coral Drift® Groundcover Rose“. What I like best about this rose is that it is an everbloomer, and not stingy with its blossoms. It gives autumn roses – the only rose I have grown that will bloom so late. Growing in an exposed position, it truly lives up to the “hardy” designation.

My Poison Ivy Saga

As my garden has matured with trees, shrubs, and organic practices, so has the proliferation of the poison ivy plant. First in little ways and out-of-the-way spots, it now is a thug. My family members are highly sensitive, so it is left to me to wrestle, struggle, and otherwise go to war against it.

When I was young I was immune to it, a trait I inherited from my Dad. I find that now my body has become somewhat sensitized. I tend to (very carefully) use long handled clippers to remove it.

Well, some very lush growing vines have been a problem and I felt that without the oily leaves I could safely get to work on it. Think again, Ilona. I ended up with a mild case that is over a large part me. I use gloves √ long sleeves √ long pants √ socks and shoes √… and sometimes a hat. Still, even after washing well, the itching developed. I am still itching.

Not a surprise when considering the yards and yards of vine and root, and the many upright bushlike growths that I pulled up and hauled out of the place where it had really taken hold.

poison ivy leaves — The new leaves look so innocent, don’t they?

Things to know about Poison Ivy

The offending oil is found in the roots, stems, and branches, not just the leaves.
The oil can last on surfaces for years. Wash off the clothing and gloves.
When washing up, after gardening or a walk in the woods, scrub off the oil.
Never burn it, the oils get into the air and can result in severe allergic reactions.

… Besides gathering up wind blown branches, this is my main activity lately. I had my husband use the chainsaw on some trees. One of my daughters put in a major effort in an overgrown part of the yard.

Observations on an Ohio Spring

March 2, 2017 by Ilona Erwin

We haven’t entered springtime officially, but tell the weather that! This has been a most mild winter, and Ohio experienced all time high temperature records for the month of February in 2017. It accelerated a climate phenomenon which, as a gardener, I look for each year.

Viburnum 'Dawn' blooming — Viburnum ‘Dawn’ blooming

Most everyone know of the “Indian Summer” and “January Thaw” that is experienced – those period of unexpected warmth coming in autumn time and the month of January, respectively. The Indian Summer is that bit of reprieve from the onset of freezing temperatures, ideal for a procrastinating gardener to hurriedly put the last of the bulbs into the ground. The January thaws are those sloppy times of year when winter snow (should we be so lucky to have snow cover) becomes slush. I haven’t found it to be a boon to the gardening chores, it is mostly a teaser to better days ahead.

There is another climate pattern that arrives pre-spring, usually in March, but this year quite early, so I found myself gardening in early to mid-February. There is no name for it that I know of, but this warm, dry period has become important in my gardening year.

MUD TIME

You see, in this area it preceded what can be called “mud time”. The ground thaws in earnest, and the spring rains begin to fall, which makes spring ground inadvisable to work. In precisely that sequence.

Despite the eagerness to get soils ready for planting, clay ground just cannot be worked during mud time.

That is why I look for this late winter window, a period when the ground has thawed enough to work, the weather is pleasant enough to spend outdoors, and the rains have not yet arrived. It is a wonderful time to ready the gardens with weeding and even shallow tilling.

Good for weeding because the soils are loose and the roots are easy to pull.

What Shall I Call It?

“The Gardeners Window”? Or maybe “Indian Spring”? It is a time that allows for the same short enjoyment of ideal conditions that the Indian Summer spate of the last hurrah of golden days gives us.

It is a window, not a door, and even as I write this Gardener’s Window has shut, for now. Rains have soaked the ground, and temperatures will grow colder. I already regret not moving some of the earth I had planned to, but grateful for a front yard spot that is nearly ready for early spring planting.

It also allowed for clearing some of the old vegetable garden in readiness for transplanting wayward strawberry plants before the spring tilling.

The older I grow the more grateful I am that weather conditions allow me my slow pace in the round of chores. Such work is more of a pleasure than a burden.

Sign of Spring is Crocus

The warmth causes the crocus to bloom very early.

Out here in the boondocks of long horizons and farmers fields, the signs of season’s change are always a bit delayed compared with most of Central Ohio. Even the extremely early warmth, while coaxing may spring bulbs to greater foliage heights, did not culminate in bloom… except for the enthusiastic crocus.

I favor Snow Crocus corms, and they pop up and bloom quite early- I had a whole stand of them which have naturalized underneath a Sweet Cherry tree a-buzzing with bees last week.

For this, the feeding of foraging bees, it is reason enough to plant as many crocus as one can afford in both budget and labor.

Naturalizing Crocus

white crocus — White Snow Crocus photo Ilona Erwin

This is a challenge. The bulbs are favorite snacks of a number of critters. Most of my plantings see decrease, not increase. In fact, that area of spreading C.Tommasinianus did not struggle against the challenges to which others had succumbed. Yes, I’m talking about “The Mowers” who are not me.

It underlines Nature’s fiat on the necessity of bulb foliage growing until fully withered. The crocus in this space also has little competition from grass, since I neglectfully allowed weeds to grow there instead. Not that I advise this particular practice! But I do see that grass can be a merciless competitor.

Along Come the Snowdrops

The Galanthus nivalis, Snowdrops had bloomed at the same time as the early crocus this year. I had intended to divide and move some of them, now I will wait until they are finished blooming, but before they cease active growth.

I read an interesting tidbit about this plant that could explain why they are so slow to spread on their own in my garden. In their own native lands, the bees pollinate, but it is foraging ants (which are attracted to the elaiosomes on their seeds containing fats and proteins) who help plant and spread Snowdrops.

In my garden I must manually ensure the groups of G. nivalis. They have been very slow to grow into nicely blooming clumps.

The Trees and Bushes

As usual for my yard, the Viburnum ‘Dawn’ showed some pink blooms in its clusters- not full blown, but just a hint. The silver maples dropped their red flowers to litter the walkways, deck, and driveway. It is hard to say whether the return of freezing temperatures will be taken in stride or not… it all depends on how cold for how long, and how far the plants have progressed in their growth.

Whatever the longer term effects, it is so pleasant to be outside comfortably in the months that can be chilling and harsh in most years. After all, the Native Americans called this month’s moon the “Hunger” or “Snow” moon.

Moon Month Names

The Usual Chores

Usually, late winter is a good time to prune many of your woody plants. As the month turns to March, the time has arrived to begin your indoor seed starting. Gardening will begin in earnest at the end of this month. Tools sharpened and ready?

Spring cometh.

It Is Still Freezing, Cold, And Snowing

March 4, 2015 by Ilona Erwin

Yes, playing with Picmonkey. What else on the rainy/snowy/frozen days we are having? Housework, you say? What is that?

Yes, the weather again. We are still in the throes of winter. Throes I say! Everyone says they are tired of it, but we really don’t have any say in the weather, do we? It will affect how soon we will be able to plant out our seeds and new plants.

The ground will stay frozen for longer than we are used to in this part of the country.

That is my prediction.

Vegetable plants like peppers, and most especially tomatoes, need warm soil to thrive. This will be one year to not rush the season.

Weighty Snow

One year I had some of my globe arborvitae damaged, but this year it was the canopy and its frame that sheltered the hot tub that collapsed under the weight of wet snow.

That was a first.

I am finding it hard to think about growing things when the world outside looks like midwinter instead of like March.

Normally we would be headed into the mud season. Not likely when the temperatures will dip below zero. Again.

Frozen earth for another few weeks.

Hit The Ground Running

One effect of the prolonged wintry conditions is that a gardener can prepare to get started as soon as the weather breaks. If our tools are ready, plans made, we can get started without delay.

If we have raised beds, we are one step ahead in warming up the soil. I’m glad I made some raised beds a couple years ago. They dry out quicker in the spring, which is a boon in this clay-loam, high water table area.

Have you ever used floating row covers? I haven’t, but this would be a great year to begin. There are a few things to remember, as Colorado State cautions:

“Thwart weeds that may thrive in a covered environment by using a mulch such as black plastic before planting.”

Do We Have Garden Tips For March?

Maybe later in the month we can use the usual tips, but for now, backtrack into February chore suggestions.

We can safely start early indoor crops, plants started now should be ready to plant out after the last frost date without becoming too leggy.
A late winter means that dormant plants can still be pruned.
It will eventually warm up, and when it does remove the old stuff that is still left from last years garden.
Don’t pull back mulch from your plants, especially the roses, too early.
Check for winter damage- there is bound to be something this year.

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Visit Ilona’s Garden Journal on facebook: Click here
© 2015 written for Ilona’s Garden Journal by Ilona E. An excellent blog.

Winding Up July

August 1, 2014 by Ilona Erwin

I didn’t say “Hot enough for you?” once this month. Not that I am given to using that phrase, anyway, but the weather in Ohio could not have been more beautiful. We had “Polar vortex” in July. Normally I write off this month in terms of garden work. Only mad dogs and Midwesterners work in the heat and humidity, but the so-called “fall temperatures” (the weatherman’s terms, not mine) allowed for plenty of garden grooming this year. I called it a bonus of the “rare days of June”: with blues skies white puffy clouds, summer zephyrs, jade green grass, and blissful 70’s temperatures.

Of course, “in my garden at my pace” simply meant catching up. But it has been a time when I am so glad to have a garden, and drank deeply of the scents of summer’s sweetness.

Sad Realities

Not every story is one of light hearted bliss.
This was also a season of facing the losses of last winter in a final way. I noticed quite a bit of tree damage in my area of Ohio, but closer to home the loss of both my cutleaf Japanese maples became evident.

At first I thought they had made it through with their leafing out and seeming good health. But first the green and then the red, both Acer palmatum var. dissectum withered and did not recover. Disappointing both because they are very beautiful, and because they were so expensive. I doubt if I will try to replace their loss.

I have seen this before when I lost my Chinese chestnuts after a particularly hard winter, but was not at all resigned. In fact, I am just now trying to bring myself to cutting them down. My experience with the recovery of the sweet gum tree probably contributes to this folly of hopefulness.

Liquidambar trees have similar hardiness (Zone 5), but some sources say the Japanese maple, var. dissectum is only reliable to 5b. My garden would bear that out. The red-leaf, in particular, was planted in a more protected microclimate.

I tried to do some research on wilt disease that affects maples, in case that was the culprit in their demise. Many maples that are hardy enough have died, or partially died back this past year. And one of my crabapples had a weirdly unhealthy look. I haven’t determined the reason for that, as yet.

You can see, the garden has suffered its share of problems.

What Is So Rare As A Day in June

AND what is so rare as a day in June?
Then, if ever, come perfect days;
Then Heaven tries earth if it be in tune,
And over it softly her warm ear lays;
Whether we look, or whether we listen,
We hear life murmur, or see it glisten;
Every clod feels a stir of might,
An instinct within it that reaches and towers,
And, groping blindly above it for light,
Climbs to a soul in grass and flowers;
The flush of life may well be seen
Thrilling back over hills and valleys;
The cowslip startles in meadows green,
The buttercup catches the sun in its chalice,
And there’s never a leaf nor a blade too mean
To be some happy creature’s palace;
The little bird sits at his door in the sun,
Atilt like a blossom among the leaves,
And lets his illumined being o’errun
With the deluge of summer it receives;
His mate feels the eggs beneath her wings,
And the heart in her dumb breast flutters and sings;
He sings to the wide world, and she to her nest,-
In the nice ear of Nature which song is the best?

Now is the high-tide of the year,
And whatever of life hath ebbed away
Comes flooding back with a ripply cheer,
Into every bare inlet and creek and bay;
Now the heart is so full that a drop overfills it,
We are happy now because God wills it;
No matter how barren the past may have been,
‘Tis enough for us now that the leaves are green;
We sit in the warm shade and feel right well
How the sap creeps up and the blossoms swell;
We may shut our eyes but we cannot help knowing
That skies are clear and grass is growing;
The breeze comes whispering in our ear,
That dandelions are blossoming near,
That maize has sprouted, that streams are flowing,
That the river is bluer than the sky,
That the robin is plastering his house hard by;
And if the breeze kept the good news back,
For our couriers we should not lack;
We could guess it all by yon heifer’s lowing,
– And hark! How clear bold chanticleer,
Warmed with the new wine of the year,
Tells all in his lusty crowing!

Joy comes, grief goes, we know not how;
Everything is happy now,
Everything is upward striving;
‘Tis as easy now for the heart to be true
As for grass to be green or skies to be blue,
– ‘Tis for the natural way of living:
Who knows whither the clouds have fled?
In the unscarred heaven they leave not wake,
And the eyes forget the tears they have shed,
The heart forgets its sorrow and ache;
The soul partakes the season’s youth,
And the sulphurous rifts of passion and woe
Lie deep ‘neath a silence pure and smooth,
Like burnt-out craters healed with snow.

~James Russell Lowell

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Visit Ilona’s Garden Journal on facebook: Click here
© 2014 written for Ilona’s Garden Journal by Ilona E. An excellent blog.

How's the weather?

February Gardening, Last of Winter in the Flower Garden