Happy New Year!

I took these photos last month during the warmest December Minnesota has ever had. These are some of the succulents in my home, and three are sprouting flowers. I never thought they would because they live on cool windowsills. But maybe the warmer weather has helped? Or the long nights? Or luck? Have a wonderful, safe, and peaceful new year!

December Delights

Hallmark should come to our town to make holiday movies. On second thought, they should stay away so we don't have too many people so the locals can get our cups of cheer and tasty treats. Fine... I'm willing to share. Above is the view out of my window while it's snowing. Below is the small poinsettia I bought at the end of last year (clearance!) and kept for a year. I did nothing special, other than transplant it in a bigger pot. The long Minnesota nights are enough to trigger the color. Below that are two photos of berries in the snow, which is melting due to the sun and wind. And finally a photo of basil. I brought in a bunch of basil before the freeze, and one sprig has survived. I wish you all the delights of December and, most of all, peace and goodwill, so every person feels safe and loved.

New Plant Hardiness Zone from USDA

There's a new plant hardiness zone map, released last month and updated from 2012. In 2023, I have moved from zone 4a to 4b. Several years ago, my garden as a new homeowner had a few brutal winters, and I lost zone 4 plants, so I made a point to invest in plants for zone 3. However, recently I've been experimenting with zone 5 plants--lavender and a daisy variety--with success. I guess I don't need the map to tell me what I already know. Climate change is real. 

P. S. Find your zone here https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/

First Snow October 31

I'm a little delayed with this post. The international students I work with were delighted with this lovely snow. It's fun to share in their enthusiasm. 

Fall colors and freeze

While we were away, we had a freeze....after I managed to grab the last marigolds and a supply of parsley. Photos of fall colors from my garden and yard from the last two weeks

Why 64 bulbs?

At the warehouse store, I found 64 crocus bulbs for $5. As I said to my fellow shopper, it's worth the risk. Then I got them home and wondered, "What was I thinking?" That's a lot of bulbs. I'm planting late, but they might grow since the ground is still warm. But I'm happy to be planting. I look around and wonder what else I can dig up. Thankfully, my hubby understands my garden hobby (or obsession?). Below is the space I dug with the bulbs ready to be covered. Above is the view as I entered the foggy park for my morning walk. Beautiful!

Our first frost was October 9. Fall has arrived, and it's a great time to enjoy the outdoors.  

It should be fall...

The Twin Cities marathon was cancelled because of weather today...because of heat! The humidity is awful, more like July. The cosmos are in their prime (above). Normally, I'd have the garden mostly cleaned up, but I've got mini peppers growing, so I'm going to leave them there and see what happens. 

Yet I did plant some bulbs yesterday before it got really warm (above). In both the front and back of the house, I planted 50 Tete-a-Tete daffodils, 14 Purple Sensation and 6 Mount Everest Alliums, and 15 Gravetye Giant Leucojum (good deals at a warehouse club).  At the time, I thought I bought too many bulbs, but I could have used more, though my body was tired enough. The carrots are a bit uneven this year, partly because I didn't thin them like I should but mainly because they needed more water. With our recent rains, I hope we catch up. It's no fun gardening in a drought.

I planted the Cosmos (below) next to the black compost bin. It gets pretty warm there, and I think they like it. Even though we had a late spring, with this extended heat, they are looking good. On the other hand, I'm feeling a bit limp on this humid day.