This is encouraging. The old lavender shrubs that I rescued, cleaned up, and pruned, appear to have settled in. The green growth is new. Original old growth is grey.
I think that if I keep weeds away and keep them pruned, they will develop into nice shrubs (actually small enough, "subshrub" might be a better term), with lots of lavender to harvest and lots of flowers for local bees of all minds.
I made some more adjustments in my cadet cap sewing. The last caps needed a bit more tightness, so I added a headband, which helped. I had ordered some more heavier weight interfacing for cap bills. In error, the interfacing that I received was fusible on both sides. I didn't think I liked that, but it turned out to make a much better bill. I has just the right flexibility and stiffness.
I used left over chino trowser fabric as before. It's both tough and soft and pliable.
The oregano seedlings that I had outdoors during a frost haven't done well. I think it was too early. I started a second set after that, which have grown more quickly, and passed the first ones. Here is a comparison.
Today I planted three of the cells in freshly turned soil. I also planted the six pack of Ratibida, which I have never grown before.
It may still be too early, but I am hopeful. Rudbeckia and Echinacea seedlings, planted previously, seem OK.
I noted the first of the forsythia cuttings has grown roots. As before, the roots are emerging from new growth rather than from the original stem.
I cut the bottoms of the other cuttings, so that the lowest new growth will be under water. Unfortunately, this one isn't as vigorous as the other variety. It's more compact, and the flowers are larger and a different shade of yellow. I'm happy with any that grow.
After planting the other Four O'Clock seeds, I looks for the ones I saved last year, and found them. I also looked back in my notes. Years ago, my best success was by soaking the seeds overnight, then incubated them on a wetted paper towel in a zipper lock bag. I tried that this time and noted several seeds had begun to germinate one day later. So I'll do that with these as well.
I've never grown carnations or statice here, so I don't know what works. Carnations seem kind of uncertain. The ones that I up-potted have survived but are not thriving.
I decided to plant out the first batch that I started in silicone six-packs. These are looking pretty good. They have spent a number of full days outdoors, so I'm not concerned about sunburn. Chill might be a problem. I kept the other sixpack for more TLC and for comparison.
I also planted the first six pack of statice seedlings. They are odd looking plants, sort of like dandelions with leprosy.
The Sarracenias were looking bedraggled. According to the experts, they should be pruned by now. Flower buds were starting to emerge so I was careful.
One before picture. What a mess. They were sitting in their basins at the edge of the vegetable garden.
After. There are lots of flower buds. I want to create a better place for them. This is easy to access for filling the basins with rainwater.
The Asian pears are full of blossoms. I wondered if last year's pruning was too extreme. I don't think so. If each cluster gives a pear (after thinning) thats enough for a few batches of canned pears. Almost done eating the ones I canned last year.
It's interesting that one tree has red-ish new foliage and the other is bring green. I had multigrafted both trees. Apparently, somehow the grafts matched the original trees. I forget the varieties now.
I had some brilliant yellow Four O'Clock seeds that I collected two years ago from a plant growing in the front yard. It cones up each year, grows, blooms beautifully, never needs watering, and deer don't touch it.
I also have a packet of mixed colors of Four O'Clock seeds. They will go into a different location.
The "Extreme Dwarf" tomato should extend the season longer. I planted the first bunch of those a month ago. Very container friendly, prolific and tasty, but small - about the size of a heritage sauce tomato.
I found the eggplant seed packet so decided to start those too.
Here is that "Four O'Clock in 2020. I don't have a definite lineage, but I've been saving seeds and growing them for roughly 20 years, so these are probably descended from the first ones I grew back then. The first photo was from 2014.
Then from 2020
I found these red potatoes in a cabinet, too sprouted and wrinkly for good potato salad. I decided to plant them in one of the fabric containers. They might be ready by mig June, and then bush beans can go into that container.
Many years ago I used the container method and it was so-so. This time I'll give the, more room and fertilizer.
They are covered with a few inches of soil. As they grow, more soil is added until they reach the top. They should be watered and fertilized until the stems start to dry. I figure, if each potato makes five good potatoes, that will me thirty, which is no small potatoes LOL. Unless they actually are small potatoes.
