Sunday, April 07, 2013
First batch of Chinese Chives for 2013
Well on their way to becoming the best dumplings in the world. These are the first Chinese chives from the Battleground raised beds. They grew stout, fast, early, and have a strong aroma.
Labels:
chinese chives,
Chinese vegetables,
raised bed,
Raised Beds
Ning planting 2 apricot trees
Neighbor had 2 seedling apricot trees they've been growing for a number of years. They wanted to give them away, so here we are! Nice neighbors! There is some risk - first, I've never been able to get an apricot tree to survive here. Second, seed-grown, no idea what the apricots will be like. Finally, they might need a pollinator. Still for #2, my neighbor has had these outside for maybe 6 years, in containers. I suspect they will be OK. Maybe there is a rootstock issue with the trees that have died? These are seed grown, so on their own roots. As for pollinator, since these are seed-grown, each should be genetically a little different from the other, so they should be compatible. As for the unknowns, we have room for them, and there isn't much risk, so here they are.
This little orchard now has the 2 apricot trees, 2 pear trees, and an American linden (nectar source). Also planned are the 2 dwarf apples I bench-grafted at the Home Orchard Society grafting class, starting to grow. I'll keep then in containers for a little longer before planting in ground.
Friday, April 05, 2013
Home Orchard in Bloom
Euro plum. This tree came with the place. Deer ate virtually all of the leaves. A few new branches grew but it was shot for the summer. That it survived at all is a surprise. The new branch will supply some plums this year. The older branch, which was denuded, I will be happy if it just grows. Looks like it will. We will see if the fencing keeps out the deer.
Vandalay Cherry. This was planted bare root last month. I don't expect any cherries at all this year. The blossom suggest a few could happen. Just a taste.
Satsuma plum. Caged for protection from deer. In bloom. This was purchased last summer from Home Depot. Nice to see it blooming. Plums the first year after planting - nice. If they happen.
I can't get the text to align with photos, since the program updated. Maybe I will figure it out. If not, these will have to do.
Labels:
Almaden Duke cherry,
cherries,
Chinese Haw,
plums,
Satsuma plum,
Shan Zha,
Toka plum,
Vandalay cherry
Heritage Irises, continued
The bearded iris order did arrive, as I was typing the previous post.
The rhizomes were smaller than previous orders from other sources.
My thinking is these are mostly, or all, diploid. Most modern irises are tetraploid and would have larger rhizomes. In addition, West Coast irises are expected to be larger due to growing season. I think. These were from Michigan, and the shorter season may lead to smaller rhizomes.
The important thing for me is they grow and bloom.
Ning planted them for me. A very simple task to plant these small rhizomes. Digging in the raised bed, there was a sizable population of earthworms. They would start coming out of the ground a foot away from each hole. Add some well aged compost mulch around each. Ready to settle in.
According to Old House Gardens, these should bloom this year. Considering the size and need to settle in, if these do bloom this year, that suggests the others,, which are already much bigger, should do the same. I would like that.
The rhizomes were smaller than previous orders from other sources.
My thinking is these are mostly, or all, diploid. Most modern irises are tetraploid and would have larger rhizomes. In addition, West Coast irises are expected to be larger due to growing season. I think. These were from Michigan, and the shorter season may lead to smaller rhizomes.
The important thing for me is they grow and bloom.
Ning planted them for me. A very simple task to plant these small rhizomes. Digging in the raised bed, there was a sizable population of earthworms. They would start coming out of the ground a foot away from each hole. Add some well aged compost mulch around each. Ready to settle in.
According to Old House Gardens, these should bloom this year. Considering the size and need to settle in, if these do bloom this year, that suggests the others,, which are already much bigger, should do the same. I would like that.
Labels:
bearded iris,
heritage flowers,
heritage iris
Those rhizomes traveled a long way.
Not much I can do at the moment. Brief puttering and thinking about stuff.
Quite some time back I ordered some heritage iris rhizomes.
By heritage, I indicate varieties that are genetic clones, through generations, from the mid 20th century, to the 19th century, and in some cases the 16th century. Propagated in endless succession by gardeners, and sometimes by nurseries, and sometimes by neglect, for generations and centuries. I ordered these rhizomes back in August of last year. Ordering so far ahead is a leap of faith - a lot can happen in 8 months, and has.
The raised bed is set up for them, and already has other irises, already well amended with a mixture of leaf compost and local soil (about 3 parts soil to 1 part compost), plus wood ashes, plus near the surface level, more kitchen compost and a generous dusting of ground eggshell for calcium. The irises already in the bed are growing vigorously, with stout green leaves, longer each time I look.
The rhizomes are shipping here,, should arrive today. It's interesting to me - and probably only to me - to look at the shipping record online. These rhizomes, having traveled through decades and centuries, and some at least across one ocean, and back and forth across a continent, are traveling again. More when they arrive.
from Renaissance herbals.
from http://irapl.altervista.org/nit/viewpics.php?title=Iris+florentina
(from the linked website: Iris florentina
Picture modified from Gilg, Ernst; Schumann, Karl - Das Pflanzenreich Hausschatz des Wissens (1900) - Permission granted to use under GFDL by Kurt Stueber. Source: www.biolib.de - Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this image under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled GNU Free Documentation License.
More to follow.
By heritage, I indicate varieties that are genetic clones, through generations, from the mid 20th century, to the 19th century, and in some cases the 16th century. Propagated in endless succession by gardeners, and sometimes by nurseries, and sometimes by neglect, for generations and centuries. I ordered these rhizomes back in August of last year. Ordering so far ahead is a leap of faith - a lot can happen in 8 months, and has.
The raised bed is set up for them, and already has other irises, already well amended with a mixture of leaf compost and local soil (about 3 parts soil to 1 part compost), plus wood ashes, plus near the surface level, more kitchen compost and a generous dusting of ground eggshell for calcium. The irises already in the bed are growing vigorously, with stout green leaves, longer each time I look.
The rhizomes are shipping here,, should arrive today. It's interesting to me - and probably only to me - to look at the shipping record online. These rhizomes, having traveled through decades and centuries, and some at least across one ocean, and back and forth across a continent, are traveling again. More when they arrive.
Location | Date | Local Time | Activity |
---|---|---|---|
Vancouver, WA, United States | 04/05/2013 | 7:27 A.M. | Out For Delivery |
04/05/2013 | 7:01 A.M. | Arrival Scan | |
Portland, OR, United States | 04/05/2013 | 6:35 A.M. | Departure Scan |
Portland, OR, United States | 04/04/2013 | 11:32 P.M. | Arrival Scan |
Hermiston, OR, United States | 04/04/2013 | 7:54 P.M. | Departure Scan |
04/04/2013 | 5:38 P.M. | Arrival Scan | |
Spokane, WA, United States | 04/04/2013 | 2:31 P.M. | Departure Scan |
04/04/2013 | 11:55 A.M. | Arrival Scan | |
Hodgkins, IL, United States | 04/02/2013 | 10:37 A.M. | Departure Scan |
04/02/2013 | 6:28 A.M. | Arrival Scan | |
Oshtemo, MI, United States | 04/02/2013 | 4:18 A.M. | Departure Scan |
04/02/2013 | 4:07 A.M. | Arrival Scan | |
Wyoming, MI, United States | 04/02/2013 | 3:08 A.M. | Departure Scan |
04/02/2013 | 12:22 A.M. | Arrival Scan | |
Ypsilanti, MI, United States | 04/01/2013 | 9:44 P.M. | Departure Scan |
04/01/2013 | 6:53 P.M. | Origin Scan | |
United States | 04/01/2013 | 4:22 P.M. | Order Processed: Ready for UPS |
from Renaissance herbals.
from http://irapl.altervista.org/nit/viewpics.php?title=Iris+florentina
(from the linked website: Iris florentina
Picture modified from Gilg, Ernst; Schumann, Karl - Das Pflanzenreich Hausschatz des Wissens (1900) - Permission granted to use under GFDL by Kurt Stueber. Source: www.biolib.de - Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this image under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled GNU Free Documentation License.
More to follow.
Labels:
botany,
heritage flowers,
heritage plants,
iris,
plant history
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
What's Blooming?
Sweet Cherry.
Iris bucharica.
Muscari. These multiply rapidly with no assistance from me.
Genetic dwarf peaches..
Iris bucharica.
Muscari. These multiply rapidly with no assistance from me.
Genetic dwarf peaches..
Monday, April 01, 2013
Laburnum Cutting
Laburnum grown from cutting the same way as figs. Looking pretty good. I potted them a few weeks ago.
I'm happy to have Spring here now, and the cuttings growing. I'm recuperating and can't do much for a month or two. Fortunately, watering cuttings and minor tasks are do-able and cheer me up.
Back Yard
By necessity the yard is in a state of benign neglect now. Fortunately I did a lot of pruning and clean up in previous weeks. Nice the fruit trees and bulbs are blooming.An antique narcissus variety. The bunches each started with 1 to 3 bulbs. Now I need to find the name again. They could stand to be dug up and divided this summer. Hard to see but there are also Juno Iris in the photo. The chive barrel is growing nicely. Maybe Ning will make chive dumplings in a week or two. Comfort food.
Labels:
Backyard Orchard Culture,
fruit tree,
narcissus,
spring,
Spring flowers
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Raised Beds. Kitchen garden and irises.
Vegetable bed. I temporarily added a couple of irises, I didn't want in the one iris bed so far. Also some raspberries from home. If I can build another bed in a couple of months, they will move to that.
The black wooley-looking stuff is fur trimmed from Charlie. Purpose is to deter rabbits and deer. Might help. Might not. Bok Choy, chinese cabbage, radishes, turnips, spinach, have all sprouted.
Allium vegetable bed. Looking great. We are getting lots of scallions. Garlic chives are growing the thickest and sturdiest I've ever seen them grow. They will be ready to harvest in 2 weeks.
Iris bed. Some wooleys on here too. Even though deer are said not to like irises. The locations for the heritage iris order are laid out and labeled, in case they come in the next couple of weeks.
I won't be posting for a week or two. Maybe something on fig cuttings tomorrow. Likely wont do much in the garden for a month or two. We will see. Having these progress reports to look at, will help.
The black wooley-looking stuff is fur trimmed from Charlie. Purpose is to deter rabbits and deer. Might help. Might not. Bok Choy, chinese cabbage, radishes, turnips, spinach, have all sprouted.
Allium vegetable bed. Looking great. We are getting lots of scallions. Garlic chives are growing the thickest and sturdiest I've ever seen them grow. They will be ready to harvest in 2 weeks.
Iris bed. Some wooleys on here too. Even though deer are said not to like irises. The locations for the heritage iris order are laid out and labeled, in case they come in the next couple of weeks.
I won't be posting for a week or two. Maybe something on fig cuttings tomorrow. Likely wont do much in the garden for a month or two. We will see. Having these progress reports to look at, will help.
Labels:
bearded iris,
chinese chives,
deer,
dog hair,
Egyptian Walking Onion,
iris,
kitchen garden,
onions,
rabbits
Beehive. Feeders in place.
Thebee feeders are in place. Ruhl-Bee states they will arrive first or 2nd week of April. I hope 2nd week. It may be difficult, earlier. Counting the days....
Labels:
beehive,
beekeeping,
honey bees,
top bar hive
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