Looks like a good year for planting!!!!!

[hilltop]

Disclaimer;..... I hope I don't have to eat these words!! ((((((Sticking neck out here)))))

According to NOAA'S updated (January 20, 2005) long range prediction models, we are finally going to have a predictable growing year.

For over 4 yrs el Nino has had a strong grip on our weather patterns, its supposed to shift allowing us to get back to more normal seasonal weather..

What's this mean? Well for an urban farmer (gardener) it means we can plan our planting schedules based on zonal (USDA zone 6a) information rather then (as we have) on a day by day basis.

We can count on April (Approx. April 27th) being the end of frost whereas we have had frosts into May the last several years.

We can count on average rainfall rather then getting down pours in Months when we shouldn't (like December, 6" downpours).

We can count on seasonal temperatures being normal instead of the extremes we’ve been seeing (lows and highs jumping all over the scale).

So Gardeners; It’s time to get busy!!!

A couple of words of caution; since we’ve had such a crazy winter we are going to see allot of winter kill (dieback) in our plants, especially evergreens; DON’T GET AHEAD OF YOURSELF AND START PRUNING TO EARLY!!!!! Remember, ‘Pruning promotes growth’!!!! I’ve seen allot of roses getting pruned back in recent weeks, NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO PRUNE ROSES!!! It’s ok to remove obvious dieback (discolored bark) on certain plants, but know your plants growth habits before you get too carried away.

Insects, disease and weeds are going to be a real challenge this year, we haven’t had enough (prolonged) cold weather to kill many off so be prepared and have the right products on hand, check your plants on a regular basis. Fruit trees and deciduous plants can be treated now with dormant oils which will get you a step ahead on some insects.

Weed preventers or light cultivation of the soil will help in disturbing some of the early season weeds, mulching with a good weed free product will also help…..

Although our store is still closed (opening around the 1st of March) someone is always checking the machine so we can make arrangements to get you what you need or make appointments to come out and see you. Leave a message and we will get back to you.

Let us know how we can help, everything from; advise, preparation, building walls, patios, walkways, irrigation systems, planting, soils, mulch’s and all your gardening needs!

253-TREE (8733)

Remember Gardening and weather go hand- in- hand, as with all sciences it can change at the drop of a hat!!!!!!!

Happy Gardening!!!!!!!

[hilltop]

Well, they said it was going to be more seasonal weather patterns and tonight sounds like we are going to get a taste of winter.

Go shopping, stock up on the wood because they are saying 2"-3"s of snow, which we all know that could mean; more or possibly less. I'm hoping for less but it's February and February usually is the month we can get those sudden big ones!!!

If it happens enjoy it while it last because forecast says; 50's-60's by Friday. As I said it's February!!!

Today would be a good time to fertilize your plants and lawn, the melting snow is great source of controlled release moisture as it melts.

Plants like; Azalea, Roses and other Spring blooming plant like to be feed this time of year with a controlled release type fertilizer.

Lawns (cool season) are starting to wake up and become productive now, they also like a little food to help them get going. Fruit trees are another; it will help them with bud production.

Although it's not supposed to get that cold, a good layer of mulch over freshly planted early vegetables could be helpfull.

If you have foliage showing on your bulbs like daffodils and tulips I'd leave them alone, the snow will help to insulate them and not burn the foliage.

Happy Gardening!!!!!!

[hilltop]

As of 5:00 AM here at Holiday Island about 3"s on my deck, 2"s on the hard surfaces at 30 degrees.
Supposed to have more throughout this morning..........

[Becky Davis]

Hope yall were prepared for the snow. Have fun and be safe. Stay warm.
Glad it didn't make it down here. My cupboards are bare. Wouldn't mind being snowed in as long as I have plenty of good stuff and chocolate to eat. And I am taking a friend to LR today to see the doctor. The trip is retched enough because of all of the highway construction. We will be right in the eight o'clock traffic.
So enjoy the snow and watch the kids play. Heard the weatherman say, people have more fun in the snow than any other weather.

[hilltop]

Have a safe trip Becky, Yep this is one of those wet fluffy ones, great for snowballs.

If we get enough I might strap on the ski's and do some downhill skiing here.

Enjoy it because it's not going to last long, tomorrow back into the 40's and 50's-60's this weekend.

I got some fertilizing done yesterday so unless we get phone calls for removal of snow in parking lots I'm going to enjoy it and get some paper work done..

[hilltop]

Man what about this weather??? I think it's that traditional February warm-up, let's hope it doesn't turn into one that dumps a bunch of snow on us later.

Enjoy it and have a fun weekend!!!

Happy Gardening!!!!!!!!!

[becsflowers]

"Heard the weatherman say, people have more fun in the snow than any other weather."

What does HE know! LOL!
After enjoying a beautiful spring like day here, I am THANKFUL we're just one more day closer to spring.

[hilltop]

I'm with you Becs, although I do like that we are in an area of the USA that we get to experience all 4 seasons.

Spring and Fall are my favorites.. I'll travel North and West for the snow, can't snow ski here anyways and it's not that far!!!

[Becky Davis]

Yesterday was nice. A little cool, but springs on the way. Robins are appearing.

[hilltop]

Originally posted by Becky Davis:
Yesterday was nice. A little cool, but springs on the way. Robins are appearing.

watch out for falling robins next weekend with the forecast ice storm, didn't get de-iced before takeoff!!!

Hope they (forecasters) are wrong, they usually are when they forecast beyond 48 hrs.

Remember last week they were forecasting this comming Monday-Tuesday to be the 'BIGGEST' snow storm of the year, now they are saying slight chance of rain and in the 50's.

I want to get paid to forecast the weather ((LOL))!!!!!!

[b lake lady]

Ice Storm? Much as I hate it I hope it happens. Freeze the bacteria and viruses....

[hilltop]

Well as I said ((with reservation))they got it wrong again. They are now saying the weather will be to warm this weekend for ice so it's just going to be rain.

Between now and then it's going to be cooler then average with a hint of snow after midnight tonight, no accumulation (I hope)..

[hilltop]

Burr, wasn't yesterday cold??? But don't give up, Spring like conditions are supposed to return. Highs in the 40's with sun today and 50's going into the weekend with small chances of rain.

With the warm temperatures coming it might confuse some plants even more. I saw my first crocus blooming yesterday and some very "fat" buds on some forsythia.

As we get closer to Spring, I mean according to the calendar that is, more plants are going to start waking up.

Be prepared and have the necessary products on hand, cloth covers for vulnerable new foliage to protect from frost, weed controls, mulches and give those plants some food….

If you need any help, give us a call @ 253-TREE (8733)

Happy gardening!!!!!!!!!

[Becky Davis]

Some of the trees are flowering here. The bulbs are coming up.

[Becky Davis]

Just in time to freeze.

[hilltop]

Becky, I think we are chasing each other back and forth...

Today is going to be beautiful, get out and enjoy it.

It looks like our best chance for rain is going to be Saturday night into Sunday morning, doesn't look like much though. I hope not, the ground needs to dry out some.

So far next weeks forecast is supposed to be beautiful!!!!!!

Happy Gardening!!!!!

[Becky Davis]

The water in my bird bath is frozen. I kid you not.

[hilltop]

Holly weather "Batman", we better get out the tanning oil!! 70's today and tomorrow, then looks like some rain and cooling back off.

The last several nights have stayed in the 40's and 50's warming the soil temps. This could really start promoting some new growth and blooms breaking on some early season bulbs and plants.

Might be a good idea to cover the soil in your garden areas that have bulbs and early vegetables to try and keep the soil temps down. It's still very early, if they get to far along considering the calendar, we still have several hard freezes ahead of us.

If growth does get ahead of the season, keep some type of cloth around and pay close attention to the weather for covering them if you want to save those plants and blooms.....

Any way’s get out and enjoy this beautiful weather, you never know what next week could bring!!!

Happy Gardening!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Becky Davis]

How do I go about growing poppies John? I have seeds. Is it better to start them in little pots or plant the seeds in the ground?
The poppies by the nursing home there are so pretty every year. Too bad they won't last as cut flowers.

[mufti]

NEW YORK (Reuters) -- A weak El Nino and human-made greenhouse gases could make 2005 the warmest year since records started being kept in the late 1800s, NASA scientists said this week.

While climate events like El Nino -- when warm water spreads over much of the tropical Pacific Ocean --affect global temperatures, the increasing role of human-made pollutants plays a big part.

"There has been a strong warming trend over the past 30 years, a trend that has been shown to be due primarily to increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere," said James Hansen of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, based in New York.

The warmest year on record was 1998, with 2002 and 2003 coming in second and third, respectively.

[hilltop]

Originally posted by Becky Davis:
How do I go about growing poppies John? I have seeds. Is it better to start them in little pots or plant the seeds in the ground?
The poppies by the nursing home there are so pretty every year. Too bad they won't last as cut flowers.

Papaver Species; Poppies can be started from seed, cutting or bought as a plant.

Starting them from seed is a longer process either way, inside (pots) or planting directly in the ground, directly in the ground being the longest method.

They are hard shelled seeds and need to be soaked and scarified; scarifying is a process of; exposing the embryo through the skin (outerlayer).

This can be done several ways; one is to use sandpaper and sand it until you see the inner green tissue, or use a knife or razor blade and cut, shave some of the casing off.

Pre-soak the seeds in hot water for 12-24 hours to soften the outer skin. This doesn't alone quicken the germination process but will help soften the seed for easier scarification.

Another method, which is getting alittle more touchy and risky but works is; take straight battery acid, put it in something like a stainless steel cup, put the seed in a steel strainer or table spoon and dip it in the acid for no longer then 30-40 seconds. Remove it from the acid (don’t touch with bare hands), use tweezers and plant it directly into the ground or pot approximately 1/16th of an inch. Pre-soak your potting medium so it won’t settle after you plant the seed.

Be careful if you use the acid method it sure does burn and can eat up clothing and anything else it makes contact with. It’s fun to experiment with different methods, if you care to take the time!!!

Hope this helps!!!!

[hilltop]

Originally posted by mufti:
NEW YORK (Reuters) -- A weak El Nino and human-made greenhouse gases could make 2005 the warmest year since records started being kept in the late 1800s, NASA scientists said this week.

While climate events like El Nino -- when warm water spreads over much of the tropical Pacific Ocean --affect global temperatures, the increasing role of human-made pollutants plays a big part.

"There has been a strong warming trend over the past 30 years, a trend that has been shown to be due primarily to increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere," said James Hansen of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, based in New York.

The warmest year on record was 1998, with 2002 and 2003 coming in second and third, respectively.



Yep and our President wants to "relax" the emissions standards and back off the "clean air act".

If we don't they, the Corporations, just send production to Nations that don't have pollution controls.

Did you know that Arkansas, the "NATURAL" State is one of a handful that doesn't require annual motor vehicle inspections and promotes open burning of "trash".

If you’re really interested in researching weather patterns and the effects we are making on it go to NOAA (National Weather service) and you can find some pretty interesting stuff
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/

[hilltop]

Becky, I hope I didn't scare you with my complicated reply!!

You can sow the seed's in the ground without any of the above, it's just that it will take longer for germination and it could be a year or 2 before you see any blooms.

I love poppies, specially the orientalis http://www.geekfest.com/ubb/wink.gif

[hilltop]

Going to be another beautiful day in the Ozarks, 55 when I woke up at 4:00am, get out and enjoy.....

Chance of rain tonight then cooling back down into the 40's for awhile...

[hilltop]

well we didn't get the rain, thank god but it sure is colder this morning 32 on my deck. only going to be in the high 40's -low 50's through the weekend.

Saw my first flowering quince yesterday, let's see, in our temp. zone they should be blooming around the last week of March-1st week of April.

Walked through a field Sunday, the last 2 day's i've been iching from chigger bites on my ankles. Had a customer tell me the other day he noticed his dog playing with something in the yard, went out to see what it was, the dang dog was playing with a copperhead snake. Old mother nature a little confused??? I'd say so!!!!

[Barb Dunnam]

Can I prune my bushes yet?
I really want to cut them way back.
They are Forsythia that have gone way out of control.
I love them they are pretty but when they get scraggly I just hate it.


Barb

[hilltop]

Originally posted by Barb Dunnam:
Can I prune my bushes yet?
I really want to cut them way back.
They are Forsythia that have gone way out of control.
I love them they are pretty but when they get scraggly I just hate it.


Barb

Barb, someone didn't plant it as a foundation shrub or to close to a sidewalk did they?? I hope not, Forsythia is one of me favorite large perimeter deciduous flowering shrubs.
Planted in the right situation I love to see them grow to full potential which is graceful long aching branches full of early spring flowers. They make great habitats for wildlife protecting them from predators and the harsh winter environment.

If it is planted in the wrong situation, forsythia is very easily transplantable. If you decide to transplant it, do it before it starts to leaf out. If it’s really big it might be wise to dig it with a small backhoe.

General rule is; prune blooming shrubs and trees after they have bloomed!! Forsythia like many early spring blooming plants set flower buds in the fall.

I wouldn't do a hard prune (removal of 1/3 or more of the plant) until we get thru at least March (remember USDA says our last frost date is late April). If pruned to early (remembering pruning promotes growth) and we get a hard freeze (which is likely) it could shock the plant beyond recovery (dead). If you can wait alittle longer, I would....

As I mentioned above, I saw my first quince in bloom, usually forsythia and quince bloom about the same time. If it hasn't started to bloom, it should break bud the next warm spell (night and day temperatures) we see.

Hope this helps!!!

Happy gardening!!!!!!

[hilltop]

50's today, then looks like we better get ready for a hard freeze tonight. Then Spring like t-storm this weekend. Wonder when were going to get that heavy wet snow storm???

Cover those young tender plants and early blooming flowers and shrubs tonight. Remember; use some type of a cloth, please don't use plastic that can make contact with the blooms or foliage.

[Becky Davis]

Yuk...I need some solar energy!!

[Becky Davis]

Wonder what the weather is going to do. Looking at Yahoo Weather by Zipcode, it looks like fifties and sixties with rain coming in at the end of the week.
Looking at the national forecast on tv....rain is moving in along with a Canadian cold front and possible snow.
Wonder what it will be.

[hilltop]

Isn't the weather fun to follow, if you listen to to many sources it's kinda like politics in Eureka.

All the years of having to pay attention to the weather (being an urban farmer), NOAA is my WEATHER GOD (so to speak).

They have us forecast as; Tonight chance of rain 38 low, Tomorrow 49 with rain, Sat night 47 as the low, Sunday Partly sunny 70.

Although I have learned not to count on any forecast outside of 48 hrs they tend to hit it more accurately...

After all, they are the National Weather Service.

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/forecasts/ARZ002.php?warncounty=ARC015&city=Eureka+Springs

Have to drive to KC this weekend, up there they are calling for rain, they better be right I don't like pulling trailers in the snow....

[hilltop]

After a few beautiful days it looks like were going to cool of some, might even see some frost Thursday night. Got down to 35 on my deck last night, keep the cloth handy.

Some of my Daffodils were blooming beautiful yesterday; shame to see them burned by frost so early.

[Becky Davis]

Yesterday was great...too bad I couldn't get out in it. Today I will.
I love it..it's perfect and energizing. Just what we need to get over the winter blahs.
Forsythia, quince, and trees are starting to flower here. A few of my shrubs are putting out buds.
The camellias here are especially beautiful.
Are there other shrubs that bloom in the winter?

[hilltop]

39 and thunder storming at 5:00am out here at HI. Today rain with rain/snow mix tonight low in the upper 20's.

Up here the quince and forsythia should be blooming mid-late March; the daffodils that are blooming at the garden center are considered mid-season bloomers, meaning they should be blooming late March- early April.

We have a northern hardy camellia planted at the garden center, it usually blooms late fall, it has some pretty fat buds on it now.

Becky, I slept in this morning 4:30 am, only on my first cup of coffee so not real awake yet, but the one truly winter blooming shrub up here(that I can think of at this moment) is winter jasmine, usually blooms January-February, we planted some at the Arvest Bank (Van Buren Branch) but haven't seen any bloom this winter. Let me wake up a little and more might come to mind

[BeachBound]

I'm looking for the shrub Genestra. This is used by florists for filler, but it smells so good that I was hoping to find one. Can you help?
Thanks,
Maressa

[MotherMoon12]

SMELLS SO SWEET. Genista is a leafless evergreen shrub that produces a profusion of delicate, fragrant flowers. Its common name is "broom," and it is native to European, Mediterranean, and even Western Asian regions as well as the Canary Islands, a group of mountainous islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of Africa.

2 COMMON MISNOMERS. This popular filler flower is often confused with its close cousin Cytisus, one species of which is commonly known as Scotch broom. Many horticultural references, however, use the genus names Genista and Cytisus interchangeably. In addition, many floral wholesalers and retailers incorrectly call this flower "genestra," which came about as a result of the mispronunciation of the genus name, Genista (je-NIS-tuh).

Maybe this will help.

[Becky Davis]

I would like some too if it smells sweet. I love fragrant plants. I think lillies are high fragrance.
What else is really sweet smelling MM? John?
I know roses smell good, but it seems that they are not as rosy smelling as they used to be. Is it my sniffer or the new breeds?
What are the sweetest smelling roses?
I have a nostalgic remembrance of some type of sweet odor from hot summer nights as a kid. I seldom smell it, but think it might just be overgrown shrubbery that has flowered. I very much don't know, but would like to have my yard smell that way.

[MotherMoon12]

I love the old fashioned flowers. My favorite flower is petunia. They come in so many colors and some of them smell so sweet. I like honey suckle, 4'o'clocks, moon flowers, and jasmine for the smell, too. Up here, I have to grow my jasmine in pots and keep it in the green house over winter, but it is so worth it. I grow lots of herbs for the smell, too. Rosmary, basil, and mint have great smells. Try to get the old fashioned cottage roses. I used to grow a blue moon rose in east Texas that smelled wonderful. We lived near Tyler which is the rose capital of the world. We would go to the Tyler rose garden and sniff and then go home and order the ones that smelled the best.

[Becky Davis]

Thanks Mother Moon. My brother lives in Tyler. I'll have to send him on a sniffing trip. When you say jasmine...I guess I am not familiar with it. Is it a vine? I have always heard of gardenias referred to as cape jasmines.

[Becky Davis]

Guess I am not familiar with moon flowers either. I do love the smell of four o'clocks. Don't have any in this yard. I had some in my other yard, but didn't collect seeds. But that is no problem..they are easy to grow. Have you ever noticed a huge moth that hovers around them? We had some and the moth was so quick it looked like a hummingbird. It loved the four o'clocks and would act like it was feeding off of them.

[hilltop]

MMM So many sweet smelling plants, where do I start!!!!

I’d have to say some of the ones that top my list are;
Clethra alnifolia 'summersweet' shrub- blooms June- July, trust me, they don't call it sweet for nothing.
Viburnum sp. many fragrant species, one of my favorite is 'Judi'.
Old fashion honeysuckle shrub type
Old fashion lilac
Of course, Roses
Magnolia vir. 'sweetbay' mmm, mmm, good! Many hybrids most have a different fragrance.
Buddleia sp. Butterfly bush
Fothergillia gardenia- witch elder
Currant sp. shrub type
Mockorange
Flowering almond
Spiraea sp.
Witch hazel
Weigela
And those are just a few, throw in mother moons and you’ve got one heck of a fragrant landscape.

[Aux Arc]

Originally posted by MotherMoon12:
... Up here, I have to grow my jasmine in pots and keep it in the green house over winter...You might try "Margarita Carolina Jasmine (http://www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org/garden/goldwinners.html)" it is supposed to be cold hardy.

[hilltop]

Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) is another that is hardy here. More of an arching, spreading, vine, shrub, Can get to 10' but more of a rambling groundcover.

Wasn't yesterday beautiful, in for a short change thru the middle of the week. Highs in the 40's with lows in the mid 20's, March "In like a lion out like a lamb"!!! I hope!!

I was working around the garden center yesterday, all our roses are leafing out bulbs are blooming way ahead of schedule and now we are supposed to have a week of "below normal temps". I think I'm going to have to use the disclaimer that I included in my original post on this tread

[MotherMoon12]

I have pots of star or confederate jasmine. The smell from it is amazing. Moonflower is also called datura. It reseeds itself, has huge white fragrant flowers that bloom at night. I see it all over Eureka and we always grew it wherever we lived in Texas.