I have tried both ways and find the method of mulching first works best for me. But there are the times when you need to replenish the mulch, or plant a single plant in an established bed. Then I pour a pile of mulch beside the new plant and use my finger to gently move the mulch into position.

I got to take a few photos yesterday in the VERY breezy weather we are having. At least it wasn't raining.
Tiny baby 'Alchemist' new to me last year.


Another newer one in my collection. Love the soft colors of this one. An nothing seems to bother it. Drought or drowning.


Another good doer in her winter colors.


Sure wish I could go out today and play in the garden. It is blowing and raining nonstop.

Three favorites of mine as well!

I look forward to 'Alchemist' making a colony.

Lynn where did you get your Alchemist from? It's so pretty I'd love to get one for myself!

MelissaHopper said:
If you can't make it through the winter, you are toast!

Agreed... perform or perish.

Tim the Taskmaster
Me, I'm more the Tuff Love type...

today was in the mid 40's in CT and had enough melting to get a peek in a few of my planters. All seem to be holding up well to winter conditions. My bed along the driveway is still totally covered.

All look VERY healthy Jesse!

Kevin

Nathaniel, I got 'Alchemist' from Daniel (ediblelandscapingsc), it originally came from Europe. I am hoping it will take off growing this year and produce an abundance of offsets. We need to get this one spread around the US. I don't think it is a heavy producer of offsets per growing season. This year should tell me what to expect.

Jesse those look great. They sure do love winter weather, real winter weather. Not our long, cold, rainy winter days.

The sun came out for a bit today so I decided to do a stroll through the semps and take a few pictures. Things aren't looking too bad but we still have to get through February.

Centennial


Frost and Flame in the big blue pot that Bev gave me. I bet by the end of the year it pretty much fills the pot.


Gingerbread Boy


Gold Nugget


Heart of Darkness


Killer


New Sunrise


NoidC


Orphan2


Othello


Persephone


Royanum


Westerlin


A lot of them look very similar right now so am must waiting for spring when they pretty much show their true colors.

Who's the tenant living alongside Killer?
I don't think so many look similar. They are all looking great despite differences in coloring, size, texture, leaf shape, etc. Seems like HEALTHY is the look they share

I only took pictures of the ones that looked really good. No matter what color they were. I got a couple I am ashamed to own but they are looking like excellent compost!

Killer's little buddy is a cute snail. And he is ceramic so they coexist quite nicely.

That green noid that I posted is a favorite of mine. I got it at the local Ace store and they had it labeled "cobweb" and that was it. Hence NoidC. It is always just green but I love the whole look of it. The color, the fuzzies, the shape of the leaves, the whole thing.

Love them all Melissa!

Wow, this has been an interesting last couple of days. I woke up in the middle of the night Thurs/Fri to the sound of a gun shot. Sounded like it was right outside by bedroom window/backyard.
Yesterday I went out to the fire pit to burn some papers and there was the source of the gun shot. A massive limb from the old ash tree came down over the top of the shed out back. The limb was about 15" with many smaller 6" and 7" inch branches of of it. Took out part of the shed roof and a section of the back fence.
Bad me, I did not take before and after photos. Men from out church came out this morning and in about 1 hour had the entire thing cut up and hauled off. Someone will benefit from some really great fire wood. Just hope more of the tree doesn't decide to come down.
Here is the back side of the tree showing how much fell off.

Here is what is left of the tree.


Hope you all had as great a day as I did today. Felt so good to be able to play in the garden.

I got to play out in the garden all day today. Got 15 beds cleaned up and semps in those beds evaluated for the move this summer.
Also found a few semps that seem to be a bit confused. Here is 'Amanda' blooming.


This one was looking beautiful today. And I have done not cleanup on this one. Every year it comes through winter untouched.

Oh wow, Melissa everyone of those are beautiful. You grow semps so well. Love the snail buddy.
I agree with Bev, they certainly don't look the same, each is distinct and lovely.

Thank you Lynn and Jessel. I am glad that you all can see underneath some of them right now. I am busy pulling out his horrible, black, slimy, STUFF! Looks like something out of a Star Trek movie or something. But most of them don't seem much bothered. Which of course does not mean they aren't getting cleaned up.

Potting up my century semps for my son's wedding. 120 down, only 40 left to go!

What a great idea, Christie! They're all beautiful, and it's nice to share your old semps this way.

I agree with Karen, and it's a very pretty presentation!