Started to drizzle, so inside work today. I can look out the window every once in awhile. However John & lawn mower are scheduled for tomorrow morning (hour's drive) & they say it can be done while he is there.

I have a bunch of "native" type wildflower seeds that are purported to germinate more freely when tossed out in the fall. I'm kicking around the notion of making clay seed balls and tossing them out now.

One: the seeds have the chilling period required to break dormancy.
Two: it should slow the bird/critter feasting down a bit. ...and...
Three: perhaps my seed won't wash out into the lake when the Spring rain-induced floodgates open through the center of our yard.

Has anyone tried this method?

Is there really any way to measure it's efficacy?

Sounds like something my 6 year-old would have a blast helping with, don'cha think?

Yes. I sent in a "Tip of the Day" about Seed Bombs, but I I didn't have a good picture to go with it.

It works but not really any way to measure the efficacy that I know of. Kids do love it. Kinda messy but fun.

Go for it, Chelle. If you get a good picture maybe I can use it to go with my TOTD.

Awesome, then! We'll probably work on it this weekend.

Pictures of tossing them out too, if it's not as cold as it is today....35 degrees or so, with a nice stiff wind! Brrrr...!!!

I bought clay seed balls a couple of years. I thought they made a novel holiday gift for gardener friends.

Sounds like fun, Chelle!
Today working on to devising a covered clear structure on the deck to keep my semp pots under for winter so i can control the moisture they get.

sandnsea2 said:Sounds like fun, Chelle!
Today working on to devising a covered clear structure on the deck to keep my semp pots under for winter so i can control the moisture they get.

Those work great for fussy tuberous begonias too! Mine love to be safe and dry as far as dew and such goes.....no disease problems that way.

This is how ours turned out. Will you share pix when yours is finished? I'd love to see it!

Matter of fact...there's a baby semp on the shelf there behind my chair! Ah, the memories of spring-time...

Love it, Chelle! Beautiful yard, too!
I won't do anything big...just want a temporary "raincoat" or "umbrella" for the dozen or so pots of semps on the deck. I have looked all over and can't seem to find a simple solution.
I just want to keep them dry ..
DBH brought home some clear huge industrial size plastic bags. He suggested I put each pot in one and tie it sideways with maybe a peony hoop inside the pot to hold a shape. That way I can easily untie when I choose...on dry days for ventilation.
Will let you know how it goes...

Ah! Kinda like a mini hoop-house plan? Sounds good! I'm going to put mine under the deep eaves of my house, on the east side so they'll be out of most of the wind.



I'm not doing any Fall hoop-house growing this year. Last year I did some salad stuff, but found I'd rarely go out to get it....if I'm not gonna use it why waste the seeds, right?

Indoor news: flower opening on our apricot colored Christmas cactus.

Sounds pretty, Lucy.

My mom has some of those - I'll be seeing them this weekend when we have our family dinner. I'd better make the pies today! (Almost forgot!)

I just saw Seed Bombs in Birds and Blooms for sale as gift ideas and thought oh how cute and fun to make.Was wondering what you used as the glue ?? for lack of a better word. I need to make some of those.

chelle ,your yard is beatiful.We have had a pretty nice fall havent we ?

Hoop house only in my dreams... Lucky you

I shut the heat off in the spare BR so I could store cannas and my mandavills,Does anyone know if 58 drgrees is cool enough for all ???
Also how should I do my Begonias dig them out of the pot or leave them in ??? Thanks Tam

Tamara, one way to do it. There are so many methods. Fun!

http://heavypetal.ca/archives/...

Tam,



By hoop-house I mean just modified row covers, really.

I take the tubers from my cannas and begonias out of the pots, let 'em dry really good, shake off the soil, then put them in an open bag of dry peat and hang them in an unheated closet for the winter.

Chelle, what is your seed ball recipe like?

Haven't tried it yet. I guess I was just going to use our sticky clay. I've read info on it - need to brush-up a bit before I begin!

Thanks for the link, I'll be checking it out in a bit - have about 6 other things going on at the moment! Love to be busy this time of year - keeps the blahs at bay! (No time to think about 'em... )

Let your sticky clay dry out.Then use it as in directions above. Red Clay isnt redily available unless you check a legit clay supplier or craft store. The bags weigh 50 pounds as I remember- maybe 20+ I'm not sure.

Thanks, Jo Ann.

This is going to be such fun! Hope it's a nice-weather weekend.....