I have daffodil folliage. At least for some really early types coming up a lot already.

No daffs yet, maybe after the temp goes to 60 this weekend......

We had a fun seed swap party this afternoon!

I hope the rain holds off tomorrow. Last week, I used my planting auger last to make holes in a crescent-shaped area in front of a bed that needed to be expanded anyway... and I only got half the crescent planted with 'Tete Deluxe' daffodil bulbs (that's a fluffy double form of 'Tete a Tete'). If it's only halfway planted, that's going to look really silly in spring!

Other bulbs can be stuffed into pots if I don't get them in the ground before the weather turns cold again. I've planted bulbs as late as this before and had them bloom just fine. Worst case, they'll put up foliage this spring and fatten their bulbs, then bloom next year. I've already planted daffodils in 4 big containers that had tomatoes last summer, and I stuffed hyacinths and mini daffs into 3 railing planters on the deck.

It's REALLY nice to be able to move again and do things in the garden. My knee isn't totally "there" yet (still some pain), but it works!! Big challenge for me is getting used to not kneeling while I work, because that's mostly how I gardened, and it's one of two things that can wear out an artificial knee before its time (the other is running, so no marathons for me either!). I know I can just plop my butt onto the ground, and that works, but I hope it will gradually get less awkward to get up from that position! Actually, right now I just hope I don't end up as one of those slapstick you tube videos.

I'm too old & stiff to kneel....it's the butt on the ground with the help of a hoe to get back up again! Columbia River dahlias are selling their tubers on Tues. 3pm EST...some very pretty species...

OK guys, let's admit it, the first thing you do before getting down on the floor or ground is to figure out how you are going to get back up! We all do it, right?

I just ordered some seeds. Lots of Basil, some cilantro and my favorite Annia Eggplant seeds.

Sadly, I've been known to sit on the floor and then realize I had no idea how/if I'm getting up again! That has improved as my new knee gets broken in.

I actually came across several floor mat sections when cleaning the garage, nice big squares, at least 20x20" and maybe 2 feet across. I got outside today to finish the job I started with extending my little island bed in front and putting in a crescent of mini daffs around the front of it. I took those mats with me and put them side by side so I could just sit and keep scootching along while I planted! I'd been thinking I needed an XXL kneeling pad, and these were perfect!

I also pried up the half-buried stones that formed a border around the bed and moved them outward. Didn't have enough to still go all the way around the bed, of course, but I can add stones around the back another time. It's going to look really cute when those little daffodils bloom!

Josie (golden) was outside with me, on a long leash attached to the front porch column. I wasn't paying much attention to her... noticed later that she had "helpfully" dug up a number of tulip bubs I put in last week along the front walk.

Most dogs do love to dig. My Lily often digs holes when we are both out there gardening in the nicer weather.

Love the idea of the mats....would still need help getting back up! Nicki is a digger....loves to find the chipmunk residences......who cares if the hole is under Mom's iris bed! Softer digging.....

I find one thing that helps is I am always toting around a 5-gallon bucket to put waste in for the compost pile, so that helps me up off the ground. If I don't have it, I make sure I at least have a stick or branch to help these old, overweight bones back up.

Found this on YouTube, but at the price I could make something for 1/4 the price.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHM2GGHH/

I have an indispensable hand tool with a 16" handle that gives me just that bit of help for getting off my knees. I've also used a kneeler with handles on both sides that are that same useful height. It's adapting to sitting that's the problem. I may need wider paths in my garden (and more of them) so there's space for my butt!

Has anybody tried a "garden rocker" seat? A regular seat (like I'd have if I flipped my convertible kneeler over) just doesn't let me bend down and reach very well.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BD4PWRK/

Never saw the garden rocker. I do have a Garden Scoot which I like. https://www.amleo.com/leonard-...

NOTE: This one is very heavy duty. You can get them cheaper if you shop around.

I've seen those on various sites -- scoots or tractors or whatever different manufacturers call them. They look like they'd be great for working on raised beds or large containers, not sure I could bend down to the ground while sitting one. ?

Needed a new broom. All this snow has made a mess of my broom that I keep out to sweep off the leaves from my porch. Went to e-Bay and ordered new broom.

critterologist said: I've seen those on various sites -- scoots or tractors or whatever different manufacturers call them. They look like they'd be great for working on raised beds or large containers, not sure I could bend down to the ground while sitting one. ?

They don't look like much more of a reach than the Garden Rocker. Looks almost the same to me, and the Scoot gives you places to store tools and debris, and you don't even have to get up to move to the next spot. IMHO, that thing you linked to on Amazon seems like a piece of junk for that price.

I guess the curved base of the rocker looked like it would let me tip the whole seat forward to reach stuff rather than trying to bend my head & arms between my knees to reach the ground. I'll take a step stool out to the garden first, see if I can manage to even work from a seated position. I have a feeling I'll end up working either standing and bending over or with my butt on the ground. My PT said some work from my knees would be OK, especially if I used a pad, but try to avoid it as much as possible.

BTW, this is my all time favorite hand tool... a triangle hoe, aka warren hoe, with a 16" handle. Whack it down behind a weed to pull it up, use it to dig a hole, turn it sideways to shove dirt back into place, or put the head flat against the ground to push myself to my feet... I practically can't garden without it. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0052X88DQ/

oops, looks like it's "curently unavailable." I know it was still offered this past fall...

Just purchased 5 bags of Premier Horticulture Pro Mix Organic Seed Starting Mix with Mycoactive, 16 Quart online for Spring seed planting. I paid about $14+ a bag with shipping. Last year I decided to go with the cheaper Jiffy Seed Starting Mix because I couldn't get a decent price on the Pro Mix, but I think my seedlings suffered. IMO, Jiffy is garbage compared to Pro Mix. I'd rather pay the extra for a quality seed starting mix.



I also have about 40 lbs of PRO-MIX BX All Purpose Growing Mix left over but will order another 60 lbs of it for when I up pot the seedings in pots for the greenhouse.



I could do what I did this past year after up potting from the jiffy (1/3 peat moss, 1/3 vermiculite, and 1/3 soil from the nursery or our own compost), but that seems to be when I get slower/weaker growth and more bugs! I could sterilize the soil and or compost, but that is a PITA, and would probably cause a divorce if I started cooking dirt in the oven. Hmmm...let me think about that again!

Oh, yes....dirt in the oven is definitely a no-no....I never see Promix for sale around here...

I sterilize seed starting mix in the microwave. For whatever reason, it doesn't get that awful smell like when you bake it in the oven. Just be sure you moisten it. Dry potting mix in the microwave WILL CATCH ON FIRE. Ask me how I know, LOL. I have a pretty big container with a lid that fits into the microwave. I nuke it for 10-12 minutes and then slap the lid on and shut it into the microwave (turned off) for another 10 minutes so the steam will continue sterilizing the mix. In addition to killing pathogens and weed seeds, the steam really "opens up" peat moss and coir so it takes up water better.

MoonShadows said: Just purchased 5 bags of Premier Horticulture Pro Mix Organic Seed Starting Mix with Mycoactive, 16 Quart online for Spring seed planting. I paid about $14+ a bag with shipping. Last year I decided to go with the cheaper Jiffy Seed Starting Mix because I couldn't get a decent price on the Pro Mix, but I think my seedlings suffered. IMO, Jiffy is garbage compared to Pro Mix. I'd rather pay the extra for a quality seed starting mix.



I also have about 40 lbs of PRO-MIX BX All Purpose Growing Mix left over but will order another 60 lbs of it for when I up pot the seedings in pots for the greenhouse.



I could do what I did this past year after up potting from the jiffy (1/3 peat moss, 1/3 vermiculite, and 1/3 soil from the nursery or our own compost), but that seems to be when I get slower/weaker growth and more bugs! I could sterilize the soil and or compost, but that is a PITA, and would probably cause a divorce if I started cooking dirt in the oven. Hmmm...let me think about that again!

Good Stuff!!!