I grow a few coleus from cuttings over winter, under lights, then propagate some more cuttings from those as spring approaches. I usually start a very few seeds under lights toward spring too.

I start wintersowing around January. In my early years at it I did a lot. Now my flower beds are pretty full so I'll just do a few- maybe a dozen or so milk jugs.

And of course I also scour seed catalogues and online perennial companies to see what I can't live without.

Karen

Karen, what will you be wintersowing this year?

Finished making Ptouch labels for the new roses.

I am still wandering my gardens,just to have something to do.
Some direct sown poppies are sprouted and the new iris have increases but everything else is asleep.
The mild weather here has coaxed the daffs and alliums to sprout.
I am decorating the tree and watching TV . It's pretty dead here.

I also go over garden images.I cant believe it was so full compared. Its early to start plant lists for 2012.Bluestone catalogue came.

I got mine too.... I was pretty shocked at the prices. Went over to garden watchdog, people are having fits.

I agree, I haven't bought from Bluestone since they raised their prices so much.

Karen

My Bluestone catalog came today and went right in the garbage. I didn't even open it.

Karen

chelle - LOL
Carolyn22 - ME TOO. I spend Winter online drooling over pictures of and trying to obtain perennials.
Karen - RECYCLE those catalogs!

Glad that there is a junior gardener coming along. We all need them. Keppel iris catalog has arrived.

Have you ordered from them, Lucy?

I had not heard of them. Thanks!

You reminded me of Thelma, our local "Iris Lady"....can't wait for our annual visit. LOL.

http://fleamarketgardening.com...

Here is a much more flattering picture of Thelma I took last Spring.
She is simply fascinating! She's
in her 90's and still weeds every day!!



Here is her daughter.

great pictures. Yes we have ordered from Keith Keppel for years. you might check out keithkeppeliris as he says that this is going to be his last full catalog. You will only see his new intros on the site but can e-mail him for his complete catalog.

Sorry it is keithkeppelirises.com I forgot the 'es' on irises

The reason Bluestone prices have gone up is because the plants are bigger in those coir pots.
They arent using the 3paks anymore and have promised to stop using the peanuts for shipping.
I wait until the half price sale in mid May

ge1836 said:........and have promised to stop using the peanuts for shipping.

Is THAT what was around the roots (peanut hulls)?!? Or are you referring to the Styrofoam packing pieces?

I had about half of my plants from them rot and die .....

It was my first order with them as well. Not good.....

I can think of a few other places to order perennials, where they are of a decent size upon arrival.
Bluestone has never been a satisfactory experience here.

....on another note...

I've been busy ordering gardening wear for next year....already!

...and yes, special clothing for gardening is a necessity!

For years I wore whatever was oldest, rattiest, and generally was never otherwise used - out in the gardens. I've since learned that comfy, lightweight clothes that don't choke, bind or ride up are well worth the few $ spent, just in aggravation alone!

...coupl'a light weight, long-sleeved hoodies for spring *bug-gy* work are priceless, as well as some soft, lightweight, stretchy tees and some Dickies cargo pants. Love those! No binding or riding, great big/deep and numerous pockets for tools and gloves, nothing stains them and after washing they dry in like 5 minutes flat!

I have been told that LLBean in their special outdoor workers catalog (forresters etc) has pants inpregnated with anit bug matrial. A friend got them because of the ticks. Those not only carry lymme disease, but an new disease has appeared which from a different type of tick has a type which eats white blood cells. A friend got that & was in the hospital as he alredy has leukemia.

Chelle, those cargo pants sound perfect!
Will look at them. Thanks!

That sounds serious, Lucy.
Will take a look at that LL Bean item. Thank you!