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May 3, 2012 1:53 PM CST
Name: Steve
Prescott, AZ (Zone 7b)
Irises Lilies Roses Region: Southwest Gardening
I started stocks from seed this year for the first time ever. I walked into the propagation room - which is one without windows beneath a staircase and can get pretty dank sometimes - and there was a delicious smell. One of the stocks in one of those two inch pots was in full bloom. I have been toying with the idea of giving up on seed-starting. But this has just about made me change my mind. Now if only the fragrant white echinacea I started from seed two years ago - the three plants I see coming back from winter oblivion - would bloom like crazy this summer it would be settled.

The weather here this spring has been just crazy-great. Days with highs in the seventies and low eighties, occasional light clouds, two or three days with rain in a month. And cool nights with no killing frosts since mid April. I couldn't be happier. It's gotten me out in the garden five or six days a week. Sometimes I just sit out there and wait for weeds to grow! (Actually I'm having a hard time keeping up, but I think right now the garden is less weedy than it has been since I moved here three years ago. )
When you dance with nature, try not to step on her toes.
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May 3, 2012 3:51 PM CST
Name: Linda
Tucson, Arizona
Morning Glories Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Region: United States of America Amaryllis Hummingbirder
Region: Southwest Gardening Echinacea Roses Birds Seed Starter Plumerias
Hi Steve ! Green Grin!

Don't give up on starting seeds. I love doing that, it gives you so many more varieties of plants you can try ! Thumbs up I have not done stock. I can never find the big tall stock anymore so I should try that from seed some time.
" And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden" Genesis 2:8
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May 4, 2012 11:57 AM CST
Name: Steve
Prescott, AZ (Zone 7b)
Irises Lilies Roses Region: Southwest Gardening
Thanks for the note of encouragement Linda!

The thing that happens to me is that in mid April frost still threatens, so I cannot move tender plants into the garden, but they have typically both outgrown their spaces and their welcome in my little seed-starting nook. I forget to water them - sometimes for more than a week at a time and they dry out completely. I went in there yesterday and everything was dried out except for three purple peppers. I planted them out, will see how they do. If they survive, they will be good seed stock - it's one drought tolerant plant.
When you dance with nature, try not to step on her toes.
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May 10, 2012 1:18 PM CST
Name: Steve
Prescott, AZ (Zone 7b)
Irises Lilies Roses Region: Southwest Gardening
Right now iris and dianthus are blooming:

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When you dance with nature, try not to step on her toes.
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May 10, 2012 1:22 PM CST
Name: Steve
Prescott, AZ (Zone 7b)
Irises Lilies Roses Region: Southwest Gardening
But the bees are all abuzz about the nepeta.

Which I'd post a photo of if the "Upload an Image" button did anything at this point...

Thumb of 2012-05-10/Steve812/a7fe02


(I guess it was just a little busy for a moment there)
When you dance with nature, try not to step on her toes.
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May 10, 2012 2:07 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Susie
Phoenix AZ (Zone 9a)
Southwest Gardening~ moderator/ATP.
Forum moderator Charter ATP Member Tip Photographer Garden Ideas: Level 2 Region: Southwest Gardening Roses
Birds Hummingbirder Garden Art Dog Lover Daylilies Region: United States of America
Wow!!! Steve! Your garden is so beautiful! Hurray! What would I give to live in Prescott!?! Lovey dubby
“Don't give up too quickly"... unknown, I heard it somewhere.
~ All Things Plants, SOUTHWEST GARDENING ~Cubits.org ENERGY & POWER
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May 10, 2012 2:16 PM CST
Name: Toni
Denver Metro (Zone 5a)
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.
Birds Garden Ideas: Master Level Salvias Garden Procrastinator Irises I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Charter ATP Member Xeriscape Region: Colorado Roses Cat Lover The WITWIT Badge
Drooling Drooling Drooling Drooling Drooling Drooling Drooling Drooling Drooling

Steve - your pictures are WONDERFUL! The Nepeta "Little Trudy" is blooming everywhere here, but I have wild catnip already growing (fall bloomer) and so don't want any more. I have waaaaaaaaay too much wild catnip (damned weed!!) already! And chillin' out on the hammock there.. *swoon!* I love it!!!
Roses are one of my passions! Just opened, my Etsy shop (to fund my rose hobby)! http://www.etsy.com/shop/Tweet...
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May 10, 2012 3:25 PM CST
Name: Steve
Prescott, AZ (Zone 7b)
Irises Lilies Roses Region: Southwest Gardening
Thanks!

I've invested a lot of time and water in it this year. Four years ago only the trees you see in the photos were here. And some weeds. And grasshoppers. Two years ago it seemed like there was still really a long way to go. Now I'm starting to be really happy with it. It's becoming into a real place to be. Hardly a day passes without at least a token visit to the hammock. I plant all the best smelling plants nearby: lilacs, lavender, David Austin roses, peppermint, fragrant daylilies, and oriental lilies. The stocks are lined up along the path to the hammock, and the dianthus are not far away.
When you dance with nature, try not to step on her toes.
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May 10, 2012 4:42 PM CST
Name: Linda
Tucson, Arizona
Morning Glories Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Region: United States of America Amaryllis Hummingbirder
Region: Southwest Gardening Echinacea Roses Birds Seed Starter Plumerias
Love your garden Steve ! Thumbs up
" And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden" Genesis 2:8
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May 10, 2012 9:53 PM CST
Name: Cindi
Wichita, Kansas (Zone 7a)
Charter ATP Member Beekeeper Garden Ideas: Master Level Roses Ponds Permaculture
Peonies Lilies Irises Dog Lover Daylilies Celebrating Gardening: 2015
Steve, that yard is beautiful! And Susie the pics of the wren belong in a wildlife magazine.
Your gardens are so different from the suburban landscapes I've seen in the Southwest.
I just love the natural ruggedness. Thumbs up
Remember that children, marriages, and flower gardens reflect the kind of care they get.
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

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