I didn't sleep well last night, so despite the beautiful sunshine, I sat in and had coffee. (pout) I just didn't feel like going out in the cool and getting dirty for just an hour before getting ready for work.

You must be so proud of your daughter, plantmanager

Frost- boo!

I spent most of the day yesterday covering up tender plants and hauling
some inside-- the ones that will stay inside for the winter.
Lots of work ahead....brought in all the pots of begonias...and will do same with all my HB of Spiders, etc. The "jungle-look" inside begins...
Time to say "good by" to some plants in the garden. Yank or chop...
All this takes time...
My Moon Vine will have lots of seeds...the pods just need to mature--and dry out some before i can remove them.

Have to settle in (inside) the huge # of Holiday cactus. Big and small...
This is always a big job. Every area with any decent light will be full
of them. They have had their cold snap.

A couple days ago--I trimmed my 2 big Junipers. 4 bags-full of trimmings...
Is there a way to sharpen the chain-links on a chain saw? Mine is getting dull. Will ask at work. Got 3 or 4 more shrubs to trim back.

This AM was 39 * outside. I finally turned on the heat....feels good.
G.

There's a special file and jig for chain saws. But might be just as expensive to just get a new chain put on?
You really use a chain saw? Or hedge trimmer with a bar?

Chain saw sales stores will sharpen your chain for around $5.

What a deal! I had no idea there was such inexpensive service these days.

I am constantly fighting a losing battle with our junipers. Actually, it's more accurate to say that I'm in a constant battle with Larry over the junipers. I want them GONE and Larry won't let me do it.

We have one that sticks out close to 5 feet from the front porch. I haven't been able to convince him, yet, that we could make it look soooo much better if we took those things out and put something better looking in.

And, did you know that even after a year laying in the open, the trimmings are still too green to go through the chipper? All they do is clog it up.

Sally--
I had to go outside and look. I guess what I use is a hedge trimmer,
NOT a chain saw. PHEW!!! On mine--there is a 1"-1 1/2" stationary , metal shaft
with teeth on both sides attached that rub over each other and cut the branches. This is about 16" long.It is by "Homelite" electric (yes, I use an extension cord)--and, YES!--the first time I used it, I cut about 2' off my extension cord. Sparks a-flying!
Took it to work--and Tony cut off the 2' piece and put a new end on the extension cord. So this was no big deal.
BTW--Tony is a licensed electrician....He can do many things...
Looks like this.

http://www.acehardware.com/pro...
Gita

David, can hedge trimmers be sharpened? Mine is original with this house and must need it by now.

Sally, I'm sure they can be. Blade should be removed from unit first. Sharpen with a fine flat file, or take to a shop that has sharpening services (they do exist).

Sally, if you have an actual hardware store near you, try they there. They may provide the service, or direct you to a provider. If that fails, check out this link: https://www.google.com/search?...:

David, you're ever so hepful I thought GIta might benefit from your answer, too.
I'll ask Mark if we have a file; pretty sure, yes.

What a pretty morning (when the sun pops out- we woke to fog)

Thanks, David---and Sally too...From the link you provided--I found a couple places really close-by. One just down Joppa Rd.
Another one on Eastern Ave. (Rt 150) and one close to where my Mom used to live (in Hamilton)....
I have 4 more shrubs to go. Today would have been great--but i was working, very hard, at starting to bring my plants indoors and getting them situated. This is a s-l-o-w process, as everything has it's place....to some extent. Will continue tomorrow and Saturday.
Then my stress-level will be cut in half.
Scratch one more big chore off my list...and I take a deep breath...

Just heard the forecast--and next week seems to be on the warm/beautiful side. PHEWWW...
---Lawn needs mowing--AGAIN!!! It has been less than a week that I did it!!
--Need to put down some fertilizer too (MiIorganite) I bought 2 bags.
And--on and on the "Must do's"go .... Gita

Mowing every 5 days here too, Gita. One of these mornings in the next few weeks we'll get a hard frost then that will be that. So I'll enjoy the green lawn while I can.

Yes, three days of warmer weather Sunday-Tuesday then a cold front coming back thru, likely will bring some rain Thursday-Saturday most likely day next Friday.

Will be mowing this afternoon. As far as bringing plants in... where in the ???????? am I going to put 'em all?

Rick--
I have been at it already 2 days. Just came in to rest my feet--as I have
been running up and down the steps of my 4-level, split house to situate all the plants in their winter's mode since 9AM. Just came in at 3PM to rest--and call it a day. Will continue tomorrow...Cold is coming next week.
Slow going--but I need to do it so I don't have to re-do it.

Today, Icut up my Dr. S. Brug today. Potted 3 stem cuttings--will keep the mama. Still have to dig him out of the huge pot so I can bring it in
in a more suitable size pot--like 4gal.?
The 2 Mayas will veg in the Shop until May next year. Did not cut them up--too tender to root anyway.
The Dr. Seuss,-which I totally butchered up today (no more leaves--stems all cut up...3 stem-cuttings planted in fresh Mix to grow for next year.)

If I can trust myself from years gone by--they will grow beautifully into new Brugs. It is amazing how well this plant tolerated "murder", yet grows on.
If all is well--I should have 3 Dr. S. Brugs to share next year and 1 Maya.
I will keep the original Mama.

This picture is from Nov. 208--showing how well stem cuttings of
Brugs can grow. These were,, probably, cut and planted in mid October.
They root so quickly.

Lovely day, eh? walked the dog, played with plants, got some sun!

wow, the weather this weekend has been absolutely gorgeous--sunny, highs in the upper 60s! absolutely perfect! don't get many of these weekends in a year!

RickM said:Will be mowing this afternoon. As far as bringing plants in... where in the ???????? am I going to put 'em all?

I'm so glad to here others in this situation, and that it's not just me...

The tropicals NEVER look to be that overwhelming through the summer outside...
But now that it's getting cold... YIKES..... I know my window light areas are filling up...
I dread the fact that I might have to incorporate lighting for plants this year....

GORGEOUS DAYS!!!!!!!!!!

Trying to make the most of them, zigzagging the backyard with ten tasks on my mind and nibbling away at each of them a little it seems.

I am thinking very heartless thoughts about a couple plants. What plants gave me pleasure, and what were just 'there' all summer? Hauling a lemon in and out for 5-6? years, drops all its leaves, not a single bloom this year...Let's just say I'll be radically experimenting with zone pushing on a few plants, rather than passive aggressively leaving them to freeze!

which plants are you contemplating yanking, Sally?