Red Clover's New Year

The last few months I have been looking forward to what would be a new year at Red Clover.   Instead of going along with the idea of Jan. 1st and all that, a gardening new year would need to come at the brink of spring burst.  The point in time where "just a few more weeks and you will be there."  I decided that the official new year of Red Clover would be March 10th.  Not only does it fit the requirements, but it's also my birthday.  

In preparation to begin a new year I have looked at the possibilities of a new template, of trying to organize my garden-self a little better, of actually fixing my usb ports so I would put on more pictures.  (A must). I have been saving a few posts for the new year, and a lot of ideas.   I guess we will all see what comes of it!  

P.S. I went to a gardening class the other night and am bursting with interesting facts.  More to come...

So It Would Seem

The last few days there has been a distinctive change in the outside world.  The death grip of winter has passed, and the earth is beginning to stretch once again.  Spring's place is being prepared.  I can't tell you how happy it has made me.  Even the grey clouds that monopolized the world today couldn't erase that touch of warmth. 

I also saw a small yellow crocus who had just come out to say "hello!".  

Smiles. 

Truth About Celosia

Celosia.

Known as Celosia Argena in the scientific world.

Here is what I have discovered about Celosia. I don't really like it. It's not that there is anything wrong with it. It's not that Celosia doesn't have a certan charm and exotic beauty of it's own. Celosia, I found, is like on of those people that you meet somewhere and regardless of how wonderful they are you just don't click. In fact, in conversation you feel as if both of you are missing the point of the other person and that your words are floating into the oblivion above their head. No matter how many social functions you see them at they were never meant to be your best friend. Conversation is awkward, halting, and continually trips over itself. Alas, Celosia, we were not meant to be. Enjoy all of the other gardens who will shower you with praise and miracle grow.

Tchau.

Red Clover in Mourning

I have not had "time" to mourn my Grandma these last few weeks.  And I know a good cry is in there, about to come out.  Memories have been sweet, and worries for my Grandpa have been sad and heavy.   But the process is beginning; I can feel it working it's way through me.  My mom found a card my Grandma wrote to me and never sent.  Smiles.  

I have spent the last several days investigating how to get rose clippings to take root.   I've got a big long branch in water by my window, and now I have all the supplies I will need; root starter, a few glass bottles, some very good soil and perlite.  I have read a fair amount, and talked to my best friend's mother (who grows beautiful roses) and am going to try a few different methods.  Somehow, all the planning and preparations have been cathartic and important.  I feel as if I am readying myself for a sacred ordinance, and like Aaron of old, am washing and cleansing in preparation for the thing to come.  Because, somehow this is my Grandma.  I want to take this thing she loved and help perpetuate it.  Simple, but symbolic for me.  I don't know why, but this project is my grief and my joy.  My grief for her passing, and my Grandfather's sorrow, and my joy for her passing, her eternal life, and the promise of being reunited with her.  What a great thing it has been to feel that she is happy.  

Tomorrow is the day.  I will prepare several sections of roses and eagerly watch their progress.  Anticipation is high because I can't remember what colo(u)r the roses are.   Should be a pleasant surprise.  Thanks, Grandma.   

Extra Extra! Dahlias Defeat Dismal Weather!

I spent some time over the weekend perusing the internet for Dahlia Tubers.  I looked everywhere from vendors who only specialize in Dahlias to samples from e-bay.  I was pleased to learn that a Dahlia will actually create another couple of tubers while it's in bloom and growing, which is fantastic for someone who would love to scatter an entire yard with them.  I still regret throwing my old Dahlia plant out, seeing as how she was so beautiful.  

Now the technical question...when is to late to plant tubers and when is to early?  I've read to wait until the last frost, which sounds reasonable, but I've also heard that if you get them started too late then "Ja Era".   Have any of you every bought them online?  I'm planning on ransacking the local garden centers, but there are a few unique blooms I wouldn't mind trying out.    

Saving Abraham

As many of you know I bought a plant a few months ago who is deep green with what appears to be yellow stars all over his leaves.  He's been great, and soon became one of my favorites.  (Don't tell the others.)  I had Abraham right next to the window, but I noticed a couple of things were wrong.   First, he wasn't growing very well at all.  Second, a few of his leaves appeared to have been attacked by something, and were sporting very unsightly half circles on the sides.  I decided to investigate. 

 I pulled up the blinds and a little tiny spider climbed away from hiding behind Abraham. Hmmm.  Did he have anything to do with those half circles?  Was this indeed one of the infamous spider mites?  I am not sure, but I killed the poor fellow, and moved Abraham from the window, to a lamp table just a few feet away thinking maybe he needed to be a little warmer. 

Not only have the mysterious circles stopped appearing, but Abraham has shot up at least two and and a half inches!  If not more.  I don't know if this is due to him being a little warmer, or what, but something is working.  Bravo Red Clover.  You might make it after all!

Now I just have to figure out of those brown spots on a few of his leaves are because of over watering...?

Red Clover Tip

I read this somewhere recently.  Everyone says that plants don't like to sit in water.  So what can you do about it when they are indoor plants?  Well, one idea is to sit the pot in a saucer (any form) that is full of stones, and so the water can run down into the stones and the plant doesn't rot at the roots.  Sounds worth a try!

How To Steal A Rose

My Grandma loved roses.  I spent the last week in Denver helping out and getting ready for her funeral, and as I went about doing what there was to do I noticed how much she loved roses.  They were everywhere!  I always knew they were there, but this week I Knew they were there.  I missed her for it.  Everywhere roses.  

In her backyard stood her rosebush.  It was bare and spined and winter spickled (If Hopkins can take the liberties he does in his poetry, than I am going too as well) yet the center was beginning to grow of spring.  So here is my question of you all, and it's time sensitive so I need a response within the next day.  How would I take a start from my Grandma's rose bush and bring it home?  The house will be sold and likely I'll not make it back before that happens.  

My mother is still over there for a few more days so I could give her directions on how to do it if any of you know.  

?

Thank You!  

(Those were actually her last words) 

This is a picture of my Grandma's china

  Picture found at http://www.google.com/imgresimgurl=http://franknotes.files.wordpress.com/2007/03/cyclamen.jpg&imgrefurl=http://franknotes.wordpress.com/2007/03/&h=303&w=400&sz=62&tbnid=dIbCVUSPFprlxM::&tbnh=94&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcyclamen&usg=__BFyUx7zcIMNcp0zVV5fYz_RMIo=&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=6&ct=image&cd=1

There is something of the soul in gardening.  

I think it's because we are directly involved in the work of our Father.  He who gave us all things through the offering of his Son.   And so we plant, and re-plant, and prune and observe the miracles of life around us, understanding that there are seasons and cycles, and times for blooms and times for the supposed barren, which are really just preparations for the perpetual manifestation of life, and the sweet promise of immortality.  

Our minds, as humans, are small.   Although we like to believe they are more expansive in view, understanding and depth of feeling, there are days when we realize the importance of simple repetition in our eternal progress.  Maybe this is why the work of a gardener is so good.  It is a constant reminder of birth and death, of health and sickness, of understanding and learning new things, of being surprised or saddened when something happens you were not that you were not intending out of it's time.  Over the years as we dig, fertilize, revitalize, we are understanding God a little more.  And he is teaching his children.  

Then there are moments when you suddenly take a step back from it all, hoe and shovel, seed and sprout, and you see this is the case.   Moments like yesterday morning when my father called to tell me that my Grandma, my mother's mother, had passed on.  

And all day I have been remarking on the ethereal beauty of the pedals on my cyclamen flower;  their delicate glory hovering for a time in their mortal state, as we all do.