Showing posts with label Will Trade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Will Trade. Show all posts

November 2, 2011

back with saffron

CG wonders about a lot of things. After looking back through the blog, he wondered why, after planting less than a dozen smallish unique bulbs, would he apply the label 'Will Trade'? After all, it takes a few years and a more substantial initial planting before a gardener is ready to trade.
Turns-out that CG should be more trusting. While researching to find tips/tricks on how to harvest the saffron threads (and then what to do with them), CG read that people have been trading saffron for more than 4,000 years. 
To this day, saffron is among the world's most costly spices by weight.
From what CG can research on the blog, these crocus were planted in September 2010. They sprouted less than a month later, but never bloomed. CG might remember to order & plant more of these next Fall. They might grow well in the Farm Bed.

It may take a few years, but CG is bee-termined to have more saffron than he knows what to do with

(that may already bee the case- 12 saffron 'threads' were harvested today,
-they're drying on top of the fridge now)

(CG has no immediate plans for the saffron)
(except that they may have already served their purpose-
by allowing CG to correctly claim that he has grown
and harvested his own saffron)

Why the long dry-spell between blog posts?

The drought that hit was damaging not only to the plants.
CG was hit hard as well.
Not being able to keep-up with watering,
there was a lot of stress. 
Some plants seemed like they were unable
to survive the incessant heat -even with ample water.

May 30, 2011

Cut-Flower Bed

The cut-flower bed's perennials are nearing maturity. 
The planting area has filled-in nicely and will require extensive thinning in the Fall. 
(plenty of iris to trade/give away)
A crepe myrtle (Acoma, semi-dwarf) was planted in the middle area of the bed a few weeks ago.
This will provide some fast-growing height and structure.


Elsewhere: an autumn fern has been established 
under the canopy of the burning bushes

and, under the most dense part,
(very shaded -had to utilize a flash)
-a sprig of irish moss (Sagina subulata 'Aurea') is being tested
...hopefully, it will find the conditions to its liking,
and thrive & multiply!
(a few more sprigs will be added next Spring if all goes well)


May 15, 2011

Bog Planting Area

The bog planting area is enjoying its first-ever blooms!
The two different varieties of Louisiana Iris have really taken-hold.

 Maybe a later-blooming variety will be added in the future.
 But these still have at least another week of color.
CG is very pleased with the results.
 By late July, August, CG will have to divide these
and have some to trade/give away
(will be looking-up this variety of L.Iris)

November 12, 2010

Saffron

the fall crocus got a late start,
they were planted towards the end of September
CG had given-up on the chances of even seeing a sprout,
so even if there's not a bloom this year-
it has already been a pleasant surprise.

Maybe in a couple of years,
CG will be able to trade saffron for non-purple iris