June 9, 2007
What have I done?
I like flowers.
I like nice yards.
I love to take pictures of my pretty flowers.
I like to think that, with enough wishful thinking and occasional effort, I will have a lovely yard. Maybe not all professionally landscaped looking, but nice.
And so, riding high on that dream and an internet discount, I bought some plants.
What was I thinking?!
They arrived today. A box full of tiny little baby plants. Sweet little drooping things too long enclosed in a dark cardboard box. Baby plants that need a carefully prepared bed and some love and attention.
Who did I think was going to provide that for them?
I can't even remember where I had envisioned planting them. I mean, I vaguely remember, but all those areas need to so very much prep. And, of course, I didn't do the prep before the plants arrived. And, of course, all the baby plants arrived at once, on the same day, in the same box, with instructions to plant them all immediately.
In the box are 4 tiny baby lilac bushes. They are so tiny. I'm not sure what I expected from "2 year bare root" plants but they are TINY! The kind of thing you'd mow over without blinking. The kind of thing that will be overwhelmed and lost amongst all my aggressive invasive species. The kind of thing that may not last one summer.
And the three blue hydrangea "bushes" are even smaller than tiny. They came packaged on a microscope slide.
And in addition to the bushes, there's a smattering of blue flowers that supposedly are easy to grow. But all, also, need to be stuck in soft dirt and watered. Requiring effort and attention.
So ...
I'm feeling bad for all the lovely things I'm about to kill.
What have I done?
Posted by Kim at June 9, 2007 6:00 PMI want them! bring them to me! :o)
microscopic young plants (besides costing less) survive transplanting much better than larger more mature plants, and actually grow faster - the larger ones take longer to adjust to a new place.
you can put bare root perennials in your fridge for up to a week if you can't plant them right away - the ones in pots can sit outside in sun or shade - whatever environment they're supposed to be in, and survive pretty long as long as you (or one of the kids) water them.
I wish I lived closer! I'd be delighted to play with your new toys! And you could cook supper for my family and then we'd all be happy!
Posted by: kelly at June 9, 2007 6:33 PMYou can do this! You've got dc old enough to dig and water, which will be a huge help.
Posted by: Rosanne at June 9, 2007 7:46 PMI am no help at all. I am a plant killer. I would be better off using my money as fuel for a fire to keep me warm than to spend it on plants. Kelly seems to know what she's talking about so I'm sure you'll do great! You pick out some beautiful plants too. I love lilac and hydrangeas.
Posted by: KarenW at June 9, 2007 9:20 PMJust plant them and see what happens. I've killed many plants in my day, so no shame there. think positively! You ordered them cause you were feeling hopeful, and that's a good thing!
Posted by: Linda at June 9, 2007 9:54 PMJust plant them and see what happens. I've killed many plants in my day, so no shame there. think positively! You ordered them cause you were feeling hopeful, and that's a good thing!
Posted by: Linda at June 9, 2007 9:54 PMJust plant them and see what happens. I've killed many plants in my day, so no shame there. think positively! You ordered them cause you were feeling hopeful, and that's a good thing!
Posted by: Linda at June 9, 2007 9:54 PMYou are so funny! "What was I thinking?" Been there! Just plant them and pray over them! You know, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase". So, you plant, water, pray and leave the increase to God! Low-fuss gardening!
Posted by: Judy at June 10, 2007 6:44 AMWOW oh WOW Kim! I want to live next door to you so I can gaze at your lovely pretty things that you're planting. :) When they start growing and blooming I want to lay in the grass and take pictures.
LOL
Wahoooo! I'm excited for you!
Posted by: Robin at June 11, 2007 3:53 PMI really need to come here much more often. I can relate to you in so many ways! I have a lot of those "Where was my brain when I decided to do THAT?" moments, too-- in gardening and just about every other area of life. "Buy first, think later..." Most of the plants (veggies & annuals) I bought Memorial Day weekend are FINALLY in!
Posted by: BJ at June 20, 2007 1:59 AM
