Sources of cool season excitement in the garden are limited. However, by comparison to much of the country, I know that those of us in coastal Southern California are lucky just to have our gardens remain active. We don't get frost, much less snow, and we consider it cold when daytime temperatures drop into the low 60sF. As I prepare this post, a tree-trimming team of six is busy pruning many of my trees and large shrubs. It's a necessary although nerve-racking process but I'll cover that later this week. In the meantime, I can offer only a couple snippets regarding events in the garden.
First up is a Mangave preparing to bloom.
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| Mangave 'Silver Fox' is the fastest bloomer among my modest collection of these plants. This one was given to me by a friend as a good-sized pup in 2021 after the one I'd planted in 2017 bloomed out. |
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| South Coast Botanic Garden had a 'Silver Fox' of its own in full flower when I visited there last week |
Between October 31st and November 6th I got to work in my nearly naked cutting garden. Seeds were sown and eighty-five bulbs were planted, along with a dozen plugs of snapdragons. This week I was pleased to see that seedlings are already making an appearance. It doesn't look like much yet but the germination rates seem faster than they were last year.
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| In addition to snapdragons, I planted 4 varieties of Ranunculus in bed #1. They haven't emerged yet as far as I tell but the Calendulas I sowed from seed among them are popping up all over. The Calendulas will be thinned as soon as they get taller and the Ranunculus show up. |
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| In bed #2, the first of the 5 new varieties of Anemones are peeking up (in addition to those that have returned from last year), as are the larkspur (Consolida ajacis) seedlings. The hardware cloth is a temporary measure to keep the birds and other critters from harming the seedlings. It'll come up when it's time to thin the seedlings. |
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| Bed #3 is already showing sweet pea seedlings; however, the Nigella papillosa seeds I sowed have yet to show themselves |
A little rain would probably help things along. The first "atmospheric river" of the season was slated to move into Northern California yesterday. There's still just over a forty percent chance it'll reach my area this weekend but I'm feeling a smidge more optimistic about it. As dry as we are, even a little rain would be the source of great excitement.
All material © 2012-2024 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
As I understand it, some Mangave can/do continue on after blooming. I hope that's the case with your 'Silver Fox'! It is too beautiful to perish.
ReplyDeleteSnapdragon... sweet pea... sigh. Those are my favorite annuals. Add nasturtium and the list is complete). Such different (gardening) worlds we live in :-D
Chavli
My first Mangave 'Silver Fox' wasn't looking at all good after it bloomed but it did produce 2 or 3 pups, one of which I planted and the others I gave away. My original pup is still relatively dinky after 3 years in the ground, which is okay as the mature plant is obviously inclined to bolt!
DeleteThe rain started this morning and I should see a couple inches before the rain moves out. Now I'll be forced to do some of the put-off indoor jobs. I should plant Calendula seeds again-I have a couple partial packets . I just have to figure out a spot that actually gets sun in winter.
ReplyDeleteA couple of inches! I'd be in heaven if we got that much, Kathy. Weather Underground is still predicting 0.16/inch for us (with another chance next week). AccuWeather seems to think our chances of rain are higher than WU but it doesn't project rain totals. Best wishes with the indoor chores ;)
DeleteLook at that Silver Fox GO! How gratifying your seeds came up so quickly. I woke up to gray here, no rain yet. Hopefully you get the tail end of the storm. We could all use a good bucketing of rain.
ReplyDeleteWe got spoiled with all the rain we got the last 2 years, Tracy! I hope you get a good soak.
DeleteI would normally scoff at your mention of cold in your area but we went out to dinner last Saturday evening in Thousand Oaks and I was shaking I was so cold!
ReplyDeleteWas it windy, Loree? Santa Ana winds are supposed to be warm and dry but I find they really add to the chill when the temperatures drop in the evening. I had to force myself to take my late afternoon walks earlier this week.
DeleteWow you've got a lot done, and done well. My 'Silver Fox' is blooming too--are they like bamboo, blooming everywhere on earth? Nah, of course not, but...
ReplyDelete'Silver Fox' is a handsome Mangave but given its proclivity for blooming out so quickly (and failing to survive the process in good shape), I may rely on the varieties that have more staying power going forward.
DeleteThe cold definitely limits outdoor time. The clouds too, have encouraged me to stay indoors. Just haven't felt that energetic and have been focusing on other much more important, but less physically tangible goals (i.e. thinking).
ReplyDeleteWith our sunnier skies, I should be feeling more inclined to be outside working but I can't help feeling gloomy at the moment myself, part of that being a reaction to the our current political outlook.
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