Monday, January 3, 2011

Gardening - 2011

Happy 2011 everyone! I hope you enjoyed the holidays with family and friends like I did. Now that we are into a new year I guess we all are thinking about our gardening chores and goals for 2011. Here in Texas the weather people tell us we will have a "La Nina" winter this year. Typically that means warmer temperatures and less precipitation. So far, that has been true. We tend to get cold fronts come through which puts the lows in the 20's with highs in the upper 40's, then a few days later the highs will get back into the 50's or 60's. Back and forth, with not much rain. As you can see from this picture, it's cold enough to add winter brown to the garden.
However, our winters do allow us to have pansies blooming all the time. That is certainly a bright spot to a cold winter day. But...I do miss getting outside and digging in the dirt!
One thing to do on a cold winter day is think about what changes to make in the garden. My goal for the little backyard always seems to be "clean up that mess!" :) I tend to accumulate a few too many things out in my garden--or can one really ever have too many things? Well, that maybe the gardener's choice, but I will have some tiding up to do. Something that maybe a big project for hubby and I in front is that we (that would be ME) are wanting to enlarge our beds that run along the front of the house. We are also thinking about cutting down some of our shrubs that are not growing well and have gotten really too big. The problem is deciding what stays and what goes. And enlarging those beds will not be easy as we have a sprinkler system to deal with. But I really would like deeper beds so I will have more room for blooming things. Right now the beds are full of leaves. I need to get out there and hand pick the leaves out of the beds as they almost completely cover the pansies. I am having a hard time knowing exactly what to do, so this project may have to wait a bit, but winter sure would be a good time to start.
Of course this time of year we all think about seeds. My wildflower seeds are in the ground, but I am already thinking about what to plant in spring: ZINNIAS!! Last summer it seemed to take forever, but my zinnias finally grew and became beautiful. They were the focal point of the yard in hot August.
Lots to think about and plan. And I know you are all there with me, dreaming of that beautiful garden in 2011.


"If winter comes, can Spring be far behind?" Percy Bysshe Shelley

14 comments:

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

Hi Happy New Year! Glad the jolly snowman had a happy holiday too(-:
Of course today is sunny here and I am going back to work! SO much to do outside and I can't do it. It rained all vacation! Oh well thats how it works for us gardeners right?(-:

Meadowview Thymes said...

Cindee, I am such a fair weather gardener! There is lots to clean up, but it's just too cold right now. Those warmer winter days will be here at the end of the week. ( I hope, I hope!) :)

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year Linda! I've been browsing all the gardening catalogs dreaming of spring. Sounds like you have some great plans for your front garden beds. Keep us updated. :)

Balisha said...

Thanks for leaving a comment today. It sounds like you have lots of plans for your garden. The cleanup is what I always hate...but it comes with gardening. We have a respite here in the North...our gardens are covered with snow. It hides a multitude of sins. Happy New Year to you and yours. Balisha

Meadowview Thymes said...

Racquel--I will keep you updated for sure, but I am so undecided about what to do it will be a long process I am afraid. All I know for sure is that I want larger beds! (Hubby is just thrilled!) heh/heh!

Balisha--guess that is it, you can see all the mess here. Snow covering it would be nice not to mention pretty! I always have these plans and dreams...we will see what spring brings I guess.

Lola said...

Happy New Year. Still love that tub.
Big puter has been messed up, using borrowed lap top. Sorry for being lax on comments. Also missed your blog a lot.
Snowed here the day after Christmas. Sure was strange 89 was the last time. It's been unusually cold.
I sure need to do some {not tidying} cleaning up.

meemsnyc said...

I agree that zinnias are just wonderful. I will definitely grow them also in 2011.

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Linda girl I am so jealous you can have pansys all year round .. I love that metal tub filled with them : )
I'm not good with seeds other than a few of them that I can direct sow like Cosmos .. I would love to do some mini gourds too but where I could find the space and sunshine is another problem .. but it is fun to plan for this coming year isn't it !
Joy : )

Meadowview Thymes said...

Hi Lola! I have been off line a bit I know--busy with holidays and not with gardening. The kids got us a mini laptop that I am loving! Hopefully I will get back on track! :)

meemsync--yes those zinnias just say summer don't they? I am really excited to plant more. A blogging friend gave me some seeds for reds I can't wait to try!

Hi Joy! We are lucky with the pansies, but as soon as it gets warm inb spring they are gone. I love the tub too and am trying to decide what to plant in summer. More coleus??? Any ideas? Not much sun in that area in summer. :)

Anonymous said...

I wish we had pansies all winter, but no such luck. My gardening is done inside with my houseplants come winter time.

tina said...

Redoing the front beds will be a most rewarding if in depth chore. Have fun! Can't wait to see how it goes. Happy New Year to you too!

Meadowview Thymes said...

MsRobin--I don't have a lot of house plant, but bought an Africian Violet yesterday. I hope I can keep it alive. I love having something blooming!

Tina--wish you lived closer and I would have you here helping me decide what to do. I like shrubs, but want flowers too. So many things to think about!

misterreereeder said...

One thing about New Years Eve and New Years Day - they are another reminder that time is passing. Of oourse there are other good reminders - like the different things growing in your garden. Have a GOOD year!!!

Meadowview Thymes said...

MR-thanks! I wish you a good 2011 too. I hope things are not too busy at work! :)