After a short break Tootsie is back hosting her FF over at http://tootsietime.blogspot.com/ located in Alberta Canada. Drop on over and see what gardener's are posting this first Friday in January 2011. Now she has a BIG Greenhouse!Once my husband finished putting my greenhouse together I was just a itchin' to fill her up. I love to rescue plants from the distressed rack. After a haircut and repotting, the Astra African Daisy, Osteospermum Astra Series Patented, is thriving.
Voltage Yellow African Daisy, Osteospermum.
My Diamond Frost Euphorbia that I was over wintering on the front porch was just about a goner when the greehouse was finished. A nice warm environment, some pruning and it's putting out some leaves and a few blooms.
I started sowing seeds beginning Dec. 30, 2010, I just couldn't help myself! Here we have Morning Glory Crimson Rambler, Cosmos Mixed and Green Envy Zinnia. Not pictured, tiny sprouts of Dame's Rocket or Wild Phlox.
4 Stock plants rescued for .50 a piece. After repotting and cutting back the sad blooms it has greened up and is setting some buds.
The only issue I have had thus far with the greenhouse are Fungas gnats. You know they lay their eggs in damp soil and the larvae feed on seedling roots causing damping off. I put a couple of containers of apple cider vinegar with some oil in them to attract the adult gnats, no adult gnats, no baby gnats. It works okay. I also am spraying the soil with Chamomile Tea, it seems to be helping and it smells so good in there. I am going to sprinkle some sand in the containers to trick the gnats into thinking the soil is dry.
The best defense against the Fungas gnats is good air circulation and letting your soil dry out between waterings some. Heck no I'm no expert! I have just been driving the employees nuts at our local nurseries with questions and burning up the internet with research.
All in all, I am having fun and learning a lot! I received this container for my birthday and have been working on it. Tall Dianthus, Dusty Miller and Blue Pacific Juniper. 
As you can see by the glare the sun was already warming things up this morning.
For $1.oo I got a Norfolk Spruce Pine...
and for $4.00 a Ponytail Palm.
Now, I must get outside, looks like I have work to do!
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Today I am Thankful that I can plant seeds and bulbs almost year round.
43 comments:
you are a busy girl Darla
You're a plant nurse. Those plants are looking good. Fungus Gnats are a pain. I have a fly strip by one of my plant lights. It helps reduce the number too. The tea trick sounds nice. You're way ahead of me on planning for the new season.
OH ... you're making me itch for spring as we're getting another dusting of snow. I don't even start my seedlings until the first week of April. Love seeing yours. 'hugs from afar'
Looks like you are having fun even this time of year!
Nice set up you have there!!!!!
I'm so jealous. Looks good Darla. I can understand about getting those seeds out. I would have too. Have a good weekend.
Way to go Darla! You're doing great nursing plants back to health. I rescued two big pots of poinsettias from the trash the other day. :-) Our big box store does NOT have a distressed rack, bummer.
Enjoy your greenhouse and keep on sharing what you've got growing in there.
FlowerLady
So glad you are having fun with the greenhouse! If I had one, I'd be doing the same thing! Have a great day!
Nice! The greenhouse looks great! I received the seeds today - thanks! I'll be sending you something soon. :)
The best way I have found to deal with fungus gnats is to water the plants with water that has had one of those Bt mosquito dunks soaking in it. Works really well for me, the Bt kills off the larvae that eat the roots.
Glad you are getting such fun out of your greenhouse, I want one!
I need a rest after that tour boy! are you on a greenhouse trip. We don't have a place to start seeds in the house. So will just watch you and that wonderful yard and greenhouse grow untill spring.
Love you blogger buddy.
I like to rescue plants too. Seems like you are really enjoying the greenhouse. Your seeds should sprout and be way ahead when planting time is here.
I love your greenhouse! I bet you are having so much fun out there. How fun to already be starting some seeds. As soon as I see Dahlia tubers in the stores I'm stocking up.
Oh my, I love your greenhouse! What a wonderful way to get through the winter - your shelving and pots look so appealing - fabulous!
The greenhouse is beautiful, and has it ever filled up fast! I love those daisies.
Good price on those lilies, Darla Dear. Yes I did indeed notice that birdhouse. :) I love everything you're doing in your greenhouse. I'm gardening with you vicariously.
Nice-looking greenhouse. It looks to me like you have a green thumb. Everything looks so fresh, healthy and lovely!
woooo hoooo! look at you grow! I love osteospermum..I order seeds each year for them...I never have had one of my own seeds germinate...so I settle for store bought seeds...lol
I love the pony tail palm too...mine is actually getting quite big now...I had to bring all the houseplants in from the greenhouse a couple weeks early this year, because of the rapid heating and cooling that was going on during the last few weeks. It would get really warm here during the day...one or two degrees above freezing...then when the sun would go down...the temps would just drop like bricks...down to 15 or more below freezing...my roof and a few of the wall panes cracked...big cracks...and I had to get in there with a ladder and some rolls of plastic. so...I plastic lined the ceiling...and the walls on the north and west side of the greenhouse...and did some damage control...until I can get the warm weather back...and change the plexi sheets!
my greenhouse is 12x20 feet...what is yours? looks like it might be at least 8x8 or larger...am I right? I love it! I can't wait to see what you grow!
thanks for linkin in today...luv your gardens...and hope you will flaunt with me each week this year!
Nobody could enjoy a greenhouse more than you!!!! I'm so happy for you. You ARE going to have beautiful flowers (already have) year 'round... How special is that....
Congrats!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
Enjoying you enjoying your greenhouse! I have the granule mosquito dunks, and they work great when sprinkled in a bowl of water that I just leave sitting in my greenhouse. At first I had an onslaught of gnats and mosquitos, but haven't had any since.
Lucky girl to have such a beautiful green house filled to the brim! Enjoy your weekend!
You go girl!!! Your plants all look so hgreat...the greenhouse going well, and gettting a hold on all those gnats! You are gettings smarter every day, which is the fun of all of it, isn't it??? I love all the research on new things that come about!!! I think you will have some work to do every day for the rest of your life, girl!!!
Have fun!
Julie
Wow I can't wait to see your garden in summer if you are this dedicated in winter. Make sure to share pics with us!
Oh my gosh, you can grow astilbes, dahlias, and true lilies in Florida?!!!! I am so jealous. I miss those plants so much from my old garden.
I can't believe all the work you've already done in your greenhouse. Looks awesome!
What a great place! It's such a joy to see a plant that was almost dead come back to life. Reading your post I kept thinking my Mom would LOVE to have a greenhouse. Sadly, her HOA won't allow this type of structure. So SAD! You are sure to have hours of enjoyment in your greenhouse!
What a lucky girl! I would love to have a greenhouse!
Hi Darla, I have a homemade greenhouse, so I know how much fun it is to plant your own seeds. However, I don't have climate control, so the greenhouse doesn't go up until late March and comes down in June after everything is planted. I love your set up since it is permanent (and attractive). All the tips for dealing with fungus gnats are helpful, I will be trying some of them this spring. I don't get too many, since my greenhouse isn't year-round, but it seems whenever I bring a plant from a commercial greenhouse, I will have gnats the next morning.
Can't wait to watch the progress in your greenhouse!
Happy new year, Darla. What a darling greenhouse. It's just fantastic (I know where you will be from now on!) And those peat pots... so familiar to me.
You certainly are filling up the G-House Darla, soon want another,lol.
Love all the colours.
Love the Header too, idea for next weeks comp (Water)
Your greenhouse has filled up nicely, soon you will be busting at the seams. :)
You are certainly putting your greenhouse to good use. Everything in it looks healthy and beautiful.
Hi Darla,
Just popping in a little late to wish you a Happy New Year! Of course your flowers are always the most beautiful ever and I LOVE the header photo! Hope all is well in your world :-)
Darla what a lucky lady you are to have such a nice green house. I would love it.
Your really going to have some beautiful flowers to be showing us year round.
Happy New Year
Maggie
I WANT your greenhouse!!!
Darla your green house is adorable and I am GREEN with envy! I wish I had one. I definitely have to put that on my list of wants! LOL! Enjoy your green house it looks like so much fun! Hugs
You are having such fun! I'll be doing that in a few months... meanwhile, Winter gives respite. A break very useful for regrouping, list making (projects for 2011 gardening season, plant wish list, etc.) as well as time to be working on other projects.
By Spring, though... Look Out! All of us in the Cold Wintry areas will be out with renewed energy!! :-)
I am SOOO jealous of that green house! Your daisies are go-geous!! Wish I could garden year round.
xoxo
I wanted to thank you for your sweet comment and support. I know it will be very rough, but in the end better for us all.
*hugs*deb
Oh, Darla! You got it all - a greenhouse and all those plants! I am happy for you! Thanks for the tips about gnats!
What a wonderful husband you have!
I just said to my husband, "Oh, how nice, her husband built a greenhouse for her...."
Think it will work? ;)
~Mary
Hi Darla!! I must be honest, I have greenhouse envy. Some day I will have one (with a comfy chair for just sitting and soaking up the goodness), til then I'll just drool over yours!!! Hope you guys are staying warm this winter!
What fun! I'm tickled for you that you have a greenhouse to enjoy. How cool that you are starting new plants as well as nursing along some that have had struggles.
Lucky you!! I am so jealous. I have always wanted a greenhouse.
Thanks for the tips, I'll keep them in mind if I ever get one, too.
If you can coax some little anoles and peeper frogs and a toad or two inside, insects will be less of a problem.
Watch for fire ants around the perimeter. They will come inside, too.
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