Week 3 In a NY Garden

Week 3 - January 14 - 20

Weather - Mid 40's cloudy

So this week in Irish Gardens we continue to plan and look through the seed catalogs.  Not everything can be done in one week you know.  So this week we will continue to plan for the upcoming season. 

Just because we are still in the planning stage doesn't mean you are ready for that yet.  Maybe you are just joining us and have decided to start a garden this year. Well here is something else you should think about.  Do you know what zone you are in?  Check out the Plant hardiness zone map here and make sure you know. 

Here to the left is a map of NY to show you that even here we have many microclimates and there for different zones.  Irish Gardens is located in Dutchess County and in Zone 6a

 Now that you know that do you know your last frost date?  This is a special date that on average you won't have a frost after and it becomes safe to plant tender annuals on or after that day.  Click here to find this date out.

Above is the zip code for Irish Gardens.  This is what it should look like when you put in your location.. It will give you other information as well but this section is the most important to you.  

Now that you have this information when you go about planning your garden you can know what plants are good in your area and when you can plant them.  Make sure to write these dates down on the first page of your plans.  The Almanac is a good place to go for other gardening tips each month...

So what are you going to be doing in your garden this week?  Are you like me and continuing weeks 1 and 2 or are you on to a new step?  Post about it and let us know....

First ever sale

I love Spring! Plants that die back to the ground like Hosta and Peonies begin to grow again and grow inches each day.  Tree's and bushes that look half dead begin to show signs of life.  Little leaf buds begin to grow as do flowers.  Things seem to come alive.  The gardens get a fresh start after months of rest.

Well last weekend was my first every plant sale for Irish Gardens.  It wasn't all that bad.  Would have liked to sell more but I did sell some and got my name out there.  With the crazy mild winter we had I lost a lot of plants to late frost.  They started to grow and then bam a frost hit and killed the new growth.  What plants I did have  all had growth on them....but I think that if there was more lush looking plants I would have done better.  Lessons learned. Here are a few pictures from the sale and the gardens.

 My special little helper.  He helped me move the plants out from under the tents every day of the sale.  Even the ones that were taller than him.

 The tall plants that were not going on tables.

 My special red headed helper in the back ground checking out the price list..  On this table is was Iris, Lily, and Hosta roots as well as pots of Chocolate Mint

 The table full of plants...Fountain Grass, Four O'Clocks, Spirea....lots of stuff

And the other bench and other big plants.

The sale isn't the only this that has been going on here at Irish Gardens.....my gardens have been bursting out with color....

 My Iris decided that it would bloom last weekend.  Good timing too cause I was selling some and there were a few customers that weren't sure what Iris flowers looked like.

 A little sad looking by my columbine also is flowering.

 I bought this foxglove already in bloom.  Is that cheating?  Yea kinda...instant color.

 Now this columbine is far from sad.  It's absolutely beautiful.

 The Coral Bells have decided that it is their turn to grow like a weed.

Lily of the Valley started showing off their cute little white flowers.

And although not part of the garden he was part of the sale.  Buddy Dog joined us outside for the last day of the sale.  Spent the time between customers under the main table.

Plant / Fresh Herbs for sale!

This is the weekend I have been waiting for for a few months now.  It's the weekend of the big Grand Opening Spring Sale for Irish Gardens.  I am very nervous.  But I think that for the most part I am ready.....I just need the rain to hold off and people to show up.

I got ads posted and signs up.  This sign is in my front yard.  I think I like how it turned out.

Just a small preview of the plants I have.  Granted they are hard to tell apart and see how much I really have but never fear I will take lots of pictures through out the weekend sale and I hope to post on Monday with a lot let plants.  If you live in the area I would love it if you could stop by even if it's just to show support not get anything.