We are in zone 7 according to our zip code. However, according to the chart that shows the lowest annual average temperature, we are more like 8b, because our lowest temps would be (maybe once a year) into the teens, and rarely at that. This past winter, however, was unusually COLD for longer periods of time.
The past two years drought (actually three years to be honest) has taken a toll on my lawn and pastures. The majority of my yard is in full sun, because the trees we planted are not spread out good yet.
So I planted the lillies in a spot at the front of the driveway, where they will receive shade then brief sun, then shade all afternoon, underneath two pine trees situated east/west. Some of the lilly bulbs were trying to BLOOM inside the plastic packaging!!!! We planted them....will they be okay????
The beds I have selected for the sun lovers are in the sun pretty much all day. I'm putting the daisies, coneflower, and yarrow together in one bed. I'm going to leave the bed pretty sandy, and not put as much potting soil or peat into it.....yes????
I have the caladiums in a huge *pretty* pot on the porch (WAL MART!).
I put the Freesia with the Cannas, hoping they would get along well.
I put some gladiolas with the peruvian daffodils.....would those be compatible together?
I installed soaker rings in all of my round beds, connected to a maze of water hoses that strings across the yard.
One little elm tree was planted 4 years ago. It just has not "taken off" and grown. It still gets leaves and makes a feeble attempt to stay alive. I reworked its flower bed surrounding it, and mulched it with a pile of pine mulch. I am hoping that this will turn it around, otherwise it may find itself replaced!
For whatever reason, I have never seen a slug or snail here at this house. The property used to be a hay meadow, and is really sunny and dry. We do, however, have fireants which seem to invade everything! Will sevin dust stop them???? Do I just sprinkle it on top of the beds or what???
My soil is mostly sandy with an occasional bit of clay. We've topped it with stall cleanings over the years so there is a good layer of pine shavings plus poop mixed into the beds too. When I worked each bed, I added a couple of 40 pound bags of potting soil and humus to each 4 foot round bed, plus some peat.....hoping this is a good recipe....
I bought a box of bulb food. I was too stupid and nervous to try to use it when I planted the bulbs in the beds and the pots. With the potting soil being added (it has food in it, right?), should I wait on using the bulb food? Or go ahead???
