What is your weather like ... today

[callingcolleen1]

Mmmm, spring must be here cause I am getting very hungry all of a sudden, nice day and the scent of BBq's drifting in the open windows!! I hear the sound of excited children and birds singing...

 

[Big Lou]

Forecast - 81/64 and cloudy, 10% chance of rain. Currently 61 and very cloudy.

 

[CountryEscape]

My grass is sooooo tall again! I think it was at least 10" last weekend when I mowed it the second time, so mowed it very tall, probably 5", and now it's back up at 8-10" again. Going to have to mow it high tonight, and then again on Sunday a little shorter, try to shape it up a bit. I hate it when there is all that dead grass on top, but with it being so wet, no way will my grass sweeper pick it up, too heavy. Will just have to keep mulching it back into the grass. Cannot see any difference in the dandelions I sprayed and ones I didn't this morning, but maybe in the afternoon sun they will be wilting more.
I bought a few plants at the nursery yesterday. Went in and told self NOT to buy anything, but then you know I cannot help myself! I think it's my therapy ....
Found this 5' tall Wisteria (grow 20-30', but I'll keep it trimmed or make it climb back on itself, have to build at least 8' tall trellis) and could not believe the number of buds on it ... just HAD to have it!

Then, boss took me to nursery to pick out my own plant! Got this Bleeding heart, supposed to stay green all summer long, instead of die out like the old fashioned ones do shortly after blooming in spring.

And, Mouse Ears Hosta (thinking I can separate these before planting, but will see when I get ready to plant)

Tequila Sunrise Coreopsis

Silene Dioica Clifford Moor - evergreen so I'll have some color all winter with the bi-colored leaves.

 

[j.w]

Nice plants CE just make sure you keep that Wisteria away from any buildings you want to keep in tact. Those things can rip the gutters right off your house!

 

[CountryEscape]

JW, that is EXACTLY what the lady at the nursery told me! I bought an arbor, planned to drive a "T" post in the ground on each side, then I realized I may have the ideal post! I have a tree that I had topped off, left the trunk on purpose to hang bird feeders on. Well, it's about 16" in diameter, and about 16' tall! It has 2 branches growing out the top (talk about severe pruning!!!) that a friend told me to let grow, as that way some roots will continue to hold the tree in place. Anyhow, I'm contemplating planting the wisteria at the base of that tree, It can climb up the tree and go wild, as long as it doesn't fall off. I wondered what I would do if the tree fell ... but guess I can worry about that if/when it happens. That means I can return the arbor, although it was only $25. I'm a happy camper!!!

 

[Big Lou]

JW, that is EXACTLY what the lady at the nursery told me! I bought an arbor, planned to drive a "T" post in the ground on each side, then I realized I may have the ideal post! I have a tree that I had topped off, left the trunk on purpose to hang bird feeders on. Well, it's about 16" in diameter, and about 16' tall! It has 2 branches growing out the top (talk about severe pruning!!!) that a friend told me to let grow, as that way some roots will continue to hold the tree in place. Anyhow, I'm contemplating planting the wisteria at the base of that tree, It can climb up the tree and go wild, as long as it doesn't fall off. I wondered what I would do if the tree fell ... but guess I can worry about that if/when it happens. That means I can return the arbor, although it was only $25. I'm a happy camper!!!

Good idea!

 

[MitchM]

After a few days of warmer weather, a lot of the snow is gone and the frost is starting to come out of the ground.
Supposed to get to 48F today.

It wasn't until I joined this forum that I realized how short of a pond season we would have here, lol.
I may have to change my avatar soon!

 

[CountryEscape]

Yippee, spring is finally arriving for MitchM! :banana: Yeppers, change that avatar to a pretty green/spring pic. It's going to be a cloudy cool 60 here today, but I'm not complaining. I have outside stuff to do if the rain stays away. Going to try to get that Skippy up running full force today. Need to reroute the water lines, cover the ones that will be above water line, so hoping no freezing during winter, able to keep waterfall/Skippy running longer in the winter, and rerouting the fountain line as well. Have all the parts, just need to get out there and "Get R Done"! :blueflower:

 

[CountryEscape]

Here is the tree that the top had been broke off, and when I was going to have it cut down, I thought to leave it, as I could use it to hang bird feeders and my large wind chime on. Well, this will now be the Wisteria's "arbor" to grow up on! I just hope the tree doesn't die and fall down in the next 5 years at least. If/when it does, I'll just have to pull the wisteria off of it and put up another arbor. Friend told me if I let shoots grow at the top, that some of the roots would be active, and the trunk would last longer, not rot and fall over as soon. Anyone have an opinion on that? As you can see, there are some large branches that are getting leaves on them. I have no idea what type of tree it is, though. There is bark coming off at the bottom, and I know that is not a good sign since I want the trunk to last for many years yet.

 

[MitchM]

Wish we were as far ahead as you are CE! I guess latitude matters, huh?

 

[callingcolleen1]

Jee whiz Mitch, you really do live in the "sticks" must be a forest all around you! Look on the bright side, when summer comes most of those guys way down south will be complaining of hot dry dusty weather with everything drying and dieing, and you will still be lush and green!

Very windy and dry today, and speaking of drying, it so dry here and we had a big fire that raced up and nearby hill and threatened several homes yesterday, every fire truck in town was there trying to stop the flames. Now with even more wind today, I hears the sirens sounding again all over town....

The fire was only about two or three blocks away but the smoke blew the other way and I did not even notice until I read this mornings paper...

 

[Big Lou]

Here is the tree that the top had been broke off, and when I was going to have it cut down, I thought to leave it, as I could use it to hang bird feeders and my large wind chime on. Well, this will now be the Wisteria's "arbor" to grow up on! I just hope the tree doesn't die and fall down in the next 5 years at least. If/when it does, I'll just have to pull the wisteria off of it and put up another arbor. Friend told me if I let shoots grow at the top, that some of the roots would be active, and the trunk would last longer, not rot and fall over as soon. Anyone have an opinion on that? As you can see, there are some large branches that are getting leaves on them. I have no idea what type of tree it is, though. There is bark coming off at the bottom, and I know that is not a good sign since I want the trunk to last for many years yet.

Tree for wisteria vine.JPG

Mature wisteria has very strong roots and vines. I suggest you examine the tree to determine how much rot has set in the lower trunk. Try one or more methods. Hit random suspect areas with a hammer. If the trunk is severally deteriorated the hammer's head should crush the spot you hit. Using a long bit drill into the trunk to detect a rotting or hallow core. If all is okay after this clean out the drill hole as best as possible then fill with silicone sealant. If you find the trunk is severly deteriorating then it may be best to cut it down.

Have you got an old clothes line "T" pipe in your yard? That would be a great home for your wisteria. You could also make a pipe frame for your plant.

Good luck!

 

[Big Lou]

I love to watch yard shows on TV. Outdoor fire pits seem to be in fashion. Massive outdoor fires are always a danger in these parts. I suspect those open flame fire pits are banned here.

 

[MitchM]

Yes, you could say that, Colleen.
Here is an aerial view of our place, no one around!




Lots of fire bans around Calgary, too.
Dangerous time of the year right now.

 

[j.w]

Have you got an old clothes line "T" pipe in your yard? That would be a great home for your wisteria. You could also make a pipe frame for your plant.

Good luck!

That's exactly what I use for my Wisteria,one of those old T frame ends from a clothesline my mom had in her yard...........just wish the darn thing would bloom one of these years!

CE one thing about letting the Wisteria climb up the old tree to watch out for is that if the plant gets really bushy up top of the tree and you get lots of wind the top of the tree could act like a sail and the wind could blow down the tree or bust it off. Not saying it will happen, just if it does fall you don't want it to fall where it could wreck anything important.