Greenhouse at High Country Gardens

On Monday, I returned from Santa Fe. It was a very successful trip - many plants were purchased at High Country Gardens, Plants of the Southwest, and Agua Fria Nursery.  I wish I had a camera when I arrived at HCGs. It was almost 9am (opening time) and there was a line of cars (15 maybe) waiting to get in. Someone was directing traffic in the parking lot because of so many waiting. I soon discovered there were people there from all over the SW. I guess I am not the only plant nut who goes to Santa Fe in the spring. All three nurseries are worth the trip. I spent an entire day visiting each while my patient husband finished a new book.  High Country Gardens carries so many drought tolerant high elevation plants, Plants of the SW has any wildflower grass or seed you are looking for in addition to gallon plants and shrubs, and last of all Agua Fria has every plant/vegetable you ever thought of and is run by some hippies (do you remember that term) from the sixties with two daughters named Autumn and Summer. The weather in Santa Fe was strange - cold, windy, and rainy. As usual, the food was wonderful! Most of the plants have been hardened off at 7000 ft. so they are ready to be planted.  We also have 3 wonderful nurseries that continue to expand each year with high-elevation drought tolerant plants.

Volunteers who came on Monday to work, included Julie Holmes who worked on deadheading and clean-up in the rose garden. Laura Davis watered new plantings and Nancy Palmer watered the MMG. I spent my time sorting out new plants for putting in the ground later this week.

On Thursday, the weather was warm and windy. Laura Davis came early and watered the MMG. Christine Orr  worked on cleaning and deadheading the Rose Garden. Carol Lease worked on the water feature, fencing, drip, and cleaning up the plant donor tags. Vicki Goodwin and Becky Lewis both helped get the job of cleaning and deadheading in the Rose Garden and surrounds done. Linda Guarino worked on the timers for the drip, and planted in the Front 1/2 Circle Garden with plants from High Country Gardens. Judith Chaddock watered indoors and began collecting plants for the sale at the end of June (pine penstemon, bellflower). Betty Marcus watered the south inferno and deadheaded in the dry beds. I worked on finishing fertilizing the roses. Chris Wells and Vicki worked on cleaning up the pine needles next to the parking lot.  Joe Harte came for a  brief time and worked on planning for assembly of the table and chairs.

On our break Brandon Porter came to announce funding from the spring fundraiser. The garden received $250 in the general fund, and $250 a gift certificate from Warners.

Thanks also to Kelsey Herring who continues to feed and water our birds.

Dave and Murphy brought out several residents, and the table is being well used by residents for lunch.

New blooms:
Purple Robe Robina tree
Raspberry
Penstemons - Red Riding Hood, Mat (new purchases from High Country Gardens)
Many irises and alliums

Pink Bearded iris west of Faerie Garden

Purple & Red Dutch iris in the 1/2 Circle Meadow Garden

Agenda for next week:
Watering indoors/outdoors as needed
Drip repairs
Assemble table & chairs
Continue spring clean-up (bed east of rose garden)
Continue planting purchases from Santa Fe
Begin planting containers with flowers, and add the new CSA veggies
Continue thinning plants and potting for the plant sale

The Container Gardening class was cancelled on Saturday, due to a limited registration, but we did have our May Saturday workday. Betty Marcus water several parts of the the garden. Without rain for almost a month things are very dry even with the drip on now. Betty also helped me get the tomatoes planted. We will have 6 varieties this year and as usual are trying something new - red zebra. Thanks to Viola's Flower Garden and their Tomato Fest we are now able to get unusual varieties locally. All tomato cages were covered with remay (frost cloth) since we will no doubt have some temperature dips. The cloth allows sun rays but protects to 28 degrees. They will be uncovered probably mid-June weather permitting. They are all in self-watering containers (2 from Gardeners Supply and one Earth Box). Laura Davis also came to work in the MMG and had help from Toni Barnes a MG trainee. Debbie Crisp came and planted our herbs in the stacking container and also did some deadheading and clean-up in the rose perimeter gardens. Debbie is now officially a master gardener having completed her 50 hours. Congratulations! Last of all, we had two visitors from FMC (one is a MG trainee) who will be creating a garden on the 3rd floor outdoor space. Plans include containers and water features.

Thanks for all the help this week. The gardens are looking beautiful and it is only the middle of May.

Loni