Wacky December Weather

The weather in Wisconsin has not been normal.  Last year's warm winter seems to be carrying into this winter.  I realize it's early, and I am not one to complain about the lack of snow.  However I noticed that I had bulbs that were already starting to emerge in the garden.  Then when I visited my parents yesterday, I noticed some of my mom's bulbs were also starting to come up.  Seems the bulbs are just as confused as we are.  Last week Sunday we had our first real snow of the season, but looking outside today you would never know it.  Right now I see green grass and even some pansies still blooming.  There is a chance we could have a blizzard on Thursday, so those wanting a white Christmas might still have their wish granted.

Last week Sunday before the snow.

Monday after the snow.

This Sunday

Wintering over hostas in containers

Reposted from last year.  Since we received our first snowfall today (just a dusting) it's time for me to put my hostas in containers to bed for the winter.  Here's how:

Storing Hosta in Containers for Winter

Did you know that you can grow hostas in containers in Wisconsin?  Well you can.  I have successfully grown hostas in containers for many years.  The key to keeping hostas in containers is how you store them over the winter.  The most important thing is keeping moisture out of the pots.  You want to prevent freezing, thawing, and frozen, wet roots which will result in the roots turning to mush ultimately killing the hosta.  Here are my steps I follow:

1. I wait until a hard frost has killed off all of the hosta foliage.
2. Then I move the containers to the north side/ or a protected area outside where they will not receive a lot of light or precipitation.
3. I then push the containers together as an extra way to prevent moisture from finding it's way inside the container.
4. If you feel they still need further protection, you can cover the containers with leaves or straw.
5. Then it's time to wait until spring to move them.  I usually wait to move them until I start to see some sign of life.  

These are on the north side of the house, where the least amount of moisture and sunlight will get to them.  I push them together to help prevent moisture from getting in and freezing.  You can also cover these pots with leaves or straw for additional protection.

This one is not quite ready for storage.  I like to have all of the leaves die off before storing them for the winter.

What's still blooming Nov. 17th

Rain on dead hosta leaves

Who knew that even dead hosta leaves would look so cool with rain droplets?

Collecting and Storing Hosta Seeds

This video is from last year, but here's how to collect and store hosta seeds.

My Rant About Gardening Magazines

So with gardening season behind me, I actually have some time to catch up on reading gardening magazines.  I love seeing gardening ideas.  I will probably never give up on gardening magazines.  However, there is something that really annoys me about gardening magazines.  There is usually some kind of feature in the magazine where they list the top 10 plants for something, like the top 10 plants for shade.  However they always, and I mean always, list some plant that is extremely hard to grow or they don't list all the details about a plant.  They don't list details such as it takes 8 years to establish into the plant you see in the picture or this is an extremely close up picture of this plant it's really very small.  It always makes me worry about the inexperienced gardener who gives that plant a try based on that recommendation. Gardening is all about successes and failures, you learn as you grow.  I had a lot of failures in my own garden, but a lot of times I knew I was pushing limits such as hardiness zones.  When you are putting something out there for gardeners of every level you should disclose all the details about the plant.  It makes me wonder if they are making money off of nurseries by pushing some of these plants?  What is there reasoning for putting these hard to grow plants on their top 10 lists?  What are your thoughts?  I'd love to hear them.

Late Bloomers

While I was out planting the last of my bulbs today I noticed that there were still some plants that were flowering in the garden.

Fall Blooming Crocus

Nasturtium

Sedum

Anemone 'Party Dress'

Mum

Mum

Not a flower, but Japanese Maple leaves are a beautiful red.

Hosta 'Wily Willy'

Phlox

Impatiens

Monkshood

Martian Moonflower

Lobelia

Cold Hardy Pansy