Could Someone Please Cue the Fat-Lady to Sing??

Ornamental cabbage in container gardens ~~ a tough winter planting even in low temps.

Winter is certainly making its distinct mark this December. Snow is falling (not here) in record amounts all over the country. The weather map seems to be covered in white reaching even as far south as north Florida (as Darla reports).
Tri-color Stromanthe is a very tender, colorful perennial which needs protection from freezing temps.

Gardeners in central Florida had our fingers crossed that the last two (early December)blasts of arctic air might have been a fluke. That perhaps our typically mild Decembers and winters would escape future dips into frosty temps since it came so early.

Understory of front garden planted with layers of hardy foundational plants mixed with natives, Florida-Friendly perennials and a few tropicals.

Alas, it is NOT over. Instead we are braced for more freezing temps along with windy, blustery weather the next few days. Not snow. But for this subtropical climate this kind of cold is a huge threat to crops and tender foliage.

Container planting in the center of circle garden ~~ mixed with hardy and tender plants. It is wrapped in a blanket because it is open and exposed to the elements.

Refusing to panic and scramble at each weather report (like I've done so many times in past years) I'm urging the majority of my plants to get (somewhat) hardened to this abnormal cold.

At this point the chances are increasingly unlikely. Wishing still ... after all if I spoiled them too much by keeping them covered and warm they might not be as tough right?

The vegetable garden has definitely taken a beating. Every vestige of warm season crop has been burned by low temps.

A few of the tender tomato plants were covered as there was no chance they would survive without extra care. Even so leaves were burned but the eager tomatoes remain. They are wrapped up tightly again with high hopes of a harvest eventually. IF things get back to normal.

At first sight of the overall winter damage one would not imagine to see perky lettuce, tasty spinach, thriving broccoli, cauliflower, and radishes. But a closer look beyond the brown and shriveled plants reveals the cool season edibles hanging in there. Continuing to supply the dinner table with freshness in the midst of these crazy weather patterns. We always have to look for the bright side!

Far back gardens underplanted (what's visible in this photo) with selloums, variegated shell ginger, saw palmetto, xanadu, variegated aztec grass~~ all of it mostly protected by oak trees.

Throughout the gardens there is damage here and there. It's kind of random and mostly to be expected. Green is looking very pleasing to the eye these days.

Tropical pathway in back gardens struggling to look perky.

The large oak trees in front and back serve as a cover of insulation allowing some of the tenderest plants to defy nature under its canopy. So far.

Others are simply suffering from a haggard and fatigued appearance as they struggle to stay warm enough to keep from fainting all together.

As much as we wish the fat-lady would go ahead and sing signaling this crazy winter is OVER ... reality check indicates we may be in for a long season.

All in all we're thankful for the stalwart plants that aren't giving up easily. It is winter!

And in typical Florida fashion we will endure these few days of freeze and frost warnings and by weeks' end temps will be back up to the 70's with plenty of our warm sunshine to live it up outdoors! That news has to brighten anyone's world!

From Our House To Yours

This year is not much different than past holiday seasons. We like it that way. It's the season when sentiments, traditions, and family memories abound.

Boxes, ribbons, bags, bows, food, people, toys, decorations, Christmas performances, luncheons, get-togethers, family coming and going... all filling our days with joy and good cheer.

Our household, like most, has been bustling with Christmas activities for weeks now. Each one supplying smiling faces and warm hearts for a much loved holiday season.

Twinkling lights, sparkling candles, shimmering ornaments, earthy evergreen scents...

... delicious treats, family gatherings, berries and pinecones and oodles of colorful ornaments all adding to our merry and bright season.

We've made the most of this season with as many gatherings as we could possibly squeeze in. Just the girls in the family spent an afternoon at a tea room. The 'little' girls LOVED dressing up and being included in this special celebration.

Speaking of the younger, more talented ones among us. Six little helping hands and giggly hearts spent one of our afternoons making their own cookies with Mimi.

They were so proud of their yummy contribution. From cracking the eggs to hand-rolling the dough and scattering messy sugar crystals everywhere it was every bit another time to cherish with my precious grandchildren.
The gifts are wrapped and stockings hung and lights are aglow. These are magical days for young and old. Each to be savored and treasured for the memories they hold.

Days and nights filled with the majesty of beautiful trees lit from top to bottom and wondrous music heard over loud speakers everywhere and folks from all corners of the world hustling about to find the perfect gift. Every one reasons for rejoicing and gladness.

At the end of the day, when the glitz, glitter, and glamour of the season fades... the most essential element of Christmas is in our hearts. Without the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus the Messiah, it wouldn't be Christmas.

From our house to yours...

We wish you a most blessed Christmas and a healthy, happy New Year.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For a child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us...

And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace...

His name ... Immanuel

God with Us!

Matt. 1; Is. 9

Mother Nature's Switcheroo

Last week when the reports came that freezing temperatures were on their way for Florida I wasn't convinced.

Maybe it was just high hopes. But so often a degree or two makes a big difference. And so does my tree cover.

What are the forecasters saying today? We haven't seen cold weather like this in December in twenty years.

Strong winds slamming plant-life around all day and night are battering leaves and limbs.

At this point I kind of hope they keep blowing. Maybe it will be the wind that keeps the temperatures from dropping down to the twenties.

Regardless, as much as I resolved not to scurry around covering plants ~~ I did it today.

Just a few ~~ but I felt compelled. I just had to help some of them out. Maybe they can make it through these next two nights bundled in blankets and maybe ... just maybe we won't have anymore of this out-of-the-ordinary weather even though winter hasn't officially arrived.

I'm feeling it for the strawberry growers. The fruit is not ready and they can't afford to lose the crops now.

There are many signs of stress already in the garden from this weird weather.

Tomorrow promises some very different views if the temperatures drop overnight as predicted.

This time it's likely we won't escape Mother Nature's switcheroo to winter while it is still officially autumn.
The garden will recover and life goes on. Of that I am certain.

We'll just have to learn to look at the damage a lot longer while waiting for spring to come.

Gardens Within The Garden

Three Swallowtail plants (Christia Obcordata) positioned in containers at the curve to the tropical pathway were the cause of many Florida gardeners swooning in late summer. Oh, there is no question they were worth the few extra dollars spent. Swaying lightly in the breeze and reaching taller than the bordering flax lilies. Their movement mimicking butterly flight was a lovely view for these last few months.

Alas, as the autumn weather waned-on they became less and less swoon-worthy. Faded leaves and lanky stems called for their removal.

Out with the Swallowtail and in with Philodendron 'Rojo Congo' and Macho Fern, Nephrolepsis.

Gentle digging around hibernating caladium bulbs and trailing Golden Globe Lysimachia was in order to replace the central focus of those three containers.

There are so many advantages to container gardens. Smaller plots of soil, much better regulated often times. Each one with the capability to grow its own unique garden within the garden.

I have long been a fan of gathering a few plants together and snuggling them side-by-side in their very own habitat. Can you tell how many of these plants are in containers? It is the best way to grow Rosemary in my garden.

Truth be told, creating containers is a gardening habit I've attempted to curb. It is no use.

The down-side to these mini-gardens (if there is one) is the extra attention of watering needs they often require.

Potted up plants can perk-up a patio or walkway. They lift colorful focal points in height among foundational plants when placed within the landscape design.

And they warm-up a cozy seating area just the same as a proper accessory does in an indoor design.

Who is that pretty flower in the pink and white dress? Why that's my friend, Helen, from Barbados and author of My Rustic Bajan Garden. This was her second visit to Hoe and Shovel. We had a delightful afternoon together once again. Helen, thanks especially for the laughs!

In an effort to work around that eensie-weensie problem of containers requiring more hand-watering than time usually allows, my recent goal has been to stick with drought resistant and hardy(er) combinations. Especially in the pots furtherest away from the water source.

The idea for containers located in the screen-enclosed lanai has been to eliminate flowering specimens which shed petals attributing to an unnessecary extra mess. Foliage varieties and colorful glazed pottery make excellent substitutes for short-lived annuals and shedding blooms.

Succulents do especially well in their own specific containers where the soil can be left to dry out in between waterings. Placed in the sunniest positions their locations are rotated as the lighting often changes as the seasons shift .

Autumn is the perfect time to review conditions of container plants. Often summer takes its toll on these small gardens that live in limited soil with competing nourishment.

The inspiration for the Philodendron 'Rojo Congo' replacing the Swallowtails? The Philodendron 'Autumn' that have been great performers in a large center pot since summer began.

They've been consistently brightening the circle garden seating area with simple foliage, miss muffet caladiums, and green airy Macho Fern, Nephrolepsis.