Wow, congratulations on getting the bulbs planted. Many of them will multiply for you, so you won't need to keep buying them - certainly the daffs and the grape hyacinths. Of course, we don't have deer here, and most of the squirrels have been chased off or eaten by coyotes in my neck of the woods; your mileage may vary. I *have* had problems with squirrels and tulips, and sadly, even the Darwins don't last forever - for me anyway.

I've been wondering if it's too late for a couple similar projects - like moving peonies. I think the ground is too wet in my yard for me to do much of anything that involves digging, so just about all the unfinished fall chores will probably have to be left undone for another year.

Can you mulch those babies? Not to keep them warm, but maybe to try to help loosen the soil over time. It seems to be the easy way to begin to restore the tilth after an area has been compacted.

Hi DITD,

I planned to have 10 or 20 cubic yards of mulch delivered this summer to take care of the new space and some of the other gardens, but never got around to it. It is now a spring project. Later than I intended, but the space definitely will get mulched. In the meantime, I think the winter freeze thaw cycle around here will help to start loosening up that soil, especially since the ground is so wet this year heading into winter. In the spring all my soil is very soft after the final thaw. It is the perfect time to roll the lawn to try to level uneven areas (like old mole hills). Of course, I never get to that project, either.

narcnh

narcnh said: "In the spring all my soil is very soft after the final thaw. It is the perfect time to roll the lawn to try to level uneven areas (like old mole hills). Of course, I never get to that project, either."

Maybe this would be a good thread for the winter doldrums -"Projects I never got around to doing, but will next year. Really."

Claire

WTG...and what to expect in a spring,

Tahiti

White Lion

Cool, ego, thanks!

Claire, see new thread.

narcnh

After planting all my bulbs, I told myself I wasn't going to buy anymore in the clearance sales going on now. Of course it is taking all my will power not to buy any 'Tahaiti' that are on sale for 25% off on Brent and Becky's web site after seeing George's lovely photos!

Sue

Sue, I don't know if VanEngelen still have them at 20% off, but VE daffs bulbs will be superior of the same of B&B, granted.

George you enabler you! But alas Tahiti is sold out at VE. I ordered from John Scheepers earlier this fall (at the regular prices) and was very pleased with the quality! Top sized bulbs and fair prices I thought. (FYI: for people not familiar, John Scheepers and Van Engelen are the same company, VE supplies larger quantities however).

Sue

I really thought I was *done* with gardening for the season, but a so-called friend stopped by with a gigantic clump of bunny grass, Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Little Bunny'.

Of course I had to divide it, then dig up a swath of lawn to plant it. We're expecting near-freezing temperatures tonight, but I guess I had no choice in the matter. I put bark mulch on the new bed, and will keep my fingers crossed. This looks like an interesting edging plant, though I admit I would probably not have bought it myself, not being too familiar with hardy grasses.

Is anyone else carrying on like this, or am the last person in NE still digging and planting?