Hallson Gardens

This year, I am reaping the many rewards that come from selecting and planting excellent plants in the right spot in my garden. Just in time, too, because my various aches and pains have increased in number and magnitude. I have only planted nine new hostas this year (so far) but my list is now up t...

let's try this again

Hello,
What would this little rosette in the middle of this very big hosta be? An offspring? What should I do with it ( except stare at it in amazement?)
Sorry, no pix. Cannot make it small enough.

Regards,
Antje is Muddy Fingernails

Ooh how pretty. We got 4 inches of new snow instead. It (the snow) couldn't even wait a few hours so I could watch the eclipse! Big sigh.

Antje is Muddy Fingernails!

Nitrogen and other stuff in a pleasing combination. I sprinkle a handful around every plant and then water . The pellets puff up and look quite funny for a few days , then slowly get absorbed into the soil. When I happen to plant, I throw some into the hole with water and set the plant on top of it....

Rabbit food=alfalfa pellets. I got this hint from this forum some time ago. I bought some, tried it and all the plants loved them. It did not perceptibly increase the rabbit population in my garden,either. I buy it at my local farm store, local meaning 22 miles one way. The length I go to to cater t...

Thanks all for your concern. The basement is old field stones and cement floor, from 1860. It's fairly used to water. I have a lot of cleaning up to do. All those cardboard boxes, from computers that don't exist anymore, now have to be smooshed into garbage bags and hauled upstairs. The hosta choice...

A bad thing happened with the water meter in the basement: it blew apart and flooded a room down there. We will speak no more of it, except the part where hostas are involved. Turning off the water involved more than cranking the shut off valve in the basement. It required prolonged searching with a...

Thanks, I guess. I had the same, frustrating experience with a Scotch broom plant I have been trying to grow. It's just not the right environment here in Zone 5B, muck land, USA. With regards to the Daphne bush, I'll wait until global warming has changed my environment enough to accomodate the bush....

Hello,
Where can I find a daphne bush to look at? I understand this plant may also grow happily in my mostly shady garden. However, I cannot find any plants for sale. What gives?
Antje is Muddy fingernails

Ok, we are talking about raw, poopy fleece here, the part of the fleece we spinners call britch or tag wool. Usually it gets thrown out because of the aforementioned poop attached to the wool. So I take hands full of this and work it in round the plants. It's great for keeping slugs away - they hate...

I saw Martha Steward mix up cement, sphagnum moss and perlite with water and make a planter. That idea just intrigues me. I want to make my own planters as well, especially since i saw the website of a German hosta lover who has many of her plants in old stone pots. I have lots of miniature hostas t...

Well, I only have one rottie. She is the sweetest thing but rather large. i should have paid more attention to her summer sleeping habits and not planted hostas next to "her place." We'll figure it all out. I have two small dogs who do not bother the plants at all. Regards, Antje is Muddy fingernails

I must say, my house looks wonderful. I dug up four hostas from the north side of the house to prevent damage. They seem to be very happy in their pots under the willow. I almost lost 2 plants under the front window, a lovely two year old Wolverine and a Patriot. The dog, Hannah, made herself comfor...

Thank you for that reply, Ginger. I have this week and next to decide.
Antje is muddy fingernails

Great idea, Molly! Thanks!
Antje is Muddy fingernails

Molly, That would be my other choice. I should probably clarify the "careless worker" issue: I am getting my house powerwashed and painted for free by a group of volunteers. I do not feel right complaining about my plants but must do something to protect them. I think I will explain to the group on ...

Guys came to my house to powerwash it in preparation for painting it in 2 weeks. I was not there, so now I have a trampled hosta and several others in jeopardy. I was thinking about digging them up and temporarily housing them in large pot/buckets. Will it shock them ( the hostas)? Should I take my ...

I'll have to miss another one. I have a crew of people coming to my house to build me a new porch, and the stipulation was for me to be there the whole time.
So sorry i cannot be at the garden. Please post many pictures.

Antje is Muddy fingernails

Those combinations look very vibrant and make a beautiful contrast with the containers.

Flowerly regards,
Antje