Farmer's Almanac

Bond got me a Farmer's Almanac this year for Christmas (she also got one for each of the Gardeners at the office). Now I can plan everything based on the phase of the moon.

So...I have to start building my new garden either this weekend, 23-25 of Jan, or 19-21 of Feb.

And then plant stuff the 5-6 and 14-15 and 24-25 of March. Of course, these planting dates don't necessarily coincide with the other table you're supposed to consult--the table of best dates to plant specific crops. I guess that gives them an out--"Oh your tomatoes didn't do well this year, and you planted based on the Outdoor Planting Table--you should have followed the Moon's Astrological Place Table." Or I guess the other way we could read this, it means that this spring is not going to be so great for sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplants, pumpkins, and tomatoes (sorry Bonnie!)

Meh. I just hope this year is better than last year for growing stuff--a whole 4 peppers from the entire 2 seasons (spring and fall) of gardening.

Speaking of growing stuff. The spinach and carrots seem to be doing well in their containers. The strawberries are keeping on keeping on. But I don't see any flowers or anything...which is fine because they're not supposed to flower until January or so anyways.

Upcoming Garden Events

Green Garden Festival: Feb 22, 2009 Zilker Gardens 12-4 “The City of Austin and non-profit organizations will have booths and talks to answer your questions on environmentally sound landscaping. There will be a special focus on trees and kids booths galore! Come Join the fun!”

Wildflower Center Plant Sale: April 10-12, 2009 Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center "Members’ Only Sale, 1 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 10 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 11 and 12 The best selection of native wildflowers, trees and shrubs; expert gardeners on hand."

Wildflower Center Luminaria Display

Shawn and I went to the Wildflower Center Luminaria display last weekend. Obviously when it's dark out you don't see much by way of the plants that they have there. But still, it's a very nice event. We plan on going again next year, but we'll take the DSLR instead of my little point and shoot.

View from the tower

Okay, so it's not a Luminaria, but pretty nonetheless. I really enjoy how the Texans decorate the trees like this. I don't remember seeing trees done like this in Colorado.

weather...again

It is cold. Very, very cold. That is all.

Snow?

I guess it 'snowed' here last night.

You see, I just have a hard time calling it snow when it feels more like nano-ice-pellets to me. But then, I'm used to the big fluffy flakes--like the ones you see during blizzards.

Crappy Weather Warning

In case you didn't already know, we're supposed to have freezing rain tonight. With a chance for Snow.

Now then, I don't quite believe the snow, but I do believe the freezing rain. Because it's doing it right now.

I decided I didn't want to deal with covering all the plants, so I went and pulled all my peppers off the pepper plant, and the other plants will fend for themselves.

Freeze Warning

Fair warning everyone:

looks like there's a good chance for a freeze up here in the 78750 zip code. My thermometers are already reading at 39* outside.

NWS and WUnderground are predicting temps below 32 while The Weather Channel is predicting that it will only get down to 39. HAHAHAHAHA.

Moon

apparently Venus and Jupiter appear to be "close to the moon". In other words, now's a good viewing time. Jupiter should be the duller of the two 'stars' (the one closest to the right edge of the photo).