I look forward to buying plants this time of year

[BOSSHOG]

Most retailers have given up on them and just let them sit on the shelves and just forget about watering them. I bought a bunch of zinnias yesterday from a local nursery which looked like they should be thrown away; brown, ugly, crispy, just plain pooped out. I brought them home, soaked them, put them in the shade and gave em a good dose of miracle grow. Wow! Very rewarding to have them react to some TLC in the hot summer weather.

[Pathwalker]

1. I hear ya! I bought 24 perennials on Sunday.

Paid $40 for five specialty Hostas at a Garden Walk, but at a Farmer's Market, but I got 19 perennials
(Dames Rocket, Delphiniums, Lavender, Scotch Moss, Echinaceas, etc.)for $18. Now, I just have to figure out where to put them - time to make a new garden....hmmmm.
It's Bargain time at the Garden Centers - yay!

[BOSSHOG]

2. I'm gonna head south tomorrow

to a real nice nursery about 20 miles from here (way over in Louisiana) and see if I can find some more orphans which need a good home.

[Pathwalker]

3. Gotta love those orphans - they can grow up to

become real beauties. My son once brought home the most pitiful Japanese Maple I've ever seen - he paid a whole 50 cents for it. Several years later, it is now the focal point of one of my gardens. It's 7' tall and still growing, red and lush and proud.
Enjoy your trip tomorrow, and happy shopping!

[Kolesar]

4. I bought three cauliflower starts on Friday, am I crazy?

There was "some discussion about that" when I got back to the ranch.

[TygrBright]

6. Well, I would have waited a few more weeks, but if it isn't TOO hot....

...they should do OK. I used to put in autumn-harvest cole crops around the beginning of August. They may languish a bit until the cooler weather, but if you can keep them going until then you'll have nice cauliflower by November.

horticulturally,
Bright

[Kolesar]

7. It gets chilly here in September, so the season is over by 9/20

I really don't know how long cauliflower takes to grow. I think the plants will have enough time.

[TygrBright]

8. Most cole crops, if they've already set fruit...

....will keep right on going through several light frosts. In fact, I always think that the very best brussels sprouts are the ones that have been frosted a bit.

mmmmmmmm... wish I could plant some this year, but I don't have my veg beds in yet.

wistfully,
Bright

[Kolesar]

9. Brussel sprouts and cauliflower are related, if I recall correctly

So I should be able to pick them late. The tomatoes will already be getting black spots long before that.

[TygrBright]

10. Yes, they are related...

...they are all in the same family with cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and kale being the major garden representatives. All will tolerate (indeed, improve with) a fair amount of frost if they've already started to yield. Unless your cauliflower is a self-blanching variety, be sure you tie it up well before the heads start to curdle, or not only will you get brownish heads but you'll have grey tips from the frost.

horticulturally,
Bright

[Blue Gardener]

5. Not just plants

I found some garden art at half-off. I like finding little treasures to set in the flower beds.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

11. Me too

I fell like I'm rescuing them. I picked up some pink geraniums and impatiens Saturday in the clearance section. They are looking pretty good already

[jean]

12. Me too. I love helping the leggy, root-bound little guys. hey are so

gracious in their response!

[uppityperson]

13. brought home 2 flats of free plants last week, mostly herbs

3 different kinds of mint, oregano, chamomile, aquilegia, other things too. They were free from a general store, all rather leggy, rootbound, drying out. Hey, free is free and my cats will be happy with the catnip once it outgrows the cage and they can nibble on the tips.