Memorial Day weekend

A real nice weekend, a mix of reading outside in the yard(Roseanna by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö, 1965, about a fictional Swedish Detective Martin Beck. It was very good, set in the 1960s when people got telegrams and sent letters and had to wait around for information) and some minor miscellaneous odds and ends. Also ate chips and dip, ice cream sundaes, pizza, homemade cinnamon Nutella rolls, and chicken wings, drank beer, mint Mojitos and Mimosas. A real nice weekend.

Had an idea for a new trough design.
In place of using hardware cloth(wire mesh) as a frame,  I though I'd try to sandwich fiberglass mesh tape normally used when taping drywall between 2 layers of the hypertufa mix.
I made a 1:1:1 mix of Portland cement, feather stone dust and sifted peat. I also added some fine vermiculite, some extra Portland and added a concrete bonding additive for additional strength.
I used a plastic container as a mold and put in a thin layer of mix on the bottom followed by strips of the fiberglass tape.

I then added additional mix over the tape and worked it in so both layers fully encapsulated the mesh. I then went up the sides of the container in the same way, sandwiching the mesh between layers of the hypertufa mix.

Hopefully, the trough will be strong and lightweight.

Current Blooms:
Clematis, Nellie Moser

 Hardy Geranium, cinereum 'alice'

Our newest Peony, Scarlet O'Hara, it fades after a few days to a pink.

Dwarf Coral bell - Heuchera grossulariifolia

Beers in the Fridge:
Nothing new, running low, need to pick up some summer beers.

New Plants 2014

New plants(so far) this year are from

• Stone Crop Gardens Alpine Plant Sale
• Belle Mead Coop
• Ambleside Gardens and Nursery

New Plants for 2014:

Erigeron linarfolia?. Yes, the "?" is on the tag.

Two new Erodium, I have had them in troughs before, but they didn't overwinter so I have them right in the ground as under plantings in the Peony Garden.

Trough with 2 new Primula, existing Dwarf Coral Bells and Dwarf Coreopsis - alpina 'Alba', Tickseed.

Trough with all new plants, Capanula Saxifraga, 2 Saxifragas and an Arenaria. The Saxifraga didn't do well last year in this trough, but I think the plants didn't have enough soil and were too high above the top of the trough.

After the soil settles in the troughs, I will add gravel to retain moisture and keep dirt from splashing up onto the leaves.

 Current Blooms:

Armeria Juniperifolia, Thrift/Seapinks

Lewesia

Coral Bell

Star of Bethlehem in the East Foundation Garden

 Lily of the Valley

Dianthus

Spanish Blue Bells, are growing in several of the garden areas

Yard Changes

Busy Saturday, moved the Red Twig Dogwood, planted the Hardy Banana, first grass cutting of the season, raked and planted grass seed, prepared one of the garden beds for crops, cleaned gutters, weeded and cleaned up some of the troughs in preparation for new plants purchased at Stone Crop Garden's Alpine Plant sale last weekend. In the evening saw Greg Proops perform a live podcast at The Bellhouse in Brooklyn. A very nice venue with an odd quirk, you have to turn in your ticket, get your hand stamped and then wait on line to get in. Greg was thoroughly enjoyable, he has an amazing memory and quick wit. We first saw him on the British TV show "Whose line is it anyway" hosted by Clive Anderson years ago.

Planted the Hardy Banana outside, the Gardens at Snug Harbor have Hardy Bananas planted outside so I figured I would give it a try, plus I am tired of caring for it in the house.

The Red Twig Dogwood new domicile.

Grape Hyacinth

Houstonia caerulea L. Azure bluet. Purchased last Year at the Stone Crop Gardens Alpine Plant sale. Have it planted in a trough.

 Japanese Ghost Fern

Beers in the fridge:
Bought a sample of Wolaver's Organic brews which are brewed by Otter Creek in VT. The Alta Gracia Coffee Porter was very good, had a nice coffee flavor, it would go good with bacon and eggs at a brunch. The India Pale Ale was my next favorite of this bunch, not too hoppy. The Brown Ale and the Oatmeal stout were both too sweet for me, I prefer Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout and Nut Brown Ale better. That they are organic didn't matter to me, a friend from work said Wolaver's had good beer so I gave them a try.