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Feb 1, 2014 7:21 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Zuzu
Northern California (Zone 9a)
Region: Ukraine Charter ATP Member Region: California Cat Lover Roses Clematis
Irises Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier Garden Sages Plant Database Moderator Garden Ideas: Master Level
This is our month, starting with our wonderful Roses Week, full of rose articles and banners. I'm also going to look through my photos and see whether I've missed adding some good ones to the database. It's a good week to add them.

My thumbnail photo is Anne Boleyn, a vigorous Austin rose that seems to be in bloom at least 10 months out of the year. It might do it for 12 months, but I prune it in December to give it a rest.



I'm excited because my neighbor bought a pickup truck and is going to bring me a cubic yard of Mango Mulch. It's not really a mulch; it's compost enriched with horse and cow manure, grape and apple pomace, rice hulls, and soft rock phosphate (no mangos).
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Feb 2, 2014 12:02 PM CST
Name: Rita
North Shore, Long Island, NY
Zone 6B
Charter ATP Member Seed Starter Tomato Heads I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Vegetable Grower Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge)
Birds Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Roses Photo Contest Winner: 2016
Yes and it is a lovely picture. And we are so glad it is roses week. I do hope everyone finished their articles in time.

It is groundhog day. Around here both Staten Island Chuck and Punxsutawney Phil saw their shadows. Means more winter on its way. Sounds right as we are supposed to get at least 5 inches of snow tomorrow in spite of the fact that it is very warm (50 degrees today). So out warmup will be done the rest of this week.

I want to go out and prune and garden. I am tired of winter. Grumbling
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Feb 2, 2014 3:37 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Suzanne/Sue
Sebastopol, CA (Zone 9a)
Sunset Zone 15
Plant Database Moderator Region: California Cottage Gardener Garden Photography Roses Clematis
Daylilies Houseplants Foliage Fan Birds Butterflies Bee Lover
And we were finally blessed with much needed rain today!! I think the last time it rained was in Nov. Blinking
My gardening Blog!
Handmade quilts, new & vintage fabrics in my Etsy store. Summer Song Cottage
Instagram Sewing posts
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Feb 2, 2014 3:39 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Zuzu
Northern California (Zone 9a)
Region: Ukraine Charter ATP Member Region: California Cat Lover Roses Clematis
Irises Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier Garden Sages Plant Database Moderator Garden Ideas: Master Level
And the time before that was in April. Hilarious!
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Feb 2, 2014 3:41 PM CST
Name: Rita
North Shore, Long Island, NY
Zone 6B
Charter ATP Member Seed Starter Tomato Heads I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Vegetable Grower Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge)
Birds Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Roses Photo Contest Winner: 2016
I hear on the news that California will soon run out of water. Blinking Crying
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Feb 2, 2014 3:58 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Zuzu
Northern California (Zone 9a)
Region: Ukraine Charter ATP Member Region: California Cat Lover Roses Clematis
Irises Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier Garden Sages Plant Database Moderator Garden Ideas: Master Level
I don't think we'll run out anytime soon, but the snow pack in the mountains is only 15% of average so far, and the actual rainfall is more like a fraction of a fraction of the average. Hilarious!

There could be some water wars, though. We in Northern California get most of the precipitation, but we have to share it with Southern California, which gets almost none. The influential grape growers in our northern counties might have the necessary leverage to reduce Southern California's share.

Whenever these droughts occur, I wonder why no one has put enough money into the state infrastructure to trap and conserve more of the excess water in other years, when flooding rivers and mud slides cause so much property damage and cost so many human lives.
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Feb 2, 2014 4:02 PM CST
Name: Rita
North Shore, Long Island, NY
Zone 6B
Charter ATP Member Seed Starter Tomato Heads I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Vegetable Grower Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge)
Birds Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Roses Photo Contest Winner: 2016
I sure hope that there is enough for everyone.
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Feb 2, 2014 6:22 PM CST
Name: Lyn
Weaverville, California (Zone 8a)
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Sages Garden Ideas: Level 1
I agree , Zuzu.....

.... deleting rant.

Lyn
I'd rather weed than dust ... the weeds stay gone longer.
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Feb 2, 2014 6:54 PM CST
Name: Porkpal
Richmond, TX (Zone 9a)
Cat Lover Charter ATP Member Keeper of Poultry I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Dog Lover Keeps Horses
Roses Plant Identifier Farmer Raises cows Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Level 2
We'll use our imaginations.
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Feb 2, 2014 7:08 PM CST
Name: Cindi
Wichita, Kansas (Zone 7a)
Charter ATP Member Beekeeper Garden Ideas: Master Level Roses Ponds Permaculture
Peonies Lilies Irises Dog Lover Daylilies Celebrating Gardening: 2015
Sorry I missed the rant! Put it back, Lyn!
I talked to my California daughter today and she filled me in on the impact the shortage is having in San Diego. She's worried about the nurseries and the supply of fresh organic produce. She offered to go pick up more roses for me before they stop watering them at the nurseries. Blinking
I gave her a list of Austins I can't buy locally, and decided I need to sacrifice some tropicals from my sunroom in order to start veggies. It may be an expensive summer for vegetables. If I have the space and the water, I should be growing them anyway. Seems lazy and selfish to ship them in from Cali when they can be grown here.
Last summer, we were in the worst extended drought ever, and facing all sorts of dire measures. Word was that it would take an outrageously unlikely amount of rain to ever catch us up again. What happened? One week, it started raining, and raining, and just kept raining until our reservoirs were totally full. We went from one extreme to another. Crazy weather patterns all year long.
I hope all the forecasters are wrong about the west coast. The thought of food riots terrifies me. My advice to my daughter was to look for a new job in Utah. Crying
Remember that children, marriages, and flower gardens reflect the kind of care they get.
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
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Feb 2, 2014 7:10 PM CST
Name: Rita
North Shore, Long Island, NY
Zone 6B
Charter ATP Member Seed Starter Tomato Heads I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Vegetable Grower Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge)
Birds Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Roses Photo Contest Winner: 2016
I sure hope it all works out for the good.
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Feb 2, 2014 7:29 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Zuzu
Northern California (Zone 9a)
Region: Ukraine Charter ATP Member Region: California Cat Lover Roses Clematis
Irises Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier Garden Sages Plant Database Moderator Garden Ideas: Master Level
Let's make rose comments one of our winter leisure-time activities. As you may know, Dave's list of the top 25 plants of various categories is based on a computer-aided formula. The computer finds the entries that have the highest number of images posted by different individuals and the highest number of comments. Some roses that were conspicuously absent from our top 25 (Peace, Double Delight, Pierre de Ronsard, etc.) were kept off the list by the lack of comments.

You could start by compiling your own top 25 list and then checking to see whether all of the roses on your list have comments in the entries.

Don't neglect the other types of plants either. Pansies were left off the Top 25 Annuals list by the scarcity of comments.
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Feb 2, 2014 7:30 PM CST
Name: Lyn
Weaverville, California (Zone 8a)
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Sages Garden Ideas: Level 1
Cindi ....

You didn't miss the rant. I didn't post it. It's a horror story about the politics involved with the water issues of southern California wanting the water from northern California Grumbling and the stupidity of the politicians. I don't often use that word, but, in this case, it fits.

Lyn
I'd rather weed than dust ... the weeds stay gone longer.
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Feb 2, 2014 7:37 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Zuzu
Northern California (Zone 9a)
Region: Ukraine Charter ATP Member Region: California Cat Lover Roses Clematis
Irises Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier Garden Sages Plant Database Moderator Garden Ideas: Master Level
The political differences between the two halves of the state are glaring, but so are the economic differences. Why am I subsidizing Oprah? Hilarious!
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Feb 2, 2014 7:49 PM CST
Name: Rita
North Shore, Long Island, NY
Zone 6B
Charter ATP Member Seed Starter Tomato Heads I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Vegetable Grower Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge)
Birds Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Roses Photo Contest Winner: 2016
zuzu said:Let's make rose comments one of our winter leisure-time activities. As you may know, Dave's list of the top 25 plants of various categories is based on a computer-aided formula. The computer finds the entries that have the highest number of images posted by different individuals and the highest number of comments. Some roses that were conspicuously absent from our top 25 (Peace, Double Delight, Pierre de Ronsard, etc.) were kept off the list by the lack of comments.

You could start by compiling your own top 25 list and then checking to see whether all of the roses on your list have comments in the entries.

Don't neglect the other types of plants either. Pansies were left off the Top 25 Annuals list by the scarcity of comments.


I have to agree on the importance of comments to the database. In fact Trish was reminding me how important comments are today. New members or anyone looking in the database would probably love to read those comments. Not just comments on roses but comments on all types of plants.
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Feb 2, 2014 8:04 PM CST
Name: Cindi
Wichita, Kansas (Zone 7a)
Charter ATP Member Beekeeper Garden Ideas: Master Level Roses Ponds Permaculture
Peonies Lilies Irises Dog Lover Daylilies Celebrating Gardening: 2015
Oh I see! NPR has covered your state's situation fairly well, I think.
One summer a few years back, I had a fellowship at MIT. The topic was Land Use, Economics of Water in the Western States. Everything we discussed and predicted is happening, but we were unable to convince politicians or the public to listen to the recommendations. Just try telling Kansans that fattening beef herds with irrigated corn is a bad bad thing. Angry
Zuzu, I scratched my head when I saw the list of 25 roses. It didn't match any popularity poll I've ever seen. For next year, we need to come up with a real list. we could even divide it into most popular floribundas, HTs, etc. The top 25 here is really skewed if it's on comments, because many of the comments on our photos are actually negative ones.
I hate to admit it, but I do consult the ARS roses in review ratings when I am selecting roses. Those ratings are pretty consistent with my experiences.
I have hundreds of rose photos on my computer, and I'm sorry I have not taken the time to upload them. Making comments on photos others post is quick and easy, so I'll do that.
Anyone else watching super bowl commercials? I'm waiting for the Clydesdale/ puppy commercial then I can turn the tv off and get back to work. So far, I'm loving Cheerios and Subaru. Have to admit I'm a Bruno Mars fan, too. Feeling real sorry for Denver, sheesh.
Remember that children, marriages, and flower gardens reflect the kind of care they get.
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
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Feb 2, 2014 8:33 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Zuzu
Northern California (Zone 9a)
Region: Ukraine Charter ATP Member Region: California Cat Lover Roses Clematis
Irises Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier Garden Sages Plant Database Moderator Garden Ideas: Master Level
I'm the very furthest thing from a football fan, but I will look at the commercials on YouTube later. Smiling

It's skewed, Cindi, but it's the formula Dave's using, so the only way we can fix it is to add comments to our own top 25. That should produce a more accurate list for Rose Week 2015.

What do you mean you have hundreds of rose photos you haven't uploaded? Upload those photos this minute!!! Hilarious! The number of different individuals posting photos of a rose also plays a part in the "top 25" formula, so everyone should start adding photos of their favorites. I have to admit that I've often chosen not to add my photos to an entry that already has lots of photos by others, but I won't do that anymore.

I'm going to try to add 5 rose comments a day to the database for the rest of the month.
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Feb 2, 2014 8:41 PM CST
Name: Rita
North Shore, Long Island, NY
Zone 6B
Charter ATP Member Seed Starter Tomato Heads I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Vegetable Grower Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge)
Birds Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Roses Photo Contest Winner: 2016
Yes, if you favorite was not in the list then you know you really need to add your pictures and comments.
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Feb 2, 2014 9:02 PM CST
Name: Cindi
Wichita, Kansas (Zone 7a)
Charter ATP Member Beekeeper Garden Ideas: Master Level Roses Ponds Permaculture
Peonies Lilies Irises Dog Lover Daylilies Celebrating Gardening: 2015
It takes forever for my slow internet to load a photo. Compounding that, my photos are scattered between my phone, various SD cards, and 3 computers. None are labeled. I take a picture of the label right after I take a photo of the rose, but for some reason, my computer has decided to re-order some of them. Ha. I used to be OCD organized. No more.
At least I haven't lost all my memory for roses. If I've grown it or seen it in a garden, I can usually recall just what it looked like. I'll set a goal like Zuzu and add comments every week.
Whew...finally, the really good ads just aired. Check out the Doritos ad with the huge dog and the Budweiser ad called Best Buds. Those were sweet!
Doritos must have been expecting a really close game to place their ad right at the end. We expected a closer game, too!!
Remember that children, marriages, and flower gardens reflect the kind of care they get.
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
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Feb 2, 2014 10:26 PM CST
Name: Rita
North Shore, Long Island, NY
Zone 6B
Charter ATP Member Seed Starter Tomato Heads I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Vegetable Grower Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge)
Birds Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Roses Photo Contest Winner: 2016
I guess I will not be out there pruning roses anytime soon. It was so nice for three days that I was joking if all the snow melted I would go out and start my spring pruning. But warmth is over. Tomorrow back to cold weather, the thermometer is falling rapidly. Wost yet, a winter snowstorm for tomorrow to last all day and give us 8 inches or more. More nasty weather to follow on Wednesday and the weekend. I am so tired of this nasty winter we are having this year.

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