Bulb Log 2022

[Leena]

As long as I am learning something from the death of a plant it is not a complete waste.

You are right, Ian. While losing plants always hurts first, difficult winters offer a chance to learn more about what plants want.
For instance, in the same bed where I lost all Primulas, some Hepaticas and even snowdrops (not to speak of Epimediums), all Erythroniums survived and flowered, a few seedlings even for the first time. An at the same time in another bed where Meconopsis and Trilliums were fine the only plants lost were two Erythronium seedlings. The latter bed was more humusy and moist so now I'm thinking that Erythroniums may prefer more dry spot. Maybe, I'm not sure.

[Robert]

Hi Jeff,

My limited understanding is that the demand for land has created a situation where lot sizes for homes is decreasing throughout the world, especially in the so called developed countries. This situation is especially true here in California. In California there seems to be a minority of young people who want to reconnect with life and the land. The astronomic cost of housing with some usable land and frequently a crippling burden of debt makes a simple life with some land for gardening an unfeasible dream. It is a very sad situation; as there are young people who want to escape the purgatory of the mundane and actually live life. Gardening is part of this dream. Much of what I see going on here in California is heart breaking.

Actually, I need to clarify a point I made early in this thread. Earlier I stated my passion “Mission” was Agriculture; however more precisely I would state it as “Repairing the World”. I have a dream of a world where everyone can grow a garden, where the pure world of nature exists everywhere, and folks can live a simple peaceful life full of interesting possibilities and creativity. A strong notion of this dream first appeared when I was a teenager back in the 1970’s. Very early on, I was fortunate to be exposed to people like Scott Nearing, John Jeavons, and Masanobu Fukuoka. I was so excited see Fukuoka-san when he came to the U.S.A. Nobody told me he did not speak English. Oh well, I was young and still had much to learn from “The School of Hard Knocks”. Well after the Nearings had gone to the Other Side (or Heaven), I was able to visit their last homestead in coastal Maine (see photograph below). I have never visited the Ecology Action Mini-Farm in Willits, California. At this point a visit to the farm is not necessary; I have my own techniques.

The next few years will be very interesting. If current climatic anomalies become the new normal, then humanity will very quickly find itself in catastrophic trouble. Growing as much of one’s own food as possible in a sustainable way might be a reasonable endeavor before world agricultural production falters more than it already has this past season.

[MarcR]

Robert wrote; "My limited understanding is that the demand for land has created a situation where lot sizes for homes is decreasing throughout the world, especially in the so called developed countries."

Here, In Polk County, Oregon, [except within city limits] most home plots are between 3 and 150 acres. My .875 acre plot is small by comparison. I don't know if this is an anomaly nationally, or if it is generally true of rural areas.

[Jeffnz]

Hi Marc
Will definitely depend upon the location, within or close to a major city I think the available section size will reduce.
In the 60's the standard residential size here was 1/4 acre, this section size represents a by gone era. Now within a city limit the average size has reduced to around 0.1 acres, 400 square metres section size is now approved. We have no gone to high rise apartment living but who knows what the future holds.
Commercial farms are much larger of course, however demand for residential housing land is seriously impacting upon prime land for horticultural crops. There is no government legislation to prevent this from happening. We see a future of going from a local production of food to become an importer and all of the horror scenarios this presents from a bio security perspective.

[MarcR]

Jeff,

Here, in the US several states still have large tracts of undeveloped land available for purchase. I am less than 1 hour from Salem, the Oregon state capitol. I am about 2 hours from Portland, our largest city.

[Ian Y]

Plants, rocks and water along with some inspiration and creativity plus the first of the Narcissus flowers click the link to read.


https://www.srgc.net/documents/bulb%20logs/221130110504BULB%20LOG%204822.pdf

[Ian Y]

This week's Bulb Log should be titled 'I should have cleaned the windows', click the link to find out more.


https://www.srgc.net/documents/bulb%20logs/221207110354BULB%20LOG%204922.pdf

[Ian Y]

The first snow of the winter stimulates more thoughts on weather, hardiness and habitats.
Click on the link to this week's Bulb Log.


https://www.srgc.net/documents/bulb%20logs/221214103529BULB%20LOG%205022.pdf

[Ian Y]

There's Snow business like snow business in this Bulb Log.


https://www.srgc.net/documents/bulb%20logs/221221113747BULB%20LOG%205122.pdf

[Redmires]

What a beautiful winter wonderland! I really enjoy how snow highlights features of a garden that can be lost against the background the rest of the time - your Erythronium seedheads are so decorative against the white snow. I grow Phlomis russelliana because I saw the snow-topped seedheads in a local park and couldn't believe that I hadn't noticed such a stunning plant at the time it was in flower... Snow also seems to make the foliage of blue-green grasses pop, presumably partly because the narrow, upright foliage sheds snow so effectively.

[Ian Y]

You are so correct the snow can make us see plants in a different way which shows that the garden does not shut down for the winter it just changes.

[Ian Y]

This Bulb Log completes a run of 1040 editions, one every week for twenty years, click the link to review the year, the changes we are facing and the changes coming to the Bulb Log in 2023.


https://www.srgc.net/documents/bulb%20logs/221228112534BULB%20LOG%205222.pdf

[Carolyn]

Thank you, Ian, for your dedication and hard work over the last twenty years. I have learned such a lot from reading the bulb log. I will look forward to your monthly edition!

[Herman Mylemans]

Thank you, Ian for your great work. It is always a great pleasure to read your Bulb Log! Best Wishes for 2023!

[Ian Y]

 Carolyn and Herman - Thank you for your kind words and best wishes.