8/21/2016

I finally gave in....

As some of you know, our winter here in NZ has been  anything but cold. There have been very few days that we needed the fireplace going during daylight hours to keep warm.

Now, I have to admit that I am a rules sort of person. Probably more than most. And the 'rule of thumb' is that we don't plant seeds and bulbs until after Labour Day, which is the fourth Monday in October.  That's also about the time that camellias are usually in full bloom.

Well, this year has been so mild that camellias and rhododendrons are blooming everywhere now.  Gardens close to the ocean already have trees full of blooms and fields full of daffodils!

Seeing that other gardeners have planted bulbs already, Hubby convinced me that the worse that could happen would be that they get frosted and don't come up until next year, so, today, I put out all my dahlia bulbs and I feel like such a cheater!

I also planted about half the seeds I have had in the cabinet just waiting for spring so we will just wait and see if my impatience paid off!

18 comments:

diane b said...

Hope all goes well. Everything here seems to be blooming ahead of time too.

Little Wandering Wren said...

Here's to keeping your green fingers crossed that everything bursts into life as it should do - I feel global warming means that some of those "rules" may need changing and you will be happy with your early planting :)
Wren x

Visits With Mary said...

It's always hard to go against the 'rule of thumb.' Hope your bulbs survive!!

Janneke said...

I really hope your seeds germinate and dahlias will grow smoothly. Well, the climate is changing, they say.....

Nonnie said...

I have a kind of rule about planting plants too- here in Indiana, it's best not to set out plants till after Mother's Day which is the second Sunday in May. I hope that your plants won't suffer frost.

Michelle said...

I hope all goes well!

Hetty said...

Don't worry to much, what do you have to lose? You can always replant some of the bulb in case of frost damage. Enjoy the spring!! Groetjes Hetty

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Sounds like a delightful environment! I love camellias and have been planting them here in our yard in the Ocala National Forest of Florida since we moved here. They are a delightful flower...I just wish they bloomed more often! We will look forward to pictures when yours bloom. Thank you for visiting my blog today. I am excited to make new friends from all parts of the world! New Zealand sounds so intriguing. I would LOVE to visit there someday. God bless you and your home.

baili said...

hope to see you plantations and blooms dear best of luck with all of your doings dear

Amy Johnson said...

Lucky you, I wish we could a mild winter here in Wisconsin. I'd love to see photos of all these pretty abundant flowers!

Summer said...

I hope your gardening works out well ♥

summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com

DeniseinVA said...

I look forward to seeing your reward :)

Bethany Carson said...

It must be beautiful with all the spring flowers blooming, and it must feel so good to get your hands in the dirt planting again. All the best for success with your bulbs!

Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening said...

Good luck with your seeds! As you are having an unusually warm winter, we have been having one of the longest heat waves I can remember. The seasons definitely are changing.

cedarmerefarm said...

From your description, NZ sounds beautiful. Would you post some photos of the blooming trees and flowers? By the way, your self description in your profile made me smile; great way to start my day. Thank you :)

betty-NZ said...

Christa, I will post some on this blog, but most likely, on my Photographing New Zealand blog.

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for commenting on my north Georgia scenery photos.
I hope you have very good success with your bulbs. It seems many all over the world are experiencing changes in the weather and planting schedules.

Karen said...

I hope your bulbs are okay. Our grandmother always had such beautiful tulips. Thanks for visiting my blog and for your kinds words.