Retiredrph
@retiredrph.bsky.social
Retired pharmacist, professional writer, artist, reader, gardener, birdwatcher, living in Oregon.
Last flowers in the backyard: tangerine sage (or is it salvia? Been a long day, folks) and a few lavender flowers. I keep cutting bits and bringing them in, seems like the least I can do. And strawberries are beautiful when they turn. 🌱
November 21, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Last flowers in the backyard: tangerine sage (or is it salvia? Been a long day, folks) and a few lavender flowers. I keep cutting bits and bringing them in, seems like the least I can do. And strawberries are beautiful when they turn. 🌱
Anybody had leeks at this stage (small ones in front), this late in year? Think they have a chance? Usually leeks are fully grown by now and hold over the winter. these are Bandits from Johnny’s. 🌱
November 21, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Anybody had leeks at this stage (small ones in front), this late in year? Think they have a chance? Usually leeks are fully grown by now and hold over the winter. these are Bandits from Johnny’s. 🌱
Fun-guys in the front yard. One looks like another planet, others more conventional. I have no idea what varieties these are. 🌱
November 21, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Fun-guys in the front yard. One looks like another planet, others more conventional. I have no idea what varieties these are. 🌱
Ditto for this Clarkia.
Maybe they need to use up food?
Or do they know it’s been unusually warm for November? (It has on Portland).
Maybe they need to use up food?
Or do they know it’s been unusually warm for November? (It has on Portland).
November 21, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Ditto for this Clarkia.
Maybe they need to use up food?
Or do they know it’s been unusually warm for November? (It has on Portland).
Maybe they need to use up food?
Or do they know it’s been unusually warm for November? (It has on Portland).
Ward Cleaver Beaver is busy editing the pond at the park, to stock the winter pantry and encourage saplings to grow. Gardening on a bigger scale! 🌱
November 20, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Ward Cleaver Beaver is busy editing the pond at the park, to stock the winter pantry and encourage saplings to grow. Gardening on a bigger scale! 🌱
2/2 to indirect light, done food and start watering it, it’ll bloom in about 3 weeks.
Really nice post, thanks! And couldn’t see last few sentences…and I do mainly outdoor gardening since I often neglect indoor plants, unless they’re starts for the garden.
Really nice post, thanks! And couldn’t see last few sentences…and I do mainly outdoor gardening since I often neglect indoor plants, unless they’re starts for the garden.
November 16, 2025 at 7:12 PM
2/2 to indirect light, done food and start watering it, it’ll bloom in about 3 weeks.
Really nice post, thanks! And couldn’t see last few sentences…and I do mainly outdoor gardening since I often neglect indoor plants, unless they’re starts for the garden.
Really nice post, thanks! And couldn’t see last few sentences…and I do mainly outdoor gardening since I often neglect indoor plants, unless they’re starts for the garden.
Not kick a$$ but kick ice…sprained an ankle and this slip on sock full of gel that goes in the freezer is “ahhhhhhh”
November 15, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Not kick a$$ but kick ice…sprained an ankle and this slip on sock full of gel that goes in the freezer is “ahhhhhhh”
2/3 Planting starts of lettuce, bok choi, in foot deep raised bed, then using heavy wire supports, a layer of an “insect netting” with body and top layer of row cover, makes a nice bed for winter. I’ve had snow fall melt along sides and make a nice “tomb” which keeps plants warm.
November 12, 2025 at 1:44 PM
2/3 Planting starts of lettuce, bok choi, in foot deep raised bed, then using heavy wire supports, a layer of an “insect netting” with body and top layer of row cover, makes a nice bed for winter. I’ve had snow fall melt along sides and make a nice “tomb” which keeps plants warm.
1/3 I wrap pots in bubble wrap, too, also in unheated greenhouse. Flat sheets of styrofoam fitted against the walls also help. To later add heat, a commercial heat mat (needs a thermostat), can keep plant roots warm enough for them to grow. See notes in Alt text.
November 12, 2025 at 1:44 PM
1/3 I wrap pots in bubble wrap, too, also in unheated greenhouse. Flat sheets of styrofoam fitted against the walls also help. To later add heat, a commercial heat mat (needs a thermostat), can keep plant roots warm enough for them to grow. See notes in Alt text.
Ward Cleaver is working nights to pile up food for the winter pantry, for June and Beaver Cleaver, the rest of our local beavers…
November 6, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Ward Cleaver is working nights to pile up food for the winter pantry, for June and Beaver Cleaver, the rest of our local beavers…
I think my dog wants me to quit doing artwork…curled up beneath my easel
November 6, 2025 at 7:21 PM
I think my dog wants me to quit doing artwork…curled up beneath my easel
The randomness of fallen leaves.
November 2, 2025 at 8:58 PM
The randomness of fallen leaves.
#PNW anybody besides me read this every year? We’ve spotted many a fun celestial event with their notes, good garden info, tides, etc. and nobody else seems to put moon phases on calendars anymore
November 2, 2025 at 8:38 PM
#PNW anybody besides me read this every year? We’ve spotted many a fun celestial event with their notes, good garden info, tides, etc. and nobody else seems to put moon phases on calendars anymore
Enlarge to get the whole joke!
November 2, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Enlarge to get the whole joke!
And hey, how is Kiff?
My doggo is happy as a clam and does rodent patrol under the bird feeders, between naps.
My doggo is happy as a clam and does rodent patrol under the bird feeders, between naps.
October 30, 2025 at 2:28 PM
And hey, how is Kiff?
My doggo is happy as a clam and does rodent patrol under the bird feeders, between naps.
My doggo is happy as a clam and does rodent patrol under the bird feeders, between naps.
”Bug” experts: what kind of spider has claimed my recycling bin? @fishsqueezer.bsky.social @crawlieswithcri.bsky.social
October 30, 2025 at 1:25 PM
”Bug” experts: what kind of spider has claimed my recycling bin? @fishsqueezer.bsky.social @crawlieswithcri.bsky.social
Here's another book with yet another reason why we are in our current mess--written long ago. Playing games instead of tuning in to what's happening in the real world:
October 29, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Here's another book with yet another reason why we are in our current mess--written long ago. Playing games instead of tuning in to what's happening in the real world:
Such great trees, and they creat that golden carpet beneath
October 26, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Such great trees, and they creat that golden carpet beneath
Basil cuttings (TJ’s plant), Skyphos seeds from Johnny’s, under grow light inside.
Excellent Fedco silicone started cells, should last forever. Yes, late, but gotta garden, wherever, whenever and however! Lettuce to greenhouse, bubble wrap insulation, soon. #gardening #GardenSky
Excellent Fedco silicone started cells, should last forever. Yes, late, but gotta garden, wherever, whenever and however! Lettuce to greenhouse, bubble wrap insulation, soon. #gardening #GardenSky
October 25, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Basil cuttings (TJ’s plant), Skyphos seeds from Johnny’s, under grow light inside.
Excellent Fedco silicone started cells, should last forever. Yes, late, but gotta garden, wherever, whenever and however! Lettuce to greenhouse, bubble wrap insulation, soon. #gardening #GardenSky
Excellent Fedco silicone started cells, should last forever. Yes, late, but gotta garden, wherever, whenever and however! Lettuce to greenhouse, bubble wrap insulation, soon. #gardening #GardenSky
Last flowers of the season, before the first Pacific storms start rolling in off the coast: #gardening
October 25, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Last flowers of the season, before the first Pacific storms start rolling in off the coast: #gardening
Such a polite tree, columnar, drops all of its leaves about the same time. Leave that golden carpet below for a while, essence of fall
October 24, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Such a polite tree, columnar, drops all of its leaves about the same time. Leave that golden carpet below for a while, essence of fall
@fishsqueezer.bsky.social Do you grow asparagus? I was shocked to find how easy they are to grow. Seed Savers seeds, now my plants produce more seeds (ones in brownish round pods are fully ripe) which I use to grow more. Sharing out more seeds! #gardening
October 19, 2025 at 5:12 PM
@fishsqueezer.bsky.social Do you grow asparagus? I was shocked to find how easy they are to grow. Seed Savers seeds, now my plants produce more seeds (ones in brownish round pods are fully ripe) which I use to grow more. Sharing out more seeds! #gardening
Auxiliary use for a greenhouse: drying laundry when the dryer needs a fix. Notice the temp inside, fortunately today is sunny!
October 7, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Auxiliary use for a greenhouse: drying laundry when the dryer needs a fix. Notice the temp inside, fortunately today is sunny!
Just about the last flowers of summer—clarkia, bachelor’s buttons and roses
October 5, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Just about the last flowers of summer—clarkia, bachelor’s buttons and roses