Lemon lost a few leaves this past week so I had Monkey Boy move her to the greenhouse yesterday. I know losing a few leaves is totally normal when you transplant a tree, but after Erin showed me a picture of the lemon tree growing in her greenhouse, I decided to go ahead and move mine out to the greenhouse as well.
I don’t think Lemon was getting enough sun exposure inside. Hopefully the move will perk her up.
We also moved all the tulip and daffodil bulbs we planted in containers last fall to the greenhouse. Earlier in the day I had Monkey Boy haul the giant Costco table out and set it up so I can have everything I need when I start to pot a few spring planters later this week.
The onion and leek seedlings we set out a few days ago are thriving, and maybe in another 6 weeks or so I’ll start setting them out in the garden boxes.
On the agenda for today, start hardening off the artichoke plants I transplanted last week by setting them in the greenhouse for about an hour today, and then slowly increase their time spent outdoors over the next 10 days. We’ve spotted artichoke plants at 2 local stores recently so it must be time to move them outdoors.
How about YOU? Any garden plans for today?
~Mavis
michelle says
Since I am a shameless fan-girl, I bought my own lemon tree last week (with free money from the ING Black Friday deal last year)! Right now it is no my house next to a bright window. It is loaded with blooms & smells heavenly! I won’t be able to move it outside until the hubby finishes replacing all the ripped plastic sheeting with rigid panels on the greenhouse. Only one dropped leaf so far… but I’m sure I’ll lose a few more before she is all settled in.
Brooklyn says
On a side note, how much did your green house cost? It is quite beautiful and i am thinking of getting one. Also how long before you get lemons on your liz lemon tree?:) I think i might get a lemon and a lime tree this year!!
Erika says
I just bought baby broccoli and cauliflower plants this weekend, but we got a cold spell (hopefully the last of the year for southern AZ – last freeze is usually end of Feb or before) and I haven’t put them in the ground yet. Every other time I’ve tried them, they’ve gotten very buggy. However, I’m planning to get them in earlier than I’ve done before, so hopefully we’ll beat the aphids this year. Still have some carrots and lettuces in the ground from fall planting that I need to harvest soon. I’m planning to keep things a bit more simple this year since we’ll be gone for a month over the summer (will have the garden on timed sprinklers or it would crisp here). I’m planning to do red potatoes, sweet potatoes, pole beans, more carrots, zucchini and yellow squash (which also got buggy last year but I’ve had good luck with before), a roma tomato, and onions, in addition to the strawberries and raspberries which should come back from last year. I need to get the rest of my seeds ordered soon since I’m planning to seed stuff around the beginning of March.
Lisa N says
I’m preparing the Cascadia pea beds. Also, trying to find 9 large pots for my boysenberry “sticks” without breaking the bank! Only two or three have to look nice (they will be near the deck), so the others might just be black nursery pots. But, even so, they add up to quite a bit. So much for “free” boysenberry starts! They are turning out to be like my “free” Goldendoodle who has epilepsy and allergies nearly year-round! I didn’t know dogs got hay fever before this!
How’s your pup? The first few days are rough for pups. They miss their litter mates and mom terribly.
CathyB says
We just got a Meyer Lemon tree as well! You may want to add a grow light if it keeps dropping leaves. The greenhouse we got ours from recommended a grow light all day long until March. Dropping leaves can be a sign that it is not getting enough light and is starting to go dormant. I know we get a lot less light in Alaska in the winter than you, but I think the Pacific NW would also require a grow light for at least part of the winter. The natural light may not be intense enough to keep it in active growth. Just something to watch for. Our paperwork said that you can expect lemons in 6-9 months after blooms.
CathyB says
Also citrus fertilizer. It is a bit different formula than regular fertilizer. You might want to look for that if you don’t already have it!
Erin M says
Hi Mavis. Your tree looks GREAT!!! I will be following its progress. 🙂
I haven’t done anything special with my lemon this winter. Some of the leaves have turned a titch yellow so I gave it some liquid kelp. I have about 28 lemons from the blossoms that started outside in June. I imagine they will get bigger, but they are really delicious once they get a smidge soft when squeezed. I cannot believe how much juice come out of a homegrown lemon. I LOVE them. My sister gave me money for a tree for Christmas. I am ordering a lime. I’ll keep you posted.
Is your greenhouse 8×12′? Are you loving it??
Erin
Mavis says
8×14. Do you keep your lemon tree in your greenhouse year round, or place it outside of the greenhouse when it warms up? I’m not sure what to do.
michelle g-b says
I think outside from May-October or so… they seem to be hardy enough & we’re in zone 8. Nice sunny, warm spot on the deck is where mine will be going once it warms up! My greenhouse seriously gets too hot!
Joe says
Mavis,
I have been considering a greenhouse. Can you tell me what kind or where you acquired yours? Thanks
Mavis says
I bought my greenhouse locally, but it is a Magnum glass greenhouse and you can find a retailer online. 🙂 I love mine! 🙂
Karli says
Hi there. You’ve got a new follower! I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your insights, learnings and thoughts through this blog. I was just starting to think about my garden for the year and basically killed about four hours on here! I’m planning to link to your blog in a post I’m writing about my second year of gardening. Thank you for the inspiration!
Mavis says
Welcome Karli, good luck with your garden this year. 🙂