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Monday, March 11, 2013

Spring Gardening

Last year I wrote about the crown jewel of my grandma's garden - her fig tree in her back yard. Ever since we moved out here to the country, we've been wanting to dig up part of her tree and plant so we could have our own figs someday. This weekend while we were in town and had some free time, we paid Grandma a visit and finally "stole" some of her fig tree. We decided to plant the branches in several different locations to see which fares the best, so we made sure to mark each tree for easy identification.


While digging up the fig tree, Grandma said we could take some of her surprise lilies that had grown around the tree and spread quite a bit. We really love perennials lately, so we dug up some of those as well.


Thankfully we had a gorgeous day on Saturday with temperatures in the 60s, so we were able to plant the trees and the bulbs. We also got quite a bit of work done in the garden.


I had been waiting for months to use my garden dibble from Rob at Bepa's Garden so I was thrilled to finally put it to work. It made the job of planting lots of tiny seeds so much easier!

It felt so good to finally get back outside and work in the garden. Playing in the dirt and breathing in the fresh air completely energized me and made me remember why I love to garden so much. There's nothing like it! Have you been able to get any work done in your garden yet?

~Tammy

Shared with The Backyard Farming Connection Hop, Clever Chicks Blog HopEco Kids TuesdayRurality Blog HopThe Country Homemaker HopDown Home Blog HopHome Sweet HomeTuned-in Tuesday Blog Hop  

67 comments:

  1. How exciting! I wish I had a green thumb, but sadly - I kill just about every flower or plant that I come across. I guess you'd call that a black thumb....sigh.

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  2. I can't wait to wait until I can plant a garden someday :)

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  3. really great that you got to transplant some of your grandmother's trees and blooms!

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  4. Okay, first, ya gotta love the word 'dibble'. Congrats on the fig and being so productive. I could learn from your example!

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  5. I love gardening too! It is absolutely one of my favorite things to do...dig in the dirt. There is nothing better than having flowers/trees/shrubs from family. I love that you have some of your Grandma's stuff. That is precious.. Pray those trees thrive. Blessings!

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  6. Still snow on the ground here. What an accomplished weekend you've had though! I didn't know figs grew in North America. That sounds really intriguing. What zone are you in?

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  7. We have our peppers started in peat pots. There are chocolate ghost peppers, white habaneros and scorpion peppers. All the pots have sprouted and are having a leisure-day out on the lanai getting all the sun they can get.

    The orchids are all repotted and fertilized for spring.

    That's about it for us until April. Then it's all out clean up in the front hedges. They had their winter hair cut. Now it's almost time for a spring trim to get them into their final shape.

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  8. I'm sooooooooo jealous! It snowed last week and temps are still way too cold. I love working on my garden....so looking forward to it. Where are u tat the temps re allowing u to start planting? I wld love to have. Fig tree. And don't cringe, but when we moved in we ripped out tons of ground cover and hydrangeas ( I know) and I wish for some of them back......

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  9. Jealous!
    The UK is heading back to winter at the moment. Would love it to warm up and encourage my garden to spring to life!

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  10. Yay!! I love spring gardening! I have always wanted a fig tree (we would SO plant fruit trees if we weren't renting). I hope you get some growth on it very soon!

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  11. My Mom has a fig tree at home that puts out the juiciest biggest purple figs you've every had. Every Christmas when I go home- I cut the top off so that the fig tree will spread out and stay low so Mom can pick the figs without a ladder or step stool. Several winters ago - I brought home some of the branches- 2-3ft.- I cut off & kept them in water. Went to Home Depot and got a powdered growth hormone for plants, dabbed them with the hormone and kept them in the milk bottle with water about 5-6" high. By spring two of of the 6 branches had rooted and at the end summer, I put them in a pot with potting soil, kept them moist & inside the house in a window during the winter. That next year in the spring, I planted them outside and they are both doing great. got quite a few figs off of them last year. Hoping to double my harvest this year!!
    Looks like you're going to have a great garden.

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  12. Tammy, I'm so glad you got some of your grandma's fig tree, and some of her surprise lilies too! I love working in my garden. Right now, I'm cutting back old stocks from last year, and soon I'll clear off the leaves we have to cover the beds with to protect from severe winter cold. In May, there are 4 plant sales we go to and get new plants! I can't wait! Your dibble is cool, too. I think I need one:)

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  13. Good luck with your fig trees, my mother loves those!

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  14. Hi Tammy!
    My garden is still covered with a blanket of snow . But I'm hoping to have chance to do some work pretty soon.

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  15. Belo trabalho...Espectacular....
    Cumprimentos

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  16. It's so wonderful to have some living keepsakes from your Grandmother's garden! It is so nice to get out in the fresh air after a long winter. I hope your fig tree 'takes' and you get to share it's progress with us. We had a beautiful day Saturday and I was able to get out and do some much needed yard work. Have a lovely day, Tammy. xx

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  17. Oh this is awesome. I really want to snag some bulbs from my grandmother.

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  18. We still have a blanket of snow. This is the first year we are having our own garden...we had it at the neighbors b/c it was too shady where we were before. But now we get to...and I need a rototiller! Did you get yours new or used? We can't decide what to do. Last year horses plowed our garden. Very special indeed. http://bornambitous-bornimaginative.blogspot.com/2012/05/celebrating-lost-art.html

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  19. How great that you have a piece of your grandma with you at home.

    We have garlic and peas going now, will be planting tomatoes, carrots and eggplant soon! It feels great to get your hands dirty!

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  20. I am so ready for spring! It is still cold here, we haven't had our last freeze yet, hopefully soon :) I bet your garden will be great this year!

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  21. How nice! My grandma had a fig tree in the backyard of her house in town - we spent so many summers picking figs and making preserves and I've so missed it ever since we moved her to the country with us. Finally planted one of my own last year :)

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  22. Oh no I just lost my comment .. you may see two from me today!

    Tammy, this is a wonderful post and how great that you have something from your grandma that will grow on your property (makes it extra special). Figs are one of my favorite fruits. I enjoy them dried, fresh, of as a jam .. with cheese and crackers. We will look forward to seeing how things grow and now I'm feeling like I need to get outside and dig! We are expecting lots of rain and temps are still in the 30's at night so I'll have to wait a little longer before heading to my local nursery.

    Enjoy the start to a new week!

    xxleslie

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  23. Lovely post, Tammy.. So nice to be gardening.. We still have snow.. Rain on the way, though..
    God bless, dear friend..

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  24. We are so ready to get our garden ready for Spring planting! How awesome to have a Fig tree especially when it came from your Grandmother!!

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  25. Oh Tammy I am a bit jealous there is still snow here we have months before planting. A fig tree sounds wonderful. B

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  26. Yay for Spring gardening, temps in the 60s and a new tree! This gives me hope! Hope you had a great day today!

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  27. Best of luck with your planting. It will be a bit before we get to plant much here. LOVE that garden dibble. Think I need one now :)

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  28. My aunt and Uncle who lived across the street from where I grew up had a monster fig tree in their side yard. My Dad would look for any excuse to go over there. He would eat several handfuls of figs right off of the tree.

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  29. Oh my gosh... I am so jealous that you got to play in the dirt! We got another round of snow last night. I am looking forward to enjoying your garden until I can get in my own!

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  30. Sadly we still have snow here in the yard and there's no blooming or digging in the dirt yet...looking forward to seeing some of my flowers but no garden anymore. What a wonderful idea to plant a tree from your grandmother's yard.

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  31. What fun to have some new plants - and really special that they're part of your grandmothers garden.

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  32. How beautiful is that Fig! Oh man. Jealous!! So exciting you can start getting to work. Still snow and tons of mud here but spring is in the air.

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  33. That's so great to not only to have a fig tree but one from your grandma is the best...!! :)

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  34. That is wonderful! I'm so jealous...I want a fig tree! The bonus Lillie's are exciting too! I was able to get outside a couple weeks ago on a sunny, 50-some degree afternoon. I felt good to dig in the dirt!

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  35. We always called that f and f gardening....family and friends. It's wonderful to have those living reminders of people you love growing all around you. Sadly, it's going to be at least a month and a half before I can really 'dig' gardening again. =(

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  36. Cool, I wish you lots of luck with your Fig trees! And the bulbs look wonderful, It will be nice to see the pretty blooms. I am so ready for spring. Have a happy week, Tammy!

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  37. It's so nice to be able to take cuttings and grow the same trees and flowers that our grandparents grow. I have tried several times to grow chestnut trees from the chestnuts from my grandfather's tree, but the squirrels keep stealing them when they are seedlings. :)

    Glad the dibble worked out well for you!

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  38. I have officially decided to take over the yard this year. Hubby hates to do it, so I've just got the mindset now that it's mine and I'm looking forward to it. I think it's going to be a fun year!

    Glad you got out and got some things done in the yard. I'm sure it did feel good after the long winter. It's snowing here today. -_-

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  39. I hope your grandmother's fig trees and flowers grow well for you! It will be quite awhile before we can do yard work here.

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  40. Good luck on your grandmother's plantings! Family plants always mean so much more!

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  41. I did't know you could transplant a tree like that. When we lived in Mississippi (until I was in 2nd grade) there was a neighbor across the street who had a fig tree in his backyard. No fences back then and we used to go steal fresh figs from the tree. Yum! My Mammaw made the best fig preserves. So yummy on biscuits. I hope your branches grow and grow into fine little fig trees. :) Best wishes, Tammy

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  42. Tammy ~ Figs are Fab ~ Lol... and really good for you. I love that pic with the surprise Lillies ... nice shot!

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  43. My, I wish I could start gardening, but it is still too cold. Snow falling frequently. I love that little dibble, it is really pretty charming! I think it is wonderful to re establish new growth from older plants shared from loved ones! Your fig tree will be a blessing and the flowers will always make you happy. I many things started and established in my yard, like my dads heirloom onions, my grandpa's cherry trees, my grandmas cosmos, and my moms Virginia creeper!! It is wonderful to have this "piece of them" in my own yard :)
    Blessings,
    Susie

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  44. I only wish I was outside digging around in the dirt - here in northern IL, it is still cold and snowy. :-(

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  45. Oh my gosh, I've been considering one of those dibbles! Now I'm sold! And what a wonderful gift to have that tree.

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  46. LOVE surprise lilies! They are sooo beautiful!

    Jenna @ http://rainonatinroof.com

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  47. Oh how I wish I could be planting already. It's still cold & snowing in Illinois. How neat that you were able to snag some stuff from your grandma. Makes it so special. Thanks for dropping by my blog today. I'm now following you via GFC :) Have a great night!

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  48. It really is energizing to be able to get outside and "play in the dirt!" I finally got my tomato and eggplant seeds started inside this week. I planted bulbs for the first time a couple of years ago and it is so neat to have them just come up every spring! :)

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  49. I am so happy your are doing this! Growing up my parents would always get starts from their parents peonies, and wild rose bushes. It always seemed extra special, since they were from my grandparents house.

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  50. Those trees are extra special! I hope they grow and grow so you can have lots of figs later on! :) I also enjoyed the weather last weekend but not in the garden, in the garage!
    Enjoy the rest of the week, Tammy!

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  51. I've been wanting to get some flowers planted in the front yard, too, so maybe I'll get that on my list this weekend. =0

    Thanks for the heads up on the 3 escapees... one of dad's friends came in to work & was talking about it, but I was working on something & didn't get the whole story, but I checked out the link you left & found out that one of them had shot & killed the man they found in McD's parking lot in Advance... I wonder what he's doing here.
    Anyway, they've been captured! THANK GOD! I hope they stay captured this time... we need to pray for them, they're some rough looking characters

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  52. I love the idea of having trees and plants that grandma started many years before! Seeing your pretty photos makes me want spring to arrive, badly!

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  54. What a great post Tammy, I love every bit of it! Your garden area is HUGE. I am happy that sun came out and you had a great day playing in it. What a wonderful gift to be able to transplant that tree from your grandma's place. I hope it grows and grows, Fig's are awesome to preserve and their jam is one of my faves.

    Happy gardening friend may you have a bountiful harvest!

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  55. So happy for you that fig tree looks great , lovely. Wish you success with that and the bulbs , they must look very lovely round the tree base.
    Too cold here but have been longing to get out in the garden , to plant my primrose's . First chance I get woosh!
    Enjoy :)

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  56. Hello Tammy! Thank you so much stopping--or should I say "hopping" by in the Rurality Blog Hop to my blog.

    I didn't look to see where exactly you live but I live in NJ and have a HUGE fig tree gifted to me by a neighbor. We keep it in a very large pot which we keep inside the garage in the winter and roll it outside for the other months. I don't think my tree would survive if I planted it in the ground, so lucky you! Our bears about 80 small figs each year. Yum, yum! I'd love to have a garden like yours!

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  57. All sounds inviting ~ planting and Spring ~ great photos and post ~ ^_^

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  58. I can't think of anything nicer to have in your yard than your Grandmother's fig tree. We tried to do that with a lilac but it just never "took". We're starting our work in the garden too, I'm so excited for Spring.

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  59. Love your fig tree acquisition! Thank you for joining in 'Rurality Blog Hop #6' Hope to see you next Wednesday for #7...

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  60. There is nothing like getting your hands dirty to make you feel alive!

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  61. I'm starting my very first garden this year.. and its on our small balcony! My husband made me planter boxes and I'll be planting lemon cukes, mini bell peppers, lettuce, carrots and some strawberries. I can't wait!

    I’d love for you to share this at my blog hop on Tuesday. http://www.healthyrootshappysoul.com/2013/03/tuned-in-tuesday-blog-hop.html

    Hope to see you there,
    Loriel

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    1. Thank you for being a part of my first ever blog hop! :)Hope to see you there tomorrow with new stuff! http://www.healthyrootshappysoul.com/2013/03/tuned-in-tuesday-blog-hop_25.html

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  62. We still have a little longer and I can.not.wait! Thanks for sharing with us at Eco-Kids Tuesday! Hope you join us again today! http://likemamalikedaughter.blogspot.com/2013/03/flip-trainer-review-at-eco-kids-tuesday.html

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  63. I love stealing plants from my family gardens! LOL No, I mean they are so important to me since I grew up playing around them and forever in my memory! Great idea! Love that dibble!
    Sherry

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  64. I can't wait for spring gardening here. We just need a little warm up! My mom always gives me great perennials too! I'm featuring this tomorrow on my Eco Kids Feature post!

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