My move to Alabama from Colorado has been interesting to say the least. Our nation is more diverse than anyone can possibly imagine; culturally, epicurially( I just made that word up), religion, politics, type of cars people drive, types of shoes….(Mr. DALT was baffled when I told him he had to buy a nice waterproof pair of leather shoes for our visit to Oregon in the winter). I have been to all 50 states, but I have only tried to garden in three.
Colorado take 1–9000 feet in the hills of the Front Range. Consisted mostly flowers in pots and hanging baskets. Beautiful flowers from big box home improvement store. Alyssum was my favorite. A small blown blue glass pot with an iron hook held the alyssum by the front door. The smell was amazing each time I brushed past going in and out and guests often commented on how nice it looked and smelled. Pansies, daisies, marigolds and an occasional $15 item which turned out to be full of aphids. I fought chipmunks (a quick dog and habanero spray helped), hail (quick! Get the pots inside!), snow (quick! Get the pots inside!), and the thing that always happened….I had to leave for a month for work. Someone has to be there every day with the hot sun when you plant in clay pots.
Memphis, Tennessee
After the big storm of 2006 in Colorado, a job offer came up in Memphis. Leaving the 8 feet of snow and landing in Memphis in April was heavenly. Flowers everywhere and a nice sweet smelling breeze. Let’s move here! Think of what I can grow! Moist, warm, lush! Move was the end of June. Colorado was just getting plants into the stores and I was ready. I was thinking I could grow alyssum until the cows came home. Run to box store! Where are the plants? Lesson one about gardening in foreign lands, plant seasons seem to be opposite. A pansy to me is April May June, in Memphis it is a winter flower. What? Winter pansies? I was a mess. So I get gobs of seeds and dig the ground. They all say plant in April….I try it anyway….no go. So lesson two, must plan ahead before the seed catalogs show up, by then it is too late. I lasted two years in Memphis and I did get the tomatoes and cucumbers to grow as well as a volunteer cantaloupe. But then I had to leave for work for two months…bust!
Colorado take 2– Zone 3b. Didn’t even try. My gardening was composting.
Alabama –Zone 7b. Sounds perfect doesn’t it? Let’s go!
Photo: Lemon Cucumber sprout in my living room window
Link to sweet cucumber goodness!
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