Monday, March 16, 2009

Coleus up high

Remember the post where we had planted all of a Saturday and there were still tables of plants left? Forward a Saturday to Glen's planting marathon. He has been planning putting the coleus up high for some time. He purchased the posts, the baskets, wandered the yard trying to find the best location, bought out the coleus and sweet potato vines at A & P, and then recruited me.

By the time I exited the house in my favorite gardening hat, he had already set up planting central. Tables for plants - check, wagon of potting soil and amendments - check, buckets for mixing - check, water soaked sponges - check (a necessity for any in the sky planting in sunny dry Arizona), slow release fertilizer - check, and planting implements (including Laurel) - check.

We were a team. He mixed the soil for and planned each layer while I soaked and squeezed each little root ball before sliding each plant in its preordained hole. Glen almost forgot to take his before shots, so we had planted out one basket before fetching the camera.

Isn't it lovely? It will be fun to watch them slowly fill in. If they can make it past our forecasted heat wave this weekend, they should be beautiful.

Luckily, the selected location gets morning sun and afternoon shade, so that should help.

Here is an after shot taken on Sunday morning. You may find this hard to believe, but he planned it out very well. There was a plant for each hole with just one sweet potato vine left over. Amazing! Even more amazing is how many plants there were. Anyone care to take a guess?!

2 comments:

Vagabond Mother said...

I'm going to guess 45.

They look really nice- I can't want to see them fill in. I hope they stay cool and survive all summer long.

Laurel said...

Triple that and you've got it!