Big time flower production

Have you noticed the floral sections located usually near the entrance of grocery stores?  Lots of flowers and rather reasonable in price too.  This was more common in Europe, but now has become commonplace here in the states.  If Kroger is doing it, that's a clue.  At any rate such large scale operations are quite mind-boggling, and this video is worth watching no matter what you think of such practices.  And of course posted just in time for Valentine's Day.  TPP is not a huge fan, but finds the operation quite interesting and they are so well automated, so huge!  Hate to think about the pesticides & fungicides being sprayed around.  

February weather & gifts

So far the winter season of 2016-2017 has been quite mild.  Very little snow; none in January.  And now a significant thaw in February with high temperatures reaching the 50s and low 60s.  Lots of our early spring flowering shrubs are exhibiting bud swelling, and one witch hazel is already in flower.  Snowdrops are in bloom in a neighboring garden, but again none of this is too extraordinary given the mild temperatures.  However if it's too mild for too long in February, cold weather in March will be quite damaging.  Several shrubs in our gardens have been planted in shady areas deliberately to forestall early flowering because these species tend to flower at the first thaw and then get frozen.  Rather have them flowering late than getting frozen. 
Hopeless romantic that he is TPP was constrained by his wife's wishes regarding any gifts for Valentine's day: don't buy me anything sweet and fattening; don't buy me any flowers (we have several things in flower now); and just back from a vacation doesn't leave her in a mood for dining out (yet).  But yet a guy wants to show his affection, so what better than a new implement of destruction/gardening tool?  Buy candy in a heart-shaped box if you must, fellows, but getting her a new garden toy that looks very mean, that's a show of affection.  If you garden you probably recognize the brand; it isn't shown or mentioned because of our non-endorsement policy (they haven't offered to pay!). If you can't do something useful with this bad boy, you don't have much of a garden. Having a reversible handle usually means the "lefty" can use it OK.

Valentine's day advice for garden lovers

Words of love, so soft and tender
Won't win a girls heart anymore
If you love her then you must send her
Some plant that she's never seen before.

These are the song's lyrics as best TPP can remember them. Mrs. Phactor is just so darned hard to buy for, the result of decades of having been spoiled by yours truly. Fortunately the Italian garden seed catalog showed up, something Mrs. Phactor,  requested, so clearly a hint, right? Sounds like a packet of zucchini striato pugliese seeds might be just the thing.  Wonder if they come chocolate coated?  Actually she has seen this plant, at least in the markets, and she loves them (at the flower bud stage they make the best soufflé ever). At any rate, take a tip, listen to your Mama (and Papa), and get your sweetie some nice Italian garden seeds, or the free catalog, how can you go wrong? Remember low expectations are everything in gifting (a Red Green proverb for certain).