No, not the bouquet--this is the amaranth and fennel bouquet that I couldn't post Sunday. My garden gift was much, much better than mere flowers: A pair of #7 Felco pruners.
Seriously, I feel like there ought to be a way to put a golden halo around those words: "Felco pruners." My jaw dropped when I was allowed to open my eyes and saw them in front of my face. I guess he missed me... :)
I have never actually used a pair of these babies before, but they have a cool rotating handle and the blades pass each other smoothly with barely a whisper and no light between them. I'm now wracking my brain trying to figure out what I can prune. Seriously. I may have to solicit some of the neighbors to see if they have anything I can cut down just to try them out!
As for the rest of the garden, I have no idea how it fared while I was away--I arrived back home after dark and couldn't discern much in the light of the garage-front flourescents. I'll have to report on that tomorrow.
9 comments:
What cool plants! I grew amaranth years ago, but it didn't do very well. Yours look amazing! I just might try them again next year.
As for the Cephalaphorus, you asked if they can be dried. I have no idea, but I shall try it. I have a feeling not, because they seem fragile plants. I'll let you know.
Felco - they're brilliant. I've a No 2 and its superbly engineered and a pleasure to use. Did you get the leather holster as well?!
What a nice, thoughtful gift.
John, there are leather holsters for them, too?! No, I didn't get those, but I know what I'm asking for this Christmas. I generally keep pruners (and scissors) in my back pocket, but that ruins jeans fairly quickly--and is sometimes an unpleasant surprise when you forget that they are in your pocket and sit down!
Salix, I tried to grow amaranth at my previous garden but never had any luck there, either. Maybe it was just a good year for them? Thanks for the info on the cephalaphorus... those are tempting to try next year, the more I look at your picture.
Mmm...a kindred soul. I love wines and blacks together. Using big foliage veggies in the perennials and annuals is a great way to garden! Have you tried some of the deep wine lettuces such as 'Outredgeous'? JLHudson seeds has some interesting stuff. Deep wine Red Bor Kale and Scottish Blue would look great in your garden with the sunflowers and hollyhocks!
Funny post.Im the same with new garden tools.I remember when Sallyanne bought the red lawnmower we had to try it out immediately.
Hope your neighbours have something that needs pruning.Or find some dead shrub to practise on..
I know what i want now for Xmas.
Brooke, you've just increased my seed list for 2007 dramatically--thanks! :) I have grown 'Rhubarb' Swiss Chard and love it for the red veins and wavy green leaves. Oh, and it tastes great, too.
Snappy, how cute--I'm guessing that the lawn didn't exactly need to be mowed at that point?! *grin*
Welcome to the world of Felco pruners. They are the best! Definitely get a clip on leather holster. I have Felco no. 8's and I simply could not live or garden without them. Even their website proudly proclaims "Felco pruners will change your life"!
I believe their website claims! I cut a dead branch off of the neighbor's beech tree today and barely felt like I was doing any work... *insert dreamy sigh here* :)
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