Someone asked where I shop for plants. Ha! Where don't I shop might be the better question. Here are my favorite places. None of them pay me to say this either. Pennisetum 'Princess Caroline' (grown as an annual in OK), Vista Bubblegum Pink petunia and Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln' (perennial dwarf fountain grass. Bustani Plant Farm is my hands-down favorite. I went on opening day, and I'm returning with my girlfriends from high school this Saturday. It's 45 minutes from my house, but that doesn't matter. Steve and Ruth are now even carrying a few of my favorite Proven Winners plants like Supertunia® Vista Bubblegum (best petunia ever!) and Suptertunia® Vista Silverberry. Silverberry has the same growth habit as Bubblegum and older petunia 'Laura Bush,' not a Proven Winners plant, but still awesome. 'Laura Bush' petunia, an older variety, but wonderful. 'Laura Bush' is a nice color echo for Bubblegum. Bustani...

'Pieter de Leur' lily-flowering tulip in the front garden. It is my favorite tulip this year thus far. Our high yesterday was 51 degrees F, and we are supposed to get another morning freeze by Friday. Then, more cool temperatures with extreme lows for late spring. Normal average temperatures for mid-April are: High--71.9° Low--48.8°. Today's forecast is ominous. A dry line is setting up in the middle of the state which means storms with hail and possibly, tornadoes. As an Oklahoma gardener, spring storms I understand. The unseasonable cold I don't. I am perplexed. I know the average last frost date for much of Oklahoma is April 20, but we haven't had it run that late since 2009. I have my row covers in the garage standing at the ready in case I need them yet again. I hope I don't. Tulipa 'Prinses Irene' growing very low. The stems will lengthen...

Brrr . . . it's cold outside, isn't it? Yesterday, I wore flip flops and a sleeveless shirt, and today, it's jeans, a sweatshirt and wool socks. Good grief, it's April 10, not January! Frozen garden on April 10, 2013 The weather this spring has been weird, but never fear, things will improve. If, like me, you already planted some of your annuals, you'll want to cover them tonight unless replacement is your plan. I'll cover my favorites, but I'm waiting for the rain/freezing rain to end. The ground is so warm it's not sticking here in north central Oklahoma, but things could change. Below is the same view last April 9th. Weather is a funny thing. Lower garden April 9, 2013. Remember how hot everything got in summer though. Because I'm stalling on an article I'm not sure how to approach, I've been bidding on daylilies, my June favorites....

Everything! Well, not exactly. Oklahomans, here's the deal-i-o. Our last average frost date is April 20, but if you wait that long to plant, summer's nasty heat may move in and clobber your plants.  Personally, I wait until April 15 to plant most heat loving crops including beans, corn, tomato plants, peppers and eggplants outdoors. Mine are cooling their heels outside in the shade a few hours on the days over 50°F while they harden off. Watch your weather forecasts to decide when to plant based upon late freezes and such. I'm watching both News 9 and KFOR because I find they are more accurate in my area. If you started seeds indoors, set a timer to bring the little plants back inside as they harden off. That way, you won't forget. Seedlings take work so you want them to survive. European honeybee on the most beautiful poppy in Christopher...