I'm back!

[Robin]

Hi everyone!!! I'm back. LOL

It's been an interesting ride, but after 10 years of traveling, life is going back what most would consider normal.
OMG does the garden need some love. Good news is no more virus in it.

Had one darn plant with the virus, and left the garden in the care of hubby. Not only did he not follow directions for watering, but decided to have the guy across the street mow down the weeds. Not only did he mow the weeds but all my Hosta!

The hosta that didn't die, because of not being watered correctly or from being mowed, ended up dying because the %^&* mower ended up spreading the virus. Knowing I would still be traveling, I didn't replace and have allowed the virus a few years to die off. Now with only about 10% of my hosta left, I'm back in the garden.

[kHT]

Glad you have more time for us. Great to see you again.

[Robin]

Life is like a book, with so many chapters. While I wouldn't trade the last one for anything, I'm mentally getting ready for the next one.

The garden took a major hit, however rather than cry about it, I'm thinking I know a whole lot more now than I did when I originally set it up. So this is my chance to make it even look better than it did before.
Did a little work on it back in Feb. before winter nailed us, and have spent the past week doing a lot more prep work. Right now I have a very nice verity and healthiest weeds around. I've never had luck with roses, but I sure can grow vines with thorns.

I've also noticed the board isn't near as active as it was. Guess I wasn't the only one that took off for a while.

[Chris_W]

Welcome back Robin! I've thought about you quite a bit over the years and hopefully you can enjoy the gardens again.

Be cautious about replanting any hostas where you had HVX in them. While you were away it was discovered that HVX stays in the soil where a virus infected hosta used to be But didn't you have some tree root problems too? You might need to work some new beds away from those trees.

Good luck and welcome back home after all that traveling

Chris

[Linda P]

Welcome back, Robin. I agree with Chris: start over in a new spot somewhere. I don't think they know yet just how long that virus can be a problem in the soil. It's such a sneaky monster.

[Robin]

No major problems with tree roots other than my shade is from a 60 year old black walnut tree. Which means I have very limited choice to what I can grow.
Unfortunately I don't have another place to put my garden. The disadvantage of living in the city, is lack of yard space.
$%^&* HVX!!! The good news is I still know where every plant was, maybe I can cheat by simply moving over into the free space I had allowed for growth. My hosta count was 202, now it's 17.

[ladyblue]

Welcome back Robin! It's been a long time.
Bonnie

[Robin]

Cool another voice from the past. Was starting to think everyone I knew had left.
Miss how the board was so active before I left.
It's going to be a few long years of working to get my garden looking good again.
Thinking about putting in a few nice standards, and see what happens.
So is there going to be an annual get together this year?

[thy]

Welcome back Robin

Why not start som hostas in (big) pots, keep them there for 2 or 3 years and then plant them in the garden, that way you ought to be sure they will stay free of HVX.

The Gettogether have been anual since ? and I'm sure there will be one in 2015 too Mostly around the start of August

Good to see you

[Robin]

Not a bad idea! I still have several of my big pots, and sure I could find a deal on a few more.

[LucyGoose]

Robin...I still wear that t-shirt you gave to Save the Elephants! Nice seeing you...

[GrannyNanny]

Hi Robin -- one more of us checking in. I'm still gardening in our new house -- actually, four years old now -- but can grow hostas only on the north and east side, since it's too sunny anywhere else. I have learned a lot about sun loving plants since I moved here, so I guess that's a new part of my horticultural education. Welcome back to the forum -- I, too, miss a lot of the old gang that used to be with us. Time marches on, I guess. Anyhow, it's good to see posts from you again. Phyllis

[Robin]

Wow another voice from the past.
Maybe we should start an 'Oldies but Goodies' thread. LOL
After all we've been around a lot longer than HVX, and would appear to have just as much staying power.
LucyGoose - Remember the shirt well, it was the Asian elephant shirt. Since then I did Africa and got to know a couple of their elephants.
Phyllis - About the time we think we've got these plants figured out, the rules change.