tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721756258546233776.post19912804678674451..comments2024-01-22T15:45:34.973-08:00Comments on The Hot Flash Homestead: A lot of rainHotFlashHomesteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894953352910455222noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721756258546233776.post-35623370794637752072020-02-21T11:32:00.874-08:002020-02-21T11:32:00.874-08:00Oh, what happy memories you must have! Mine with m...Oh, what happy memories you must have! Mine with my Grandma were at Descanso, much smaller scale but lovely garden and with ducks to feed (the corn was in candy dispensers around the lake). Such a thrill as a kiddo!<br /><br />I've spent much more time in my adult life at the Huntington because there is SO MUCH to see! The gallery with Pinkie and Blue Boy is a fave because I love the English portrait painters of that era, Gainsborough and Reynolds, especially.<br /><br />Yes, to frost dates determining USDA zone, but there is so much more (for instance, summer heat, as you noted). Sunset zones much more detailed (SLO encompasses at least two Sunset zones -- 15 and 16 -- and they're quite different!).Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06736113984873666007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721756258546233776.post-79044160324392506292020-02-18T21:19:21.587-08:002020-02-18T21:19:21.587-08:00So we're in Zone 8B, which I think is the same...So we're in Zone 8B, which I think is the same as Paso Robles was. Strange, because we get snow and only average in the 80s in summer, but I guess the frost dates are similar, although we have a four-season climate and Paso does not. I ADORE the Huntington, I grew up not far from there and spent many happy hours there with my grandfather. I'd love to see it again; it's been years. I remember going into the Desert Garden and feeling the air temperature rise a good 20 degrees. And of course wandering around in the main house and gallery, looking at Pinky, Blue Boy and the Guttenberg Bible. Great memories. I've got to get back there for a visit, it's been too long. HotFlashHomesteadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05894953352910455222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721756258546233776.post-18486927498809533512020-02-18T02:33:27.892-08:002020-02-18T02:33:27.892-08:00Well, it was LA but we went to the Huntington inst...Well, it was LA but we went to the Huntington instead of IKEA. Much better! The camellias there are the best, a couple of them must be 25' high, one had a trunk at least 16" diameter, just spectacular. Wandered around the Japanese and desert gardens as well, wish we'd had more time. If I lived closer I'd get a membership but I only get there every other year or so, if that.<br /><br />Nice to have a place to harden seedlings off at least! When do you start seeds up there? What Sunset zone are you?Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06736113984873666007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721756258546233776.post-51073634182767368592020-02-06T08:27:07.667-08:002020-02-06T08:27:07.667-08:00Ooo, I forgot about those chocolate bars! I'll...Ooo, I forgot about those chocolate bars! I'll have to look for them next time! I grow all my seeds in the house until they're ready to go outside. It gets messy, but was much worse when I was also growing for the winery. This year I do have a garden shed with a clear roof, so I can at least harden them off out there, and maybe even grow them out there once we've had last freeze. So if you're hitting IKEA this weekend you must be either heading to the Bay Area or LA, I'd guess. Have fun!HotFlashHomesteadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05894953352910455222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7721756258546233776.post-37879296344404022042020-02-05T16:06:23.880-08:002020-02-05T16:06:23.880-08:00Rain.... Never enough, here. Dry this January and ...Rain.... Never enough, here. Dry this January and COLD this week. Need to get seeds started for summer garden. Do you have a greenhouse or hoop house or some such?<br /><br />I always pick up Marabou chocolate bars and lingonberries if I'm ever near an IKEA. Maybe this weekend! Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06736113984873666007noreply@blogger.com