Thursday, February 14, 2019

The Garden On Valentine's Day

There's not much to show in the outside garden at the moment - lots of snow, some ice, and abundant blue skies and sunshine. 

It's gorgeous, but a garden post? How can that be?


Even though there's nothing I can do outside in the garden in February, that doesn't mean I haven't started my early spring garden chores. 


I just start them inside where it's warm and toasty!

The first of the seeds went in last weekend, which thrilled me to no end. 

I know...I'm lame, bear with me. 

Even though it's still a complete disaster area downstairs (nothing has been done yet, waiting on deliveries and word from the insurance company...sigh) I cleared off the workbench in my utility room and got started with the first seeds of the season

It seems a bit early, but apparently I'm late!!


I decided to try a few more flowers from seed this year, starting with Pansy Cool Wave Mix from Harris Seed. 

I did not realize that they needed 9 - 16 weeks indoors, however - that's a long time! I usually like to put pansies out in pots in the beginning of April, although I often have to stash the pots in the garage if the temps drop too much. 

9 - 16 weeks indoors means I probably should have started these in early January. 

Next year....live and learn, right? 

I decided to try pansies because it's really hard to find them on the mountain top in early April, and rather than driving at least a half hour each way to get them, I'm trying to grow my own. 


The first seed sprouted this morning - I took this picture right after I spritzed the trays with warm water. It's a very, very tiny seedling, like the head of a pin....but there it is! 


In addition to the pansies, I started a flat of Snapdragon Sonnet Mix F1, also from Harris Seeds. 

Snapdragons are such a hardy little flower, and so incredibly vibrant. They can go in pots in early spring, and I'll also put some in the ground, where they will hopefully reseed for years to come. 

I assume they will since the Snapdragons I planted in one of the pots on the stone patio reseed annually in the cracks between the paving stones! 

They need 12 - 16 weeks indoors - yikes!  So they may not be ready for early spring planting, but they should be ready for summer. 


The last flower that is started at this point is Cleome Queen Mix from Harris Seed. 

Apparently it needs 16 - 18 weeks indoors, but it can't be planted out until after the frost anyway, so I won't be too far off. For us the last frost date is around Memorial Weekend, which is 15 weeks from when I started the seeds. 

Cleome is a great plant, and another one that reseeds readily. 

I'd like to put some in the perennial bed, along with the Snapdragons, new Lilies, and Bee Balm, to hopefully crowd out that darned Tansy. 

Did I mention that Tansy is the bane of my existance

Yup. Drives me bonkers. 
 
I also ordered Sweet Pea Incense Mix from Harris Seeds - it's been years since I've tried growing Sweet Peas, I'm excited to try them again!

They need 4 - 16 weeks indoors, but can also be sown directly in the garden in early Spring. 

I think I'll start them indoors to give them a boost, since spring seems to take its sweet time getting to the mountain top. 

Normally I order from Jonny's Select Seeds each spring, but I had placed an order for soil with Harris Seeds recently and decided to pop around and check out their seed packets. They were a lot cheaper than Johnny's (and you know.....the BUDGET and all!!) and since they are in business for 140 years they must be doing something right! I'll keep you posted on my thoughts as time goes by. 

I also ordered a few varieties of veggies from them - but I'm not quite ready to start them indoors just yet. 

Baby steps, but they are still steps in the right direction....towards spring!

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone - sending love from the Mountain Top!!
xo


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40 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Despite the Tansy, Marty!! I'm telling you, that Tansy kicks my gardening butt each and every year. I despise it.

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  2. What a beautiful flower filled post on the day of love. Helps me remember that Spring is just around the corner. I certainly do not have a green thumb and prefer picking weeds instead of planting flowers because I just seem to kill them. Wish I could just hire a gardener. I tried planting seeds last year and a few came up, I tried bulbs and most never grew. It is nice to see the beauty here on your blog. I am so thankful for grocery stores so I don't have to depend on my gardening skills to eat. Many blessings to you.
    Happy Valentines day.

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    1. Well if you really feel like picking weeds, feel free to stop by any time between May and November, Tonita - I'll have plenty to keep you busy!! :)

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  3. I've always wanted to do this, but my thumb is brown, not green as we know. I can't wait to watch your garden grow though! Those snapdragons are beautiful.

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    1. I grew lovely deep red ones a few years back on the patio, Kim, and now they pop up in the cracks between the paving stones underneath the planters....they are so beautiful that I let them grow!!

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  4. Love following along when you show off your gardening skills :)

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    1. I feel as if I'm always learning and trying new things with the garden, Ellen. Someday I would absolutely love a greenhouse....but alas today is not that day!

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  5. I love snapdragons and pansies! They have such pretty blooms. I can't get snapdragons to grow in our area of Texas and pansies are a hit or miss. I hate that they are dragging their feet on getting your repairs made, I would be so frustrated, which I know you are. Hopefully they will get started soon and everything will be good as new! Love and hugs!

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    1. Is it just too hot in your area for Snapdragons and Pansies, Benita? Or is it the soil? If it's the soil, just grow them in pots - easy peasy!! As for repairs, my contractor is ready, he's just waiting on supplies. The insurance company is definitely dragging their feet though, I haven't heard anything and I don't know what the heck is going on. Grrrrrr!!

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  6. While I close my eyes and dream of Spring....you are planting flower seeds.
    I long for signs of Spring too, and cannot wait for my daffys and hyacinths to pop thru the soil.

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    1. I have some spring bulbs in pots in the downstairs fridge...they are popping up and I'll bring them upstairs in March to bring some spring beauty to the dining room!!

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  7. I admire you starting your plants from seed. I don't have space here to do that. You are going to have such pretty flowers!

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    1. That's a shame, Penny, but hey, you have the benefit of spring coming earlier in your area, so you'll get to play in the dirt way before me!

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  8. How fun Deb to have your seeds starting. Gives us hope that Spring and Summer will happen again! Your flowers are going to be so pretty. Happy Friday. Have a great weekend.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. They sure will be colorful, Kris, no doubt about that!! Hey we can all use a little more color in our lives, don't you think? Enjoy your weekend!!

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  9. There you go again, making me look bad. I'm a farmer's daughter, I should be doing this!

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    1. I'm surprised you don't grow some of your own veggies, Mountain Sister - the way you cook you could put me to shame!!

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  10. Boy Debbie do you inspire me. I love planting viola. They are dainty and love the colors. You have such a green thumb. I can't wait to see your blooms and how things progress.

    Have a super weekend

    Cindy

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    1. I love violas too, Cindy - let's hope the pansies take off like mad so I can enjoy some early spring color!!

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  11. Always so pretty there. I cant wait til spring.
    Lisa

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    1. I have to say all the research I've been doing on spring seeds/plants has me pretty excited too, Lisa! I have a long way to go, though...but even an odd nice sunny day here and there is so heavenly!

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  12. Debbie, I imagine the promise that planting seeds offers you right now is a great distraction from things you can't do yet on the lower level of your house. It's been years since we started anything inside from seeds but I love seeing pictures of what you are up to there. It reminds me so much of my father doing the same thing when I was growing up. Often the top of the fridge was covered in flats of seeds sprouting!

    Even though I love winter, I've found myself watching episode after episode of Monty Hall shows on Netflix. I just discovered his French gardens shows and last night watched the episodes on French potagers. Heavenly show to relax by!

    Happy winter gardening, Debbie,
    Dewena

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    1. Oh the French potagers are out of this world, Dewena, how incredibly beautiful!!! That would be a dream, but alas as I don't have any full time gardeners on staff will NOT be happening, ha ha!! I'm already getting a little worried about where I'll set up my folding table for stage 2 of my seed starting.....normally I set it up with a second grow light in the family room downstairs, but since there's no floor that won't be happening, and the rest of the lower level is absolutely stuffed with things shoved here, there and yonder!!

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  13. If I had room for lights and seedlings I'd plant more stuff by seed. Also don't have the light.
    Brenda

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    1. I'm sure you would find it extremely satisfactory, Brenda, being the true gardener that you are! Maybe just a couple of egg cartons under a grow bulb on your desk??

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  14. How exciting to see your first pansy seedling! Hehe, maybe the reason you can't the pansies in early April is because the greenhouse forget to put the seeds out early enough too, ever think of that??? Your work from seed is so admirable, Debbie! Have a great weekend.

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    1. Ha ha that's a good thought, Rita, but I think it's more to do with the fact that they don't put any flowers out for sale until it's actually 'safe' to plant them in the garden. I cheat by putting them in pots I can move indoors if need be - you know I need my early flower fix!!

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  15. It's so nice to read a post about spring and flowers in the dead of winter! Good luck with your seeds!

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    1. They are coming along, Amy, although slowly. Wow, they are teeny tiny seedlings!!

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  16. Well you must've done something right....it sprouted! Lol, hope many more follow suit! I love reading about you getting your garden started. I tried once or maybe twice with cleome and had no luck. I do love the pretty snapdragons! I've never grown sweet peas either, but they are so cute! I do like to start lots of things from seeds, I always have. Some years I do great and some years...not good at ALL. LOL We've tried plain simple SUNFLOWERS three YEARS now...and the sweet sweet squirrels must steal the seeds, so we covered them with wire, still no luck. Guess I'm giving up on sunflowers. My moonflowers and morning glories wouldn't do anything at all last summer either, things I normally start from seed and they do great. Oh well,a new summer will be here soon!

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    1. I've tried sunflowers a few times also, Debbie, even starting them indoors and no planting out until they are tall....and the critters still eat them down to the ground! I have given up on them, which is a shame as I adore them. Sigh.

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  17. I got my Bakers Creek seeds in the mail a few weeks ago- According to my zone 6 indoor planting chart - tomatoes and peppers will be the first seeds into soil mid march.

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    1. I haven't had luck with peppers yet, Karen Ann, and I think it's because our growing season is so short up here, so I'm going to start them early this year. This way they will be that much farther along when I plant them out. Wish me luck!!

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  18. You are amazing for doing all this work! I have a basement, so technically I could do this if I somehow had a grow light installed, etc. - but I am lazy in that regard! I can't wait to see all your beautiful flowers this spring. :-)

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    1. Hey it's not for everyone, Melanie, but you know what a gardening freak I am!

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  19. All I remember about tansy is that it is an "old-fashioned" kind of flower. I looked it up and it looks pretty but read it can become invasive. I figure that is what has happened at your place?

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    1. I don't know why the previous homeowners would have planted it in the perennial bed, Sue, but it's been a nightmare every year!

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  20. Great post, Debbie! So much great info and tips! Thank you for sharing at Homestyle Gathering!

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