Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Signs of Spring

Yesterday was a glorious day on the mountain top! The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and best of all......are you ready?? 

Drumroll please.....

THE RED WINGED BLACKBIRDS HAVE RETURNED!!!!!!!!

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That means spring really IS around the corner! 

When I came home from work there were two males in the big maple tree in my front garden. Oh, I was so delighted to see them! Sweetie has had them at his house for at least a week already....and now they finally made their way up the mountain to my house too! 

Happy days, for sure! The Robins will be next, hopping around the back garden looking for fat worms. 

It truly is the little things, don't you think?


The snow has all but melted at this point, but of course we could still get more snow for the next three months.....sigh. 


But the sunshine has been glorious, and the clocks change this weekend, so I'm one excited lady! 

 
Even my fig tree is happy! As soon as I brought it upstairs it started growing figs! 

In the fall I carry it in from the deck and tuck it into the closet under the stairs. It's cool down there (50's) and the fig doesn't get any light or water until I bring it upstairs after the Christmas decor gets put away. 


I have it in a South facing window, in the guest room, where it can enjoy the view of the horses and the mountains all day long. 

Last season was the first time it bore fruit, but the figs never ripened, I imagine due to our short summer season. So, this year I brought it upstairs earlier, to give it more time....and look at that, it appears I may actually get a fig or two this year! 

Downstairs, my seed starting is going well, and I now have 11 flats of seedlings planted. 

The first eight flats are now in the laundry room area, under two grow lights.

The three most recently planted flats are in the utility room, where it's toasty warm right next to the furnace. They are also under a grow light.

I also use heat mats to help them get started....my seed starting equipment sure has grown since I first tried growing from seed

I now own four grow lights and three heat mats, and about 20 black seed starting trays. The only thing I'm missing is a greenhouse! Ahhhh, some day....a girl can dream, right?   For now my wonderful cold frame will certainly suffice.


These are Impatiens, and are just getting their second set of leaves.  By the time our last frost date rolls around (Memorial Day Weekend) and I can safely plant these out they should be good and strong.


Meanwhile, the Impatiens cuttings I rooted in the kitchen window all winter are incredibly robust! Why on earth did I never think to do this before? It was so simple!!  

I cut healthy stems off all my Impatiens right before the first frost, as I was tucking the pots into the garage, and stuck them in water in the kitchen window. Every single one rooted! 

Guess what I'll be doing this fall? 

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These gorgeous Osteospermums were one of my most recent seed starting experiments. I always adore these flowers come spring, but I've never tried to start them from seed. Fingers crossed!  Nothing has sprouted yet, but it's only been a few days.

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This Coleus was another....don't you just love Coleus? I know from experience that cuttings from Coleus root easily in water, so at the end of the season I'll have to snip some stems for next season's plants. 

I need more windowsills!

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I've also planted some Dusty Miller seeds. I like the way this plant glows in the waning light as the sun is setting. I didn't start many, just 6 cells....just enough for an accent here and there. 

It seems the groundhog was right and we may just get an early spring....and I plan on being ready for it! 

Meanwhile, just where were my little helpers, do you think? 


Molly was napping on a cozy blanket by the fire with her baby pink bone....and Monkey was looking for a chance to steal the baby pink bone! 

Story of my days....the little rascals!

What's happening in your world? Any signs of spring? 

28 comments:

  1. We saw our first red-winged blackbirds last week and I saw quite a few robins today. I'm loving this milder air and hope we're done with snow and ice! Your seedlings look great. I looked all over the internet for good ideas to start seeds with cats in the house, and found a picture on pinterest showing them growing in an aquarium! So that's what we're doing and it's working great. Just added grow lights at the top. I started some coleus seeds this year - the little seedlings are so tiny! The Osteospermums are gorgeous!

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    1. Wow, what a cool idea, Sue, and I bet the seedlings LOVE the aquarium environment!!! That's a fabulous idea!

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  2. We had fig plants in our backyard when I was growing up. At the time I did not know what they were and years later my Mom told me. I cannot wait for spring.

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    1. I've been nursing this one along for 4 seasons now....it better produce edible figs this season or it's a goner!!

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  3. The clocks change this weekend!?! Where have I been? Best news I've heard in a long time. And love, love, love your charming dining room.

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    1. Isn't that exciting news??? I love when the clocks change in Spring, it's so much nicer to come home from work and still have daylight!

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  4. Funny...I just did a post about spring, too! We are on the same wavelength...and longing for spring! Most of our snow is melted, too - just a few icy piles here and there in the shade. But like your area, we could still easily get socked with more snow into April.

    I could so see you with a greenhouse on your land. Something to think about for the near future? :-)

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    1. I would really love a greenhouse, Melanie, and I did look into them but sadly it's not in my budget at the moment. I can't complain, I really have a good seed starting system going now!

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  5. I love red wing black birds. I don't see them around here in NC. Daffodils are popping up along neighbors driveways here. My hyacinths are blooming and the tulip leaves have popped up and are about 2 inches tall.

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    1. This morning the Grackles were back, Penny! The Robins have to be next, and I really thought I heard them singing the last two days, but I haven't spotted any.

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  6. Looks like you have a good start on your gardening. Spring has sprung in Atlanta. SO many trees and the forsythia are in bloom. xo Laura

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    1. Oh how lovely, Laura!! I went out with my snips to see if the Forsythia in my garden were budding, but not yet. I was going to try to force some branches.

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  7. Hi Deb,
    Your little rascals are sooooo sweet. Don't you love to see them all curled up and napping like that . Little Monkey has that look on his face like now is my chance to steal the pink bone lol! So cute. I am with you with hopeful thoughts of Spring and we are seeing Robins which is our sign that Spring is around the corner. We still have to be cautious here in the midwest for the dreaded snow can still fall for the next couple of months. Lately it has been mild and no snow and lots of sunshine so we will take it. Have a great rest of the week.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. My babies are soooooooooo spoiled Kris, but isn't that the way we want them? They are lucky I bought them such nice furniture to lounge on! Ohhhh I can't wait to see the Robins again, I'm guessing it will be VERY soon!!!

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  8. Spring is starting to raise its head here. Daffodils are up but not blooming yet. I don't think I could handle the idea of 3 more months of snow! I plant on April 15 pretty much every year. At least you have your seedlings.
    Brenda

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    1. My seedlings have to tide me over, Brenda, until I can start putting out plants outside! I usually start with some cold tolerant flowers in April like pansies, violas, etc....once I start to get the gardens tidied up and the deck power washed, I can get those first plants out....oh it's just the best season!

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  9. Looks like you have some wonderful seeds growing again! How delightful!!!

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    1. Always, Bernideen! I try new varieties each season!!

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  10. Debbie, yes, I revel in the little things, and yours are all so amazing! Your fig tree is absolutely outstanding. You really have a masterful approach to sustainable living, and I so admire you for it. You asked, and yes, we are seeing more and more signs of spring - robins flocked in February, daffodils are in full bloom, and trees are starting to bloom along our riverwalk. It's such an invigorating feeling!

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    1. Oh how lovely, Rita! Will you create a container garden on your balcony this year?

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  11. My little seedlings are doing better than ever this year, due to a better way of getting the light closer to them. I'm thrilled with their progress, and hope they continue to flourish until I can put them outside next month.

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    1. Mine are doing great also, Carole - I'm anxious to get out and do some garden work, but I know the 'real' spring is still pretty far off up here!

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  12. Hi Debbie,

    Molly is adorable snoozing, so relaxed. Hopefully your finished with snow, fingers crossed.

    Your seedlings are doing well and didn't know that impatiens rooted, interesting and great for you.

    The birds are beautiful and I can't believe the clocks change already. My husband is thrilled he'll be able to see daylight when he gets out if the office.

    Enjoy getting ready to garden!

    Cindy

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    1. I'm so happy to be driving home from work in daylight, too, Cindy!

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  13. Beautiful where you live! I know it's Spring here or darn close as the ants are just having a good time running for cover when I cut on the light in downstairs bath. Never have they been there before. Next mosquitoes.
    betsy

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    1. I don't miss the bugs in winter, but hey they're part of spring, aren't they? The ticks are already out here, uggghhh.

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  14. We love red wing blackbirds and ours rarely come to the bird feeder but guard the meadow overlooking the pond, dive bombing at RH when he cuts "their" field. And you are so right, the little things, at every season, are hugely important.

    You are sure in the big girl of seed starting league! And your little helpers are darling even if they do take a lot of nap breaks. The day in February when both our dachshunds were at the vet for their dental cleaning was so lonely here at the house.

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    1. I'm ready to get started on the next batch of seeds, Dewena, but it's still too early to use the cold frame so I think I may be just about out of room, sadly!!

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