thequiltedgardener's Blog

Spring is here and I am getting dirty....................
Apr 6, 2008 | 5:11 PM PST
Tags: seedlings , greenhouse , planting

While mother nature has provided many challenges over the last month, garding is finally in full swing. The greenhouse was set back up and is filled iwth trays of cells full of seedling mix and seedlings waiting to spring to life.  I love to play in the dirt!!

In the greenhouse I have started a variety of flowers, herbs and veggies.  Some old favorites and some I am trying for hte first time.  They are: Birdhouse gourds, luffa gourds, acorn squash, spagetti squash, two cucumber varieties, yellow squash, zucchini, garden salsa pepper, basil, dill, cilaantro, parsley, giant lavendar zinnias, candy cane zinnias, dwarf zinnias, blanket flowers, red impatients, swee peas, scarlet morning glory, eggplant, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, califlower, marigolds, and purple salvia. 

The strawberries have been planted and three beds have been sectioned off and labeled.  The cool weather crops have been planted in the bed-spinach, red sails lettuce, buttercruch lettuce, green leaf lettuce, scallions and two variety of peas.  By applying the square foot gardening method I am hoping to increase the bounty.

Photos at this point could not express the  sense of satisfaciton, the joy and contentment that was gained by spending this time gardening.  The birds were singing and while it was cool, I enjoyed every moment spent outside this weekend.

After strolling around the yard, I made a list of things that I can work on after work each day that will allow me time outside and work towrd my gardening goals for the year.  I think the biggest challenge will be the digging, ammending and replanting of a garden that is near the pool  This is a challenge because I have yet to get this garden to look like it does in my mind. That picture has chnaged several times over the years but the common denominator is to have scented things that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.  The hard part seems to be planting a variety of items whose bloomtimes are staggered with variying leaf shapes-and NOT overplanting.  I tend to overplant.

gardening is something I do because it feeds my soul, and tonight when I go to sleep I go there happy and filled with a sense of contentment and satisfaction of my accomplishments.  I am also reassured that there will be a garden and months to play in it.  It was a long winter and welcome spring with open arms~ I have embraced it.

 

So much to read, so little time!
Feb 21, 2008 | 4:52 AM PST
Tags: seed starting , greenhouse

I just love this site.  I come home from work, make dinner-eat-participate in the clean up-get things ready for the next day-and can't wait to get to the computer  to read the blogs and look at all the photos.  It is interesting to see what kind of things others do with thier yards, the process they take to get there and the beautiful photos.  The only problem is there isn't enough time to read, view and participate- How do you choose?

I haven't started any seeds yet and based on our frost date next weekend I can plant a couple of things and then each week after something new.  Since we don't have a place that would work for the family, to start seeds in the house we bought a small temporary greenhouse that I used two years ago but last spring it was so wet and so warm that it was better to start the seeds outside.  Depending upon the weather and family activities this weekend will determine if we get it set up.

This year I am going to make the post out of newspaper and use a soiless mixture that I found in a book in an attempt to have successful seed sewing.  In the past I have had trouble with moss growing on the potting soil but it gets really hot in the greenhouse and I wasn't good about using the ventilation flaps.  Hopefully  the combination of changes will prove to be successful-if not it will be an expensive learning experience.

Does anyone else use a temporary greenhouse to start their seeds?  Any in zone 6 who would be willing to share thier experience?  Maybe there is a search tool I should locate.  Been to the forums, but love the blogs and with time so limited I find myself having to choose between reading and sharing or seeking informaiton.  ugh!

Unfortunately it is time to leave for work and set gardening aside for the next eight hours.