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.