Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Signs of spring

Spring has sprung.  Although you couldn't really tell by the weather this morning.  We woke to a light dusting of snow and continued flurries.  Fortunately it warmed up nicely and turned into a lovely day.  I was hoping to get into the garden to do some preliminary tilling this weekend but they're predicting sleet and freezing rain for Friday (FUN!)  So, V was using my tiller this afternoon to loosen some soil that the trucks had driven over when they did the septic installation and said that the soil was working up really well.  So....  I went out before dinner and tilled up about 2/3 of the garden- I would have done all of it but I didn't get the rest cleaned out very well over the weekend.  But- oooo!!  REAL playing in the dirt!  I was in heaven!
But Spring is springing inside as well: Behold:
Tiny red cabbage and kale seedlings.  And below- tomatoes!!
I do definitely need a 12 step program for seeds.  We had to stop at the home improvement store and they had packets of seeds for nine cents- can you believe that!  So, of course, we got a couple.  Since my Anaheim chilis didn't germinate well, we got a pack of Numex Big Jim chilis as well as some calendula and forget-me-nots. Then, when we stopped at our local grocery on the way home, they had a Seed Savers Exchange seed display.  Since some of my other peppers haven't germinated, I picked up a pack of  Bulgarian Carrot peppers and some Tolli's Sweet Italian peppers.  Mmmm...  So, last night I was starting a few more seeds.  Please stop me!!!  Of course, I didn't have very good germination on several things and I need seedlings not only for myself, but for Jim and for the plant sale in May.  And Roger (my best friend and former garden partner) said he didn't plant any jalapeno seeds this year and could he have a couple...  how could I refuse...
And the final sign of spring here-
 Yup, the toenail polish came out already.

But I also want to share a wonderful treat that arrived in the mail today.
I was fortunate enough to win a give away hosted by my dear blog buddy Robbyn at The Back Forty
Look what arrived in the mail today.
A fabulous book on perennial vegetables.  I've just had a bit of time to flip through it so far but it looks great.  I've learned something already- I didn't know that day lilies are edible- oh, I've seen the flowers in edible things before but I would have never thought of eating the fleshy tubers.  Supposedly you can eat them like potatoes.  Hmmm, they seem a bit small but, OK.  Evidently the dried flower buds make an appearance in many Chinese dishes- who would have thought...
Anyway, I can't wait to have more of a chance to read this one.
THANKS ROBBYN!!!

6 comments:

  1. I didn't know that day lily was edible either. I'm a seed addict as well but haven't started many seeds inside. I keep buying seeds though!

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  2. I can't believe you were out tilling in that weather already! Your seedlings look fantastic, as well as the pretty toes!

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  3. March certainly is a weird month - hard to know what to do with plantings!! I bought my first Basil the other day. It's about 8 inches tall and smells so good. It is residing in the kitchen window for now. Your little plants look just great! Bet your itchin' to plant them! Did you finish with the kitchen floor??? Would love to see the finished product!!

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  4. Your seedlings look great. Sping will eventually get here to WV. It's going to snow tonight and todays high is only 40. It warms up Monday and Tuesday, but a chance for severe thunderstorms. Then Wednesday back into the upper 40's. Sigh...

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  6. Do your feet hurt? I would so get those bones operated on, your feet must be so uncomfortable in shoes.

    Anyways they are your feet so do whatever you're comfortable with.

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