Spring Pretties In My Garden and Fluffy and Bounce and a Lady from Ukraine

 

I am showing a photo of Fluffy first, as she doesn't get as much mention on my blog and that is so unfair. I call this picture "Fluffy in a Box", as the box on the chair is very coveted by her and by Bounce. See photo below, titled "Bounce in a Box", of course.

 Some ranunculus and freesias I planted recently, these are photos from the packets. I planted the bulbs, or rhizomes or corms, I  can't recall which name is correct for which plant.

Above is Mr. Gnome, a Christmas gift. He is holding a solar light next to the yellow petunias I planted. Am I in a planting frenzy? Yes, a happy frenzy, and I am planting many seeds too, zinnias, knee high sunflowers, sweet peas, Swiss chard and Chinese edible pod peas.

One more photo and that's it, of cute pansies or violas I bought.

A Woman and Her Children from Ukraine Arrive Here

I am writing this post in advance, on Sunday March 27. I must tell you, at Bible Fellowship today a member told us that money we raised is helping a mom and her children from Ukraine arrive in our town tomorrow. We are looking forward to meeting her. She had to leave her husband in Ukraine because no men age 18 to 60 are allowed to leave. Her husband in Ukraine has 6 displaced people staying in their home with him and they are experiencing food shortages. When this was shared, people were quiet as it made all of us count our blessings. Update: The lady visited our small group (25 people) at church last Sunday, and I was not there. I am sorry to have missed meeting her. People found her a house to live in and all sounds as well as can be expected.

Happy Changes In My Garden, Solar Lights and Standing Planter Box

 

Two of my Christmas gifts from my sons on display in my garden. The solar flood light and the peacock sculpture on the right are the new additions. The peacock on the left and the bird bath are long time garden features. The floodlight is actually subtle, not blazingly bright, and casts a romantic mood in my backyard. It is on from about 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. You can't see too clearly but the birdbath is about 30 years old and is made of cement with pebbles embedded in it. Kind of old school, I love it. Behind is an old pink rose waiting to bloom.

I have considered buying one of these raised planters for a long time but they are a bit pricey and a hassle to put together. This is another surprise Christmas gift from my sons. Yes, they do treat me like a princess. Now I can grow vegetables while standing up. No more kneeling or leaning over to garden for this senior lady. 

I soaked Chinese sugar pea seeds overnight and planted them. I have an old wooden raised garden bed that is one to two feet high that is close to falling apart and I changed it to a flower garden. This week I planted seeds of zinnias, knee high sunflowers and knee high sweet peas. I bought the seeds from Eden Brothers and they arrived quickly, within a week. Yes, I live in a temperate climate. Nights have been about 40 degrees and days are reaching 70 so I can plant some seeds. 

As I sometimes say "Gardeners and Christians are hopeful people." We plant a tree or a seed or share a Scripture and wait in hope.

Hot June is Time for Planting More Seeds

Zinnia
Originally uploaded by kimberlyfaye

Yes,
Now that the soil and air temperature is hot, many seeds will thrive if you plant in June and July. You may fear it is too late for seeds, but it is an ideal time to plant for second crops.
Zinnias, marigolds, nasturtiums, cosmos and sunflowers can be planted in June and July.
For second vegetable crops plant beans, summer squash, beets, Japanese mustard, and carrots from seed.
Basil, parsley, thyme, oregano and sage will also do well now, so go ahead and plant this week. More power to you, my gardening friends.

Garden catalogs point toward spring

Garden catalogs are places where your creativity can run wild. I encourage you to use the website versions, rather than the paper, to be environmentally friendly.

Territorial Seed Company.
Their motto is “Seeds and plants for wherever you live” and they pay special attention to people with tiny gardens, and offer seeds, including Oriental greens and vegetables, Pole and bush beans, Popcorn, and Flower mixes. http://www.territorialseed.com/ 800 626-0866

Victory Seed Company
Victory Seed sells open-pollinated and heirloom seeds. They offer theme gardens: 18th century kitchen garden, Bible-themed garden, Moon garden, World War II Victory garden. http://www.victoryseeds.com/ They prefer online or fax orders: 503 829-3126 or email info@victoryseeds.com.

Wayside Gardens
Another well known company that offers perennials, roses, trees and shrubs, and has been in business since 1916 is found at http://www.waysidegardens.com/ 800 213-0379.

Brecks
Brecks “Direct to you from Holland since 1818” specializes in the best bulbs, spring blooming like tulips, daffodils, crocus and alliums, summer blooming plants like dahlias, begonias, iris and perennials and collections of bulbs. http://www.brecks.com/ 513 354-1511

Stokes Tropicals
For those of you truly dreaming of warm tropical isles and plants, visit http://www.stokestropicals.com/ where they offer banana plants, plumerias, hibiscus, bamboo and beyond. 1 866 478-2502