Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Backyard Inspiration- Shade plants



Hosta Dancing in the Rain- bold white centered leaves nicely edged in blue-green. In spring, creamy white leaves curl & twist in a pleasing way gradually turning all white in the center.
Hydrangea Snowflake- Flowers begin appearing in mid summer and emerge a pristine white then quickly change to pink.
Hosta Hadspen Blue- This is the perfect Hosta for underplanting beneath shrubs at only 15 inches high and 20 inches across.
Golden Lights Hardy Azalea- Growing up to 3-5' high and with foliage that changes to red in fall, this shrub makes an excellent border or addition to a naturalized area.
Hakonechloa All Gold- Slender arching stems have bright gold-yellow leaves that stay attractive from spring thru fall as along as it receives ample moisture. Leaf color will vary depending on light.
Purple Wintercreeper- Fast-growing evergreen ground cover turns purplish in fall and retains color through winter.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Seedling Report- Day 8

All the seeds planted on 2/21 have sprouted. Surprisingly, the first up were the yellow pear tomatoes quickly followed by the broccoli and Swiss chard. The red cherry tomatoes made their appearance this weekend.

I think starting the seed beds out on the radiator and getting the soil heated quickly made a huge difference. The seedlings are sitting next to a South facing window and getting just a tab bit of light. Proper shelves and a grow light are next in order- these little guys are desperate for light.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Backyard Inspiration- Patios


Our backyard is in a sorry state- between kids and the dog, a botched irrigation project- it is a barren wasteland. This must change. I would love a cozy patio to sit and socialize, a bubbling water fountain, some nice shade loving plants to provide privacy and a a small patch of grass. This backyard renovation will be my 40th birthday gift to myself!

Friday, February 12, 2010

2010 Seed List

Clockwise from top left

  • Thai Magic(Ocimum basilicum)
  • Socrates(Cucumis sativus)
  • Yellow Crookneck (Cucurbita pepo)
  • Bush Baby (Cucurbita pepo)


Clockwise from top left
  • Matt's Wild Cherry (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme)
  • De Cicco (OG) (Brassica oleracea (italica group)
  • Cherokee Purple (Solanum lycopersicum)
  • Antohi Romanian (Capsicum annuum)



Seed Starting Guide from Farmer's Almanac

Crop

Start Seeds Indoors

Moon-favorable Dates

Start Seeds in the Ground

Moon-favorable Dates

Beans

Apr 22-May 6

Apr 22-28

Beets

Apr 1-May 13

Apr 1-13

Broccoli

Feb 24-Mar 10

Feb 24-28

Apr 1- 8

Brussels sprouts

Feb 24-Mar 10

Feb 24-28

Cabbage

Feb 24-Mar 10

Feb 24-28

Apr 15-29

Apr 15-28

Carrots

Mar 18-Apr 1

Mar 30-Apr 1

Cauliflower

Feb 24-Mar 10

Feb 24-28

Apr 15-29

Apr 15-28

Celery

Feb 24-Mar 10

Feb 24-28

Corn

May 6-13

May 13

Cucumbers

Mar 25-Apr 8

Mar 25-29

Apr 29-May 6

Lettuce

Mar 10-25

Mar 15-25

Apr 15-May 6

Apr 15-28

Melons

Mar 25-Apr 8

Mar 25-29

May 6-13

May 13

Onion sets

Mar 25-Apr 1

Mar 30-Apr 1

Parsnips

Apr 1-22

Apr 1-13

Peas

Mar 10-25

Mar 15-25

Peppers

Feb 24-Mar 10

Feb 24-28

Potato tubers

Apr 22-May 6

Apr 29-May 6

Pumpkins

Mar 25-Apr 8

Mar 25-29

Apr 29-May 6

Radishes

Apr 15-29

Apr 29

Spinach

Mar 10-25

Mar 15-25

Squash, summer

Mar 25-Apr 8

Mar 25-29

Apr 29-May 6

Squash, winter

Mar 25-Apr 8

Mar 25-29

Apr 29-May 6

Tomatoes

Feb 24-Mar 10

Feb 24-28

Friday, February 5, 2010

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Love, Love, Love this store

If I ever opened a retail shop- this is my inspiration- Terrain.





Here is a link to their online store