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This is my favorite daffodil ever. Do you know the variety?Here are some clues:🌼 It's showy double blooms boast creamy w...
04/25/2024

This is my favorite daffodil ever. Do you know the variety?

Here are some clues:

🌼 It's showy double blooms boast creamy white petals surrounding a center of orange-yellow.
🌻 Each stem proudly displays clusters of 2 to 6 blooms.
👃Famous for being one of the most fragrant daffodils, with a sweet and fresh aroma. It's a little like lilacs. I love it.
🌱 Blooms early to mid-spring - right now for me!

Happy Earth Day! 🌎Here are some ideas to care for the earth while you garden.  What's your favorite earth friendly pract...
04/22/2024

Happy Earth Day! 🌎

Here are some ideas to care for the earth while you garden. What's your favorite earth friendly practice?

Catch rainwater: Install a rain barrel to collect water for watering plants, reducing reliance on municipal supplies.

Repurpose pots: Don't toss old pots! Reuse them for planting or get creative with them for other garden features.

Ditch plastic: Opt for seeds in paper packets and skip plastic plant markers and pots. Explore eco-friendly alternatives like bamboo stakes and recycled plastic.

Compost your scraps: Turn food waste and yard trimmings into nutrient-rich soil for your garden by starting a compost pile.

Plant a pollinator haven: Support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators by planting a variety of flowering plants throughout the season.

When should you harvest daffodils for cut flowers?For the classic, single daffodi, harvest when the flower head is color...
04/18/2024

When should you harvest daffodils for cut flowers?

For the classic, single daffodi, harvest when the flower head is colored and almost 90° to the stem.

For fancy or double daffodils, you want the flower to be starting to open a bit.

Harvesting at this stage will give you the best vase life and ensure that the flowers fully open.

Enjoy those spring blooms!


🪴☕️🌱🍵🌿☕️Where my "boths" at?
04/16/2024

🪴☕️🌱🍵🌿☕️

Where my "boths" at?



What are your plans for   ?
04/13/2024

What are your plans for ?



Spring has sprung!  🌱  The vernal  , which marks the first day of astronomical spring in the Northern Hemisphere, arrive...
03/19/2024

Spring has sprung! 🌱

The vernal , which marks the first day of astronomical spring in the Northern Hemisphere, arrives today (March 19th).

This is when the sun crosses the equator, bringing us nearly equal day and night. Time to soak up the extra sunlight and get planting! ☀️

I'm so ready for some - spending this extra daylight nurturing new life and watching everything bloom.

What are you most excited to plant this year?

Don't jump the gun, gardeners!    It's February, but hold your horses on those warm-weather seeds in   and  ! Here's why...
02/17/2024

Don't jump the gun, gardeners!

It's February, but hold your horses on those warm-weather seeds in and !

Here's why waiting is wise:
❄️ We still have some potential frosts ahead, and tender seedlings won't be happy campers outdoors.
☀️ Shorter days mean less natural light, crucial for healthy growth.
⏲️ Starting too early can lead to weak, stretched-out seedlings, lack of nutrients, getting root bound and generally less healthy, stunted plants.

But fear not, there's still things you can start now!

Cold loving crops that can be planted out before your last frost date:
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Brussel Sprouts
Pansy & Viola

Slow growing crops that still enjoy the cool season like:
Onions
Leeks
Celery

Herbs, especially perennials, that take a long time to germinate:
Thyme
Rosemary
Oregano
Parsley

You can also start warm weather crops that take a long time to germinate and grow:
Peppers
Chillies
Eggplant
Luffa Gourds

Check your last frost date and use a seed starting calculator to ensure your seedlings are ready when the time is right.



Share your favorite February seed starts in the comments!

I'd be happy to receive any, but dill has my ❤️Have a lovely Valentine's day!
02/14/2024

I'd be happy to receive any, but dill has my ❤️

Have a lovely Valentine's day!

Think I saved enough marigold seeds?🌼🏵I feel like marigolds are the cilantro of flowers- you either love them or hate th...
02/07/2024

Think I saved enough marigold seeds?🌼🏵

I feel like marigolds are the cilantro of flowers- you either love them or hate them.

I ❤️ marigolds. French marigolds in particular have a special place in my heart. My mom always had me save seeds and plant them in spring. And while I understand now, as a parent, that it's also a great way to keep a little busy, it's one of my earliest and favorite garden memories. I still do it and will soon be passing the taks to my child.

Marigolds are a easy companion plant that repels pests, attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, long stem varieties are great as cut flowers (if you don't hate the smell), and they are eligible!

Plus, they bring bright happy splashes of color throughout the garden all season.

Marigolds are the greatest, right?

Companion herbs are the natural way to a thriving, vibrant veggie garden.Some herbs I always include are:BasilOregano Ch...
01/07/2024

Companion herbs are the natural way to a thriving, vibrant veggie garden.

Some herbs I always include are:
Basil
Oregano
Chives
Rosemary
Dill

These leafy allies repel unwanted critters, attract helpful pollinators, and even boost your harvests.

1️⃣ Pest Control: Many herbs, like basil, oregano, and rosemary, boast strong scents that deter common garden pests like aphids, beetles, and flies, reducing the need for harsh chemicals.
2️⃣ Pollinator Party: Herbs like dill and chives attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, which help improve fruit set and overall yields in your vegetable garden.
3️⃣ Flavor Fusion: Some herbs, like oregano and rosemary, can actually enhance the flavor and growth of nearby vegetables through a process called allelopathy, adding a delicious twist to your harvest.
4️⃣ Natural Ground Cover: Herbs like thyme and mint can help suppress weeds and retain moisture in the soil, creating a healthier environment for your vegetables.
5️⃣ Biodiversity Boost: Planting a variety of herbs alongside your vegetables creates a more diverse ecosystem, which can attract beneficial insects and deter pests, resulting in a thriving garden.

These are just a few top reasons to consider using herbs as companion plants in your vegetable garden. Researching specific herb-vegetable pairings based on your needs and climate can unlock a world of natural pest control, increased yields, and even tastier harvests!

Are you going to plant your herbs in your vegetable garden?


I love planting flowers in the veggie garden, and these are ones I'm definitely planting this year.MarigoldNasturtiumGer...
12/28/2023

I love planting flowers in the veggie garden, and these are ones I'm definitely planting this year.

Marigold
Nasturtium
German Chamomile
Borage
Calendula
Cornflower

Here's why!

1️⃣ Natural Pest Control: Many flowers release scents or compounds that repel pests or attract beneficial insects. Planting flowers like marigolds, nasturtiums, or calendula can help keep harmful insects at bay and encourage the presence of pollinators and beneficial predators.

2️⃣ Enhanced Pollination: Flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Improved pollination can increase the yield of your vegetable crops, leading to better fruit development and a more productive garden.

3️⃣ Disease Prevention: Some flowers have natural properties that can help prevent diseases in nearby vegetables. For example, marigolds contain compounds that suppress nematodes, which can be harmful to certain plants.

4️⃣ Improved Soil Health: Certain flowers, like clover, have the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, enriching it with this essential nutrient. This can benefit neighboring vegetables by providing them with a nutrient boost.

5️⃣ Aesthetic Appeal: Beyond their practical benefits, flowers add beauty and diversity to your vegetable garden. A visually appealing garden can be more enjoyable to work in and can positively impact your overall gardening experience.

By integrating flowers into your vegetable garden, you create a more balanced and harmonious ecosystem, fostering a healthier and more productive environment for your plants.




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