Seedling update

Of the 5 trays of 72 "pods" I planted, almost all have germinated!!

In fact, I'm thinking I might have to transplant some of them up into peat pots b/c they're really getting tall already, and we have at least 5 or 6 more weeks before I'm supposed to be able to plant, safely.

It's a veritable garden.

yay!

March bird count

good Lord, we got birds!

20 Goldfinches
16 Doves
15 Red Winged Blackbirds
12 Grackles
12 House Sparrows
8 Cowbirds
6 Tree Sparrows or Chipping Sparrows
4 Cardinals
4 Chickadees
2 Titmice
3 Hairy or Downy Woodpeckers- the smaller one, i always forget which is which

Robins all over the place
Geese in the marsh
and a pair of Mallards in the marsh, when the geese don't chase them out.

breathtaking visitor

Peepers, and such

We have peepers. Well, WE don't have peepers, but our pond/marsh/puddle does. And, the water isn't so far from the house.

Last year, we were like, "WTH?" at the cacophony. We asked a neighbor, "wth IS that?" and she told us, "peepers!"

Ah, peepers.... and eventually the peepers stopped peeping. LOL And I guess we forgot about them. Until yesterday. They're baaaaaack!

So, this morning, I googled peepers. They're a tiny frog. And their mating season is from March to June in the north. And the males sing for a mate. And THAT is the cacophony!! It's peeper season!! Go google them; they're interesting little guys.

And, there are sprouts in tray #2!! Gosh, I'm so excited.

Yesterday I cleaned some of the pots out. And pulled some weeds. Overdid it, for sure, at least that's what the knee is saying today.... So I'll take a couple days off from farming. LOL

I have leftover seeds that I'm going to put in the pots, I think. Maybe I'll take these next couple days to ponder what to put together in what pots.

Tray #3

Tray #3 is cosmos and poppies.

Tray #1 actually has some sprouts!! That's not even 7 days.... do I have magical water?? LOL

Also planted a pot last week for the top of the chimnea. And, Saturday, I removed the plastic from the basil sprouts, and now must spray pretty much every day. Can't let the little sprouts dry out!

2nd tray, in

Planted the second tray of 72 today.... boxwood basil, bells of ireland and 3 varieties of white marigolds.

Should all germinate in 7-14 days.

Amazing birdhouses

If you are in the market for a gift for a gardener or bird watcher, consider visiting this ebay shop:

http://stores.ebay.com/South-Alabama-Creations_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amewaxQ3amesstQQtZkm

6-8 weeks before final frost

would be now???

Today, I planted the first of 3 starter trays. These seeds are the 14-21 day germinators.

Friday, I plan to do the second tray with the 10-14 day seeds.

Then, Monday, the last tray with the 7-10 dayers.

Why am I spreading the task out like this? Because I tend to get "done" with it before I'm really and truly done, and I rush, and I'm not as careful as I should be. Some of these seeds are TINY, and I want to do everything I can to get good results. I figure by spreading out my planting over 3 days, I'll be careful with each and every tray.

Got Basil?

I have basil growth!!!

WOO HOO!!!

and Cosmos

add to the "I Have" list:

Cosmos, Summer Dreams

Seeds I Have

Basil
Bells of Ireland
Cerinthe
Cleome
Coleus
Coneflower
Cosmos- white and sensation mix
Marigold- french vanilla, snowball, snowdrift
Scabiosa
Sunflower- Lemon Queen
Zinnia- Envy, Purple Prince, White Wedding

Still looking for:
Zinnia, Tequila Lime
Nasturtiums- yellow
Coreopsis- Heaven's Gate
Gomphrena- Fireworks
Petunias- yellow.... good luck with that, huh?
Vinca-
Blue Eyed Daisy
Sunflower- Bashful

Basil in a pot

I planted my basil seeds this morning. They're in a pot on my kitchen window sill. We'll see how this works. If it's successful, I'll be tempted to keep basil year round in the kitchen. To me, it's one of God's great gifts! I once even thanked Him in our mealtime grace for fresh basil. My husband laughed. I told him, "Hey, I AM thankful for basil, why not say so?" LOL

Garden picks for this year

Here's what I chose from my Burpee catalog.... some of them are already in my garden.

Seeds, bought!

I have bought the seeds I selected from my Burpee catalog, and my seed starter trays!

Well, mostly.

Still looking for the Tequila Lime Zinnias for less than $4.95/pack + $6.95 shipping. Seriously??

Love my seed catalog!

Got my Burpee seed catalog last week.

I dog-eared pages on my first page thru. Then went back with scissors.

I cut out photos of the flowers I want in my garden this year, as well as the perennials that I know will (should) be back. Then I planted my garden on my coffee table.

I rearranged, divided and rearranged again until I got the garden I want!!

Plan: get the seeds and get them started mid-March, 8 weeks before last frost date.

If anyone sees Tequila Lime zinnias, let me know?