It is not surprising that the dictionary defines spring as: To move upward or forward in a single quick motion or a series of such motions; leap.
Well, Spring has finally sprung! For real that is! Got the garden planted this weekend. Well, most of it, still have some flowers to plant. The flowers are already doing great though. I love the beauty this time of year! The warmth of the sun on the soil, the light breezes making gardening a joy, the bird who returns each year to serenade you while you plant. It all becomes like old, familiar friends.
I have been gardening for some time now and still have so much to learn. But I have learned some great tips that I will share with you:
1. If you are planting in a container, put a disposable diaper in the bottom (poke hole in it to match hole in pot). This will keep the plant from drying out!
2. If you are using a large container why waste all that soil! I have used old soda cans to fill up the pot where it didn't need soil. You can also turn another pot upside down (secret hiding place for something special perhaps?) and fit it inside so you won't use as much soil. These tips will also make moving the large container easy because it isn't as heavy! :)
3. No pop cans or old, smaller containers? Look around your yard, neighborhood or park. Those pesky sweet gumballs now have a perfect use! Or how about pine cones?
4. None of those? How about the plastic nursery containers that your plants came in? Stack them neatly and tightly and you will be surprised how much space you can fill up...
5. As this article is titled...location, location, location. This is partly what makes a business successful. It is also one thing that determines the success of your plant's growth. Make sure you place your new plant in the location for the proper lighting it will need to thrive. That is one thing about containers....you can move them around as needed...and it is a good workout!
6. Is this your first time to try your green thumb? Plant herbs! They are hardy and bugs and disease stay way from them and they are delicious! (The herbs that is, not the bugs! :)
7. Compliment a gardener! Ask them if you might have a start from one of their beautiful plants! Gardeners are some of the nicest people you will meet. They are like a community all their own, speaking a language that is valuable in content so be sure and listen up! I have done it and seen others ask at garage sales only to have the desired plant dug up and instructions for planting given with a big smile!
8.Pour boiling water on weeds to kill them, you may need to do the stubborn ones twice! Make sure it is not near your plants!
9. Freeze seeds you don't use in your garden this year. Yes that's right..FREEZE them....This tip came from Baker Seed Co. One of the best in the USA! http://www.rareseeds.com/ To use, let seeds defrost at room temperatures making sure they don't get damp...ie: take them out of the pack and place on paper towel, towel, etc. till defrosted, then plant!
10. Many seeds will germinate quicker if you soak them for an hour before planting. Especially larger seeds like green bean seeds. Check the pack or google to see if this would benefit any of your seeds.
MAKE SURE YOU BUY NON-GMO SEEDS! (google if you are unfamiliar with this!)
Until you can harvest the "fruits of your labor" you may have things growing in your yard already you can enjoy in your diet! Make sure they haven't been sprayed!
How about Red Clover Tea?
Red Clover Tea
2 cups red clover flowers
3 1/2 cups water
3/4 c. lemon juice
3 Tablespoons of agave nectar or date syrup or sugar.
Boil the clover blossoms and water for 5 minutes, let it steep for at least 2 more minutes. Strain and add lemon juice and sweetner. Chill for at least 2 hours , pour it in a big glass over ice and enjoy as you relax in your garden!
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| Our England is a garden, and such gardens are not made By singing: -"Oh, how beautiful!" and sitting in the shade. ~Rudyard Kipling, "The Glory of the Garden |
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God made rainy days so gardeners could get the housework done. ~Author Unknown
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| Earth is here so kind, that just tickle her with a hoe and she laughs with a harvest. ~Douglas William Jerrold, about Australia, A Land of Plenty |
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| Take thy plastic spade, It is thy pencil; take thy seeds, thy plants, They are thy colours. ~William Mason, The English Garden, 1782 |
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In the garden I tend to drop my thoughts here and there. To the flowers I whisper the secrets I keep and the hopes I breathe. I know they are there to eavesdrop for the angels. ~Dodinsky, www.dodinsky.com |
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| How fair is a garden amid the trials and passions of existence. ~Benjamin Disraeli |
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| When I water the plant she needs the umbrella! |
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| Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes. ~Author Unknown (or strawberries!) |
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| Two beds are better than one! Strawberry beds that is! |
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| I have never had so many good ideas day after day as when I worked in the garden. ~John Erskine |
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| One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides. ~W.E. Johns, The Passing Show |
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| Don't wear perfume in the garden - unless you want to be pollinated by bees. ~Anne Raver |
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| It pleases me to take amateur photographs of my garden, and it pleases my garden to make my photographs look professional. ~Robert Brault,www.robertbrault.com |
Remember, it's all fun and games until somebody gets and idea! :) Happy Gardening! It is EZ4U2DO!
Hugs,
Debbie
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