Wave Petunia Seedlings

Some of the petunias I grew from seed. These are wave petunias stretching towards the window. I think they want to live outside, but not yet. Nighttime temps are still bringing a little frost.

Uninvited Seedling

Look what was trying to crowd out a tomato seedling. Some pristine seed-starting soil, eh? I paid good money for it, too. This particular bag also grew mold in some of the seedling pots. I can't remember the name of the company that bagged the soil, but I remember what the bag looks like and never again will I buy it!

House Finch Makes an Appearance

Normally, this is house finch season around my yard. But this type of finch has been scarce this year - while goldfinches, pine siskins, house sparrows, red-wing blackbirds, yellow-headed blackbirds and Brewer's blackbirds have ruled the yard. This one's beak looks strange. I think it's just a piece of seed shell.

Pretty in Pink

This is a flowering tree of unknown origin. Possibly a fruit tree taught not to bear fruit. The blossom smell slightly sweet, the tree is a slow-grower.

New Yard Resident

These guys have been giving our yard a tropical flavor. They're common yellow-headed blackbirds. This is the first year I've ever seen them in our yard - and they can't be missed. They're loud, and big, and bright. We also have red wing blackbirds and Brewer's blackbirds hanging around.

Violets

Violets in bloom on the north side of the house. I bought a container of these violets a few years ago and just plopped the pot down in the front flower beds. The flowers naturally spread as a low-growing ground cover.

Pear Blossoms

The pear tree is blooming. There are a lot of ornamental pear trees in the neighborhood in bloom right now. Our pear is a real one. I don't know what kind of pears because we inherited the tree when we bought the house. They could be Bartlett. They're good, but they don't ripen on the vine. You have to pick them and then wait a couple of weeks.

My Daughter Picked Me a Bouquet

My daughter picked me a bouquet of "daisies" while we were cleaning up the yard. I think this is a safe place for these weeds, so they don't spread!

The First Seedling in the Latest Round

We started the next round of seedlings last Thursday night. The first ones to pop are orange marigolds, in fact, they sprouted overnight. All garden beds are cleaned up and ready for seedlings. I'll still wait until mid-May just to be on the safe side from morning frost.

River Birch Bloom

A bloom on the river birch tree. Not very noticeable. The allure of this tree is its interesting bark. Plus, it's an easy-care tree in Boise.

Petunia Seedlings Transferred

I transplanted the petunia seedlings into bigger containers yesterday. Then, I started the next round of seeds - veggies and flowers. Target outdoor planting date is likely Saturday, May 16th.

Weeping Cherry Blooming

Our dwarf weeping cherry is in full bloom. This tree is charming in the spring and fall, and yet, I've been tempted to axe it because it's a buggy thing. I've tried all kinds of treatments, and paid others to treat it, and it seems to insist on having a symbiotic relationship with creepy pests.

White Daffodils

The white daffodils are smiling at the world now from the north foundation plantings.

Peonies Peeking Out

They always peek up looking so red, but the leaves will become green and they'll bloom quickly for late spring. Ants are just crazy about the sugary dew on peonies. I'll get a close-up of them when the buds form. I've read the ants don't do any damage - they just like to visit.

Weeping Cherry Arrangement

My clever friend made an arrangement from the blooming branches of my dwarf weeping cherry tree. She also culled some daffodils and pussy willow branches to decorate for a wine and cheese party.

Spring is Official - First of the Season Lawn Mowing

Say "hi" to Jim. He takes care of the lawn mowing for us. He does a fabulous job and he's a really nice man who shares the goods from his home garden. He has a small farm within our city limits.

Wintering Geranium Wakes Up

Followers of the BDP Garden Shot blog may remember that I brought some prized geraniums inside for the winter. I do that every year, and even though they're not happy indoors, they survive until late spring when they get play outside again for the summer. This one has sent out a little blossom to say "hello" to spring.

Scrounging Squirrel

A brave squirrel right up against the glass sliding doors. Little buds of some sort had been blown onto the patio by all the winds we've been experiencing. I was thinking of sweeping them up last night, but this little critter ate most of them up.