The Heartache of Hops

The battle of the hops has begun. Yes, I know that hops are highly desired by craft brewers and even bathtub brewers. But in my yard...they're invasive weeds. They spread by seed and by root. I won't win. 

Tiny Daffodils

Miniature daffodils. Interesting that there are two blossoms on each stem.

Sad Holiday Cactus

My poor holiday cactus. Leaves are turning red. This can happen when the plant gets too much sun, and/or has a magnesium deficiency. I moved it to a less-sunny area and treated it with a foliar spray of epsom salt. I'll spray again in 2 weeks and assess the situation. I will likely re-pot the plant, too.

Digging Some New Garden Tools

 A Pampered Chef Advanced Director loaned me a set of their new garden tools to get them dirty...and I did! These are high-quality tools and they're selling them in different sets, or singly. I used the serrated planter, clippers and what I call the "weed digger" the most. I enjoyed them so much I purchased my own set. Below is how they looked after I used them for a few weeks and cleaned them up. All sparkly again. The only drawback for me was in the size of the clippers. It's not the product's fault. I have small hands and when they're open, I have a tough time getting my paw around them. I like the idea that the company is promoting home-grown food and healthy eating.

Glittery Potatoes

My kiddo planted potatoes over the weekend. She adds glitter to everything she plants. This year, the potatoes are Kennebecs.

Another Garage Survivor

It looked dead. But it suddenly came to life! I put a pot with two lantana plants in the garage before the big freeze last autumn. And then pretty much neglected it except for a couple of sips of water. It woke up this week, so I gave it a trim and moved it indoors for some special care until we have warm days AND nights. Left: what it looks like today. Right: what it looked like last summer. It joins the fuchsia as a "garage survivor." BTW, it is an unheated garage.

What This Country Needs...

Sign seen at Edwards Greenhouse and Nursery.

Grow Lights for Seedlings

Some folks have fancy grow-light systems for their seedlings. I usually just use the window, but it means the seedlings get quite leggy. This year, I'm trying a grow-light. I didn't have a stand for it, so I stacked some classics on each side. I'll add more classics to raise the lights as the plants grow. Some plants have their first true leaves, so I will re-pot them into a garden mix this week. They were started in sterile soil, and once the plants start to grow, they need nutrients from different soil, and a little bit of weak fertilizer.

Lettuce and Arugula

Threw some seeds in a pot a month ago, and soon there will be salad goodies. I grow greens like these in pots to keep slug damage under control.

First Flowers of the Season

We call them "weeds," but dandelions do have value as companion plants in the garden. Really! Dandelions produce pollen early for ladybugs, lacewings and other beneficial predators. They also help control Colorado potato beetles. 

It's a Tie

Sweet 100 cherry tomatoes, sungold cherry tomatoes and spaghetti squash all broke through the soil today. These seeds were planted Sunday.