Helicopter Season

Maple tree seeds are everywhere, thanks to two days of wind. 

Salvia

This salvia has been in a pot for about 5 years. Neglected each winter, it returns in the spring and blooms until frost.

Blueberries! Don't do it

Yes, we will have a few handfuls of blueberries soon...but that's all. Blueberries are very challenging to grow in our alkaline soil. You can add amendments and elemental sulfur over and over again, and the alkaline water will wash them away. Containers are the best option. I will be moving these plants to containers later this spring. And while blueberries are yummy, there are many other things we can grow in our soils to make up for their loss in the garden.

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.