Green and Growing

The last several days have been full to say the least...no new projects to unveil yet,
but lots going on around here.  Namely a bedroom re-do for my daughter, 

homecoming for my mother who is recovering from a broken ankle, and
a birthday party for the 1-year-old granddaughter.  Never a dull
moment for sure! And while all these goings-on have been taking
place, there's been a whole lot of growing going on too....

I'm starting only four varieties of tomatoes this year.  Thought I'd stick with my
favorites, because I just can't get enough of those Green Zebras!

 

Yes - that IS grass....Ponytail Grass actually.  It is a beautiful ornamental that bobs

and sways gracefully in the lightest breeze. These will be the centerpieces 

of some of my porch planters this summer.

 

The cherry tomatoes are the fastest growers - though they were sown the same time 

as the other varieties they are nearly twice bigger already!

 

Looking forward to planting these beauties outdoors in a few weeks....

come on spring!

Baby Toms Up!

Those who know me well, know that one of 

my ultimate gardening pleasures is seeing seeds germinate.

 

I never get tired of seeing the tiny threads of green raise their heads from the soil in search of light.  And it's so amazing to me to know that these tiny tomato babies will be standing as tall as myself in a few months, bearing fresh, juicy gems from my summer garden!

 

I've cut waaaayyyy back on the number of varieties I'm starting indoors this year.  I've got too many other irons in the fire to take care of more than I really need.  So my tomatoes this year, will of course be, my favorites: Green Zebra, Kellogg's Breakfast, and a cherry tomato I purchased at a plant sale - saved seed because we love this but don't have a clue what variety it is.  Oh, and one newbie - German Red Strawberry, from seed my sister saved and shared.

 

I hope to sow a few sweet peppers this week and that's it for my indoor seed starting this year.  Just can't give it up completely though - seeing these babies pop out of the soil is just too good a reminder of all the miracles that take place

around us every single day.

Happy gardening!

Sweet Cherry tomatoes and more

I loooooove tomatoes! And I love trying new plants. So this year I tried some more new-to-me varieties of tomatoes. And I think I've found a cherry tom that will become a staple in my garden. Small as a marble, ripening to a creamy, lemony yellow - called Matt's White Cherry - these heirlooms are sweet and delicious as they are pretty. The only thing wrong in my opinion is that there aren't more ripe already.















And while my tomatoes ripen on the vine and the cucumbers flower and set fruit, the marigolds are putting on a show with their gorgeous orange (or yellow or gold) blooms. And I believe they really do help repel the bad guy bugs. I NEED to believe that!