Surprises - the good kind

I like surprises - the good kind that is. Surprise lillys, that I thought I had killed, are sprouting. A friend gave me these last year. I brought them home, planted, watered, the leaves turned brown and withered away. No flowers. Nothing. Until now...very nice surprise!

And, while I've made every effort to successfully grow peppers from seed this year, I'm still a bit surprised that so many of them are doing so well. Having tried a few times before, and in earnest last year, I've learned this is not as simple as poking some seeds into dirt, watering and walking away. They need attention - DAILY! They need the right potting mix, and light - they need warmth - they need water, but not too much. And good air flow, a spritz of tonic to ward off damping off, and a watchful eye for mold and other issues. Lots to remember - but worth it.

I seem to have 3 groups - A) very vigorous and thriving; B) growing but just not as fast or big as group A; C) Hanging in there - growing very slowly, maybe having a leaf drop or curl. So while I'm having far better success than in the past, there's still a few weaklings in the bunch. No biggee - I'm just thrilled to have some super-babies that should make fabulous transplants come May! I'd say for month-old seedlings they look pretty darned good, wouldn't you?

Robins in the Hand Tree

My daughter is blossoming in so many ways. Not the least of which is her creative bloom. She has a yen to be a master cake decorator, and so with Dad and I insisting she get her undergrad degree before she leaps into that world of frosting, fondant and sugar-roses, she has decided to major in Art. Now, mind you, she is several months from starting college, much less declaring a major, but she has her mind made up....for now. However, she has definitely shown some creative stretching during this year. Her previous project - a wire shape covered with nylon hosiery - became a beautiful red Cardinal. And this plaster hand could not be satisfied with a realist's finish of skin tones and nails, but instead begged to be a part of our spring world developing right outside the window. So budding limbs and Robin's eggs grace the Sycamore Hand, complete with tree swing.

I love seeing her imagination run amuck!

From seeds and cuttings

The peppers are growing so well! Only 3 weeks ago I started the seed for several types of peppers (all sweet but one) and many of them are getting nice big leaves already. And about that same time I took cuttings from my wax begonia and a couple of curly ivy that I have. Both have rooted and are doing well - so well in fact that one of the little begonia starts has even bloomed! I'll try to get them out of the perlite and into some potting mix tomorrow and hopefully they will really take off then. Unfortunately, I somehow killed one pot of the ivy plants I took cuttings from...so the new ones will really just replace the pot I ruined. Oh well, maybe next year I can get some extras going.

Wild and Windy

I had every intention of getting the existing beds in my veggie garden layered with peat moss and compost today. Of 4 rows, I did 1/2 of ONE row. This crazy March wind was gusty when I started, and by the time I got a 1/2 row complete, it was just out of control. I put away the peat moss before it all ended up in the next county! However, there were lots of things that helped make the day enjoyable in spite of my change in plans. First, I heard the peeper frogs last night for the first time this year...and then again nearly all day today. Their voices are my favorite spring sound as they are usually one of the first signs that spring is upon us. Then I got to enjoy watching a trio of Canadian Geese catch their breakfast (some of the peepers?!) in the small pond just west of the garden. Later on I peeked inside the wintersown containers and was thrilled to see that I now have Lupine, Swiss Chard, and onions sprouted!

While I was in the garden, I was serenaded by the sounds of many different birds that seemed to be singing in delight at the warm spring-like day. A rather rowdy bunch pulled my attention from the soil at my feet to high above in a nearby elm. A group of 40+ Redwing Blackbirds were gathered in the elm, which also made me recognize the buds on the old elm are enlarging and developing a deep crimson tinge. Now, if only it could stay this way. But, oh no, Winter isn't going to give up her reign quite so easily as that. The weather predictions are for rain and snow and cooler temps again tomorrow. Patience...patience...oh for just a bit more patience!