How my Winter sown seedlings are growing in my apartment garden

Winter sown seedlings!I am having about 70% success and even more at the program. I'm guessing the program ones are doing better due to the bottom watering. It is always so exciting to see the little sprouts pushing through the earth. How is your winter-sowing doing? I must admit I'm a believer after a few years of doing it and relived to avoid a costly clumsy light set up. If you have ever seen winter-sown roots you would see how great and strong they are. Keeping that in mind I'm going to take a chance and plant a few things out this weekend. I saw a great idea of using cloches in this post Seed Starting Tips for Beginner Gardeners. While I am not a beginner gardener I am always scouring blogs for tips and tricks. I have only gardened once in a real yard. Living in my apartment doesn't allow for much in the way of ground. All of my garden is done in containers and hanging baskets.I found some wonderful metal tins at Target in the $1 isle using my trusty drill I have a few more make shift containers. When I have some more time I shall post pictures of those as well.  My boss asked if we could plant out the seedlings at the program since it has been so warm. He was worse than the kids when I said no it isn't quite over yet. In fact next week we are expecting snow!

the last of the crocus

CameraZOOM-20120318151520646, a photo by lissa2343 on Flickr.

Last few crocus in bloom. All have finished for the year now. Very early due to the warm temps. Back to reality next week.

Bulbs!!

I went a little crazy with the bulbs this year! I do feel like it will be very pretty when they bloom. I hope they are not to crowded. I may inter-plant them with some annuals. I kept picking them up all over. Plant swap groups, building 19 and the Christmas tree shops. I  must stay away from the christmas tree shops when they have the garden supplies. I forgot what soil that is and I wish I knew so I can buy it again. It is rich and fluffy and the plants seem to love it. I have severely neglected this planter as it is on the first floor and I live on the fourth. Whatever I toss in there seems happy no matter my neglect.

I am thinking the angel roses from renne's garden may be just the thing


What bulbs did you plant?

biscuts and gravy

CameraZOOM-20120309185422354, a photo by lissa2343 on Flickr.

I was starving and in the mood for comfort food. I didn't have any eggs so I had to find something easy to make that didn't need eggs.
All it was is flour, water, baking soda and hot oil. The trick is to heat the pan with the oil in it until it smokes. Quickly add the mixture and don't peek.

I have also made breadsticks with no eggs
1 tbls oregano
1/2 tsp garlic
1 1/2 cups of flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2/4 cups of milk I like to use powdered and water
3 tbls spoon melted margarine or butter
Combine dry and slowly add milk. Roll out and cut or grab and make twists like I do. Coat with melted butter and sprinkle with cheese or more seasoning
Bake at 450 for 15 min

beacon hill

C360_2012-01-24 11-16-57, a photo by lissa2343 on Flickr.

An alley in beacon hill. The vines are starting to spread and soon the trumpet vines will fill in and make a fragrant jungle.
What I'm reading this week. Tuesdays with Morrie. It got rave reviews. Several people told me to read it.
Blooming this week: nicotina, rose columbine, crucosima, tick seed, larkspur.
A few days of 70's and everything is taking off.

spring in the city of boston

C360_2012-01-24 11-27-42, a photo by lissa2343 on Flickr.

It was a wonderful 70 degree's today in the city. The city was so pretty and it was so warm today! There was a fire tonight in the city it was hell getting home and a few places were ruined. Thankfully other than smoke and a few places having to be closed no one was hurt. I wonder how long the power will be out. Thankfully it's warm tonight. I'm glad I drove to work and was able to get out. Driving through was bad enough I can't imagine if I had taken the t. Sprouting today: tulips are sending up stems, candy tuft, laverta silver cup, poppies. That is what I remember. I will look again tomorrow. Reading list The queens lady by shannon drake.

What I'm winter sowing!

Here is a quick list of what I have winter sown so far. I will be adding more soon!!

 Aster's , Lavender hidicote dwarf, Dianthus, Candy tuft ( sprouting), Marigold french, snowdrop and fernleaf, 4 O'clock's
Blue and white columbine and rose columbine, Crucosima, sunflower teddy bear and little pink

Purple gay feather, pink rock roses, black, blue and pink morning glory, Corpeopsis, rose campion, cardinal flower, nicotina, broccoli, tomato patio, Cherokee and sausage. Basil, oregano, thyme. Salvia lipstick and blue. Laverta silver cup. Pincushion above in purple I have white, purple and maroon I love them.

BOOKS!!!!

So I joined a challenge to read 50 books in 2012. Here is what I have read so far.

The Red Queen Phillipa Gregory

Not as exciting as the white queen but it was a nice look at the other side. Plus I have all the other Tudor series and needed to read it to complete the series. 
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Queen-Novel-Cousins-War/dp/145165684X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331060677&sr=8-1

The hunger games trilogy! I'm 32 years old and not ashamed to admit I'm obsessed. I read all three books in three days. Exciting and fast paced. I felt the third book was lacking something in the end but over all an amazing series everyone should read. Plus I get to take the kids from work to the movie so I won't be one of those people.
 http://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Games-Trilogy-Boxed-Set/dp/0545265355/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331060857&sr=1-1

 Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
A good book. A tongue in cheek redo of a classic book. I loved it the action and the love story all rolled into one. I'm trying to get the kids to read it. I felt like I needed a katana to go outside after reading this book ha.
 http://www.amazon.com/Pride-Prejudice-Zombies-Classic-Ultraviolent/dp/1594743347/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331061012&sr=1-1

 Dawn of the dreadfuls The Prequel to pp and z. A must read if you have read the other book. It explains why and how the sisters got the training. How they overcame the social mores of the times. Plus it has more kicking zombie ass.
 http://www.amazon.com/Pride-Prejudice-Zombies-Dreadfuls-Classics/dp/B005GNJ6M4/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331061012&sr=1-2

So that is 6 down 44 more to go. I must admit I am a super fast reader and can usually read a 400 page book in about 3 hours. My library card is going to get a work out and I get to discover some great books. I may end up with a few shorter books in there. Does any of my all of 3 readers have any suggestions of what I should read next?

snow drops!!

a photo by lissa2343 on Flickr.

Pretty delicate snow drops blooming at work! I wonder what other surprises I find? I am also doing a winter sowing project there as well. Nothing is sprouting yet but hopefully soon.

winter sowing seedlings

a photo by lissa2343 on Flickr.

Sorry it's fuzzy but it was way to cold today to take the lid off and the holes are in different spots. But those are Broccoli sprouts! They survived the snow storm and are happy growing in the snuggly mini green house. I also spotted a few candy tuft pushing through the soil. I can't wait to plant my garden. I was a bit worried about this container as the seed starting mix I used is very dry and doesn't seem to hold any water. It must be wetter than it looks because things are coming up and look green and strong.

crocus in bloom

, a photo by lissa2343 on Flickr.

Crocus blooming in the front yard. The purple ones came up soon after last year I can't wait. The purple with the yellow is very pretty. Also some tulip buds I planted so many random kinds and colors I can't wait to see what is where. I started with a plan but then ended up with so many I just mixed them all up and randomly planted all over. I hope they don't look silly with all different colors together. I got an old german mineral bottle on free cycle that is begging for tulip blooms.

Blue buttons

C360_2012-03-03 16-29-42, a photo by lissa2343 on Flickr.

Finally bloomed indoors!! So excited they grew very tall and I didn't think it would bloom.

 

     Take a look at my pretty four o'clocks from last year. They held out well past the first few frosts much to my surprise. I collected quite a few seeds and traded for some other colors as well so I'm excited to try those out as well. I was very excited to finally get some snow but now I'm ready for the warmth and growth to return. 

 I got Cody 19 years ago. I was 12 years old and home from school with scarlet fever. My mom was just supposed to have him for the week. He came up to my room crawled into bed and didn't leave my side ever again. He chose me and we often joked he was my shadow. Once when I was dying my hair he ended up looking like a dalmatian. He was standing so close I dripped on him. I lived right near a pond and after a few failed attempts learned to leave him home during trips to the pond. He also hated the groomer with a passion. We went through several who all labeled him a bad dog. Every bath and every haircut was a screaming match. I used to have to warn the neighbors when bath time was coming up you have never met a dog who hated water more.We spent time watching movies going for walks and sharing our lives together. I miss my little fluff. I don't know if I will ever get another dog but I do know for 19 years I had the most loving sweet little dog anyone could ask for. I had to put my dear dog to sleep a few weeks ago and it's taking some time to adjust. My bed feels lonely. When I drop food on the floor I have to remember to pick it up as the cats are not vacuums quite like the dog was lol. I received his ashes and am planning a memorial spot in my tiny garden. Does anyone have any ideas of what would be good to plant? I have bought several rather deep baskets and a large urn for the porch.

C360_2011-09-02 16-58-18

C360_2011-09-02 16-58-18, a photo by lissa2343 on Flickr.

It snowed all day. The most snow we have gotten all year. One thing that seemed to enjoy the snow was the kitten. She snuggled in bed all day.