The Current layout

This is going to be a lazy look pretty pictures blog! I am going to show my current lay out. Let me know what you think! Of course I am moving things around all the time. That is the beauty of hanging baskets, in my case buckets and pots.

Sideways picture again! Sorry that is the wooden crate in the far right.

The upside down blue pot is so I can walk across and water and tend to the plants on the other side. The cat has decided it is a perch for her to stare at birds. Well played kitty.

It's raining it's pouring

It has been raining for a few days. I am happy for the free watering but want the sun so I can check out how things are doing. My new set up gets a lot better drainage so I am not as worried as I was before about drowning plants. I do how ever have to water more often. I planted a ton of seeds two weeks ago and yesterday almost all have sprouted. I planted a wildflower mixture into the soil where the dayliles are. Fast growing annual mix to liven things up a bit. Next to the now giant hosta that last year looked all but dead. I planted some love lies bleeding and that seems to be growing nicely next to the driveway. It can be weedy elsewhere but here is an annual. Not to mention contained by the house on one side and the driveway on the other.

 A sideways view of the giant Hosta. Sorry I didn't rotate it. You can see the leaves from the now spent tulips and crocus next to it.

My once pretty bucket full of done flowers. I have planted some flowers and by the time the leaves have saved enough energy the new flowers should be popping up. In the background you can see my pot with the teddy bear sunflowers. My neighbor said she hates sunflowers so I suggested she just not look at them then ha ha.

What to put here?

The front by the steps. It has a few tulips. when they are done I'm debating what next.

I was thinking of Lord Baltimore hibiscus?

My reasons are....
* Large, tropical flowers
* Virtually maintenance free
* Highly adaptable to various soils
* Showy for up front
This hardy hibiscus looks like it came from the tropics, but is cold hardy. Produces deep red blooms. They are huge and reach sizes up to 10 inches across.  It will add a tropical feel to the front landscape, without having to replant every year. Lord Baltimore hibiscus is low maintenance requiring almost no care. Drought and frost are no match for this hardy shrub. It produces a spectacular show year after year.
Demonstrates extreme tolerance to almost any soil condition.
Will not crowd out or kill the already established plants. 
       Perhaps some rock roses?

 
 The Rock Rose grows in full sun. As you can see from the previous photo the spot get's sun most of the day but not full sun. The reason I think rock roses may be a better choice it that it is tolerant of dry, stony soils that lack organic matter. This spot is neglected and hard for me to get to on the third floor. Rock Roses look good and showy even in hot dry areas.That will help when I can't get down to water it often in august. The Cistus aka rock rose  is one of those plants you can use in a drought tolerant garden that can make a landscape look lush and colorful. Rock Roses need excellent drainage and are tough enough to withstand desert sun and hot temperatures.They can also withstand salt. This is important for a plant next to the driveway. The hot asphalt won't kill it. I can group them in a hedge. A little more carefree than my already carefree lord Baltimore. The problems I have with this plant is that it isn't very cold hardy. I will have to plant again next year. With apartment living it doesn't much matter though as I may not even be here next year.
What are your garden plans?

Closed tulip

the tulip yesterday before it opened.

another view of my tulip

The leaves are a little ragged due to certain kitty's I know. But it bloomed very pretty. I like the muted outside and bright inside.

Hyacinth

My first one bloomed! Shorter stem because I planted it late and didn't have time to set down deep enough roots. Lesson learned. I really love the soft white. I can't wait to see what other colors bloom. I also make the mistake of touching it and have been itchy all day oops.

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!

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.

 

     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.

I'm feeling spring fever! The Red Sox have gone to spring training. The crocus are in bloom and tulips and daffodils are popping up all over the place!

 I'm itching to buy some tickets for fenway this season but I just lost my second job and I'm tightening the belt along with the rest of the world. So tickets can wait. I always end up with a few. 

I started my winter-sowing a few weeks ago. Don't know what that is? Read all about it at www.wintersown.org. It's a way for spatially challenged people such as myself in my tiny one bedroom apartment and no room for a light set up. You take seeds and let nature do the work with a little help from mini greenhouses made from jugs, bottles and flats.  See easy as pie the seeds sit all snug until spring and bloom when ready. Some cole crops have started already and I know they can survive through a bit of snow.