Winter Sowing

**Winter Sowing: A Guide to Early Spring Gardening**

Winter sowing is an innovative gardening technique that allows you to start seeds outdoors during the winter months. Attributed to Judy Trudell instead of waiting for spring to begin sowing, this method takes advantage of the natural freeze-thaw cycles of winter, giving your seeds a head start while protecting them from harsh conditions.

**What is Winter Sowing?**

Winter sowing involves planting seeds in containers that are then placed outside in the winter. The containers act like mini-greenhouses, allowing sunlight in while protecting the seeds from extreme temperatures and pests. As the temperatures fluctuate, the seeds undergo natural stratification, which is essential for many perennial and hardy annual seeds to germinate.

**How to Get Started:**

1. **Choose Your Seeds:** Select seeds that are suitable for winter sowing. Many hardy annuals, perennials, and vegetables like peas, lettuce, and pansies thrive with this method.

2. **Gather Containers:** Use clear plastic containers such as milk jugs, plastic clamshells, or any clear container with a lid. Ensure they are clean and have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.

3. **Prepare the Containers:** Fill the containers with a seed-starting mix, then plant the seeds according to the packet instructions. Water gently to moisten the soil.

4. **Seal and Label:** Close the containers and label them with the seed type and date. This helps keep track of your plantings.

5. **Place Outdoors:** Set the containers outside in a sunny spot. They can withstand snow and freezing temperatures, and the sunlight will help maintain a stable environment.

**Benefits of Winter Sowing:**

Cost-Effective:** You can save money by starting your seeds instead of purchasing young plants.

- **Less Work:** Since you’re planting outdoors, there’s no need for grow lights or indoor space.

- **Stronger Plants:** Plants that germinate outdoors tend to be hardier and adapt better 

Winter sowing is a fantastic way to embrace the gardening season early while working with nature. By following these steps, you can enjoy a vibrant garden come spring, filled with healthy, thriving plants. So grab your containers and seeds, and get ready to sow your way into a successful gardening year!

Infuenster vox box

I recived rachel ray nurish cat food from infuenster to try. The cats were very excited when I opened the box. I mixed a bit into the food they currently eat and they really seemed to enjoy it. I haven't gotten picked for a vix box for quite a while so I'm very excited to give this a try.

Sverve

Sverve is a way to promote and make your blog something great. Do campaigns and get paid for products you love.

Just Fab

I was wary of ordering as they don't have the best track record of being transparent.
  I went into it knowing it would be a pain to cancel and for some reason all the good sales are to get people to sign up.
 I got two pairs of boots and sized up a half size on one and stayed my regular size on the other.
I love them so pretty. The quality isn't amazing but worth the $20 I paid. I really wish I had sized up on both and a full size bigger on both. Keep in mind the sizes are all over the place.
These are the boots I chose.

Vogue 2015 summer fashion

Here are some looks by vogue for the hottest looks for summer!
Everyday I will post a featured look and the the look for less.

Here are my top looks and the looks for less

                                                        First up Ballerina 

                                             The looks for less
                          Like this dress from lulu's

or these from white plum

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My review of the #GoBloom mascara from covergirl. I received this to test in my influenster vox box. A vox box is where you review and test products for free!

 I just received my lash bloom vox box from influenster. This mascara is a good size at a good price point and is fairly effective. It does have a few drawbacks. The wand is hard plastic. I'm wondering if it will soften up over time. Its almost impossible to get to smaller parts of the eye because of the size and inflexibility of the wand

My recipes

Since nobody really reads this and all my recipes are currently in composition books. Ill try and organize and add pics once they are all typed in. For now the pics are not my own they are goggled ones that look close to what I'm making

My most used ones:
 
Lemon Salmon patties:
1 can pink salmon, drained, skin and bones removed
3/4 a cup of milk
1 cup bread crumbs
1 egg beaten
1/4 teaspoon dill weed
1 teaspoon minced onion
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
 1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/8 teaspoon of pepper

Lemon sauce:
2 tablespoons of butter
4 teaspoons flour
3/4 cup of milk
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
combine first ingredients put in sprayed muffin cups at 350 f0r 45 min

sauce: Melt butter stir in flour and milk boil and make sure to continuously stir
thicken and add lemon, salt and cayenne

Yorkies:



2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
3 eggs room temp
2 cups of milk room temp
1oz of melted butter, oil or drippings
whisk flour and salt together
beat eggs and milk separately
make a well in flour and mix in the wet mixture slowly
cover with saran wrap and wait an hour
heat oven to 400F
wait for pan to smoke and cook for 30 min no peeking


 

1 can pumpkin
4 eggs
1 cup veg oil
2/3 cup h20
2 cups of sugar
3 1/2 cups of flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp clove
1/4 tsp ginger
preheat oven to 350F
grease and flour pans or mason jars
mix wet ingredients well add sugar and blend
mix flour,cinn,nutmeg,clove,ginger and add into wet mixture until just blended
bake 50 min 
I make this every year for gifts in mason jars  as well as cookies and apple cake


Balsamic Broccoli:
 
1lb broccoli
4 tsp olive oil
2 tsp garlic
1 tbsp Balsamic
2 tsp Dijon mustard
steam broccoli
heat oil in saucepan
add garlic and saute
stir in vinegar and mustard
add broccoli and toss

infuenster

You can get some awesome free products to try that are relevant to your everyday life. I have gotten everything from cheese to nail polish. Its awesome!

Winter Weather!

I have been really busy trying to make sales for new job at Comcast.
I like being in the snow and we finally got some. I haven't forgotten the blog but just got internet again.

Look how pretty it all is! My winter sowing is in full swing and I promise an update later this week.  I moved into a new apartment and have a new garden plan. I'm hoping to stay here for a few years and expand. I'll show my plan for the 5 gallon buckets and the mixture I found on garden web.