Garden Dreaming

The yard was blanketed with snow yesterday, so it's hard to imagine it ever being glorious and green again, but we can try. In today's post, I'm going to share some of the garden plans for this year, as well as what progress has been made so far, seedling-wise. :)

Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer. ~Geoffrey B. Charlesworth

While anyone can get a case of spring fever, I think perhaps that gardeners suffer it most. We store up rosy memories of last year's garden, remembering the satisfaction of carrying in baskets heaping with vegetables, the heavenly scent of fresh cut flowers, the sensation of the rich, dark soil between our fingers. We forget the irksome things, like the fight against Japanese beetles, and constant weeding. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, indeed! By early spring, we are positively itching to get our hands in the dirt.

Planning and Progress

Pictured below are my lettuce seedlings, which sprouted within three days of being planted. No kidding! Lettuce is practically like a weed and even sprouts up in the grass of its own accord. Garden perimeters be darned. Ha!

This year, we're going to skimp on tomatoes, as we have a good deal still frozen and canned from the previous season. We'll just focus on having enough for "fresh eating," to put on salads and sandwiches and such. Mom has started on some romas, and soon we'll have to transplant those to bigger containers.

For flowers this season, I'm going with a all red scheme, which should look really snazzy with our patriotic decorations for Memorial Day, 4th of July, etc. I planted a couple red begonia bulbs a few weeks ago. After getting slightly paranoid that I planted them upside down, they have finally "shoosted up," as Lisa Douglas of Green Acres would say. :) I think these vibrant red blooms will look just smashing in some terra cotta pots on the front steps. Pictured below are last year's begonias, which resided in our windowboxes.

My dear herb plants were in rough shape for much of the winter, but after two "doses" of Miracle-Gro and a bit of trimming, they're starting to get a second wind. The chive plant (at left) is the best it has ever been. It's never had more than two or three stalks, and I never dared trim any off to use for seasoning. Now, its finally grown to the point of being useful. :) This next season, I would really like to try growing tarragon. I've seen Jacques Pepin use it in apple desserts, which I think sounds intriguing. Its flavor is described as bittersweet, a cross between licorice and peppery.

Perhaps the chiefest attraction of a garden is that occupation can always be found there... with mind and fingers busy, cares are soon forgotten. ~Alicia Amherst

The best thing about gardening, whether indoors or out, is that its a positive, constructive activity to keep you busy. I think that's something we could all use at the moment. So, get out a few empty egg cartons and potting soil (sold at hardware stores - essential businesses!) and start some seeds. There's still time before we're able to plant outside.

What are your garden plans for this season? Have you started any seedlings? I'd love to hear in the comments!

Thank you for stopping by,

Eva

P.S. I'm seeing more snow in the forecast. *sigh* But just remember to hang in there. In three short months or so, we'll have something that looks like this... Until then! :)