Replies

Thanks Diana, for the ping.

I started seeds too late last year, so ended up buying tomatoe and pepper sets.

So, I started tomatoes from seeds this year. I have baby tomatoe sprouts, if they make it I’ll not have to buy them this year. I also bought one of those miniature greenhouses to use to start seeds, and apparently it works. The tomatoe sprouts verify that.

Mom and I went to an indoor flea market a few weeks ago, and bought these huge, beautiful, and awesome tasting tomatoes. The guy we bought them from said they were vine ripened in Florida. I used those seeds to start the sprouts I have up now. Of course, I realize they may not work well here, but I am nurturing them.

I also planted some Big Boy Hybrid seeds yesterday.

I composted last year, put that in my raised garden beds. It was a disaster. Something went wrong, the soil was sandy and not productive. I also had cantalopes, etc, come up from the compost. I still have a lot to learn about composting, apparently.

I did save the white runner beans from my garden for seed, and that’s what I’ll plant this year. They are producers. I had bought some bush beans at the coop and planted them (what a waste of space). They didn’t produce enough to bother.

Remember me telling you about the ladies down the road who gave me all the flower cuttings last year? Their brother’s house caught fire and I called them a few days ago to ask if I could help, bring them some clothes, etc. (the house was a total loss). I have some flower seeds a friend sent me from England (all perenials) and I plan to share these with my neighbors this spring. These include Canterbury Bells that came from some cottage connected to Shakespeare.

I have been sick for two days with some kind of bug (chest, head congestion), so I am not thinking or posting sensibly. However, my aunt from England who lives near here was THRILLED when I told her my friend in England had sent me these Canterbury Bells.

My British friend sent me some perinials two years ago that are among my favorites now in my flower beds. She said they are called “Love in a Mist.” They are delicate fernlike foliage, with a beautiful purple flower.

Sharing is one of the best parts of gardening. I turned a bunch of my Mom’s neighbors, “Old biddies,” into friends by sharing my bleeding hearts. They are now fans of me and Mom.

I actually went and bought one of them a $10 gift certificate from Lowes at Christmas. I put a note in the card saying “I know you love your flowers, and they are beautiful. So, wanted to tell you how much it means for my Mother to have a good neighbor (worth more than Gold) like you.”

I really like this woman, although at first I wanted to strangle her for being mean to my Mom. Amazing how many barriers a green thumb can break down. Presidents should be gardeners, true diplomats!!!