Thursday, April 25, 2013
So much succulent love
Had the most wonderful spring day! I got to use my new potting shed and work on my containers for the upcoming sale. So, so happy with how they are coming out. First 60 plus degree day since September last year comes tomorrow! I can't wait! Yay spring!!!
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Still waiting on a spring day...
This has been such a cold April. Record setting. The weather stat nerd in me is sort of enjoying it... We should have an average high of almost 60 right now, and we are still buried in snow- and still have more forecasted. We had a handful of days that teetered on 50, and were able to crack the house windows, but mostly, we've been in snow gear and coats and hovering around 40. I am happy each inch that falls puts a dent in the drought records, too. Last year was horrifically dry, and we need this moisture so much. I'm also excited that scientifically, these late cold temps are going to affect the bug population (less spiders and mosquitoes).
I've had to fulfill the need to get my hands in the dirt indoors and in my unheated greenhouse. In the greenhouse, as of yesterday (before last nights record low of 18-20F), I've had great success with lettuce and peas, as well as snapdragons, delphiniums, foxgloves, sweet william, blue fescue, hare's tail grass, hollyhock, carrots, penstemon and even some lily bulbs. In the house I've been potting and repotting houseplants, and finally getting grow lights on a shelf for seedlings (very fun!). I have delphinium, hollyhock, french lavender, carnation, coleus, rudbeckia, and snapdragon seeds, as well as caladium, fern, and dahlia tubers. Our living space is filled to the brim with houseplants & various plants for the garden I am planting at Jux99. I even tried cat grass for the kitties... my boys planted the seeds, and they sprouted under the lights very fast- we moved them into the entry hall on a dresser where the cats could find it, and it was chewed down by the next day. I added more seeds, and they've started sprouting, too.
I have also been making a huge batch or two of hypertufa everyday. I've started having pieces cured completely, just in time for the wholesale orders of hardy succulents to arrive at my door. I will selling the hypertufa (both empty and planted with sedum & sempervivum) in 2 weeks at Juxtaposition 99 here in Buffalo, MN. I was hoping to have this aspect of my contribution to the sale done a month ago, but the weather wasn't very cooperative and I'm limited on space-that huge greenhouse I dream about hasn't fallen out of the sky yet, go figure. I am hoping people can visualize how wonderful these little guys will looks when they begin multiplying. :) We know how hens and chicks do!
I've had to fulfill the need to get my hands in the dirt indoors and in my unheated greenhouse. In the greenhouse, as of yesterday (before last nights record low of 18-20F), I've had great success with lettuce and peas, as well as snapdragons, delphiniums, foxgloves, sweet william, blue fescue, hare's tail grass, hollyhock, carrots, penstemon and even some lily bulbs. In the house I've been potting and repotting houseplants, and finally getting grow lights on a shelf for seedlings (very fun!). I have delphinium, hollyhock, french lavender, carnation, coleus, rudbeckia, and snapdragon seeds, as well as caladium, fern, and dahlia tubers. Our living space is filled to the brim with houseplants & various plants for the garden I am planting at Jux99. I even tried cat grass for the kitties... my boys planted the seeds, and they sprouted under the lights very fast- we moved them into the entry hall on a dresser where the cats could find it, and it was chewed down by the next day. I added more seeds, and they've started sprouting, too.
I have also been making a huge batch or two of hypertufa everyday. I've started having pieces cured completely, just in time for the wholesale orders of hardy succulents to arrive at my door. I will selling the hypertufa (both empty and planted with sedum & sempervivum) in 2 weeks at Juxtaposition 99 here in Buffalo, MN. I was hoping to have this aspect of my contribution to the sale done a month ago, but the weather wasn't very cooperative and I'm limited on space-that huge greenhouse I dream about hasn't fallen out of the sky yet, go figure. I am hoping people can visualize how wonderful these little guys will looks when they begin multiplying. :) We know how hens and chicks do!
My kids have wasted no time indoors when they could be outside playing in the heavy wet spring snow. During and after shoveling the foot that feel this week I took a few pictures.
The temps are warm enough that the snow is melting fast, and running down our street in a tiny trickling creek. A nice sight!
See the snow went to the top of my rain boots!
My kids and dogs:
I heard a friend of a friends's facebook status was, "Go home, winter. You're drunk." Hysterical!
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Fabulous "Winter" Storm
Well folks, it's still snowing on us up here in ol' lower Canada.
Kidding of course, I'm in Buffalo, MN. But it is indeed a record setting April for snowfall, as we are slated to pick up 8 more inches with the storm currently overhead. The snow from last weeks storm wasn't gone yet. Snow picture included here us from this morning, and several inches have accumulated since. I'm hoping we have a nice wet year-way too dry last year!
My hardy succulent orders have begun arriving, and I started tucking them into some of the hypertufa that's fully cured. Love how its looking- still a ways to go to fill in, but with the cold spring even the hardy succulents at the nursery were still semi-dormant. I will be selling hypertufa with hardy succulents at the juxtaposition 99 sale here in Buffalo this May 2, 3, and 4th.
Also getting ready to have some fresh lettuce soon. Glad those seedlings are going strong!
Lots more germinations in the unheated greenhouse, including delphinium, foxglove, blue fescue, hare's tail grass, sweet William, snapdragons, peas, hollyhock, and more. Will share pics of those hopeful little sprouts soon.
Kidding of course, I'm in Buffalo, MN. But it is indeed a record setting April for snowfall, as we are slated to pick up 8 more inches with the storm currently overhead. The snow from last weeks storm wasn't gone yet. Snow picture included here us from this morning, and several inches have accumulated since. I'm hoping we have a nice wet year-way too dry last year!
Also getting ready to have some fresh lettuce soon. Glad those seedlings are going strong!
Lots more germinations in the unheated greenhouse, including delphinium, foxglove, blue fescue, hare's tail grass, sweet William, snapdragons, peas, hollyhock, and more. Will share pics of those hopeful little sprouts soon.
Happy gardening!
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Hyper tufa Love
I have been enjoying the process of making hyper tufa the last few months-it has really helped ease the pain of a slow going winter. We even have a winter storm warning this week! Thankfully, I am finally starting to have a few fully cured pieces and I could not be more excited! We tried a couple recipes, but found the equal parts peat moss, perlite, portland cement to work best. No real way to say how much water to add, it's an eyeball it kind of thing. I am also finding it to be a wonderful creative outlet. How fun are these?
I will be selling these, and other hypertufa creations at the upcoming Juxtaposition 99 Sale,in Buffalo Minnesota this May 2, 3, 4th. Check out the Juxtaposition 99 Blog here, and like Juxtaposition 99 on facebook here! I will also be opening a garden themes Etsy shop in the next month. Very excited!!!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Handmade
I made this fairy garden birdbath/ urn planter last night! And the rock word. So excited to start selling some fairy garden accessories soon! I will keep you posted!
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