Chicago Flower and Garden Show

I was in Chicago for an army class this last weekend. I had no idea the Flower and Garden Show was beginning that Saturday. I also didn't know I would be getting out of class in time to see it! Wasn't prepared, I didn't have my regular camera, but that didn't stop me from taking pictures with my phone. I loved getting the chance to smell spring bulbs! Seeing the fabulous collections of tulips! Enjoying the floral arrangements! And getting quite a few ideas... We still have measurable snow coming, and I know spring is a long way off, so here are a few of the very first pictures I took when I arrived at the Chicago Flower and Garden Show.  Enjoy! More to come, too!

Officially Anxious

I know, I know... still a long way to go until central Minnesota sees real spring time things like green grass, or a flower, but we can all admit it is coming soon. With May 10th as the date to plant tender annuals, this week puts us 8-10 weeks away, and ready to start some inside seeds. This morning I am starting some lavenders-both French Long, and Sancho Panza. I also started a flat of snapdragons. I'll be growing these indoors. In the unheated greenhouse I have some winter sowing going on including delphinium, foxgloves, and columbine. I just could not wait to get my hands in some dirt, even if it did come from a seed starting mix bag.

 

Meanwhile, I indulged myself in looking at my photos from last May. Totally enjoying the bright sunshiny pictures, so I thought I'd pass them along.

Happy almost spring!

I cannot wait!

I cannot wait to plant these lillies! My mom ordered them for me from Hirts. I have the box open on the floor next to me where I am working just so I can smell them- the medium that they're packed in smells like fresh spring dirt, or like walking into a garden center.

Edited: I was alarmed when these bulbs arrived this time of year.  We had/have so much snow on the ground still, and I wasn't quite sure how I would get the bulbs to stay healthy until the ground thawed. The bulbs had broken dormancy in their packaging, and began turning mushy- I assume from reaching freezing temps in transit to my doorstep.  Total bummer. I took a picture and asked the gentleman who runs Hirts greenhouse to send me a new batch, and instead he suggested I have him refund this order, and wait until I would ready to recieve shipment to re-order. I had him refund it, but I won't be ordering again. Every good nursery has a delayed shipping set- up where cold weather gardens can pick their week of shipment... he wasn't willing to work with me. I can't inagine the selection would be as good if I waited until May 1st to order from his shop--- varieties in my order were already selling out now. His ideas were flawed, and left those of us in the north at a disadvantage at getting a good selection. I also checked out his twitter and found out he really need a lesson in keeping his personal opinions and business in totally seperate internet realms. OMG. Yuck.

 

Winter

Still very much winter here, but my husband is building tables for the greenhouse today!

Getting excited!

Every winter I spend a lot of time planning my spring garden. Usually January I'm already buried in my books, sketching, drawing pictures, taking notes studying last year's garden pictures. This year I have been working full time and I have not had any time to even think about my garden. I took a day off yesterday to be myself and just enjoy thinking about the garden. Last weekend I picked up my garden journal for the year and I was dying to write something in it! I also place my first order of the season for seeds online- from Park Seed (including profusion zinnias, benary's giant zinnias, snapdragons, black eyed Susan vine, coleus, Spanish lavender, and hollyhock). And I found this wonderful magazine at Walmart.  I could hardly fall asleep last night coming up with all sorts of ideas! Back to reality today, working, but in my mind gardening season is on its way!

For mum's sake.

I think I got lucky a few years ago planting mums in the garden as soon as they were on store shelves, when fall was really just a whisper- they must have had enough time to establish roots before winter. Come spring they all came back, and bloomed by late summer through fall. I tried a few more in protected places, and still had success. Coming to Minnesota, however, I surely did not think they would over winter. I brought them mostly to assure I had them one more fall.  Little did I know we'd have the most mild winter, and come spring I would have the largest mums I've ever had. I've read about the Minnesota mums, bred to be super hardy here, but to my knowledge these babies aren't supposed to be reliably hardy.  So you never know, this may have been their last time to shine... we won't know until spring.

I know this Rusty one below is 'Hannah'

A few snapdragons crept in the shot, too.

Happy Fall!

Hooray! Sale Time!

I just made my 250th sale on Etsy, and in honor of this milestone I'm having a 25% off sale from now through Friday at midnight! There are items in my shop as low as $6 and $9, so go get some seriously discounted hand made goodies! Visit my shop here:

Jamie Sierra Knits


Enter coupon code: 250sales