Thursday, January 29, 2009

Robins and skunks

I saw my first robin today walking into work. It was trying very hard to eat a crabapple. Spring is on it's way! I must say that I am really enjoying the winter this year though. It has been staying cold enough for the snow to stick around. I don't mind winter when there is snow. However, if it is just cold and no snow, that is a different story altogether!
I have also seen my third skunk. The first two were dead on the road, and the third one almost got killed on our way home tonight. Glad we missed!! They must be coming out of hibernation. It seems really early though. I did some checking online, and encylopedia.com stated that In northern parts of their range the animals sleep through much of the winter, but they do not truly hibernate and may emerge during warm spells. I think their thermometers are broken because this is not a warm spell!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Heirloom gardening

I have really been looking into the heirloom garden catalogs, and I am thinking about planting a totally heirloom garden this year. I have been looking at the Baker Creek and Seed Savers Exchange catalogs for my ideas. For my birthday, I received a membership for Seed Savers Exchange. I am excited to get my first publication! I was marking tomatoes last night and I think I need to buy a farm to grow everything that sounds good. I will have to limit my choices to a few new varieties a year. It is so hard to wait!! God loves to make me practice patience. Those that know me understand.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Heirloom seed site

I happened across a site on Craiglist tonight that caught my eye because of the packaging of their seeds. They use recycled magazines for the seed packaging and all their seeds are heirloom. The name of the site is Urban Gardener.
I have never used this company before, but liked the packaging idea.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Early birthday present

I just ordered an early birthday present for myself. I was on another blog and found this great gardening journal. I really liked the 10 year format. It is laid out so each date can be looked at with all of the entries for that date. Did that make sense? In other words, you can look up January 9 and see all 10 years of entries rather than having to page through each year and try to compare notes. It is hardbound also. A great plus. The downside was the shipping. :(
I am trying harder to journal this year. We'll see how it goes.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Lettuce progress

The lettuce that I am growing in my potting shed is doing well. I transplanted it a couple of days ago into a basic flat filled with soil. I wasn't sure if I would kill them since I transplanted them a little deeper than they were originally due to the seedlings getting a little leggy due to me not getting to them soon enough. They are doing pretty good though.
I am thinking about getting some of the plastic windowbox planters that I can put some other veggies in. Maybe some radishes.
The seed catalogs are really coming in and the pre spring fever is starting. I always start with such great hopes for the spring and then later on in the summer my enthusiasm fades. It is good to dream.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all! We are spending ours in snowy Wisconsin at my brother in law and sister in law's house. Warm fire, kids playing in the snow, just hanging out....