The weather here in Western Washington was pretty wonky this week. Raining one day, sunshine the next. Luckily, I was still able to cram a few gardening projects into my already busy week {remodeling the bathrooms, planning my east coast garden, hiding from the HOA}.
One of those projects was cleaning up the side patio. I removed the galvanized steel tub {more where that will be going later} extra terra cotta flower pots and set a bunch of pots and planters next to the side door.
I have this horrible need for things to match and line up right. So when I decided to put my set of black planters next to the door I suddenly realized something was off. Like, as in, I think I might need to purchase another lemon tree. It’s a balance thing. But lemon trees are EXPENSIVE!!! Couldn’t I just plant some rainbow Swiss chard in the other black planter? Or would that be weird.
I need another lemon tree, right?
I stopped by the Home Depot earlier this week {of course I did!!!} and picked up 31 shrubs for the hedge I got approved to plant back in January.
The hedge turned out lovely. 🙂 
My sugar snap peas… they’re up! Maybe in another week or two they’ll be spitting out tendrils and clinging onto the wire trellis. 
I’ve also been hardening off lettuce and Swiss chard seedlings this past week as well. 
A few hours outside, then back under the grow lights. I suspect I’ll be transplanting a bunch of plants to my small veggie plot next week if all goes well. 
My little kitchen garden. So far I’ve planted strawberries, radishes, cabbage, lettuce and onion sets. 
The slugs had a field day with 3 of my cabbage plants. I’m not worried though, a bit of Sluggo should do the trick.
And I finally figured out which one of my neighbors dropped off that mysterious bucket of bulbs a few days ago. 
My dear, sweet 85 year old neighbor lady who lives behind us. After thanking her I asked her what kind of bulbs they were. She couldn’t remember the name of them but said they produce “nice and tall red and orange flowers… like a lily.” Okay then, I guess will just have to plant them and see. 🙂
Ahh Spring. It’s finally here. Aren’t you glad? I am.
~Mavis
This years garden is being sponsored by the awesome folks at Botanical Interests Seed Company. You can check out their website HERE, order their new 2015 Garden Seed Catalog, or see the seeds I’ll be growing in my garden this year HERE.Â
Up for a tour? Read about our behind the scenes tour of Botanical Interests Seed Company.
Daedre says
Mavis, based on your neighbor’s description, those bulbs might be Crocosmia. They come in the red/orange/yellow family and are fairly tall (about 3-4 feet).
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Daedre. I hope you are right, those are beautiful.
Sandi Fleury says
Are you sure they’re not lilies? If they are Crocosmia, they are very invasive and need to be divided every 2-3 years if not more often. http://www.perennialresource.com/encyclopedia/view/?plant=185
Mavis Butterfield says
Maybe Sandi!! I guess we will find out in a few months.
Marcie says
I thought maybe gladiolas.
Mari says
They look like Gladioli bulbs to me. Is that something you have over there? They are not fleshy enough to be lily bulbs and don’t have their segments to the bulb, plus the horizontal lines are characteristic of gladioli. Her description fits them too and the stem left on them looks the part. They look rather large for crocosmia bulbs, judging my your hand. Like you said. Will be a great surprise in summer .
bobbi says
everything looks good! This may be a silly question, but if you are moving in 18 or so months, why go to all the trouble and expense to plants these plants? Maybe I missed that post? 🙂 Love all your posts and the pantry challenge. I am trying to get the nerve up to send you mine. 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
The landscaping here was seriously lacking so I am doing the bare minimum to get it up to snuff before selling the house.
Peggy says
I’m glad you have your sweet 85 yr. old neighbor. I think I would like her. 🙂
Ronnica, Striving Stewardess says
Your stack of seeds makes me so happy! Here in Denver the climate isn’t as mild, but I do think I’ll be able to plant a few things inside this week.
marlo says
They look like canna bulbs to me. I just dug and replanted a bunch today, so I may have cannas on the brain.
Wynne says
When I read the description, I was thinking cannas, too.
Practical Parsimony says
That was so very sweet of your elderly neighbor to give you those builds. Well, you will have a nice surprise. I like the asymmetry of the lemon tree, so I don’t think you need another. My friend grew her on lemon three from one of the seeds of her lemon tree.
ConnieP says
How wonderful that you have a sweet, elderly neighbor who shares from her garden! A breath of fresh air from all the other drama you’ve been dealing with lately. Please share photos when those babies bloom! Your little kitchen garden and side patio look great. I love spring, too.
Mavis Butterfield says
I will, and my neighbor lady is so sweet!
Wynne says
I’m enjoying looking at your pretty basket of seeds, too. I’d love to hear how you manage all the seeds sometime. Mine are in ziplocs, mostly grouped by year purchased. I had a little mental war going on yesterday — should I finish planting the leftover 2014 Easter Egg radishes? Should I start the 2015 purple radishes instead for better reliability? I’m still succeeding with borage seeds from 2012, so I don’t believe in tossing ’em all. Do you ever swap seeds with nearby gardeners?
Mavis Butterfield says
Radish seeds are pretty hardy so you should be fine with planting your 2014 seeds. 🙂
Dale says
Planted Snow Peas and Sugar Snap Peas a few weeks ago. The Snow Peas are all up and doing great. Of the hundred + Sugar Snap Peas only one came up. What the…..? Do birds eat baby peas? and if so why not the Snow Peas too.
Nancy D says
Ha! How does one with self proclaimed OCD get 31 plants in a car?!?!? Did you load them 5 rows of 6 pots or 6 rows of 5??? I bet the 31st one had to ride up front! (Only laughing because having OCD I found myself counting the pots in the back of the car!). You. Are. Awesome!
Mavis Butterfield says
If you must know… I bought 25 plants the first trip {I thought I might need more but wasn’t sure} 5 rows of 5 plants. Second trip 2 rows of 3 plants. 🙂 🙂
Lisa Millar says
Its all looking gorgeous!
By the time you get around to selling there will be people lined up for it!
I tried a molasses spray today on my cabbages and broccoli that the cabbage moth caterpillars are making swiss cheese out of. (That was after smooshing all I could find)
According to my organic gardening book caterpillars would rather starve than eat plants sprayed with it… will let you know if its successful!