Welcoming Spring into the Home and Garden!
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| My dad just told me today that my grandmother used to look for the crocuses each spring and announce their arrival -- I wasn't sure I had any anymore, but I found this little guy in the front yard today! |
Last weekend we had our first peek of spring, and I could barely contain myself. I spent all day Sunday working inside and out to help usher in the season. Today was not nearly so warm, but it was sunny. Although I had planned today as an indoor cleaning and project day, I could not resist the chance to get into my garden and start tilling -- since the ground had already thawed! Here's a look at how spring is making its way into my home and garden.
I started my seeds for my garden a couple of weeks ago. I realized that I had not taken good inventory the past couple of years and had a lot of extras on hand. So, I decided this year I would try not to buy many seeds, but to instead use what I already have. In the tray below, I am growing Brussels Sprouts, Pumpkins on a stick, Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes, Heirloom Delicious Tomatoes, Hot Peppers, Lavender and Sage.
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With all of my extra seeds I've accumulated, I decided that I needed a better storage system! I found this cute little box at JoAnn Fabrics and decided it would be perfect!
I cut some file folders to size and used them as dividers based upon growing/planting season and type of seed.
I actually started a few seeds in some larger planters, too. In one, I have leaf lettuces so hopefully we'll have some early season salads! In the other, I did cilantro in the center, surrounded by marigolds and radishes along the perimeter.
Tom had also gotten me a large planter pot for the front porch for Christmas. I decided it was time to get rid of the wintery decor and add in some springy components. As the weather warms, I hope to add some bulbs / real flowers, too!
And, of course, I had to bring a little bit of spring indoors, too! I've been meaning to change up this little ledge for a while now, and wanted a new place for my little birdie...
I also took a moment to re-do my window box in the kitchen, with some herb transplants I'd been meaning to do for a while, and with some new spring plants I just picked up from the nursery.
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| Purple Oxalis - I can't resist anything that looks like a shamrock, and I thought they would look fun in this pitcher/vase! |
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| Irish Moss -- apparently also used as a clarifying agent in beer. We may be harvesting some of this for Tom's home brew. |
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| Happy plants in a sunny window! Happy Dana in a sunny kitchen with bright and growing plants! |
And...this weekend I was able to get into my garden and start some spring cleaning! I was most definitely not able to till any earth last year in March since the whole ground was covered in a couple feet of snow. It felt great to get out there today, shovel in hand, and turn over some soil! This was the first year that I felt like most of my soil had a good, rich color. I started out with pure sand, so it has been a process to make the soil suitable for a garden, and I still have more I'd like to do (including the addition of worm castings!). I suppose I ought to be grateful, though, because if I had clay, I'm not sure my "LAWs" would be able to handle digging!
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| I really think somewhere in me I must be part Hobbit. There truly is something about good tilled earth... |
I found a nice little surprise as I was tilling the garden today. As tends to happen, I had accidentally over wintered some potatoes that I didn't find while harvesting last fall. Two potatoes--one large and one medium/small--turned up as I was tilling. Yay! I love surprises! Especially whey they involve potatoes (or popcorn...or flowers...for those who are taking notes).
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| Yes, I'm wearing my The Cheat sweatshirt... |
The potatoes ended up making a great addition to tonight's dinner, as well!
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| More on this later -- Crock Pot Chicken, Arugula Salad with Blueberry Balsamic Dressing, Homemade Bread and Garden Potatoes!! |
I'm hoping we get a true spring this year -- especially after last year's long and brutal winter. I hope to be back in the garden in a couple of weeks direct sowing my first spring seeds! Raise your hand if you're excited for spring, too!!
ABOUTME
Hi there! My name is Dana and I live in West Michigan with my husband, Tom and our dog Copernicus. I created this space as a place to share the things I learn along this journey I call life. I work in marketing and I'm a sort of Jane of All Trades, interested in all things nature, gardening, cooking, exploring and learning new things. This blog is a conglomeration of my interests, hobbies, life and life lessons. Thanks for stopping by!