Saturday

It's a beautiful day when your daughter asks you what you want to do today because she's going to spend time with you. I planned walking at Valley Green but in the morning, envisioned shoes covered in mud from last night's rain and changed our plans. We passed the hiking trail during our drive and the mud didn't appear to have stopped anyone and I regretted not walking because the scenery in the wooded area was breathtaking and what I needed today. I enjoyed reading this information on plants and wildlife in the park.

The day was not wasted. We visited the pet shop for kitties food and to see what pets were there for adoption, always part of our visit. It's not Saturday without looking at what's at the nursery as spring approaches. My excuse to go to Primex Garden Center in Glenside. I behaved and only bought 2 packs of seeds, something to hopefully support my amaryllis when I pot it up to start growing, and some more seed trays. I wasn't thinking because I didn't get an actual amaryllis support which I know they had in stock although they usually sell out fast. Too late for that now. It's always seed heaven there during this time and an excuse to look at everything in the store and plan a wish list. After all, Mother's Day is in May. 

Intentionally avoided the greenhouse where the plants are. Garden classes were being held today, seed starting. I've been to several given by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society with the same instructor and won't attend but they do have others coming up that I may register for. Composting and I think caring for houseplants is coming up. Click the link and you can view upcoming classes. 

I'll miss the pink hyacinth when it's finished blooming and plan to be searching all spring and summer for a discounted dorm sized refrigerator for fall for my bulbs. Although my porch is cool enough to chill them starting in November, not giving them the 40 degree temperature they need starting in September or October when bulbs arrive in stores or via mail doesn't allow them enough chill time for earlier forcing and results in stunted growth. 

I've read that all the parts of the plant are inside the bulb including all the nutrients it needs to reach full size when planted and it's true. The hyacinths I forced so far did not reach anywhere near normal size but I pulled the green stems back and could see that other blooms were tucked inside the stem. That's amazing. I opened the stem some to let some of the blooms emerge. Next year I'm hopeful for normal sized hyacinths. I'm more enamored with them indoors now than paper whites. Amaryllis forced this winter so far have also been beautiful.

Maverick Salmon Pelargoniums

Dichondra Silver Falls starting to germinate. I really want them to do well. Tried to overwinter a pot without success.

Only 1 White Swan Cone flower germinated so far. I'm surprised since it's recommended that the tray receive a few weeks in the refrigerator to mimic outdoor weather and break the dormancy. I have 2 other types to start. Hopefully tomorrow I make time to start more seeds, coleus, bergenia, foxglove, the nicotiana I bought today, and a few others. Can't start too much because there's only so much room on the heat mat. I want to winter sow some seed on the soil in the yard also. Did good with a lupines one winter but they didn't do well when I transplanted them.

How she looked today before the blooms end.

If I could bottle the smell.

Don't know how this will do in my small flower bed but since the information on the packet says it can tolerate some shade maybe I'll get a few blooms. If not, my sister will love them for her garden.

One of my favorite perennials and if sown early enough it'll bloom the first year. Going to try to have patience and pay attention to them so I can get a few to adult sized. They aren't cheap in the store to be buying enough to fill a garden but by seed...

Starting to receive the books I ordered with my Christmas gift card. A classic that I hope I like. I'm upset because Barnes and Noble electronically delivered my Monty Don book to a Nook. I don't even own a Nook but a Kindle. Didn't order it electronically I wanted to actually feel the pages and read the book. There's nothing like feeling the pages of a book. I do love my Kindle, but not for everything. They'll have to refund me or send the printed book,

Good book. I started reading it tonight and gave me some things to think about that I learned this winter as to how to choose which plants to over winter or not. I've found that all plants don 't want to sit under a plant light but prefer what degree of winter light there is during the day in a cool window. The plants I overwintered,  pelargoniums, citrus trees, and calibrachoa have done better on the window seal than under lights. Also I don't think I'll overwinter pelargoniums again since I'm very successful growing them from seeds and they look healthier and bloom better when freshly grown. Actually I'm not overwintering the citrus.They have to come inside in my region. I've been enjoying reading your garden blogs this winter as always year round.