On The porch

Almost tulip time. My daughters' pink tulips are the first to develop heads. I'll show them maybe tomorrow. Today it rained all day so nothing got done outside. I rested and prepared seed trays for the second round of seed sowing. This time zinnias, sunflowers, strawflowers, cosmos, nasturtium, black eyed Susan vine or Cyprus vine. Lemon balm, peppers, tomatoes, pak choy, and a few I can't remember. Can't wait to get the bulbs off the porch so other things can be started and fill their spaces. I need to get out front and plant a container, a small basket for the door, and clean out the flower bed. Dormant perennials I ordered during the winter are waiting to be planted. Some out front, and some in the yard. There is so much to do in the yard. I've waited to clean up fall leave to provide a habitat for insects and possibly possums over the fall and winter. I'm anxiously waiting. Maybe in April. I hung some sheer curtains for a little more privacy although they'll probably be open during the day to let in as much sun as possible and drawn when I'm relaxing on the porch.

Lettuce, Georgia collards, spearmint, and I think peppermint, lemon thyme, and a few strawberry plants.

Last spring I put the bulbs outside and frost damaged them and stunted the blooms. Hopefully this won't happen this spring. Unexpected frosts are always still possible until mid May.

Went to Primex Garden Center last weekend and bought some carex grass, ranunculus, and vinca for my container. It's waiting patiently to be planted.

Can't forget the pansies.

The tips of some of the tulips did get some frost burn on their tips. I accidentally broke off the developing tulip bulb. I'll place it in water.

The roses and tulips are on my desk at work. Still doing well. Next week will be their second week but I'll have to trash them possibly mid week.

Didn't keep watering my lemon cypress tree and it's dead. I'll have to throw that out. The other pots are dormant perennials, bergenia, stachy hummelo, echinacea, brunnera, a tiny hydrangea, and hibiscus.

Not pleased with the hyacinths so far. One has rotted. It's still early and some others have opened and smell wonderful.

That's a tassel fern.

My lesson in growing kale on the sunporch over winter. Thought it would get larger. I need to pick the leaves and add to a stir fry. Next fall, I'll start them early so they can be larger before the temperature drops. Enjoy digging in the soil. It's time.