Seedling Progress

Transplanted seedlings into pots, now it's time to get some more seeds started. Today more pansies and violas, coleus, more gloriosa daisies, and petunias. Seedlings started about one month ago are doing well although two sowings of pelargoniums have only resulted in about 10 seedlings. I'll have to find more pots to disinfect in the basement. Threw out a lot this summer from those save from annuals bought last summer. They add up over time. Peat pots are okay but dry out quick. Glad to have had some already from last season. Old impatiens seeds sown did not germinate. Ordered some for spring the new Beacon variety that supposedly don't get downy mildew.

Won't be buying any more gloriosa daisies. They're hardy and big plants and easy to work with although the seeds are tiny. I fell in love with them during the fall. Ordered some from Bloombox. Although I have to find the chocolate colored ones which were beautiful. I saved seeds but made the mistake of putting all of them in the same paper bag. Not wise thinking I'd be able to identify the seed heads. All the daisy seed heads looked the same. I'll experiment first. If they don't germinate, I'll order a pack of seeds.

Salvia and smells just like them. I also bought about forty dollars worth of salvia last season. Won't be doing that again either. The seedlings are big and easy to work with.

                                                                              Gloriosa Daisies

Pelargonium

Pansies were flat on the soil and dried up this morning, oh no. I watered them and they look a little better but not like before. Some may not make it. Sad because they're my favorites and I haven't sown any from seeds for years. But, I sowed more today.

Dragon Wing Begonias

Petunias, coleus, and gloriosa daisy on the heat mat. Pansies went on the cool window seal as before until they germinate. Then I'll move them under lights.

Poor excuse for hyacinths this year. Bloom stalks starting to emerge on some. They had 12 weeks chill in the basement but didn't do well this year. I won't order from this company again. Paperwhites forced from the same company didn't do well either. The living room is starting to smell wonderful from their fragrance although not in full bloom, yet.

Punxsutawney Phil

I think we Northeasterner's already knew that as Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his burrow and saw his shadow, that there would be 6 more weeks of winter.  Have you ever watched this yearly event complete with top hats? Amusing and one I look for on ground hog day. Although we have ground hogs in my neighborhood in the city, I've been lucky and haven't had one decide to choose my yard for a home. Maybe the lack of vegetables in the summer. With the yard receiving dappled shade due to trees, don't think there will be much vegetable growing there until I have some of my neighbors trees pruned that hang over my yard. 

This was the 2nd day of shoveling. Yesterday it was light and fluffy and took little effort to move. Today the opposite and it took a little over 1 hour to remove it all from the sidewalk. Guess that was my exercise for the day. Birds in the yard have loved the snow and have packed the feeder while eating, singing, and drink water from a heated bird bath. Appearing not concerned about the falling snow that will continue until this evening.

Going out to shovel. Hopefully my back allows me.

In the Yard

Giving me the back.

Time for a nap. You would think his feet would be cold.

Second birdbath not heat, covered in snow.

Dark eyed junco. Often called snow birds. They do seem to love the snow and have spent all winter thus far visiting the feeder in a flock along with sparrows, purple finches, cardinals, jays, and a wood pecker.

It's primrose time. The yellow ones are my favorites and are scented. Wonder why the other colors aren't.

Couldn't leave the store without something green last week. Of course all 3 are divas so a open terrarium may help. You know how they act when they want water.

The Critters, Bulbs, Seedlings

My fall pumpkins used for decoration have started to get soft on the sun porch. The critters will enjoy them in the yard. Hope the jays come looking for food before the squirrels devour it all. Suet will be put in the suet holder or the squirrels will take the whole cake away. Today was windy with temperatures in the 30's. Tonight in the teens with 7 below zero predicted. Snow storm possibly for Sunday-Tuesday. Glad to be inside by the fire.

Nice to see cardinals every day in the yard and once this fall a woodpecker. Added the nut and fruit mix today. Safflower seeds have been the seed of choice most of fall and winter to deter squirrels. It actually works but leaves lot of shells to clean up. I don't think I'll feed them during the spring and summer. They'll be plenty for them to eat with flowers blooming, insects, and trees with berries and fruit. Bird feeding can get expensive but I love looking out my window and seeing the variety of birds and their behaviors.

Fresh water. Broke the ice in the unheated feeder and added more water.

Carrot squirrel snack.

This is the problem with seeds. Most are on the ground from squirrels jumping on the feeder to check for black oil sunflower seeds. This causes the seeds to scatter. Plan for this fall, a hopper feeder that usually only opens for birds. Squirrels are to heavy and the feeder stays close. So they say.

Waiting patiently for the first hyacinth bloom to push up. Hard to wait for that wonderful fragrance.

Pansies and violas started on the window seal started to stretch so I moved them under the lights. I'm waiting for more seeds via mail and I'll sow more. Haven't started these in years. They're one of my favorites.

Gloriosa Daisies are staring to get their true leave. They're fuzzy. The blooms of these are yellow. I save some seeds from a bronze colored one from this fall. Hopefully they'll germinate. I fell in love with them this fall when ordered from Bloom Box for winter planters. Two other views of them below. Would have started them later had I known they would get so big this soon and they don't go outdoors until May. Everything except begonias germinated quickly. I sowed them 2 weeks ago. Wanted to wait but it got the best of me.

Salvia Blue Victoria

Pelargoniums getting their true leaves. Will be starting petunias, vinca (I think), coleus, peppers, tomatoes, and herbs. Two types of begonias were sow but take about a month to germinate.

Took care of the birds, now I'll warm up.