Collapsible Cloches

As I was researching how to grow my seedlings better, I stumbled upon this contraption in a video on Mother Earth News' website! What a great idea! A cloche that is collapsible, lightweight and easy to set up and store! Unfortunately they aren't cheap. The smaller one of the two pictured above is $11.50 for three and the larger is $18.50 for three, but I guess that's still not too terrible considering they are reusable! I think I may invest in a few of these and see how they do! :)

No Sprouts

Do my parsley, chives, coleus and one pot of Edamame Beer Friend did not sprout after all this time! I've put more chive seeds in. If that doesn't grow then I'm tossing the packet. The rest I have replaced with lemon cucumber, German chamomile, lemon balm, summer savory &

Signs of a Harsh Winter

It's been a harsh winter. My garlic is now a good 5" tall now, but some of them appears to not have made it. I thought I planted more than this, but I guess not! 

Native plant: Anemone is in bloom!

More evidence that this winter was really harsh....even with inches of mulch over this hellebore, it is not quite as big as it was last year, however, it is blooming!

The Daffodils and Forsythia are also blooming today! Tuesday it is supposed to get really cold again :\ The pear tree has broken dormancy and sprouted some leaves already! We're ready for spring, but winter isn't giving up the ghost yet!!!

My hot peppers that I have overwintered aren't doing so hot :(

Sugar Ann Snap Peas

As fanatical as I am about planting garlic each year, I am also fanatical about planting these snap peas! They are SOOO good! Because the seeds were several years old, I wasn't sure they would all sprout and because I wanted A LOT of peas this year, I just threw handfuls down into holes this year at the base of my tomato cage! Look who has made their entrance today! YIPEE!!! Hopefully the wonky weather we have been having won't make them bolt early. They are worth the extra effort to plant early! 

New Sprouts Today

Watermelon

Acorn squash

Zucchini

Edamame

Pumpkin

Kabocha

Butternut squash

Seed Sprouting

First seed from second tray has sprouted! Sunflower - American Giant!