Saturday, March 19, 2011

A Wee Bit of Gardening

I made it out into the gardens today.  

I haven't been able to out much because of the virus I had and my seasonal allergies kicking in, which then triggered my asthma; so I've been staying in quite a bit until my asthma was better under control.

It was so nice to clean up some and plant a few things.  

Thought I might start by showing you what survived the winter here....
This was a mystery plant.  I was certain I planted it this last spring, but I forgot to write down what it was on my plans.  It didn't germinate this past spring, but it started to leaf out this winter.  My husband and I kept wondering if we were nurturing along some giant weed.  I just couldn't recognize it.  

Then it bloomed and I remembered.  It was nicotiana!  You can't really see any blooms here because I picked most of them for a bouquet to take in the house.
Aren't they pretty?  Shades of pink, cream, and yellow.

My snapdragons also survived the winter.
I was able to pick a huge bouquet of those endearing blossoms.
Now I have two bouquets in my living room!  I love them.

While I was out in my kitchen garden, I also planted a couple of herbs a friend gave me.
Yummmmm!  Dill!

I have tried growing dill in the past with no luck, but I think I usually started it too late.  Wish me luck this year!  
And Bee Balm!  One of my favorite herbs.  At one time I had quite a bit of it, but they quit reseeding themselves so they never came back.  I don't know what color this one will be, but I once had a lovely lavender cultivar.  Bee Balm always reminds me of fireworks.  Do you see that in it too?
Lavender, sage, rosemary, oregano, and Italian parsley.
I also made a little herb bouquet for the kitchen windowsill.  Smells so good as we do dishes.
And a sweet little lavender bouquet for my nightstand.  (Sorry Worker Bee, you'll have to smell this from my side of the bed.  Maybe if you're good, I'll make one for you too.)


This same friend also gave me a half flat of pansies.  Boy I went to town!  
This planter hangs on one of the backyard gates.  
I just love galvanized metal, do you?  
I'm lovin' the moss all over this pot.  


 I have wanted to plant this 3-tiered basket with pansies since I bought it several years ago.  At last - I can cross it off the list now.  


Thanks so much for buzzin' by today.  Such a treat to see you!  I hope you know how much I enjoy our visits and your sweet comments.  

20 comments:

  1. Pansies always put one into the spring mode. Love your topiary planter ... one of mine broke in the wind this winter, ugh! Love your gardens ...

    Have a beautiful week ~
    TTFN ~
    Marydon

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  2. Everything looks great, glad you're feeling better! Fresh dill... maybe I should try that this year too:@)

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  3. we are still under snow can't wait to get my hands dirty.
    cathy

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  4. That three tiered stand with the pansies is so sweet...I really like it! It is always good to get some things planted!!

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  5. I know what you mean about fighting the illness. I think our whole house is now finally well. Your pansies are lovely. I have been planting them too. We have lots of similar tastes. My dill would not come up either and now I found a plant growing out of a crack in the bricks. Go figure.

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  6. I'm floored by the fact that snapdragons come back. They're just annuals here.

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  7. Brrr....It was cold today. You were brave to be out there planting. I can't wait to see your yard. I'll be looking for your red front door!!

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  8. Your gardens are lovely! I too love bee balm and pansies -- what cheery little faces they have :)

    Blessings!
    Gail

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  9. It all looks so wonderful... and I love the idea of an herb bouquet! I'll have to remember that one for later in the season!

    ~Chris

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  10. oh my word! i am craving to dig in the dirt! everything looks beautiful in your neck of the woods!

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  11. very pretty! I started a flower garden next to our shed last year - looking forward to seeing what survived over the winter and add more to it this year. Happy Spring!
    Peace.

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  12. WOW!!!! You have been busy and it is really green where you live!!!!! Love it all J!

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  13. You've welcomed in spring with such flair! I can almost smell those herbs...
    Brenda

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  14. Glad you are feeling better.
    I love all the bouquets you have around your house ... bet it smells good!
    I want to plant herbs but I know we will have another frost :(
    Hugs,
    Donna

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  15. Sorry you had a bit of a siuggish start to Spring. I would almost welcome my seasonal allergies right now, if it meant that Spring was finally here! LOL I heard the weather guy say possible flurries today and just about cried..

    Your plants all look lovely. A friend's grand-daughter once told her that she didn't like pansies because their "faces" were always following her... Only out of the mouths of 4 year olds, right?

    Sorry I forgot to come back and tell you about the spray paint that sticks to plastic and all other sorts of hard to paint surfaces. It's made by Krylon. I grabbed the website URL for you.
    http://www.krylon.com/products/fusion_for_plastic/

    Maybe this will work for your chalkboard if you stand back and do just a light spray.

    Hope you are feeling more like your old self. Let me know if you try the paint!

    XOXO
    ~Mrs B

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  16. Everything looks so pretty. And dear me! You just reminded me that somewhere in my garden, I too have a Nicotina plant. I picked it up at the end of the season last year, looking half dead; and I didn't have the time to look for the perfect spot, so I stuck it in the ground --- somewhere!

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  17. an inspiration indeed! I love herbs and can't wait to get out there myself.
    gail

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  18. Looking great already. I just can't wait to get out and dig!

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  19. I love my herb garden... I'm telling ya... you hardly have to do anything to it! That sweet planter at the front door is adorable! Love your red door. :)

    Have a great week!

    ~Liz

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  20. I am so excited spring is here! When it stops raining, I will be planting! Love your front door display!

    Hugs,
    Maryjane

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