Spring has begun...

Proofs in the Pansies!

 So, after seeing another blog showing the beginnings of spring...I thought it would be nice to also document the first spring in our new home....

Planning paid off!

Bleeding Heart has arrived!

Herb garden looking shabby, but beginning to resurface!

Wine barrel and pyramid for runner beans and french beans!

Beautiful Sedum with red stems

Roses coming to life!

Polenium (white) just planted!!

Dead :( cordyline....guess just too cold this year...

New surprises....grape hyacinths peeking...

Daffodils in the garden!

My first Peony (came with the house!) & Eryngium

Not much to look at...but my beautiul rudbeckias...(black-eyed susans)

Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum' ...like thistle...so stunning!

All kinds of surprise bulbs under the apple tree!

Another Rudbeckia (super tall)

Side bed yet to plant in....surprise bulbs!!

Another corner in the works...

Hostas coming up!! (cats stay out!)

First seedlings getting adjusted to cold weather!!!

Diary- Seed Planting

I realized that if I dont start documenting what I have planted in seeds quick, it will start to go crazy and I will lose track (like I do in many years)...from planting to seed, then transplanting, to moving to the garden...things can get confusing!! So, here is a list of what I planted when...(even the mystery plants) and what is remaining.

• Greenhouse:  I am using window sill plastic seed starters in the upstairs bedroom, right above the radiators and below large windows for light (northeast facing).  This has worked wonderfully for seed starting!

• Labels: I have used a label maker this time to label the seeds on the outside package (sometimes identifying the number of cells..)
• Mats: I bought some capillary mats and placed under the seedlings like this mats dont know if it helps to keep retain moisture
• Soil:  I bought seed starter mix this year, rather than trying to use compost.
• Seeds:  I separated my seeds for February/March/April and then had a few seed bags of stuff Ive collected with no name!!! So, I planted them too!

February:
Tasks:

• Cut back some of the garden
• bought raised beds for greens with liners and one with cover
• moved wine barrels to the back
• watching daffodils come up!
• rotating pansies so they are in full flower!
• 
  

Plants:

• got potatoes for chitting
• shallots 
• rhubarb

Seeds: 

(Beginning of February:) 

1. Mustard Greens (broadleaf)
2. Collard Greens (Georgia Southern)
3. Swiss Chard (Rhubard Red)
4. Tomatoes
•  Alisa Craig
•  Gardener's Delight
•  Golden Sunrise
• Super Marmelade
5. Marigolds
6. Nicotania Fragrant Cloud (white/cream flowering tobacco)
7. Carrots- Early Nantes (in their own container)
8. Dill
9. Nasturtium
•  Summer Carousel
•  Salmon Baby
• Moonlight (climbing)
10. Matricaria
11. Lychnis (unlabeled)
12. gilia
13. Sweet Pea (Perfume Duet (grandiflora))
14. Sweet Pea (Heirloom mixed)  later in toilet rolls

Early March 

Tasks: 

• replanted nasturtium in some larger peat pots to make room for more seedlings

beginning of March:

1.  Spring Onion
2. Chinese Chives
3. Spinach (beet)
4. Basil (minette)
5. Lovage
6. Spinach (oriental Mikado)
7. Sorrel
8. Kale (scarlet)
9. Kale (black tuscany)
10. Forget me not (Blue ball)
11. Gaillardia (summer fire)
12. Alyssum
13. Amaranthus (red love lies bleeding)
14. Bidens (golden eye) 

Clematis!!!

Clematis are wonderful for the garden!!!  I was thinking of a flower to climb up the old apple trees...and I found these... I've got the Alpine spring vines, and the summer and double flowering clematis....the should get better with each year!  I didnt get the montana or jackmani variety as they grow to fast, it appears...

Clematis Multi-blue

Clematis Alpine Willy

Clematis White Columbine

Clematis Bill MacKenzie

http://www.howellsonclematis.co.uk/Pages/Gnews13.html