MAGNIFICENT MARCH 2012 - VEGETABLE GARDENING

My Vegetable garden is also coming along well! 
Top Left - Yes, these are cucumber and squash plants.  (Park Seed Organic Early Summer Squash and Park Seed Cucumber, Early Spring, Burpless).
I started these plants indoors with my other plants.   However, with my lack of experience with seed starting, the date of 02/26/12 was way too early to start these plants indoors!  I did not have the heart to just kill them, so I decided to give them a try outside.  With the warm weather we have been having they are doing quite well so far, not sure what the future brings for these
Top Right - Kale, Dwarf Blue Curled, Vate's Strain (Ferry-Morse). I have already had a harvest from this Kale in which I made some yummy Kale and Lentil Soup, for which I came up with the recipe myself!
Center - In the large bed my husband and I have transplanted my Broccoli (De Cicco), Brussel Sprouts (Catskill), Cabbage (Copenhagen Market, Early), Cabbage (Crisp and Cool).  In the small bed are my Radishes (Cherry Belle).
Bottom Left - My Lettuce (Grand Rapids) is ready for harvest! 
Bottom Right - Spinach (Bloomsdale, Longstanding Heirloom) is also very close to harvest time!

Happy Gardening!
Mindy

I am linking up with Tootsie at Tootsie Time for "Fertilizer Friday"
Check out all the wonderful blooms and excitement at http://www.tootsietime.com/

See Part II below (Flower Gardening)

MAGNIFICENT MARCH 2012 - FLOWER GARDENING

 

March 2012 has been such a magnificent time in the gardens!


The Azaleas are in full bloom!
For the first time, my Lilac bush is blooming beautifully.
Both my Foamflower and my Helleborus from last year, May 2011, purchased at the local Master Gardener sale are both doing very well. 
Mr. Goldstrike has lots of new growth!
Columbines (Aquilegia) are beginning to bloom!
The newest addition to my garden is Helleborus X Hyridus Double Ellen Picotee.  I just recieved this yesterday from Burpee!  I am looking foward to it blooming in the future!


Happy Gardening!
Mindy

GARDEN TREASURES

 

On my morning stroll today I was able to get these photos of a very busy bluebird who has a small nest built in this bluebird nest box in my garden!  My oldest daughter made this nest box for me when she was in fourth grade!  I have had it for about six years now.  The bluebirds are definitely putting it to use this year! 

In the past we have had problems with snakes trying to get into many of my bird houses.  This one is close to the ground and needs to be moved up, of course I won't be able to do that now.  Does anyone have any ideas on how to keep snakes out?

Next year I will definitely have to move this one up higher!

Thanks and Happy Gardening!

Mindy

RADISHES (Raphanus sativus) 'Cherry Belle'

I love planting one of vegetable gardening's quickest selections, Radishes. 

I planted 'Cherry Belle' Radishes on 03/11/12.  I planted them in the small raised bed my husband just made for me.  Germination took only 4 days!

This picture of tiny seedlings was taken on 03/15/12. 

I took this picture today, 03/24/12.  Wow look how well they are coming along. 

This particular radish is ready in just 22 days!

Radishes are a great plant if you want to feel the thrill of victory in planting from seed in a very short period of time!  They also grow very well in any kind of container. 

They are also considered a garden hero because they will draw aphids and flea beetles from peppers; protect cucumbers, squash, and melons from cucumber beetles; and rout two-spotted spider mites from tomoato plants.  They can be planted amongst the above plants to stand guard duty!

What a versatile plant.  I would love to hear of any other great stories about radishes, ideas for planting, or great tips for growing these awesome veggies!

Happy Spring!
Mindy

Beautiful Blooms, Stunning Seedlings, and Time for Transplantation



Kale - Dwarf, Blue Curled - Planted outside 03/05/12

  

Daffodils, a sure sign of Spring!

My Magnolia bush in bloom!  What a lovely smell they have!

Burpee Pea - Burpeeana, Early - Planted outside 02/20/12

My small garden bed - Radishes, Burpee Cherry Belle
Planted 03/11/12

My Transplantation Day!  It was time to transplant my Tomato and Pepper Seedlings!
What a fun Day!  I also transplanted some 4 o'clocks, Salmon Sunset and Gaillardia, Arizona Apricot

Kale, Dwarf, Blue, Curled

Viola's, one of my spring favorites!  Lovely smell and the flowers are edible!

More Violas



My seedlings before transplantation!  As you can see they are a bit crowded!



After Transplantation and back to the grow light they go!

Spring is here!  Happy Gardening!
Mindy

The Effects of Spring Fever

 

Well as Spring comes on full force, my husband has once again been at work!  He has created this absolutely amazing raised bed "garden" for me!  I now have two more large raised bed areas, as well as an addition small raised bed area.  In the center we have put landscape fiber down and mulched the area to keep weeds out!
My husband is just amazing with his handy work!  When he said he had an idea for additional garden space, I had no idea this is what he was thinking!  I love it.  As you can all probably image, this is where I have spent all of my time when I don't have other things that I must do!    Fun! Fun! Fun!
Happy Spring and Happy Gardening!  Mindy

MORE AND MORE BLOOMS EVERY DAY

Every day that I take a stroll I find more life to my gardens.  I love spring with the Daffodils and Crocus, such pretty colors.  The bottom right pictures is a picture of a plant that I purchased at the end of the season last year called Mr. Goldstrike!  It is a beautiful foliage perennial.  The bottom right pictures is a beautiful shrub that is now blooming that was given to me by my girls and husband for Mother's Day!  What a beautiful cascade of flowers it produces!  Top corner pictures are of my very first Hellebore!  I think it is sprouting a bloom from the base of the plant.  I am so excited.  I purchased it last May at a Master Gardner plant sale in my area!  It is my first Hellebore!  Can't wait to see the blooms!

Busy day today transplanting my broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower into larger containers!  As you can see they are definitely ready to be transplanted. 

I had my assembly line ready.  I am trying some organic fish fertilizer.  This will be a new thing, anxious to see how it works!  I also transplanted some Kale (Blue, Curled) outside!  I am not sure how this will do, but I am going to give it a shot, as it is not really a plant you start indoors in my area. 

Happy Gardening and Happy Spring (14 days away)!
Mindy