The garden is looking well and we’ve already pulled out some radishes, tomatoes, and a couple of chili peppers. Basil, parsley, and celery are doing great as are most of the herbs except for the cilantro. I’ve never had any luck with it and won’t plant it again. I’ll share some flowers of the garden tomorrow but for now, a photo of my first real harvest. Not sure I’ll eat the nasturtium flowers, but I’m loving them in the garden! So many blooms! I’ll definitely plant them again next year.
Happy Visit to the Philly Flower Show
Yesterday was our annual pilgrimage to the Philly Flower Show and WOW! It was awesome. I was a little worried because last year’s first-ever outdoor show had me wondering whether this new format was one I would like, but this year proved me wrong. There were so many wonderful exhibits, the always amazing Butterflies Live! event, a nice food bazaar, and lots of vendors. I miss seeing Kremps there as well as the other cut flower vendors, but all in all, it was a fantastic show!
Happy Earth Day
I remember reading Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring many years ago and was influenced by it to avoid using any pesticides in my garden in order to preserve Mother Earth. But that book also kindled in me a desire to try and help the environment in whatever small ways I could. I try to recycle and shut off lights when not necessary. We reuse plastic bags so that they are not single-use and I try to remember taking reusable bags for the grocery store. I think my biggest help has been using my Sodastream which lets me avoid having lots of soda bottles to recycle and also keeps me from putting fake sweeteners in my body. I also try to upcycle as many things as I can, like making a hall tree from a door that was headed for garbage if I didn’t use it. I like to think my little bit helps. How about you? What things do you do to help the environment?
#FlowerFriday #FunFriday – Fav Colors for Flowers
My fav colors for flowers are pink and purple. They just make such a great blend together. I also like to mix in some blues and there’s a great benefit to using those colors in your yard: They will attract bees and hummingbirds! So unless you are allergic to bees, help out your local population by putting in some nice pink, purple, and blue flowers in your garden. This photo was taken in Bryant Park where they have all the spring bulbs and flowers out. Love them!
#FlowerFriday – My Fav Hydrangeas
One of my fav garden plants is the hydrangea aka the snowball bush! They come in so many different styles and shapes that you are bound to find one that will work in your garden. Just check out the variety in this link: https://yhoo.it/2vw5iJx
Not to mention that hydrangeas will grow will in even poor soils and in either full sun or partial shade. Did you know that you can change their color (as long as they are one of the standard bushes). Make your soil acidic by using aluminum sulfate (or plant food for acid loving plants) to get blue flowers. Add lime to make your soil more basic and get pink flowers.
Hydrangeas also have many different leaf types. There are oak leaf hydrangea and also plants with variegated leaves. So much variety for a plant that’s easy to grow and care for!
Here’s a photo of one type of hydrangea that’s growing in Bryant Park.
#FlowerFriday Dearborn Orchid Show
Yes, I have cabin fever and I can’t wait for the warmer weather. Philly Flower Show is up next in March, but recently I went to a local orchid show at Dearborn Market in Holmdel, NJ. Great place with great food and garden items! If you’re in the area, check it out.
Click here if you cannot see the flower photos below or go to this link: https://youtu.be/ldlttJBh8uM