Towers of Flowers

Yesterday I took a little break from work and walked over to Macy's downtown Minneapolis to see the flower show, Towers of Flowers. Spring hasn't quite sprung here yet, so going to the show was a nice break from the cold weather we've been having lately.

There were blooming flowers everywhere, beautifully arranged. They had a soundtrack going with birds chirping and the sounds of spring...and it smelled wonderful too! As if my spring fever wasn't bad enough.

I took several pictures, and here are a few of my favorites (the lighting in the show was really dark so please excuse the poor quality of the photos)...

Towers of Flowers

Yellow Orchids and Bromeliads (among others)

Wish this was in my backyard! Love the blue orchids at the top!!

Close up of the blue orchids, love them!!

Love the colors, beautiful!!

Leaning Tower of Flowers

Eiffel Tower of Flowers

Sea of Kalanchoe (the colors were so bright!)

Tower of Anthriums

Here's the info for the show if you're interested in going... Macy's Towers of Flowers, it goes through April 10th. I wouldn't make a special trip just for the show (it's pretty small) but if you're downtown Minneapolis during the show, it's worth a walk through.

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If you have any questions about gardening, or ideas for a topic you'd like me to write a blog post about; please feel free to add a comment on any of my posts. You can also post something on my Facebook page.
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Balconies of New Orleans

I recently returned from a trip to New Orleans and the weather was perfect down there. As usual, I had my camera out and ready to take pictures of all the cool plants I found. Although everything was lush and green, I didn't see many plants that I was excited about, and there weren't many plants in bloom during my trip.

So I didn't take many pictures of plants, but one thing that really stood out to me were the balconies. There are balconies everywhere in New Orleans and many of them were adorned with plants and other decorations. It was really cool to see.

Here are a few pictures I took of some of my favorite balconies...

I think this next one might be my favorite, I love all the plants and the owner created privacy for herself (you can't see her, but she was sitting out there).

I love the bright colors in addition to the plants on this one.

This building is beautiful and the plants cascading over the sides from the balcony really added to the curb appeal.

The blooming baskets on this balcony made it feel like spring, so pretty.

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If you have any questions about gardening, or ideas for a topic you'd like me to write a blog post about; please feel free to add a comment on any of my posts. You can also post something on my Facebook page.
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Winter Sowing Status Report #4

I haven't been able to do much winter sowing over the past few weeks, but I am trying to make up for it this weekend. Here's what I've sown so far this week, lots more to come:

Containers after recent snow

• Boston Pickling Cucumber
• Armenian Yard Long Cucumber
• White Wonder Cucumber
• National Pickling Cucumber
• Straight Eight Cucumber
• Sumter Cucumber
• Golden Zucchini
• Walton's Butternut Squash
• Green Striped Cushaw Squash
• King Winter Squash
• Acorn Squash
• Patty Pan Squash
• Banana Peppers
• Cayanne Peppers
• Casabella Peppers
• Fuego Peppers
• Cubanelle Peppers
• Ancho Peppers
• Chili Peppers
• Jalapeno Peppers
• Anaheim Peppers

That's 22 more containers for me with a total of  71 for the season so far. 

The running total of containers sown BY YOU so far is:
273 (WOW!)

You guys are awesome!!

Don't forget to sign up for the next drawing for a chance to win free seeds! A few people are already signed up and there's still some time left. I will be doing two more drawings over the next month or so. I will probably do the next drawing later this week. Keep those numbers coming because every time you post your latest container count, you will be entered in the contest to win.

There are several other ways you can enter the contest too, so be sure to check out all the ways you can win free seeds!! (even if you're not winter sowing!)
 
In case you missed them, here's a link to my previous winter sowing status reports:
Winter Sowing Status Report #1
Winter Sowing Status Report #2
Winter Sowing Status Report #3 

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If you have any questions about gardening, or ideas for a topic you'd like me to write a blog post about; please feel free to add a comment on any of my posts. You can also post something on my Facebook page.
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Bring on Spring!!

I've been traveling for most of the past two weeks. I came home the other day to discover that most of the snow had melted while I was away. I could see my gardens!! I ran out and found many of my bulbs and perennials were starting to poke through. Here are some pictures I took...

Peonies

Tulips

Hyacinth and other bulbs (notice snow at top)

Hyacinth (already has flower buds!!)

Well, it didn't last long because the very next day, we got more snow. Now everything is covered back up and it's freezing again. But the taste of spring was nice and now I have the itch to get out there and start cleaning up the gardens! Not much longer now.

A few people have told me they're worried their bulbs and early perennials that started growing might die because of our recent cold snap and snowfall. Don't worry!! The plants know when it's time for them to start growing and wouldn't be doing so if it was too cold for them. The new growth on some of them may sustain minor damage due to freezing, but they will survive and grow like normal this summer!

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If you have any questions about gardening, or ideas for a topic you'd like me to write a blog post about; please feel free to add a comment on any of my posts. You can also post something on my Facebook page.
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Free Seed Giveaway Drawing #2

Here we go again, time for another free seed giveaway.

Thanks to all of you who participated in this round of the contest for free seeds!

It has been so much fun to hear about what everyone is sowing.  The current running total of winter sown containers by all of us so far (are you ready for this!?) is:  233

WOW, that is awesome!!

And now for the results of the drawing. The winner is...


Kristie 

(Kristie, I'll be in contact soon.)

There was also one participant that submitted a blog post for this contest. Please take a moment to check out her post to see what she's been sowing...

Winter Sowing 03-04-11 by Mother of Pearls at Mother of Pearls & an Emerald

A few of you have also reported that you are seeing sprouts in your containers. Congratulations!! This is when it gets really exciting! I checked my containers today and no sprouts yet. If you're winter sowing along with us, it's time to start checking your containers for sprouts.

When I was checking for sprouts, I noticed that a few of my containers were starting to dry out a little. So I threw a light layer of snow over the top of all of my containers so that as it melts, it will give them some moisture. When you check your containers for sprouts, make sure the soil is damp and not dried out.

The weather is starting to get nice here and spring is just around the corner. Can't wait!

Stay tuned, I will be doing more drawings like this throughout the winter sowing season (into April for me). Keep those winter sowing number coming (even if you don't want to enter the contest)! Check out my  free seeds contest post for details on all the ways you can enter the contest. There are multiple ways to win, and you don't have to be winter sowing to enter the contest! Any number posted now through the next drawing date (TBD, I'll announce it soon) will count!

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If you have any questions about gardening, or ideas for a topic you'd like me to write a blog post about; please feel free to add a comment on any of my posts. You can also post something on my Facebook page.
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Disinfecting Seed Flats and Trays

Last month I wrote a blog post about how I clean winter sowing containers. So I thought I would also write a post about how I disinfect seed flats and trays. When starting seeds indoors, it is essential that the seed flats and trays are cleaned and disinfected before reuse.

If they are not disinfected properly, seedlings will likely suffer from damping off (which will kill the seedlings at the soil level). This is one of the things that makes starting seeds indoors much more time consuming than winter sowing... and it's part of the reason I winter sow most of my seeds.

Dirty seed cells and tray

But this year, I am going to start a few types of seeds indoors along with all my winter sowing. So now I am preparing some seed flats and trays. Here are the steps I take to clean and disinfect seed flats and trays...

First I wipe the loose dirt out of the flats and trays. Next I wash them in soapy water to remove the hardened on dirt. Then to disinfect them, I soak them in a 5 gallon bucket of a water and bleach mix for 15-20 min. I use the recommended 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution (which I've found on the internet).

Disinfecting seed starting equipment

Finally, I rinse them, let them air dry and they are ready to use for starting seeds! I won't be staring any of my seeds indoors for a few weeks, so I have plenty of time to get some flats and trays ready.

Pin It

Winter Sowing Status Report #3

A few people have already signed up for the next drawing for a chance to win free seeds (thank you)! I am planning on doing the next drawing early next week, so make sure to keep those numbers coming. Each time you post your latest container count, you will be entered in the contest to win.

My Vegetable Garden 2011

There are several other ways you can enter the contest too, so be sure to check out all the ways you can win free seeds!! (even if you're not winter sowing!)

Michele won the last drawing and she posted a picture of her winnings and her latest status report on her blog, check it out!

I winter sowed a few more containers this past week. Here my list of the latest seeds I've sown:

• Endive Batavian
• Rutabaga American
• Brussels Sprouts
• Sumac

• 

  Organizing the containers
  

  Kohlrabi White Vienna
• Parsley Moss Curled
• Kohlrabi Purple Vienna
• Artichoke Green Globe
• Summer Savory
• GA Collards
• Carrot Danvers Half Long
• Borage 
• Carrot Early Nantes
• Swiss chard
• Leeks
• Salsify The Taste of Italy
• Sugar Snap Peas
• Pink Eyed Purplehull Peas 
• Pea Alaska
• Peas 'Little Marvel'
• Mammoth Melting Sugar Pea

That's 18 more containers for me with a total of  49 for the season so far. I don't know about you, but I still have more to go! The first picture above are the seeds I received in the mail this week. That's most of my vegetable garden, and I've only just begun sowing all those seeds!

The running total of containers sown BY YOU so far is:
117 (WOW!)

You guys are awesome!!

Oh, and in case you missed it, here's a link to my previous winter sowing status reports:
Winter Sowing Status Report #1
Winter Sowing Status Report #2


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If you have any questions about gardening, or ideas for a topic you'd like me to write a blog post about; please feel free to add a comment on any of my posts. You can also post something on my Facebook page.
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My Cold Frame Challenge

Three years ago, I built myself a cold frame. I thought it would be the coolest thing ever and enhance my winter sowing experience. I couldn't wait to try it out.

I found some free windows and scrap wood and built my cold frame almost for free (with the help of a good friend who knows how to use a saw!). I brought (this fricken heavy thing) home and set it up in the perfect spot in the backyard.

I sowed a bunch of seeds in flats and filled up my awesome new cold frame and I waited. Every day I couldn't wait to get home to check for new sprouts and I waited... and waited... and waited... what the?

After several weeks, I knew something had to be wrong. Heck, some of my winter sown containers were sprouting by then, but I hadn't gotten a single sprout in my cold frame... hummm.

Finally I gave up on the seed flats and put some seedlings I had growing in the house out in the cold frame instead. Oh boy, this was going to be awesome!! I was back in business.

Once again, every day I rushed home to check on my seedlings... and every day I watched them slowly wither and die. What the?

So I headed to the internet to do some research (I guess I should have done my research BEFORE using the thing) and I discovered that (dah) I had fried my seeds and seedlings because I wasn't venting the cold frame correctly (ehem, at all). It was way too hot in there.

Well, that wasn't as cool as I thought it would be.

My cold frame, currently being used to store my rain barrels

So I gave up on my cold frame and have been too nervous/ busy to try it out again.







Ok, now for the challenge... my husband was bugging me to get rid of it because it's too big to store (fair enough!), so I asked for a compromise. If I don't figure out how to use it this year, I promised that I would get rid of it this summer. GAME ON!

Umm... now what?

Well, I guess I should get busy doing research to figure out how to successfully use this thing and decide if it's something I want to keep up long term. If anyone has any tips for me, please, please share them!! I need help!

(Oh, and if you don't hear anymore about the cold frame, you'll know that I lost the challenge)

My cold frame at a slightly better angle

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If you have any questions about gardening, or ideas for a topic you'd like me to write a blog post about; please feel free to add a comment on any of my posts. You can also post something on my Facebook page.
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