Garden Dreams

As is common for Ohio, our weather jumped from the 50s on Saturday to 81 today! My mind has turned to gardening after visiting our local nursery today. As I entered, the warm, earthy smell conjured up images of digging and planting, pruning and deadheading.  I live in a townhouse, with just a small area out front to plant, but I have a large patio, so I hope to do some container gardening this year. Here's part of what I saw today - seeing this makes me happy!

The beautiful Iris - one of my old-fashioned favorites. What are some of your favorite flowers?

And now, I had to share this fabulous cake with you that I found on the facebook page of Farmers Pal, which can be found HERE. My sister is going to try to make it (she's the cook in the family!) I'll post pictures when she does.

I hope everyone has a fabulous week!

Until next time,
Cindy

Linking to Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer

         What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Mom's Petunias

When I was in the fourth grade, my parents bought their very first home. We lived in a small Midwestern town and the house was a modest, 3-bedroom ranch-style in a new subdivision. It had shiny hardwood floors, a full basement, small backyard and wooden window boxes. What I remember most about our house on Dudley Street are those window boxes, overflowing with brightly-colored petunias. Every summer, Mom planted and tended the window boxes, as lovingly and efficiently as she did all the other household chores. Always planted with petunias - some years they were multi-colored, other years a theme of red & white, or hot pink and the deep purple ones that felt like velvet to the touch. The window boxes were her pride and joy. Many years later, I remember Mom saying, “our flowers were the best on the block!” Container gardening is an art form and my Mom was an artist - although she didn’t see herself in that light.

People often forego the pleasures of gardening because they think they don't have the room. But, container gardening is an easy and efficient way to enjoy many of the benefits of traditional gardening. Anyone can do it - regardless of where you live. Containers can be traditional - like my Mom’s window boxes, ornate stone urns or clay pots.  Or use your imagination - a basket, old teapot or wheelbarrow can be turned into a fun and whimsical plant cantainer. I once planted flowers in one of my nephew’s old, size-14 tennis shoes! The main thing to remember is that all containers must have good drainage, with at least one drainage hole. Let your pots make a statement - a cast iron urn says "formal" while a wooden barrel says "rustic." Remember - pots and window boxes tend to dry out very quickly, so water, water, water - early morning and evening are the best times. Experiment and have fun, and just like Mom, you’ll soon have “the best flowers on the block!”