New Growth

For the past 10 years I have been winter sowing my flowers and veggies. I learned about this method at Wintersowing.org. I was hooked the first year and have been winter sowing since. I even winter sowed a Hosta, just to see if I could!
The method is very easy and inexpensive. It does take patience since most start their seeds outdoors in December and January. I was late starting this year, and since we had a very late Spring, I was VERY lucky we had nice chilly weather!

I made a video of the process. All you need is: small containers, potting soil, duct tape, perm marker, seeds, straws (or sticks), and plastic bags.

I have many sprouts already! Most of these were buried under 12 inches of snow not too long ago!

The top plant are Zebra Tomatoes and the bottom are red Zinnia's.

Above are pictures of some past winter sowed flowers. My favorite are the Bells of Ireland in the middle of the bottom picture.

I will show progress pictures in the next week or so. My sunflowers are already 2 inches tall!

It's Summer in St. Louis - HOT!

I took a stroll through the yard the other day. Every day I take my two puppies, Scout and Finch, for a walk around the yard. They are only interested in finding worms to eat and catching squirrels, but I don't mind as long as they stroll with me.
I didn't winter sow as many plants this year, but I had plenty. One of my favorites are the Sunflowers! These were planted along side the house and I had to crop the picture in order to screen out the garden hose and the meter reader....lol!
I start most of my plants by seed. These were planted a few years ago and I divided the plant and transplanted them into some beds we started in our front yard.
This beautiful flower is called a Brown Nose Rudebekia (I'm pretty sure..). They reseed everywhere, but I planted this bunch under our Black Oak tree. They hide the Iris that have already bloomed.
Last, but not least, is my Blanket Flower. I started this flower about 5 years ago and it has happily reseeded all over the yard. They bloom all summer!

Late Spring in St. Louis!

Warm weather is already here, so I thought I would show you some pics from around my house. Above is my Cairn Terrier, Finch. Notice the ball in the bowl? When she needs a drink, she drops her ball in the water and then drinks around it! Finch always has a ball either in her mouth, or next to her.
I didn't have a choice the other day. I HAD to plant these Sunflowers! I had to cut them out of the milk jug. LOL! These were winter sowed, so they are all ready to go!
I planted lots of Tulips when we moved into our house 9 years ago. They bloomed for about 2 years and from then on the only thing that came up were the leaves...until this year. This beauty decided to adorn our front yard. Tulips are my favorite flower.
And this is my favorite tree: Weeping Cherry Tree. The blooms only last a few days, but when it's blooming, it gorgeous!

Winter Sowing Seeds Are Up!

Spring has sprung and I'm getting all kinds of sprouts! This pictures is of my Bachelor Buttons. I planted:
Tomatoes (2 kinds)
Green Beans
Cucumbers
Zinnia's
Poppies
Blue Flax
Bachelor Buttons
Sunflowers
Alyssum

My sunflowers are about 3 inches tall already! I worked in the garden today trying to get the beds ready for the new plants. My veggie garden is all ready, but the older beds need lots of weed pulling.
Today I worked on digging a small trench to line my beds with. It's not the perfect solution, but it does help keep the grass out of the beds.

Spring Has Sprung!

Spring has sprung! I've been working on the beds for the past few days. Most of them have been neglected due to my ankle surgery last Spring. My favorite flower , or at least the one I love looking at the most, are the Red Hot Pokers (pictured above). I cleaned out the dead leaves and I can see lots of new growth at the base. I started these by seed, and have divided the plants several time. The stems can be 3 to4 feet tall and the bloom is about 5 inches tall. A very stunning plant!
Peeking out are my Sweet William. Not many came back last year, so I will have to sow more for the upcoming year. They are in the very back of the yard, so I can't see them unless I am in the backyard with the dogs. I need to move them closer to the house.
Cleaning out all the grass, I noticed lots of baby Gallardia's. They bloom all summer long and will grow just about anywhere...we have a few growing in our grass last year!
It was fun getting my hands in the dirt. Nothing replenishes the soul as peering at a worm at eye level!

A Sneak Peak At My Spring Collection!

Although I have been pretty quiet on my blog, I have been super busy behind the scenes! I have many new exciting, and delicious soaps coming soon! Here is a sneak peek at some new soaps that are on their way.
If you would like to be contacted when these are in my shop, feel free to leave your email address and I'll send you a note when they are available.

POLL: Name This Soap

I'm having a hard time with the name of this soap. Will you please help me out? I have some choices above, but if you have another name in mind, post it here!

Here's the description I have for it:

Tomato Leaf Herbal Handmade Soap is a light, fresh, airy and herb-y scent. It is a blend of all kinds of melons and tomatoes with lemon-lime top notes, fresh leafy herbaceous middle notes and a wonderfully rich and earthy base. My Tomato Leaf Handmade Soap is made using the freshest ingredients, including Tomato Paste!

Tomatoes are a wonderful source of carotenoids like lycopene, beta-carotene, and vitamin E, which have been know to be effective antioxidants.

I'm going to miss Summer!

I love Fall. In fact, it's my favorite season....but I'm going to miss Summer!

A Morning Walk Around My Yard

Window Box Planting

I just love my window boxes! Our garage is a side entry and our windows face the street. This is the window box on the left side. Ignore the refections of our gardening tools that were out that day!
Window box on the right. In the front there is a Japanese Maple Tree, Holly bushes, and many, many, perennials. The Vinca that you can see hanging from the box reseeds in my garden every spring. I just cut off several pieces and stick them in the dirt!

A Stroll Around My St. Louis Gardens

The first picture is why I love to garden....flowers! I love to put them all over the house.
**My vase is filled with bright red Gladiola's, Rudbeckia's, and Blue Stokes Aster.
**The second picture is Bee Balm. The flower is really a true red and I love how they look next to my red house.
**Third picture is a Rudbeckia.
**Last picture is my Black Hollyhock!
ALL(except my Glads) my flowers were started by seed....by moi! They were all started using the Winter Sowing method. Winter Sowing involves starting the seeds outside during the winter. I make little green houses out of various containers to hold the seeds. Winter sowed plants are strong and healthy because they are exposed to the elements from day one. They bloom at the same time nursery plants bloom and because they don't have to "adapt", they last longer too.
The thrill for me is watching a plant grow from a seed and then bloom an amazing flower...I still get excited to see every single bloom open up in my yard!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!! I'm spending the day with my family today. My DD came in from Chicago and we are having friends and family over for dinner and fire works.
The picture above is a Columbine bloom. I started the plant, by seed, last year and it bloomed this year!

I Was Accepted Into Trunkt!!!!

I'm so excited!! I was accepted into Trunkt yesterday!!

TRUNKT

I haven't decided if I should upgrade to the premium level. It costs $199.00!

St. Louis Summer

I'm having such a hard time with posting pictures and lining up the typed words, so I decided to list the flowers at the bottom.
Pictures starting at the top are: Sweet William, Salvia, Red Hot Pokers, Peony Poppy ready to pop, Speedwell, and Gallardia. All started by seed...by me!