What a surprise to have this iris show up! I bought it about three years ago and it never bloomed, but always looked rather frail. I though it had died, but here it is! “Concertina” LOVE those blue beards!

The first iris of the season is always exciting. This one is a quaint old heirloom that is not as showy as the tall bearded varieties, but the color is still most welcome in the early spring garden.

First Asiatic lily to join all it’s many friends in the greenhouse.

I just can’t resist sharing one more picture of my precious little peppers that have spent their entire life sitting right on my desk beside my computer. I am just plain amazed!
(I moved them out from under the pink lights long enough to take the picture)

I really need to post on my other sites, but it just seems to be “All Things Garden” right now.

My irises have been in sad shape, due to me having problems deciding where I want them, and really haven’t bloomed well. This year they seem to be settled in and are giving me a gazillion buds. I will hopefully see some old friends (and some newer ones) that haven’t bloomed in ages.

The first few warm days of Spring sees the woodland boundaries “springing” to life with colors that can’t be rivaled with the artist’s brush!

One of my favorites, is this little Spur Violet!

It can be found along the sides of a small stream that meanders through the woods at the back of my property.

Pretties from the past!

I never saw an onion in a bag until after I became an adult and left home to live in the big city! Growing up on a farm far from rural life and having very little income, meant that if we didn’t grow it…we didn’t eat it!

Onions are very easy to grow, and with a little planning and the right varieties, one can have them year round…green throughout the summer and large bulbs for winter use and cooking.

I mostly grow my onions from sets, but occasionally buy plants, especially when I want a sweet onion. They don’t do well this far north though, and most years I am disappointed with the yield.

My favorite variety is “Stuttgarter”, a little pricey, but well worth the extra expense. They are an excellent keeper, (I still have some small ones from last years harvest),and rarely ever make seed. (Maybe one out of 50 or so, will bloom.) The more common types bloom quite frequently, (which means you won’t get a large bulb from that onion.)

I plant my sets around the tenth of April, and harvest the bulbs in late summer, (enjoying them green as scallions in the meantime.)

More pictures to be added in a bit…

It’s the time of year when seemingly overnight, the earth sheds it’s winter jacket and bursts into brilliant color!
Petunias are one of the first on my list of many bright flowers purchased or grown to fill the garden.
A couple of years ago, Kim suggested I try “BubbleGum Petunias”, and I am so thankful I took her advice.

They are one of the most beautiful plants I have grown in all my years of gardening, blooming non-stop from spring until winter with NO dead-heading whatsoever!

I have 5 plants ordered for this summer and can’t wait to get them started.

Thank you Kim.
I miss you.

Ever wonder why your sweet pepper plants just bloom and bloom and never set any fruit until just about time for the frosts to hit?

There’s a good reason!

Peppers are very sensitive to temperature change, and also to excessive heat or cold. They like their days to be consistent, and of course we all know that doesn’t happen very often.

I grow one variety year after year (California Wonder) and never get the exact same results any two years in a row.

This year, I’m experimenting with two plants that have grown at a perfect, steady temperature of 71 degrees, and carefully watching their progress.
To be continued…