THIS IS MAY?

Another cold cloudy day -- not even 50 degrees out there.  I thought I'd be planting up my annuals by now, putting tomatoes in and enjoying the patio.  Maybe next weekend...

We headed outside this morning because our landlord was coming over to pick up all the crap that VPH had pulled out of the bastard garden over the past year and do a dump run.  For those of you unfamiliar with the bastard garden -- it's the space behind the big shed at the back of the garden where VPH rescues the past their prime plants that I tell him to compost.  Our compost bins are back there as well as a gigantic leaf pile.  Previous residents of this home obviously used this space as a trash dump:

Much better:

Lest you fear that no plants are growing, I present PEAS:

And the tiniest, littlest, loneliest sweet pea (it's at 9 o'clock):

In seedling news: another basil popped up, the probably chives are coming up gangbusters, carrots and dill are looking great, another sunflower is showing signs of popping up, and the other peas are doing great too.  No signs of life with the morning glories -- I guess they really do mean 14-21 days to germination.

My next project:

No wonder the herb garden was always too wet.  I will be drilling LARGE holes in the bottom of the barrel (I'm embarrassed to admit that I did drill holes last year, but not until after I filled it with dirt and plants, so the holes are about 2 inches up on the sides).

You knew I would go back to the store where I found those great ceramic glazed pots and buy some more (l-r: $1.50, $5.00, $8.00):

I don't know what I'm going to put in that crazy reflective one or where I'll put it, but it sure is fun imagining  the possibilities.

I had a $15 credit from the garden club at Van Wilgen's (how could I have possibly spent $300 there in one year?) so I picked up this organic tomato and vegetable fertilizer for $10:

I think I'm resolved to filling the large veggie containers with 2/3 the potting soil from last year, 1/3 new Farfard potting soil, and using this fertilizer from the get go as recommended on the package.  I just can't afford to buy all new potting soil that's not Miracle-Gro.

And for the other $5, I got these pretty coleus which will brighten up the shady side of the house once I figure out what I'm planting them in and whether they'll have company:

I also hit IKEA with a friend for lunch on Thursday and couldn't resist two adorable lanterns (which hold block candles that I already have).  I particularly like the spike in the middle to hold the candle -- I can actually envision hanging them by the handle from an umbrella spoke or on a shepard's hook:

Their likely new home:

I'm itching to really get going.  This in between time is killing me!  How are you coping? 

Comments

[gina]

heather - im so glad to finally get a bastard garden update. i'm counting down the days till we build my pergola. the fun begins on friday.

[Heather's Garden]

Gina -- I'm so excited for you, but sooooo jealous. I would totally invest in one if it were my property, but for a rental...just not going to happen. The funny thing was when my landlord was over this morning, she said if we found a gazebo on sale, she'd be happy to pay for it. I think she liked how it looked. I wish I could talk her into have a pergola installed, but if it would cost as much as I think it would, she'd never go for it. Maybe you can share how much yours cost when you have it done so I have a reference point?

[Kim]

I love those lanterns!

But I swear I can see sweet pea seedlings at 6 and 10 o'clock, too. And maybe around 1:30?

You're inspiring me... I have a lot of work to do. Need to get started!

[Heather's Garden]

Kim -- I have a bunch of sweet pea seedlings now, but I swear there weren't more in that photo. Wait until you see what I've been up to the past two days -- there will be some inspiration there for sure!

[Hadias]

Those flower pots are great. And what a steal. I enjoy stopping by and reading about your gardening adventures.

[Heather's Garden]

Hadias -- Thanks for visiting and commenting with such a nice compliment. I have been getting carried away buying pots this spring. I must stop!