Tuesday Tip Gardening on the cheap

Tying up tomato’s

By now you know I try and repurpose everything.

OK, I’ll admit it, I’m cheap & just hate spending money on things that will be tossed out like paper towels (don’t get me started)

When we first started gardening & tying up my maters I used the “tomato” tape similar to florists tape sold in garden shops, It snapped under the weight of the fruit.  So next I used string and then twine (unsuccessfully)…both of which cut into the stems as they grew and developed fruit.  I finally settled and have been success full with 1-2 inch strips of old t shirts.

I think every home has a few “oh, your not going out in public in that are you” t-shirts.  You know what I mean, they have built in air conditioning in inappropriate locations or would fit your child better than the hubster. 

I cut the shirt fabric in strips long as possible and cut off after I have the plant tied.  1 shirt will generally tie 20-25 plants.  There is enough stretch to allow for stem growth, wide enough for support fruit weight and by the end of the season they till right in the garden.

Martha Stewart would tell you to use a shirt that would color coordinate to be visually pleasing…but we all know…. I’m not Martha

Have a great day

Katie

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A little RAIN!!

Amazing what a little rain can do.  We can water and water but that God given rain is so much better for the land.

My tomato’s had been so dry and hard I couldn’t tie them up without breaking them off.  This morning the stems were pliable enough to get the job done.

Scrawny little things aren’t they?  I hadn’t gotten them mulched and the weeds just took off and went deep.  When I tried to clean them out I was disturbing the plant roots. I’m so glad there are only a dozen plants not the 30 or so we generally put out.   This morning the soil was soft so I focused on those around the plants. This afternoon I picked up some straw and layered with newspaper and cardboard after adding some compost around each plant.  I cheated with the straw, I have a field of grass I can rake but in 100 degree heat….It aint gonna happen!

My cucumbers are gone,  They just couldn’t take the heat. That’s what farmers markets are for right?  Trying to stay positive….. I’ve quite a few areas I could replant but not sure what if anything will grow/sprout this late in the season and heat.  It’s driving me nuts having a half empty garden!

The beans are going strong, and I think will make it.  Pod’s are forming and if I can keep them watered I just might have something to can.

The crazy thing is my strawberry plants I assumed (yes, I know better than to assume)I we would loose are growing like crazy!

We didn’t have many make it through the winter and now they are shooting out runners like crazy.  As you can see, most of the mulch was blown off with the storm last night. Most of the babies I have up on the patio will be transplanted out here next week when/if our heat wave passes.   As you can see, I have plenty of room to go before its fully re-planted.

Looks like these could use some compost

Pumpkins are holding on, I lost 2 of the Amish pie plants but have 6 left, and of course all the jack-o-lantern plants are fine…go figure!

Have a great day!

Katie

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Rain wonderful WET rain

Fell last night.

Bit of a nasty storm actually that brought sideways rain pounding the front window. It had been overcast off and on all day and we had a teasing 10 drops earlier in the afternoon and nothing else. 

I told Mr. Fix It if I water it will rain.   Sure enough, 30 minutes after I turned the hose off the sky opened up.   Watching the news this morning I see we got the tail end of the massive storm front that knocked power out to much of the north east and thousands in our area. The excessive heat will make repairs and those waiting for repairs miserable.

Looking out this morning everything in the garden seems to be perking up and doing well.  Should make weeding a bit easier this morning.

The heat and power outages remind me to check our emergency supplies & I think it’s time get off my duff and decide which solar oven I want to get.   It would sure help in keeping the heat out of the house.  There are so many on line to choose from and the prices range from 0 to outrageous. I want an oven that we can really use,  not just for emergency’s but something that can be used on a daily basis.

If there is a solar oven you’ve used and can recommend I’d love to hear from you.

Out to tackle more weeds

Katie

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So darn HOT!

Oh my gosh, This entire mid-west area is just cooking…and I’m not talking a pot luck!  The lawn is brown & tree leaves are drying out.    We were over 100 degrees most of last week,  Wednesday I drove to Indy to spend the day with Rachel & Hayden..and it like baking in the car on the way home even with the AC blasting.

Thursday Isaiah & I went to Madison Indiana to help a family member do some landscaping…I lasted 3 hours outside pruning hedges, pulling 3 years of weeks and overgrowth. I got the shakes & chills and knew I was stick-a-fork-in-me DONE!

Trying to keep him cool, I kept sending Isaiah inside for ice and water for us and was able to mostly keep him in the shade and semi cool.  He was a major help hauling shrub debris,  laying and cutting landscaping cloth to cover path ways, and pinned it in place himself.  For 8 yrs. old he worked right along side us with out complaint…other than being the “water boy”.  Although. I believe he prefers water boy over “compost boy”

Before we left he stood back and looked at the completed work and said, “Man, this looks so much better!  Working together we got a lot done!”

I hope and pray he carries this work ethic to adulthood. We stopped on the way home and had big bowls of (medicinal of course) ice cream to help us cool off.   Best medicine ever!

The garden is really struggling.  The cucumbers are about shot, some of the squash is “surviving” most of the beets are gone.  The green beans and onion are still coming along fine.  The tomato’s and peppers are loosing ground.  I’m watering early morning but it’s not quite enough.  I think I’ll cut them back and see if that helps.  This was my lite year in the 2 yr. planting cycle,  so a smaller harvest was the plan but….not this small!

One good thing about the heat,  laundry sure dry’s fast!

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Katie

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Summer Afternoons

Are for cousin

 play

water babies

sand and sunscreen

doodlin in the dirt

and crawdad catchin

 

 

 

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In the garden, fighting the weed war!

The green beans are coming along beautifully.  I didn’t put as many in this season as I have in years past.  We still have plenty put up down stairs but, I like to can in 2 yr. cycles.  In other words, every other year I can enough for 2 years in case there is a tough growing season…we still have enough to get us through.

While I was in Calif with my son this spring, Mr. Fix-it added a few front loader scoops to the garden to help level it out.  Drainage and watering is much more effective.  But the added dirt also means new soil that hasn’t been “de weeded”  To help slow/smother the weeds growth (cause admit I’m a lazy gardener)  I covered the pathways with sheets of cardboard and then layered cut drying grass on top of the cardboard.  The same thing could be done using 3-4 sheets of newspaper.  It’s a bit of a win win as the cardboard/or newspaper will breakdown and easily till into the garden in the fall.  Cardboard layered with grass takes about 3 months and news paper 1-2 to breakdown and is an effective weed barrier

Pathways mulched with cardboard covered with cut grass

If you choose to mulch your pathways in this manner, it’s important to use untreated grass clippings. We cut our field as a lawn at least once a week so I rarely have clippings to “harvest” luckily our neighbor bush-hogs his field only 1-2 times a month and provides plenty to rake up. 

This photo shows about 1/3rd of what he mows.  His field starts just past the shade of the tree & you can see a fresh cut line of sorts.

This morning he’s mowing for the first time in 3 weeks WOOHOO The mother load! 

I’ve found it works best if I let it set a day on the ground before raking.

As you can see in the far left of the photo, my onions are over run with weeds.  The new soil added is denser and apparently loaded with weeds.  It’s so dry when I try and pull the weeds I’m pulling onions.  I’ve been trying to pull 1-2 around each plant and let it be for a day or so, then go back for more.   I probably should have mulched here first but I wanted the areas that are weed free now to stay that way & will work my way over to the onions mulching.

Squash, cukes and pumpkins are all coming along in flower and looking good. 

The weeds in the tomato’s and peppers are out of control!

I need to tie up the tomato’s today & prune a bunch of suckers.

Time to get off here and get busy…what are your plans for the day?

Katie

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My Taters aren’t Tot’s anymore!

I do believe these plants are to big to be called ‘Tater Tots” now

Last week, they were growing strong and looking good.  Now, they are chest high on me & shading the strawberry starts.

The strawberry babies are growing well also.  At least the rooted runners are. 

Those in the red containers are slowly gaining ground but I’m not sure they will make it if I don’t get them growing & established soon. Look how tiny they are!  Believe it or not most of the sections have 2 plants. Look at the size difference of those I rooted.

In the main strawberry bed I ‘m letting any runners grow.  So far I think there are 10-15 more plants started.   With all the babies above I’m really hoping next years crop will be “fruitful” hehehe.  Sorry, just had to go there!

Lots of weeding and mulching in the main garden tonight.   Things really rook off growing in the few days we were gone.  The beets popped up & the late peas are poking through.  No carrots yet and at this rate I don’t think they will germinate with the heat. I’m glad I have some left from last year. 

Woohoo!  We have rain this morning!  Just a touch but it saves me watering

Is it dry where you are?

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Thrifty Thursday, Strawberry Plants On The Cheap

Don’t you love a good plant score?

A month or so ago Mr. Fix It came home with this hanging strawberry basket (poorly shown to the left of the photo) At the time I kinda looked at it cross eyed (although not ungrateful) I thought of all the berries I could have bought with what he spent on the basket..until I found out it was on clearance and  he nabbed it up. In the basket are 6 nice healthy plants with runners.

Knowing it would slow berry production I decided to let those runners grow. 

Less than half of the plants we set last year made it through the fall, and our strawberry bed now looks a bit like a raised bed with dirt and less than a dozen plants as an afterthought.  I think we were to late in the season for them to establish before the summers high heat & this would possibly be a an answer to replenishing the beds.  2 weeks ago, I attempted to root those babies & am happy to report they all “took”.  I checked this morning and they are all firmly rooted in their little pots.

A week or so later In the clearance section I found more plants.

Originally $15.00 a container & I was able to purchase both for less than $5.00. and an additional 3-4 plants large enough to place in the raised bed.

These were literally shoots that had just rooted to late to sell for the main growing season.  They were so new I dislodged one of the plants brushing the leaves placing them in the car. 

Right now they still don’t look much bigger than this & once I unpack the camera I’ll update the photos. 

I know for some that have strawberries these are a bit silly and not at all cost effective but for me they are compared to full pricing. I’m crossing my fingers they all make it and will provide us with lots of yummy berries next year.

Stay cool out there, todays going to be a hot one

Katie

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More containers & looking for Jewel Weed

This summer one of my goals is to establish a dedicated space for an herb garden.  Ideally the bed behind the garage is where it will go.  Right now I have oregano and thyme in.  They were established last year with cuttings from my daughter Danielle and I’ve harvested and dehydrated about a pound of oregano so far. Yeah, I know what am I going to do with that much oregano?  Well…..if you want some let me know, other than that I’m looking at medicinal uses. 
Anyway back to herbs.  To start with I know I don’t know enough to properly grow them at this point.  Are some friends, enemy’s (like vegies have friends and enemy’s)?  Who needs what as far as sun, shade, spacing, which re-seed,  etc. 

Lots of reading to do so I don’t kill them.

Until then, most are in containers of some sort.

Chives, garlic, leeks,

(yes those are Hens & Chicks watching over the pots)

parsley(s), bee balm, mint (which I know will take over its space)

I need to find and start some marjoram & basil ,  figure out what is in savory seasoning (or is it an herb?)  SO much to learn.

On the west side of the garage I’ve a small selection of Lavender started.  My goal is to make my own sachet as a moth repellant for my wool habit addiction stash storage.

There are 2 other lavender plants in other areas of the yard trying to see what works best. 

OK, I just love the plant and I want them there ok?

Most of all I want Jewel Weed! Anyone have clipping they’d like to share?  It’s an alternative treatment for poison oak/ivy/sumac….which I get EVERY stinkin year. 

Yes I know what it (poison Ivy) looks like, but if I’m within 50 feet of it I break out.

So if you find Jewel Weed in your yard or along the road would ya send me some?
Here is what it looks like.  There may be some in my area but, I’m not recognizing it.

Katie

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Taters Anyone?

Bucket potato’s, yep I’m growing potato’s in 5 gallon buckets

I’d seen this on numerous blogs concerning container gardening for small spaces.

Ahem…I have the space I just don’t want to dig them up.  I know I’d get impatient and end up stabbing most with a pitch fork.  So, lets just pretend I have a small patio for growing space ok?  We drilled holes in the bottom (5-6)  for drainage, filled the bottom with 2-3 inches of good loose soil.

  I evenly spaced my 3-4  spuds on top of the soil and covered them with another 2-3 inches.  Once they sprout and the leave poke through the soil I would add enough dirt to cover them.  Every few days adding a few more inches of soil till the buckets full.  Then leave them be.  Water once a week or when the top few inches of soil are dry.   Last year I dumped the buckets way to early and only had golf ball sized potato’s.  This year I’ll wait much longer to harvest and hope for better results.

You can do this same process also with tires.  The benefit in using tires is as the shoots grow and are covered you can stack another tire and another layer of potato eyes and on and on….. I’ve seen photos of tires stacked 6-8 high with claims of 1-2 bushel return.  Now, that would be a harvest to celebrate!

What’s growing in your garden?

Katie

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Main Garden Is In!

Better late than never I say.

Onions, early may I’d planted 3 rows and then 2 weeks ago 3 more rows. Carrots and beets are next and a space for a few other rows.A few rows of green beans, then cucumber

squash, pie & jack-o-lantern pumpkin and on the shaded end pea’s & spinach.I know the chance of any pea’s or spinach this late in the season is slight but if I have enough for salads I’ll be happy

The smaller garden has tomato’s, green peppers the melons.  Watermelon and cantaloupe.

When I got home from San Diego, Larry had the garden tilled and ready to go but, I took a few days to catch-up on other things.  It turned out to be a “day or 2” to many as we had really weird weather.  Either pouring rain or mid 90’s.  To hot to be planting per our local gardeners.  The ground was like concrete even though we have wonderful soil.  So, last week he tilled it again and now it’s planted.  We’ve been fortunate to have a family member who raises rabbits and he’s supplied us with plenty of rabbit poo these past few years. 

Beans and spinach are already sprouting up.

I think this is one of my favorite times in the planting season…watching the new green life breaking through the soil…chick like,  hatching and the struggle to be free.  Silly and whimsical I know but everything is so fresh and new at this point.

It’s been overcast and cloudy all day with rain in the forecast but the sun has been flirting playing hide and go seek. Wonder if I get the hose out if it will rain.  Murphy’s law right?

Have a great day

Katie 

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Behind

In everything it seems

.When ever I get off track in one part of my life it seems to follow to others. I’d like to get back in the routine of blogging & it’s a matter of organizing my time….and organized I’m not!  Routines this year have gone out the window and I desperately need to get back on track. 

This past month has been spent trying to catch up meeting myself coming and going…I think we’re all that way at times.  So I decided to stop trying to catch up and just move on with it.  Where I am other wise I’ll always feel behind.

There have been so many of you that have asked about my son’s recovery and I’m pleased to say he’s doing well.  Very well. We knew his head injury was potentially life changing but I also knew he did not really understand how bad it was…until he visited the VA Dr.  Who, proceeded to explain his injury is classified as in the top 5% worst head trauma.    When AJ walked into the office unassisted the Doc was shocked.  He explained with this type of injury most need assistance dressing, eating walking etc. & told him her was a walking miracle & That Aaron had resumed full time classes after the injury floored him.  Are there side effects from the injury?  Yes.  Staying focused or the ability to focus has been impacted.  His calculus class in which he had a 4.0…lets just say he’s taking over.  his balance is effected somewhat.  No alcohol, a toast of champagne at his sisters wedding had the world spinning.   Yes, he was cleared to fly 3 days before the wedding so he was here. 

What a gift to his sister!

Rachel, New Son in Law Justin, Danielle, Erika & Aaron

He was only able to be here for 2 days but, he was here.  Flew in Friday night and we took him back to the airport Sunday afternoon

Bitter sweet to say the least but it was wonderful to see him.

Well the days to-do list is pretty long so I better get busy.  Have a great Monday

Katie

 

 

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What a difference a week makes

...And what an emotional roller coaster it’s been….Last Friday night we got a 1am call no parent wants to receive Our son who lives in San Diego was in the UCSD Medical center …ICU Trauma Unit.  They were on his motorcycle (with helmets) merging onto the freeway and hit a mattress left in the road. With traffic, there was no avoiding it and down they went. His girlfriend Bri, we think rolled off the bike, she had a quite a bit of road rash on her lower back where the riding jacket slid up and quite a few bruises.

When we spoke to those in the trauma unit checking on his condition I let them know I would be flying in Saturday the first flight I could get & they said no….you have to wait.    Ummmm what? WAIT?  WHY!!    Because as next of kin I had to be available to authorize any possible emergency surgery needed..and I couldn’t do that if I was in flight.  I flew in Sunday expecting all the nasty “road rash” & broken bones  which come with bike wrecks, I had the attitude if I visualized the worst any thing less would be wonderful.

Boy was I shocked when I saw him.  He had 2 black/purple eyes  Johnny Depp would be proud of, the backs of  his hands were pretty raw but looking at him, that was it.   Best they can figure he flipped over the handle bars and landed on the back of his head and left shoulder breaking his collar bone.  On his back he has a touch of road rash which a week later is nearly healed.  

 What you can’t see is, both temporal bones are broken, the bones above and below his left eye (I believe are the orbital bones), a fracture at the base of his scull and significant hearing loss in his left ear. 

Because of the frontal lobe trauma, Initially we were give a pretty scary recovery….as in long term care rehab facility…we were looking at all the options, he couldn’t fly because of the head trauma so bringing him home was not an option…and his recovery would be best in an area he was last familiar with….living here for a while? I was scared to say the least…

Less than a week later he was discharged from the hospital,(with constant massive headache’s) on his own 2 feet, grumbling talking, reading and resuming modified activities . We have our son back…a more determined and stubborn stronger version.  He knows how blessed he is, and we all are so very thankful for all the prayers, good wishes and positive energy sent his way. Healing will be a long rough & rocky road & he's on his way one step at a time

Believe it or not, he started back in classes today….

17 credit hours.

Thank you is just not enough.

I’m sure he had better plans for his spring break!

Give those you love a big

Katie

Beautiful Spring Weather

Calls for a few day trips. 

I’d planned on a surprise trip to a park by the river with the kids but, nearby construction had the entire playground equipment covered in orange construction barriers.

Surprise surprise!

Not to let them down, we drove a mile further to

“The Falls Of the Ohio”

Such a beautiful spot, so close and we forget the many beautiful parks nearly in our own “backyard!

We found a shady table on a quiet path & I turned the kids loose to run, climb and play.

. 

The photo’s are from my cell, so it’s not greatest. 

We played our version of “Where’s Waldo”

Can you find them in the photo below?

When I had shown Larry these photos, he said “how were the snakes”?

SNAKES!?!?!

I’d forgotten this type of log pile is a favorite of theirs, toss in the warm weather and the fact we were climbing all over in this…I about wet my pants. 

Alix, remained unimpressed and slept through the afternoon

I think this summer we’ll be spending more time here..nearly in our own back yard!

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Is this amount OK?

What is the saying ….make plans and God laughs?

My plans for planting salad greens this morning have changed.  Last night we had some heavy rains storms which left the garden a soggy mess.  It needed raked well of any weeds left after tilling.  We had a real good crop of stink weed going for a while & I don’t want to be fighting them all summer.

With the change in plans I ended up in town for a groceries, eggs & a few other things (oh, for chickens of my own!)  Any way, as I was checking out something caught my eye.  The statement above my total bill had changed from prior visits. It went from.”Is this total correct” to “is this amount OK?”  Are you kidding me????

Heck no!!! That total is way to high! I bought the same items as last month and this months bill is about $10-15. higher. 

It looks like all the talk of hyper inflation is starting already.  Yet another reason to urging us further along the path of learning to do for ourselves.in a sustainable manner. 

Last nights rain brought a new crop of dandilions raising their bright yellow heads behind the house which reminds me I wanted to try my hand at making dandilion jam.   So I’m off to look up a few recipe’s. Might as well take advantage of what we’ve been blessed with right?

Any suggestions for tried and true recipes?

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Outdoor Spring Cleaning

Last fall we finished this stage of the remodel (for the most part) right as the weather changed, it got cold wet and rainy quick. We used the patio as a staging area for lumber mixing concrete & cutting tile.  When we were done, all the tools got put up but there were a few things that were left out. This mess, is next on the clean up list.

In the summer this is usually one of my favorite spots on the patio.  Lots of shade for plants & a nice calm, quiet spot. Right now…. it’s a disaster

We’d moved the old table from the back deck to the corner near the hose (for the tile saw) and working in the shade…which just happens to be where I store my pots in the fall & winter.  With everything going on things got away from us pots & outside toys were placed in front of the mess.  We were burnt out, it was easier to let it go at the time.   Installing the water barrel  entailed shifting more pots, plants, hose hangers, potato buckets & the kids have been digging in the outdoor toys….It’s become a royal mess.

Another leftover from the bathroom is all the scrap tile, angle cuts and slices. I hate to just throw them out, there’s got to be a way use them.. I just can’t think of any…...

Any ideas?

Katie

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Is this March or May?

Everyone’s talking about this weird weather we’re having,  I can’t get over how warm it is and have to wonder what this means for the upcoming summer’s growing season.    With that thought in mind and, taking advantage of our beautiful weather this weekend Larry installed our first water barrel.  I bought it end of last summer and was able to purchase it at a really good price

It sure beats my system of buckets under down spouts when it rains….who am I kidding, I’ll still do that for other areas

It took a quick trip to the hardware store for a few gutter connector pieces, a little over an hours work and it was done. One step closer to sustainable living!

I’ll use it for the herb bed and pots on the patio. It’s hard to believe the county we live in wants to stop the use of these! They think it will create “dry areas”…. I think it has more to do with lost revenue as your sewer bill is based on your water usage.

Thankfully we are still on septic system….for now anyway.  They were scheduled to run sewer lines down our road 2 years ago so I’m not holding my breath for that to happen, They can take all the time they need

My next task is to get the patio cleaned up, it’s still cluttered up with the remnants of construction

Have a great day

Katie

 

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Test Knitting for Myself

Test knitting and it’s for me!

The “Painted Hills Shawl”

Design by Raya of Blissful Knits

I’m using a colorway of hers “Secret Garden” on

 Blissful Knits & Dyeworks Cloud MCN Sock

I’ve drooled over this colorway for a while & as soon as I saw it I knew I had to have it…exactly what I would use it to make I wasn’t sure but, then I saw this shawl Raya designed and I just knew!

Although the colors are not that of the “Painted Hills” theme, they are perfect for my tastes and style.

Raya is know for her intricate and detailed designs & I’ve knit quite a few of her designs over the past few years.  I have to admit reading the directions of her patterns and thought “what? No way!”

I’ve learned to just follow the directions and am always pleased with the results  & so far “Painted Hills Shawl is proving to be no different!

Katie

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Growing Greens

No, not the edible kind, the fun and decorative kind.

Our daughter Danielle is getting married in May.  The 12 th of May…go ahead, run and look at the calendar….. I’ll wait….that’s right Mothers Day weekend!  The busiest day of the year for florists. Good thing she isn’t planning on a lot of fresh flowers as most just laughed at us when we asked. 

The reception will be outdoors and family style, with a garden theme.    By garden I mean plants succulents to herbs. So,  right now, I’ve baby starts rooting all over the house…this is what some of my window sills look like

The family room

with the monster spider plant which has about 50 more baby shoots to harvest

The Kitchen window

One laundry room window, the other has more.

These badly need to be separated

My work room, hmm a few more to separate already

Kitchen counter…

And a surprise begonia that popped up in this pot. 

I ran out of pots & need to scavenge more from some where soon.  I think I have about 50 started and Danielle has more at her house.  

Herbs I’ll start this week and they should be the perfect size by the wedding which will be held here. How much fun will this be!

Have a great day

Katie

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