Sunday, March 11, 2012

Spring Break


In a week-- March 19 at 11:14 PM (Mountain Standard)--Spring makes her official arrival at the Garden Spot as the Vernal Equinox happens, so in preparation for her arrival the head gardener and I began our own spring ritual:


 A trip to Bath Nursery and Garden Center in Ft. Collins. Their yard is pretty bare right now, but in a few weeks it will be ablaze with color.


Look at these little beauties begging fore a new home, but I resisted the urge to buy on impulse. I need to do some serious prep work in the garden before I start adding plants.


After selecting our seeds, we wandered around for bit. Look at these wonderful flowers fashioned out of glass plates, bowls, votives, and other unusual pieces of glass. They were quite stunning. I didn't look to see how much they were or if they were made by a local artist.



The geraniums in the background were spectacular. I wanted a bunch.




The green house show room is pretty stark yet, but soon it will be crowded with anxious gardeners. Better shop early because the good stuff goes quickly.






We came home with a handful seed packets. I especially like the morning glories in the very first packet. I love the unusual coloring in the center. Oh and the white sunflowers next to the Teddy Bear Sunflower. They are new. Can't wait to see what a white sunflower looks like.


Hubby and I got an assembly line going marking the containers, punching holes in the bottoms, filling with potting soil, planting the seeds. They are now in the basement. We have very large windows with good sunlight, so we are hoping that the basement is a good location to start the seeds. We may end up adding a grow light. I'll report on the seeds' progress.


The Garden Spot is tiled and ready to be planted. This week we will plant peas and sweet peas and maybe lettuce and spinach. March is supposed to be our wettest month, but local farmers are saying that it may be a dry spring. 

I am on Spring Break this week. The week is full. Hubby works 3 days a week at his real job and will run tractor for his farmer friend Tuesday and Thursday, so some of my projects that require his help will have to wait. I have a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment, and an appointment with the tax preparer, so the week will go by quickly, but if the weather holds I will get out and do some garden clean-up. So what plans do you have to welcome Spring in your area?  Well, I hope you have a great week.

13 comments:

  1. I love the glass plate flowers...what a clever idea! I'm glad you will get some time off for Spring Break. Here in the UK, we know spring is coming because all the daffodils are in bloom in our yard.

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  2. Wow you are going to be very busy this week, not much of a break!! I love the glass flowers, but wonder how they are attached, very well I hope as they are hanging up!!! Hubby and I were busy in the garden yesterday for over four hours!! ENJOY your break Jackie in Surrey, UK.

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  3. That is such a nice large space you have for growing. Do you not normally grow potatoes? Perhaps check with your local garden centre what variety for your weather. Potatoes are so easy to grow! Although I think most varieties like a fair bit of water. I really like the glass plate flowers at the garden centre - one could make these maybe? Don't you just love visits to the garden centre! I really like the white sunflower seeds you bought, I haven't seen white sunflowers before. I was looking at a light yellow coloured sunflower in a seed catologue over the weekend and was tempted. Hope all your seeds do well!

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  4. WOW look at that garden space! Yep, 79 here today and I want to head out to find some pansies.

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  5. I'm in love with those glass plates. We don't have much of a garden center here :( and we're really no where near ready for pretty flowers like those.

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  6. OMG, your garden is huge. Your going to need more plants to fill that baby, lol. Keep me posted on your plant's progress in the basement. I'll remember to keep them moist during the germination process. I plan to put plastic wrap over them until they peep through. Wish me luck.

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  7. wow, I wish we had those glass flowers here! What a beautiful idea! Hopefully spring comes quickly for you. We didn't have much of a winter at all here in NC.

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  8. Ann it's a huge area to plant up and what potential! I have to say that I am really admiring those glass plate flowers.

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  9. Hi Ann,

    Boy, do I like this garden shop! Those "flowers" fashioned from vintage plates and cups are wonderful!! That is such a great idea. I might have to try and make one of those. The real flowers are gorgeous, too. Those geraniums are very healthy looking. I think everyone is definitely ready for Spring.

    Thanks so much for your comments on my Ireland post. I enjoyed reading about your trip. You had almost a full three weeks there, huh? I bet it flew by. I would like to go back some day; maybe I'll get the opportunity. Happy St. Pat's Day tomorrow, and I hope you enjoy Spring Break next week!

    Denise at Forest Manor

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  10. Gee,Ann- your garden center is waaay ahead of ours here in Ohio! And we've been having really warm weather- very unusual for March. Today was in the 70's! I went to several places over the weekend to try and find flowers, but the only thing anyone had was pansies. I want lots more 'cause I have spring fever bad! LOL
    Luv those glass plate/cup/bowl creations. They would be so easy to make with a little E6000 glue and some glassware. Heck, even old china! hmmm.... do I see a project in the near future for myself? If only I had more time.....
    Thanks for visiting! ~ Sue

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  11. Looks like you have been busy getting everything prepared - your garden should look lovely when all the flowers start appearing. Exciting times ahead. Enjoy your break.

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  12. So wonderful that you're coming into Spring, nothing like witnessing the miracle of new life. How do seeds know what to do?? It never fails to amaze me. Over here it's getting much cooler. Actually have the heater on today!

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  13. Those flowers in the garden shop look fun. And it looks like you have buy in the garden.

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