Spring Flowers

Spring flowers are the most welcome of the year! I always push the envelope, using cold hardy plants, tucking them into a sheltered microclimate and if the temperature threatens to dip into the 20's I put a sheet of bubblewrap over them. Who can resist the ranunculus that look like old fashioned roses? Primroses are the essence of spring along with the bright faces of pansies. The ivies weren't hardened off long enough so they have lost a few leaves but they will survive. One of the pots has been outside for over a month now. Wormwood, chard, diascia and ivy have tolerated some bitter nights as well as strong wind. Such a treat to step outside and see these beauties!

Tea with Marie Part 2/2

And heres the second half - hope you have time to see this one as well!

Tea with Marie Program! Part 1/2

Just wanted to share this video from a couple of years ago- back when I was a complete newbie to TV (and a redhead!). Hope you enjoy!

Misty Morning

This is my variegated spider lily, Hymenocallis caribaea ' variegata'. I had it in a clear tank outside with a couple of koi. It has been a great winter houseplant because all I have to do is make sure the saucer is always full of water. Water plants are so easy, and especially good for people who kill their plants with kindness!

Just a thought with the spring approaching - that my house will no longer look like this! Clearing out the plants so they can enjoy the summer sun as well always lets my family have a little more breathing room and lets me increase my stash with none the wiser! 

Seedlings in Two Days

Two days after I seeded the mesclun blend the tiny roots were emerging. Two days after that the seed leaves were up! It's a miracle every time and by starting seeds under lights we can experience that miracle up close. In about three weeks I will be making salads from those energetic plants. The spicy mesclun was faster then the sweet, and it was fun to see that the roots of the Bulls Blood beets were as red as the leaves will be.

Sowing Seeds

Today I sowed Sun Gold and SuperSweet 100 tomato seeds as well as mesclun salad mixes; one spicy, one sweet. The Sun Gold tomato is the tastiest I've ever eaten! It's small, not a slicing tomato, with a full bodied flavor that can't be beat. If you're really, really nice to me maybe I'll give you a plant... I did sow 40 seeds so may have one or two extra plants.