I have a really hard time staying focused at Lowes, or any home improvement store for that matter.  Asking me to go into a home improvement store and pick up only one particular thing is pretty much like asking a kid to ignore the cookie jar on the counter.  It ain’t happening.   I start meandering down aisles, dreaming up projects, then all of a sudden I’ve disappeared into a vortex.  I’ve forgotten why I was there in the first place, daylight has disappeared, and they’ve sent out a search party.   

Such is the story of this little purchase two weeks ago.  I was at Lowes to purchase something simple like sanding pads, then before I knew it I was in the garden department again.  It was there that a ‘Jiffy’ Greenhouse stared me down and beckoned me toward him.  He somehow convinced me with his $6 dollar price tag and numbered tutorial that he needed  me.  Or I needed him.   Apparently, I didn’t need to use the egg cartons I’ve used in the past to start my sprouts.  This year, I needed  a ‘Jiffy’ Greenhouse.  

Tomatoes, basil, and delphinium are three of my favorite things to grow.   So I thought I’d get a head start on a few of my garden essentials.  

Read the rest of this entry »

One big item on my ‘To Do’ list this spring is to dedicate some space in my garage or yard to all things garden related.  I confess my garden supplies are in a jumbled state right now with no organization or centralized plan.  It’s sad really. 

Lately, I’ve become fixated on the idea of a wall or bench to store seeds, watering cans, pots and garden tools.  One of the ideas I am actually considering is building a potting bench.  I’ve just got one teensy hurdle – talking the Mister into yet another spring project.   He protests, but in truth, resistance is futile.  :-)  

Meanwhile, these images inspire me to really get going before the upcoming planting season. 

Better Homes and Gardens, March 2009

Source Unknown

From ‘It’s Complicated’

Read the rest of this entry »

I know many of you are blanketed in snow, and part of me wants to be frolicking in a big pile of it right now.  Yet out here on the west coast, we’ve been blessed with a hint of spring.  I was in a euphoric trance this morning as I walked through Lowe’s garden department.   Rows and rows of tulips and daffodils.  Oodles of fresh new plants budding for spring !

It’s still cold around here, but the cherry blossom trees have just started to bud.  Just two days ago, I clipped a few branches off our mature cherry blossom tree, then I brought some branches indoors to force them to bloom.

I’ve never had real  cherry blossoms budding in my house – I’ve always enjoyed the fakes from Pier One.  But these beautiful pink blossoms are making me smile today.

“They’re real, and they’re spectacular.”

I simply followed these steps by Better Homes & Gardens.

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been raining for days and days and days around here.   I really needed something fresh and green to contrast against these wet days and drab skies.  So I planted a little garden in my kitchen window.    

Read the rest of this entry »