Wintersowing? Why not? Three weekends ago it was still winter up here, so I figure there's enough cold weather left to do the job. So on April 6th I got this project underway. Plus, in looking back at last years' wintersow project, I'd begun only 3 days sooner! First, organizing seeds (which is always a project in itself!).......this plastic container looks like a decent winter-sow shelter.......it came with grapes, and if it works well I'll use it next year.Several of these "jiffy" discs fit into it. I used a combination of types........regular peat pellets.......and coir pellets made from coconut husks. In my experience, the coir holds moisture a bit better, but allows seedlings some air so they don't rot or experience "damping off".It's environmentally friendly, too (if you're into that sort of thing ;-) Anyhow, I have a lot of seeds, and I need another container......so I'll make one! This should work okay, the sticks will support the "tent"......punch a few holes for ventilation, and while the discs are soaking and plumping up time to select the seeds... ....this sounds interesting, but when I look at the current catalog for germination info, it's not there! More searching......yay, I found the old catalog I ordered from. To prevent future confusion, I cut out the description and taped it to the seed packet (I highly recommend this!).......seeds from my blogger-buddy Chuck. I said it before, but thank you again for these!Another gift from a fellow garden blogging pal, Hank...thank you also! I can't wait to see these beauties grow! This is purple hyacinth bean vine by the way.Also from a blogger friend and associate, Vonne, who's a "lurker" (reader but not blogger)...these are datura seeds (thank you again, also! :).......and this columbine really caught my eye in an expensive catalog (I forget which one, it wasn't Burpee), it's 'Blackcurrant Ice'. Ever the bargain hunter, I found seeds online at Seedman.com. I've always had good luck growing columbine, so why buy a plant?These seeds are funky looking, like little shells (as the name suggests)... ...there! I don't have the list with me right now, but there were several more varieties planted...
....I'll put the open end of the tent facing the foundation of the house...
....and presto! More winter weather (this was the day after I put them out three weeks ago)...
...and after a peek three days ago-success already! Sprouting are: 'Apricot Beauty' Foxglove, 'Highlander' Ornamental Millet, and 'Rainbow Lovliness' Fringed Pink. Since our temps have still ducked below freezing here and there, I bet more germination is forthcoming. Hooray!

Hello, my name is Bentley, and I'm a shedder. ("Hi Bentley.") For a job like this, you need the right tool.... ....the wire shedding brush. There is a new brush out there called The FURminator , and while reading last Friday's Ark, I saw a ringing endorsement . But when I bought this brush, $4.50 sounded better than the $20 they want for the FURminator, but maybe I'll pick one up anyway to try it out. First Bentley's approval.....
.....great for on the chest and under the chin where he can't reach........and of course the belly.........okay, he's getting annoyed now.... .....wow! Look at all that! From a short-haired cat, too....
...and the best part? Push the button on the back and it self-cleans!
Cool! Now where's Gizmo? ("Who..... me?")

Submitted to Friday Ark.

First plant orders...perhaps a little early considering our temps have just come up, but I'm optimistic! Here's what I got from Breck's, and I must say that I've had really good luck ordering from them the past few years. (Plus their colorful catalogs make it hard for me to resist :) Some pretty Louisiana irises......and this 'Purple Pillow' geranium........pretty bicolor phlox 'Natasha', and another wild-colored 'Spicy Cajun' Louisiana iris (I sure hope it's as colorful as it looks in the picture)........and here they are. Bare-root, but decent sized and healthy looking.Second order is from Naylor Creek, and I cannot say enough good things about them! People, if you want to buy hostas, these are the folks to see! (Plus many other perennials, including epimedium.) This was a big order, and I placed it way back in December (heh, Merry Christmas to me!;-) . I went for mostly smalls and minis to compliment the larger varieties I already have.......I just love to have the pictures in my garden book to help me plan for their placement, plus it's fun to look at the images while waiting (keeps the excitement up)......I got a couple epimediums, too.........uh-oh! The box looks rough........but the plants look okay so far, and packed pretty well........ah yes! What a bunch of beauties! Only one epimedium has no top growth, everybody else appear to be well on their way.And because I ordered so early, I got to take advantage of their "early bird special"- free shipping, and 10% off my order which amounted to a total discount of $59.35!! Fantastic incentive, and not something I see in other hosta catalogs. I will absolutely order from them again!Time to plant them up...here's one of the Louisiana irises...kinda looks like a big prawn or something......and look at the nice hostas! Good-sized, and very bare-root (kinda naked, actually)......and what's with these "hairs" around the crown? I don't recall ever seeing this on my other hostas, but then I don't see them completely without soil, either.And check this out:two crowns! Cool! One for me, and one for my sister.... ....nice epimedium growing like crazy, this one is E. x ‘Beni Chidori’ ..... ....and another hosta with multiple crowns, three this time! This is 'Cherry Tart', and am I ever glad I ordered it when I did, because it sold out!
There! All potted up and waiting for permanent homes...I sure hope we don't get a late freeze (luckily hostas are very tough)...
....and this sunset seems to be promising good weather (please don't lie! ;-) Okay spring, keep on rollin'!

Spring is raging at Millertime! Finally flowers, and even bees!The tom turkeys know it's spring, and they're lookin' for the ladies........my daffs aren't quite there yet, though. Do you help the foliage and pull off these skewered dead leaves? I do....maybe not necessary, but it makes me feel better.
Here's a bit of a shocker-english lavender growing like crazy! I didn't think this was hardy up here, and this pot is really out in the open.

This is the cultivar...only thing I can figure is that the 3 foot snow drift over this area insulated it well enough...cool!
Lovely yellow crocus...

....and here's the mass-planting from last fall that I'm calling "purple haze". Nearly all of them seem to be growing...the anticipation is exciting... .....and luckily only one obviously empty hole. Pretty good considering how many holes there were!
Nice little red tulips too, with the mottled foliage they are one of my favorites...
....and the Chionodoxa, a.k.a. Glory of the Snow are blooming nicely. These were just planted last fall, and are tiny but lovely....
....such a pretty blue! More spring action is coming soon.....hooray!!