From The Old Farmer's Almanac.
Me neither. Just thought I would ask. I still have a couple of months to get things in order around here. I thought I would share with you my lofty and goofy-ass goals for the 2008 gardening year.
~find a place to put the hot tub bargain I couldn’t pass up a year ago. Yes, you read that correctly. A hot tub. A bargain. And while you are laughing yourself silly, just go ahead and keep it up. It is NOT like I can put it in the closet (like those stoopid yellow driving mocs I had to buy on sale cuz they were so comfortable and an unusual color and so unusual I feel goofy wearing them). Imagine the darling husband’s reaction to a hot tub bargain. Uh-huh. But it came with a couple of years worth of water treatment supplies.
~get a crane to install the 17 tons of sandstone steps I so lusted after, ordered and paid for. Alright, maybe its not 17 tons, but it is more than 5 tons and they are gorgeous and I wonder just how that is going to come together?
~I ordered $50 worth of seeds this week. I promise to share. Three kinds of heirloom tomatoes, Russian blacks. A gazillion varieties of warty and funky shaped and colored squash. And some zinnia seeds.
I am exhausted just writing about the first three things that came to mind. Think a nap is in order.
TO BE CONTINUED………………….
Post from: Idaho Gardener
The other day, I harvested my first crop of the year: mixed greens, some broccoli florets. I augmented with some nasturtium flowers, some mint, sage and thyme. The whole time I was wandering around the yard with my salad washing bowl and scissors, I was hunting for edibe stuff as I greeted pots and plants I hadn’t seen in the past week or more. What a refreshing harvest.
As I enjoyed what can only be described as salad heaven, I glanced at the clock to see how close my meal came to lunchtime. The clock said that any minute now, the people I love and care for will get even older than me. It’s like I retired and was dreaming blissfully on the beach as the tide rose. Waves started to crash over my chest. Our new god Science hasn’t quite figured out how to make our bodies young again.
I woke up early this morning and came downstairs to see the Snow falling. It was freezing, but I love snow. There is a magic in how the white snow flakes once they settle give everything an ethereal glow. It brings into focus Trees and Shrubs which blend into the soil normally.
I, like most gardeners I know, love a bargain. A desired plant is oft kept from being bought because of its price tag or the condition its in. Yet, when you stumble across that plant and its being offered for far less than you anticipated you're quick to part with the cash hoping the vendor doesn't realise their mistake.
Today was one of those days. It wasn't a great bargain, as bargains go, but it was a good one. I decided to take the kids to one of the local Saturday morning markets and after perusing all that was on offer felt tempted back to the Herb seller.
On offer were some 100mm pots of marjoram, a herb I've been desiring for some time. The price - $3. Not bad when you consider the local big box stores sell them for $4.95 each. I knew I had three dollars left but wasn't sure I wanted to part with it here without picking up the Saturday paper.
Yet fate tempted me as I drove past the stall on my way out, so I stopped and asked my daughter to quickly dash off and grab me one of the pots. To my excitement, she returned with 2 containers of this wonderful herb exclaiming her win as loud as a crow barking their victory over a piece of roadkill. Suddenly the sense of urgency came over me in much the same way as a mafia gangster would feel after a drive-by shooting.
I took off before she had time to close the door and picked up speed careering between cars until I felt safe to ask any questions.
Apparently, the marjoram wasn't a big seller and so she had given us two in order to clear her stall. It was a win-win! My heart rate could finally subside.
I do enjoy a good bargain.
So, what was your last plant bargain? And how did you come by it? Tell your story in the comments or write a post about it, if you have a blog. Love to hear it.
