spring has definitely sprung

Spring has sprung here in central Indiana - and dare I say it, summer may have also sprung! We are having insanely warm weather over the past few weeks (third warmest March ever). It's been 80 degrees! I went to Florida last week and it was barely that warm there!

Because of the amazing weather, I got caught up on a bit of yardwork and started some seeds. Last summer, with two jobs and school, I barely even touched my garden. I bought starts at the school fundraiser, got them in the ground, and that was about it.

This year I started tomatoes (Break O Day, Firework and Fox Cherry), California Wonder green peppers, Corno di Toro peppers, broccoli, onions and just for the heck of it, some squash. Most of my seeds are two to three years old so we'll see how they germinate in the next few weeks. The broccoli is from an awesome friend's husband.

I follow Tim's Square Foot Garden blog to know when to plant what here in central IN. He is far more ambitious than I, with cold frames and whatnot. He recommends Dixondale Farms for onions, but I bought mine at Menard's last year so I'm sticking with those for the season. I don't even like onions, it was just something to plant.

I plan on expanding out my raised beds soon so I can actually grow some squash and green beans and not have the tomatoes take over.

so close bulldogs

 

The Butler Bulldogs were so close last night! It's been a crazy weekend in Indianapolis, since the Final Four is here AND the Bulldogs were in the running for the Championship. Plus, despite a few thunderstorms and a mild threat of tornados, we've had amazing weather here the past few days. Everything is out in bloom! Spring finally came. Of course, we will probably have snow this weekend....but it's nice to enjoy the flip flops and shorts until then.

I walked to the bus last Thursday morning, and the magnolia tree was just budding- with those little fuzzy things around the blooms just peeking out.  By Thursday evening when I walked home, it was entirely in bloom!!!



I bought three or four forsythia bushes several years ago for a dollar on clearance at Lowe's. They've never performed that well...they may have been mowed over by a well-intentioned neighbor several summers ago. This year they finally have some branches, although rather puny overall, and some of those bright yellow blooms that everyone loves. I may transplant these into the WayBack Pit Of Doom, where nothing seems to grow and plant roses in its stead. I have read good reviews of Countryside Roses, but they are out of the particular roses I want right now.

monday monday

I had another decidedly un-crafty weekend. I am in need of some quick crafts to knock out while watch TV or before bed.  I am still not done with a baby blanket that I've been working on. The bias tape is all that's left and that is always my least favorite part.

One thing I starred today was from One Pearl Button's blog today - originally from Jewish Mom . I want to take these cut paper flowers and etch them onto mirrors from downstairs. I've been dying to do this project but don't have a)mirrors b)templates c)time. I'll put it in the someday file.

In other news, spring has disappeared, to be replaced with more cold weather, drizzly rain, and cloudy skies. I have some very cute spring dresses that I need to wear. Spring come back, stat!

Also, I filled out my census form. I guess I didn't realize how rinky dink the form is. I expected questions on whether I was employed, my income, etc. Nope. Just how old are you, what race are you, bada bing bada boom. That's it.

Time to head downstairs and do some Insanity and wait for my Anthro dress to arrive.

welcome back, spring!

After a very, very long winter (though we had no snowpocalypse/snowmageddon/snowicanes), spring has finally come back! It started to warm up a wee bit last week- freezing, then above freezing, then 40 degrees during the day. Then over the weekend BAM! Full-on springtime feel good weather.

I went for a run last night in shorts- SHORTS! I have already put away the puffy coat for the season, although I did keep out my parka just in case. I removed the snowflake wreath on the front door, to replace it with a (fake) forsythia wreath.  I have taken the flannel sheets off the bed and it was glorious to sleep last night.

Next up: taking the plastic off the windows and clearing out the garden for planting.  I also need to re-order some roses to plant this April.

Late bloomers

I checked my flickr page just to be sure, but I was right! My daffodils are only just now blooming- and only the smaller bulbs, not the larger daffodils. Last year, they peeked out in January, and bloomed by March 24th. Three years ago, they were blooming (granted, at my apartment, not my house) by March 20th. Where's the global warming?

come out, come out, wherever you are!

I bought some bulbs for 50% off last fall when I was refinishing my floors. I stashed them in the basement and promptly forgot all about them, until I discovered them a few weeks ago. They daffodils and alliums were sprouting in the bags! I picked up some potting soil, mixed it with some peat moss, and filled these pots to the brim. I probably should have planted the bulbs a bit deeper, but I did what I could. Spring has sprung!



(yes, that's part of a blender in the background. ha!)

they're really just onions

My garden is in full swing. I started seeds around March 20th, but thanks to crazy Indiana weather, couldn't plant them until last weekend.



I had marginal success- they grew quickly but most fizzled out before I could get them in the ground. I had good success with the pepper seeds I planted- we'll see how they fare. I also started tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, and herbs. I also direct sowed two types of beans and peas, and more of all of the above. I planted a ton of random flower seeds- Zinnias (Cut 'n Come Again, Pinwheel Mix, Purple), Cosmos (asst), Sunflowers (asst mix), Jasione, Gaillardia, Black Eyed Susan, lavender, and also a ton from my mom's house that she hadn't marked. We shall see!

Finally, the bulbs I planted last fall are beginning to bloom. I'm a bit of an allium freak and found some on clearance at Meijer- most went by my front steps covering up the fading daffodils. Some Globemasters by my mailbox have yet to bloom. I read on GardenWeb that they self sow rapidly, and I am very much looking forward to a garden full of alliums!