More Planting

I've been dying to get my raised beds going, but haven't been able to find vermiculite--one of Mel's crucial ingredients--and was quite stymied by the entire process. Whilst driving to Norge the other day, we passed the Feed and Seed store and inspiration struck. Of course! B called, they had two bags left, he put them on hold and we went to get them this evening.

Bri also called the mulch people and they'll have our mulch here sometime within the next three weeks. Hooray! But, it is three weeks down the road and we do have a new bed that needs a bit of mulch to hold the landscaping fabric down. Sooooo, we stopped by Lowe's to pick up some peat moss (another crucial ingredient, the third being compost) and a couple of bags of mulch to tide us over until the mulch arrives.

I'm getting SO excited about all our planned changes and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my enthusiasm for our projects doesn't wane as the temperatures and humidity increase. There is nothing worse than temps in the mid 80s at 8 in the morning...UGH! I'm also hoping Lil keeps me coming out to take care of my plants as I should. She is quite avid in this gardening thing and she and I scurried around putting in flowers this evening. We have a six-pack of Dusty Miller and one of "Snack" dragons left to put out front by the mailbox. Everything else went right in.

Amy, that purslane is not a succulent (thank goodness!) but does like for the soil to be a bit more moist than some of the other plants I have in that bed. Oh, well, we'll see what happens...;o)

This evening, I also took Linda's advice and pinched off all my marigold blooms. :sniff sniff: I know they'll come back fuller and more beautiful, but man, that was hard to do. The other problem? Lil watched me do it...Oops! We did have a little chat about how only Mommy should take the blooms off the plants and did the plants look pretty now that they were "nakey". She quickly agreed they were not quite as attractive as they had been and that maybe we should indeed leave the blossoms on the stems. Whew! Now, if I can only keep her from walking in Hannah's garden. :eye roll:

Here are some early signs of new growth. Day lilies.

Another day lily.

Oh, our poplar "shrub". It should be lovely this year as well. :o)


Last night, when I finished my post, I got to work on the kitchen. Nana couldn't use her baker's rack in her new house and offered it to me. I jumped at the offer and spent last night making it comfortable in its new home. :oP

Isn't it lovely? :o)

Tonight's agenda is to wash the plastic ware and travel mugs and clean the bathrooms. Lissie and Paul are coming for the weekend and the house could use a bit of a scrub.
****************************
Today's Sparklies:

1. As I type this, I'm sitting out on the porch swing, listening to the evening sounds. Ahhhh. (I'm actually getting ready to snuggle with B, hee hee!)
2. We found vermiculite!
3. Waylen has been to the vet and now has allergy meds. (Don't ask.)
4. We had standardized testing today and when we were finished, Lola and I took the kiddos outside to enjoy the morning sun and to run off some steam. It was SO lovely!
5. The gorgeous pink dress Nana and Pop picked up for Lil from Marshall's. It has a matching dress for her baby, Kelly.
6. The smell of the air in spring. It's all earthy and fertile and delicious. :o)

No milestones.

***********************************

Off to snuggle with my boy and then head inside to clean.

******EDITED**************

Mom posted the best fertilizer recipe in the comments and I wanted to be sure to share it with anyone who might be interested. I posted it at Follow Your Bliss for future reference. :o)