Sunday Bits #64 (growing flowers from seed, spider plants, chicken coops, scones)
- themarigoldgc
- Feb 4, 2024
- 6 min read
If you have been waiting on pins and needles (hah) for my 2024 flower list, it'll be ready next week... I have been dragging my feet a little bit.
Truth be told, it is the shipping costs from the States that just make me cringe. No fault of the seed suppliers, of course, it is out of their hands. If I bought a whole bunch of seeds from just one company (like Baker's Creek), I wouldn't even hesitate. That would be a whole different story. However, being a bit of a fickle sort, the sort that wants all manner of kinds of things, looks for those treasures...
So, I've been poking about at Canadian sources, small seed houses with unique seeds. I love the little unique mom and pops, they always have some of the best things on offer, eh? Plus, I can order from up to 3 different places for the same shipping cost. So that has opened up the possibilities.
The does not include Floret Flower Farm, hah! They have their seeds becoming available on the 6th, with zinnia and dahlias (from seed) like we have never seen before, so I will be putting in an order with them come hell or high water, as they say. If you, like me, are nuts about zinnias and dahlias from seed, check them out on the 6th!
Gardening Tips
By February, many of my favourite gardening mags will start to come out. I don't mean seed catalogues, but the actual gardening ones with pictures and articles about gardens. I do so love poking through them all, especially the British ones, even though the weather no longer applies to me here in Alberta.
How do you feel about junipers? Not the lovely blue upright ones that the birds like to nest in, but the sprawling ones (that tend to be over used in low maintenance, low water needs landscaping). Are you like me? Do you hate them? I am seriously not a fan, they smell bad and they often look dreadful after a few seasons. I have three, and will be keeping two as I cannot think of anything better to take their place. They grow low, add a bit of colour and dimension, but mostly... they can handle ice melt/salt from our often icy winter driveway. It is what it is. The one in front is definitely going this summer though, to be replaced by flowering shrubs and perennials of some sort. More on that at another time though. What I really wanted to share with you is this article about cloud pruning. Why have I not thought of it before? It looks terrific! I am all about the bonsai look! Maybe that is what happens to the 2 that I keep?
How to grow spider plants.
Here are 23 of the best houseplants for your low light office.
The picture is of my one and only houseplant in the office. I know, I know, it is kind of ugly but I really love these Swiss Cheese plants! It's still just a baby (TikTok makes that funny, iykyk) I just repotted it this past week, into a larger pot, so it'll will soon thank me with new growth. It is very low light in here, the room gets no direct sunshine ever. Just indirect light. I took the screen off to let in more light, mosquitoes be darned. Daylight LED lightbulbs make all the difference, too.
Just a reminder that it is now time to restart feeding your houseplants (and your citrus). Their winter break is over, days are longer, they will soon start to put on new growth, and blooms, if they are the flowering kind. Just an all-purpose feed is fine.
Hubs and I are considering getting chickens this summer. After visiting our friends out in Errington (on the island), with his 3 coops and 70-ish chickens, I became a wee bit intrigued about getting some now that our town allows folks to have up to 5 chickens. We already have a small shed that we can turn (half of) into a nice coop, and build them a safe, fenced run all their own... seems like it might be the perfect spot. Will brew on the idea.
I know absolutely nothing (zero, nada, zilch) about having chickens, so it would be a big leap. I am also terrible with death and illnesses, so they have to stay healthy for ever and ever ; ) Anyway, if you are also thinking about it, here is how to build a coop, a good place to start.
Ten easy flowers to start from seed and this link that tells you when to start flowers from seed.
A guide to growing Oyster Mushrooms. How to make your own kit and grow them inside the house. Here is a link to King Oyster liquid culture. Here are some spawn plugs. Here is a link to grain spawn. Try it a few ways, see which one you prefer.
If you prefer the kits, here are some good links. I am ordering a few different kinds for my brother, for his 50th birthday. Shitake is my favourite. The one's in the brown boxes are from Vancouver Island!!
Grow shitake mushroom kit
Grow lion's mane mushrooms in a kit. Improves brain fog : )
Home Bits
Fun things I found for spring.
These Swedish dishcloths are one of my most favourite things! I even give these as hostess gifts! This lovely eucalyptus wreath that says spring is on the way ( I debated between that one and this olive branch wreath for my front door). This lovely farmhouse style table runner. These rustic black hooks. I am on my second set of these, they can be used just about anywhere! I'll soon be putting some up in the new workshop. This lovely vintage farmhouse style vase (for all the tulips that will soon be popping out). This handsome distressed leather laptop bag. My son got this bag from his in-laws for law school and really loves it! A big upgrade to the backpack.
*Disclaimer. As an Amazon affiliate, if you were to purchase an item(s) from the links, I get a wee small amount of money to support my blog. It does not cost you any extra to purchase through my link than if you went to that item on your own. Thank you!
Homey Bits
These 20 little, easy things you can do to upgrade your home. I do the paint thing all the time!
A cute DIY. These Valentine's Day cookie boxes are pretty sweet (hah, pun intended)! If you follow the link, the woody station wagon is another one of my favourites. Alternately, check out the link for those old fashioned card boxes. Such cute ideas. I wonder who I can give cookies to?
A Palooza of Recipes This Week!
Salad pizza! Yes, please! Just me that thinks this sounds super yummy. Minus the sausage for me, of course. Check out this simple, yummy recipe if you are on Insta.
Ever since I had the crispy tofu bowl at Cactus Club, I have been on a power bowl kick. Here is a spicy tofu rice bowl that looks good. I do not like spicy so I would have to tone that down a whole lot, and I would add some avocado to the bowl to make it just perfect ; )
This crispy tofu recipe is one I am going to try this week. I will use corn starch instead of arrowroot as I have none of that at home. I always eat baked tofu as a treat, better than potato chips, but I usually just slice it real thin, cover it with tamari and bake on high for 20 minutes to make it crisp.
I'm hosting the ladies coffee this month, so saving my favourite recipes to make. We usually offer a small sampling of about 4 or 5 things, so I like to do a bit of an assortment. Thinking a cookie or two, a cake, some squares or cupcakes... not sure what all I will make, but these browned butter rice crispy squares are topping the list right now. Who doesn't love this childhood favourite, eh?
Maybe some of this Crazy Cake? Also known as depression cake, has no eggs, milk, or butter.
These snickerdoodle doughnut muffins are on the make it list. They sound yummy. I love cakey doughnuts so this might be right up my alley!
I have two scone recipes for you this week. Truth? I have always been nervous about making scones. They seem so tricky. But turns out that they are pretty easy! Here is a recipe for Cranberry Orange Scones and these Strawberry Scones, too. Both look yummy. I made the orange ones, they are divine. I used blood oranges for a bit more colour. They are at their best this time of year, and I am a big fan.
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