Sunday Bits #70 (dahlias from seed, grow sweet peas in cold climate)
- themarigoldgc
- Mar 17, 2024
- 4 min read
Happy St. Paddy's Day! Are you wearing green, or did you get a pinch? Try some green beer? Irish stew? I am wearing head to toe green and flashing my green eyes at one and all today.
Even though our weather is going cold and maybe snowy again for a wee bit this week, it still feels like spring. The cooler weather just reminds us not to get too ambitious out there quite yet.
I have a whole bunch of gardening tips this week, staring with this read about how to grow sweet peas from a flower grower. I will be sowing mine outside in a couple of weeks, in late March.
Tip for my west coast readers, I used to sow my sweet peas in the late fall for early blooms in spring. If I forgot, did not have time, whatever, I would sow the seeds in February or March, really early in the year, as soon as I could stick my finger in the soil. Grown in raised beds for great drainage, of course, we don't want them to drown or rot. I also sow regular peas at this time, edible ones. If you have not yet sown any seeds, today is a great day to do so ; )
I just got my dahlia seeds started this past week. If you are trying some dahlias from seed, here is a sowing and growing how-to from spring to fall. Renee's Garden Seeds has some great dahlia seeds. I love the ones with dark foliage, they are similar to the Bishop's Children dahlias which I have been unable to source for quite a while now.
Growing cucumbers in pots.
What we want to see in our landscapes in 2024. I can see all of these ideas being front of mind as we go forth.
This article about filling a raised bed with good soil. Thought I would add my post about how we made our beds and filled them the first fall that we were here. We then topped them compost in the spring.
Do you have seedlings falling over? Do they look like someone pinched the stems? All about damping off disease and how to prevent it.
They are saying that we are in for a drought this summer, especially as we had so little snow. Here is an article about how to keep your yard healthy in drought. And this one about how to be water wise in the food garden. If you are in the Innisfail area, I will be holding a drought gardening workshop in April or May. Give me a shout if you are interested in hearing more about it.
Sarah Raven's absolutely stunning Perch Hill garden.
Succession Planting with Meg Cowden from Seed To Fork.
Growing Veronica. These perennials are tough, like full sun, can handle a whole lot of abuse, and look fantastic. I have several colours in my front garden bed as I lovely the upright flower spikes. Veronica is known for getting powdery mildew though so make sure you have good air flow, do not crowd it in but instead put it in the front of your border garden.
The first three rugs are all machine washable, non-skid, can go inside or out. I added the larger jute rug in case you like to layer rugs, as is the trend, or maybe you prefer the look of the jute on it's own. Always classic, always lovely.
*As an Amazon affiliate, if you purchase an item from one of these links, I make a teeny bit of money to support my blog. It does not cost you a penny more than it would if you went to the item on your own, without my link. Huge thanks : )
Homey Bits
These lovely porches for spring. Do you go all out with your porch decorating? I usually just have a nice-ish doormat and a wreath for 2/3's of the year, lol, plus flowers pots or boxes in summer. This post makes me want to up my game a bit! I love the layered rugs look!
I pinned some ideas for wreaths and rugs up top that I really liked while staying within a budget.
How to dye your eggs using natural dyes from stuff you have at home, in your kitchen.
This is about the loveliest spring and summer wreath that I have ever seen! It's a DIY.
Recipes
You may have noticed that there are less recipes the past few weeks. That is because I have tried to not look at many, hah! I have an appointment with the surgeon next week so have been trying to lose a few pounds before they pop me on that scale... they always do that, eh? Going to wear something lightweight, too.
However, as Easter gets closer, and spring, I am always looking for fresh, springtime desserts that feel light, even if they may not be. This lemon loaf gets rave reviews and looks yummy, and this blueberry coffee cake caught my eye, too. Those are both things that I would gladly offer during the workshop coffee breaks. If you want the best of both those worlds, this Sour Cream Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake has become one of our family favourites. I don't usually glaze it as it is so good as is, but spring is making me want a really tart lemon glaze to add a bit of something something.
These Loaded Reuben Waffle Fries caught my eye for some reason, too. Which makes no sense at all as I do not like sauerkraut! However, I started thinking maybe I could replace it with a vinegary coleslaw?? I mean, yeah, maybe, eh?
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