Did some winter sowing of seeds, still have more to sow, but I've been lazy to get around to it this year. I've been doing some writing, that has occupied most of my time. I'm just now getting back into the gardening groove, cleaned out most of my beds the past few days. Searching the web for any new plants I may have to sneak around to buying (the boyfriend thinks plants are a waste of money). Looking forward to seeing increases on my daylilies, if ones that hadn't yet bloomed for me will this year, and see which of my baby hostas lived or died through the winter. Karen

Lol, welllll some of us know WHAT to do its just finding the time to actually do it to all the plants, lol. Can I just say the inground ones aren't nearly as needy as the potted ones. My goal is to have most of them in the ground next year once I get my new fence put up I am going to have them all the way around the yard, lol. Ok, I have a new one for you. They really love composted cow manure as well, lol. Store bought milorganite works well too.

lynnem, yea, there is something about the smell of a barn on a cold winter day, it's such a earthy smell, that is the only thing I can think of to discribe it, guess you have to do it to understand. I too never minded the cleaning up. Back when my barn was full, I would go out all covered up for the cold, but after a while, the body heat of the animals and the physical work would get me so warm, I started shedding clothes. I miss those days, clean a bit and then take a break and fuss with the critters. I'm afraid my two goats and few birds don't require much cleaning, a fast sweep with a push broom pretty much does it. Like, oh WOW on the mosiacs and jewelery, just beautiful, plain and simple, no other word for it. And Margo's birdbath is way too cute, such a nice garden accent. Now I am a cross stitcher, been doing it for years and am not happy unless I am doing an impossible pattern on the most difficult of fabrics, I get bored with anything less. I haven't done any in years because I have not had time, but I'm itching to get stitching again and decided to do something for myself for a change, I have never kept any of my work. I made a seperate post asking some opinions as to which picture to do. As soon as I decide, I'll make the pattern and get all the floss and fabric ready, I have every known dmc floss all organized and plenty of fabric, I'm all set to go as soon as I decide what to do.

Mulchy, 'Wall-'o-water' is a brand name for a water-filled plant protector (a circle of joined plastic tubes you set around your tender plant and fill with water). Using jugs or other 2L containers would work the same way. This is my first year using them, but I've heard they really help tomatoes and peppers and other tender growers that need extra help here in the Northeast. I figure they can't hurt the squash etc. (And if the germination is poor for the seeds the kids just planted, we can sow some more - but I'm hoping for warmer weather soon. It just HAS to be warmer this summer than the past two - doesn't it?? PLEASE tell me it will be warmer!!) Yes, I love to garden. Therapy is where you find it. My husband plays the pipe organ, my father flies model airplanes - to each their own. My husband and I have a joint dream: someday a new house with a huge great room for a pipe organ, set on 2 acres of land to garden. . . . Hey, dream big! Laurelin