I wiped away the weeds & foam. / I fetched my sea-born treasures home... Ralph Waldo Emerson







Friday, January 29, 2021

It's Time to Start Our Indoor Bulbs!


 Hi guys! Brrr, The polar vortex has come to the beach! Wind from the north at 36 mph, wind chill is 1*. [-17*C]
AccuWeather Alert: Arctic blast may be followed 
                                              by a big snowstorm

It feels like my work desk is outside, I think I need to add a hat. Mo is wearing his Duckie pjs and I have my heated throw going, fingerless gloves on my hands as I type. 

I found  wonderful soft brushed thermal tops at Old Navy. Very oversized so lots of room for layering even if it makes me look like a polar bear.

click HERE        


Despite the cold, the weather is sunny and beautiful and it's time to have a little boost of springtime.


Soo...did you stock up on prechilled spring bulbs last October? 


No? Amazon can fix that, as can a visit to your local grocery store. Today my store had pussy willow branches 4.oo, cut tulips , 5.99 a dozen, 2" and 4" forced hyacinths and daffodils at 2.99 and 4.99---and yes! boxes of paperwhite bulbs on sale. Amazon selection: click here


A couple years ago I switched from forcing in interesting containers, using seaglass and beach pebbles--






to reusing this very modern but perfectly shaped for function glass cylinder from Costco. You can use whatever you have on hand.


The glass cylinder came with this scary pointy vicious looking ''frog'' or bulb anchor.






I carefully store it each year after use, protected in a takeout box, firmly taped shut. Imagine stepping on that if it went astray on the kitchen floor.


This year I bought my bulbs at the garden center when we visited for Christmas. 

                                                          


Instead of paperwhite Ziva bulbs, the fragrant all white classic narcissus for forcing, I chose a new variety, called Winter Sun.


                                                  

They look so sweet and happy and cheerful with their pretty yellow trumpets. I hope they live up top their pics.


Only four bulbs but they look crisp and healthy, with nice green sprouts already.


Nestle the bulbs in their base supports, add water. Easy peasy.




   

                                                       


I was planning on starting the bulbs in this crock but it was too hard to monitor the water level. It's important, especially until roots form,  to top up the water daily. The water should just touch the rounded base of the bulb without covering the bulb.

I moved the jar to the pine bench where they've sat all week doing nothing, lol. But they should get going soon and bloom in about four weeks.


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And here is my little indoor nursery garden by the back door where it's cold but gets warm morning sun. 

My amaryllis is doing great! 




What a thrill. It's red by the way, for those who asked. And this is its third year.

And here is my white orchid, a birthday gift last year. [Or is it pink? I forget...]. It too is doing really well. I let it hibernate all fall then gave it Miracle Grow when I fertilized the amaryllis. Its leaves and now glossy and strong, they stand up all perky.  Nice green air roots, too. No hint of buds yet. Later when it's warmer I'll move it to a warmer more humid location. Or maybe it can go in the narcissus's glass cylinder when they're done blooming? Like a little terrarium?


Both plants need more Miracle-Gro, but I'm out. Amazon?

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Mel sent me a link for my new to me Croc Pot, it was something like 75 Best Slow cooker recipes. I plan to make  a pot-roast, just like Mrs Plum, hahaha. It was odd because it called for a bone in cut of roast beef, something I have never seen. And the other recipes seemed quite odd, [sorry, Mel] heavy on spicy chicken, where are my Rolaids, and oddities such as warm creamy crab dip. Ptomaine waiting to happen. HERE

Yes I know I am way way behind on slow cooker usage; I only used mine to make pulled pork, then it went to the ski house in Vermont and was never seen again. One big drawback for me is they mostly require one to cook before noon, the earlier the better. I just can't, no I cannot cook  at 6 AM.


                                         "We are having roast beef, mommy?"//

                                            "Not tonight, little man!"

Mo is proud his warm plaid coat still fits!



PS, in regard to my previous post--I should have called it a Wish List, not a To Do List. Obviously I cannot do most of the things on my list, I was just, like, day dreaming, I suppose? And I always feel it's better to have lots of ideas, better than having no ideas at all. 😍🙄

Have a warm and cozy weekend!


love

lizzy

gone to the beach.....

After the beach pics are a couple of wonderful links about beach art/ community installations organized by a woman in New Jersey. Pretty wonderful, I hope you'll click and enjoy. 
Let the sunshine in, the sun shine in....















Seashell community art installation, NJ click HERE

And the same community/ woman's Christmas Tree on her Beach: HERE

8 comments:

  1. Your first photo of your indoor garden by the back door reminds me of a scene of a Japanese style farmhouse in Pennsylvania that I visited many years ago. The owner wasn't Japanese but had been stationed there for many years, and had adopted much of the Japanese aesthetic in her home and art. Your photo reminded me of that for some reason. It was the most peaceful place I've ever been.

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  2. You will have a lovely bulb garden ...I missed out on getting bulbs this year...I need to get some to brighten up our living spaces...
    hugs, Julierose

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  3. Nothing makes it feel warmer than bringing in a few bulbs or flowers from outside and watching them bloom!

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    1. It such a happy thing, seeing something green and growing and then blooming in mid winter!

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  4. I will enjoy your paperwhites in pictures, as I can't stand the smell in person, lol!! I think I'd like to do hyacinths but I never remember to get bulbs. Oh, well.

    Brr! Brr! That sounds awfully cold! It warmed up here a bit yesterday but today is rainy and dreary and I'm having a hard time just staying awake. My mental to-do list is getting frighteningly long and I just keep putting things off until I can get around easier...fingers crossed.

    Love the thermal shirts, they look snuggly! And Mo looks comfy in his jacket.

    Thanks for giving us a peek at your indoor garden. I'm excited how well your amaryllis is doing! I've always wanted a Christmas cactus but have never had any luck with them. Maybe someday I'll try again.

    Stay warm!! And I hope you get some more moderate days soon - WITHOUT getting a lot of snow!

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  5. Mo is always so dapper! We enjoy the crock pot...maybe use it a few times per month? Should use it more. The bulbs are fascinating. I have not bought any...yet! Wish lists are a GOOD and positive thing! Love to you both.

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  6. Oh I so love viewing your bulbs. Alas I can't have flowers indoors so I'll enjoy yours. Do you know I have never cooked in a slow cooker. I do love creating one pot meals in my big Revere ware pot tho. Have a great weekend! Hello to Mo! Kit

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  7. Your amaryllis IS looking happy! My neighbor has a white double bloom this year! I have never been able to get a second bloom from orchids. I get the buds, but they always drop off. I hope yours performs.

    Regarding using slow cookers, I am just realizing that I don't usually plan to have whatever I'm making in it ready for same day eating. I never get anything started early enough. I put together a soup in mine this afternoon that we'll have tomorrow.

    Mo is looking stylish in both of his outfits. Hope the wind and snow aren't too bad. Keep cozy!

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