Lake Mary Gardens

Winter Sowing Success

Interesting double Japanese White Dandelion

Interesting double Japanese White Dandelion-side view

I finally got some stubborn lettuce and kale seeds to sprout after what felt like an endless wait. I thought the seeds were bad, but no, they just needed winter sowing. As I tended to my little garden, I noticed this abandoned bird’s nest in one of the shrubs, a testament to the passage of time and the cycles of nature around me.

The Japanese white dandelions are blooming again, brightening the landscape with cool white, and to my surprise, I found a double bloom, a rarity I have never seen before. It’s amazing how nature continues to reassure me with its beauty and resilience as the seasons change and occasionally puzzles me with an oddity.

Update in Hiiros Tomatoes

Vegetable gardening

It looks like they are a hybrid because I have two distinct forms of tomatoes growing in my greenhouse. One variety features multiple small, oval-shaped tomatoes that cluster together, creating a string of fruit. In contrast, the other variety yields fewer but larger, round tomatoes. The differences in their shapes and sizes make me wonder how they will taste. Time will tell!

Lavender, Snapdragon, English Daisy and Shasta Daisy Seedlings

Spring Flowers

I have had some decent results starting my seedlings early and keeping them in a cold frame. I did see frost damage on some of the smaller Foxglove seedlings, so I probably moved those out too soon. I am starting seeds using other methods to ensure an optimal chance of success. I have been starting with a weeded bed and simply sprinkling poppy and snapdragon seeds. My first round of seeds was late November in Zone 8b. I watered them in, and hopefully they will sprout in time for spring. I am also trying the milk jug method and started one for the Foxgloves after I noticed the damage on my smallest seedlings. I threw some Foxglove seeds out into the beds, figuring, why not? I can sow seeds of cold-hardy plants every month until February. With many seeds sown, surely some will make it in time for Spring!

Snapdragon seedlings- red leaves indicate red or dark pink blooms

Snapdragon seedling- green seedlings indicate white or light colored flowers

Update on Greenhouse Tomatoes

General gardening, Vegetable gardening

The weather warms up- open during the day and closed at night

Currently, our greenhouse is filled with green tomatoes. The Hiiros seedlings, in particular, are thriving, and some seedlings are more productive than others, flourishing in this carefully managed environment. As the days warm up, I open the greenhouse early to avoid the temperature rising above 100 degrees. At night, I securely close the greenhouse, ensuring the temperature remains just right for optimal growth and creating a nurturing environment for our plants. I’ve been pleasantly surprised to see minimal impact on the electric bill since the heaters only operate at night, not allowing the temperature to drop below 50°F. They automatically shut off by morning, allowing me to maintain energy efficiency while watching our plants grow. I also spray organic remedies weekly, and so far, my plants are free of pest and disease issues. Earth’s Ally 3-in-1, Spinosad, and Dr.Earth Final Stop have worked miracles in preventing the usual pests, including aphids, whiteflies, tomato leaf miners, and mites. How lovely to see my leaves clear of mites!

It is time to set up my cold frame and try winter sowing!

General gardening, Vegetable gardening

It has been hot here, so I delayed this step in my plan to create a pretty spring garden. It is getting cold again overnight, so I have moved my Snapdragon, Foxglove, and English Daisy seedlings to the cold frame. I also have pansies, poppy seedlings, and some lavender seeds I am trying to sprout. I have started winter sowing. The winter solstice has passed, so the time is right. I will update as time goes on.

Green Cabbage, Lettuce and Tomatoes

Vegetable gardening

I am pleased that my cabbage is heading up, and I am seeing lots of little green tomatoes and peppers in the greenhouse. The container garden has carrots, kale, turnips, beets, and bok choy. The lettuce looks too pretty to cut, but I took some pictures since I am harvesting it very soon!

Flowers in December – Swiss Giant Pansies Morning Glories and a Sunflower

Spring Flowers, sunflowers

It has been unseasonably warm here, meaning I have been enjoying some unexpected blooms in my garden! Today I photographed a sunflower, Swiss Giant Pansies, and hige morning glories. I discovered this little yellow sunflower in the greenhouse; its bright petals had a miniature, demure presence. I love little surprises like this, as they remind me to appreciate every day; each bloom feels like a moment in time, a little treasure to find in the everyday routine, a reminder that serenity often lies in the simplest of things. It’s moments like these that inspire me to spend more time in my garden just looking around and watching for signs of life and change. They say the early bird gets the worm, but the early gardener gets the best pictures of the day!

Purple Hige and Coleus, Greenhouse Update

General gardening, Japanese Morning Glory

My purple Hige morning glory is blooming beautifully, and I notice that thanks to the mild weather, they are staying pretty all day long. The coleus cuttings I brought in from my garden are thriving, taking root and growing well, adding color to my indoor space. In the greenhouse, I can see tiny green tomatoes and sweet peppers developing, while the fruit trees are steadily growing. I am looking forward to not only the fresh vegetables that will soon be on the menu but also the bright canna blooms that are just weeks away, adding even more beauty to my garden!

Starting Spring Flowers from Seeds

General gardening, Spring Flowers

I am so tired of buying bulbs and having them rot or be destroyed by pests. They are expensive too! This year, I decided to save money. I am going to use my early blooming daylilies for the front flower bed and start some flowers from seed. On November 22nd, I started my first batch of seeds. I used Miracle-Gro potting soil with a little extra compost, perlite, and vermiculite added. It was still quite warm in my zone 8b garden, so I started them inside my garden shed under grow lights. Now, after a month they are ready to transfer to my cold frame since we have a cold front coming in. My lavender sprouted poorly, so I plan to experiment with winter sowing this year.

Christmas Pansies

Spring Flowers

Our pansies are blooming due to a warming trend that has brought a temporary early spring to our garden this year, which made me smile as I checked on my plants and admired their vibrant colors. The unexpected warmth has prompted these resilient flowers to bloom early. As I knelt beside them, I noticed they did favor the pansies of last year, and the seedlings looked very much like the parent plants. Each blossom seems to be a reminder to enjoy the moment, as it will soon get cold and they will become dormant until spring.

Purple Hige morning glory and yellow climbing rose

Japanese Morning Glory, Roses

I have been blessed with a few last minute blooms on my roses this year. More blooms will follow inside the warm and cozy greenhouse. I am looking forward to canna blooms and have some dahlia seeds started just for fun. This purple Hige has a pink Hige companion and I will share more blooms soon

Escape from Stress: a short garden story