Garden Experiments

Dahlias, Vegetable gardening

OK, so maybe I didn’t plant seeds from a fast-food burger, though I admit that sounds tempting! I decided to experiment with some grocery store Hiiros tomatoes. These tomatoes are known for their rich flavor and versatility in the kitchen, which is why I couldn’t resist giving them a try. I’ll be keeping a close eye on their growth progress, and I will share my results this coming Sunday morning, so stay tuned for updates!

In addition to the tomatoes, I am also growing dahlias from seeds just for fun. There’s something so joyful about nurturing these vibrant flowers from their very beginning stages. The colors and shapes of dahlias are interesting, and I can’t wait to see what blooms from these seeds. Along with the dahlias, I’m also planting more daylily seeds than I have ever planted in my life, which is not very many but feels like a significant undertaking for me. To make this experience even more exciting, I made plenty of crosses with some cool new daylilies I recently purchased. It will be interesting to see how these hybrids turn out; I’m optimistic about the variety of colors and patterns that might emerge. Each day is a new opportunity to enjoy a treat, whether it be a tomato, a beautiful flower, or even a coleus plant in my little garden!

Hiiros Tomatos
Pink, white and Light green coleus
Growing Dahlia from Seed
Growing Dahlia from Seed

The Canterbury Bells Sprouted

Canna Lilies, Spring Flowers

It finally happened. My Canterbury Bells sprouted! Initially, when I planted the seeds the first time, they did not respond, leaving me questioning whether I had perhaps missed something. However, my persistence paid off as I decided to try winter sowing, a method I had heard great things about. This time, the seeds responded beautifully to the colder conditions, demonstrating that patience and a little experimentation can sometimes lead to success in the garden.

Campanula medium, Canterbury Bells seedling (super tiny)
Campanula medium, Canterbury Bells seedling (super tiny)
Campanula medium, Canterbury Bells seedling (super tiny)
Campanula medium, Canterbury Bells seedling
Bright Pink Canna seedling

Fruitful During Winter

General gardening

Winter growing is fun indeed. You can’t beat fresh tomatoes, peppers, turnips, and greens! With a little planning and care, even in the coldest months, you can create a fruitful mini-garden right in your backyard. Imagine stepping outside to harvest juicy tomatoes that burst with flavor, alongside crisp peppers, turnips, and broccoli that add healthy carbs to your winter meals. Not to mention, the greens—kale, bok choy, and Swiss chard—are not only nutritious but can also thrive in cooler temperatures, providing a continuous supply of food.

Hiiros tomatoes beginning to turn red
Kanamachi White Turnip and beet greens
Kanamachi White Turnip
Kanamachi White Turnip and beet greens
Bok Choy white stem
Greenhouse and cold frame open
Broccoli growing next to the greenhouse

Canna color morning to evening

Canna Lilies, General gardening

My peach canna seems to become a darker, richer color in the evening, as though it knows its time is precious. As the sun sets, the rich tones of the canna deepen, making me take my time finishing my chores for the evening. I am still enjoying the pansies, and the coleus cuttings are starting to grow and brighten up the space. The anticipation of watching these plants thrive makes me happy and gives me something to look forward to each day.

Peach canna seedling in the evening
Peach Canna Seedling in the morning
Peach canna seedling morning and evening
Peach canna seedling
Hiiros Tomatoes beginning to blush
Delicate Purple and yellow pansy
Multi Color Coleus
Green and White Coleus
Purple Swiss Giant Pansy

It’s cold but Spring is on the way

General gardening, Vegetable gardening

In this video, I have an update on my winter sowing journey. I am experimenting with three different methods: sowing directly in the ground, utilizing milk jugs, and placing seeds in various containers, as well as using a cold frame for protection against the elements. Each method offers unique advantages, and I’m eager to see how they perform throughout the season. The winter sowing containers are a surprise that I am particularly excited about, and I will share my observations and results in a future update, detailing the progress and any challenges I encounter along the way. Stay tuned!

cold frame
Copenhagen Cabbage Growing in 4 gallon pots
daylily and Louisiana Iris from seeds
Broccoli growing beside the greenhouse
Winter Sowing
Snapdragon, Foxglove and English Daisy seedlings

Winter Sowing Success

Nature, Vegetable gardening
Interesting double Japanese White Dandelion
Interesting double Japanese White Dandelion-side view
Abandoned bird's nest
Dinosaur Kale winter sowing
Parris Island Romaine Lettuce seedling
Dinosaur Kale winter sowing

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!

Hirros Tomato grown from seeds
Hirros Tomato grown from seeds- 2 forms
Hirros Tomato grown from seeds
Hirros Tomato grown from seeds-2 forms-this has larger round fruit
Hirros Tomato grown from seeds-2 forms-this has larger round fruit
Hirros Tomato grown from seeds-2nd form long string of oval tomatoes

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!

Munstead Lavender Seedling
True Lavender Seedling
English Daisy Seedlings
Shasta Daisy seedlings
Snapdragon seedlings
Snapdragon seedlings- red leaves indicate red or dark pink blooms
English Lavender Seedlings
Snapdragon seedling- green seedlings indicate white or light colored flowers
English Lavender Seedling
English Lavender seedling- close up

Update on Greenhouse Tomatoes

General gardening, Vegetable gardening
Cluster of Green Hiiros Tomatoes
The weather warms up- open during the day and closed at night
Poppy and pansy seedlings

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.

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!

Purple Hige Japanese morning glory
Purple Hige Japanese morning glory
Purple Hige Morning Glory late in the day
The Greenhouse on 12/24/2025
Burgundy and Pink Coleus
Stained glass Coleus
Burgundy ans Pink Coleus
Pink, White and light green coleus

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 seed starting mix 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 and Burgundy Pansy
Yellow and Purple Pansy
Purple Pansy
Burgundy and Yellow Pansy
Purple and Yellow Pansy
Burgundy and Yellow Pansy
Burgundy and Yellow Pansy
Burgundy and Yellow Pansy

Little Green Hiiros Tomatoes

General gardening
Little Green Tomatoes
Little Green Tomatoes
Lots of blossoms on the Tomatoes

We are getting tomatoes in the greenhouse, and I am pleased! I am looking forward to fresh tomatoes on my plate every day, enjoying their vibrant color and rich flavor. I think the first picture is from a cutting, and I am unsure which variety it is. The next two pictures are tomatoes grown from seeds I saved from the tasty Hiiros variety I purchased at the supermarket. Some of the plants are producing large clusters of blooms. If the F1s taste good, I will save seeds from the vines I like and keep growing them. I will share more later on the characteristics I find and do a taste test. I am unsure if they are hybrids or not. If they produce well, I may even make a delicious homemade sauce, simmering them with garlic and herbs.

The Garden Path

General gardening

I am thankful for our garden path, which not only keeps our feet dry but also leads us to our most valued garden stops. Walking down this path each day fills me with gratitude, as it leads me to my greenhouse, where I nurture a variety of plants. I often pause to appreciate the view even the rustic earth tones and shades of gray during winter.

The Greenhouse Path

Escape from Stress: a short garden story

I remember one day I heard a rustle in the leaves and stopped for a moment as a chipmunk fled. A pecan fell and loudly hit the roof of my potting shed which made me jump. I smiled as I realized it wasn’t anything to worry about. My little dog raced by barking as I chuckled seeing that the chipmunk had definitely escaped capture. I decided I too would escape into my garden and enjoy the passage of time free from stress!

November Climbing Rose Pruning and Polytunnel Greenhouse update

Canna Lilies, General gardening

In this video, I am pruning my climbing rose, lifting my Amaryllis bulbs, and sharing a greenhouse tour filled with vibrant colors and lush growth that truly brings the beauty of gardening to life. As I engage in the delicate process of pruning the climbing rose, I encountered some interesting discoveries about its growth patterns and health, revealing how important proper maintenance is for producing beautiful blooms and ensuring the plant’s long-term vitality. During this process, I also discovered some green tree frogs nestled among the bare branches, which I carefully moved to a safe place, highlighting the importance of coexisting with wildlife in our gardens. Additionally, while lifting my Amaryllis bulbs, I found numerous offsets that I can propagate for future planting, which adds even more excitement to my gardening endeavors, as each new bulb represents the potential for new life and beauty. Throughout the tour of my garden and greenhouse, I’ll showcase not only the thriving plants that fill my space with their stunning colors but also some of the challenges I’ve faced—like pest and disease control —and the invaluable tips I’ve learned along the way to keep my garden flourishing in all seasons, making it a truly rewarding experience.

Fence board greenhouse base
Polytunnel Greenhouse with Fence board base
Pruned climbing rose branches against a white wall, with a small garden area in front.
Sleepy green tree frog
Green tree frog
green tree frogs in shrub
City of Lyon clematis

Relax and watch the Night Sky

Nature

This is a video showing the evening sky clouding up before heavy rain. As the sun sets, hues of orange and purple begin to fade into darker shades, while clouds slowly gather, hinting at the impending downpour. A few hours afterward, the sky transformed, taking on an opaque appearance that obscured the stars yet added a dramatic flair to the atmosphere. Whether you’re indoors or venturing outside, let the allure of the moonlit night remind you to appreciate the simple yet profound transitions of our world. In this captivating scenario, remember to take a moment to relax, soak in the beauty of the changing skies, and enjoy the tranquil moments that unfold when the night sky is adorned with nature’s artistry, and sometimes brings Vincent Van Gogh to mind!

Lavender Crush Rose

Roses

Today I want to share a picture of a real purple rose, a lovely flower that always catches my eye as I walk by. Its unique color represents royalty, evoking a sense of elegance that is rarely found in other blooms. Each petal unfolds gently, displaying shades of violet and lavender that exclaim, “Look at me. I am so cool and different from other roses!” It encourages us to cherish life’s fleeting moments, instilling in us a sense of mindfulness to appreciate simple joys and promoting peace in our busy lives, while also serving as a reminder that even in a chaotic world, beauty can be found if we take the time to look. Every time I pass by, I am drawn to its charm, making me pause for a moment of reflection and gratitude for the splendid gift of nature.

Lavender Crush Rose

Late November

Amaryllis, Canna Lilies, General gardening, Vegetable gardening

The beautiful Easy Elegance Snowdrift Rose is in full bloom, showcasing its delicate petals and vibrant white petals that attract a variety of pollinators, adding charm to the garden. The cabbage is growing in 4-gallon pots, thriving under the careful attention it receives, and promises a bountiful harvest for upcoming meals. I have lots of greens including turnips, beets, and bok choy, each contributing unique flavors and textures to our meals. The amaryllis seedlings in this group are 1 to 2 years old; I am nurturing them with patience, as it will be 1 to 3 more years before they begin blooming, bringing a stunning display of flowers that will be worth the wait. The last picture is a canna seedling, a lovely pink with striking dark leaves that contrast beautifully and will eventually add a tropical feel to my garden. Stay tuned if you like growing from seeds, as there will be plenty more exciting developments and tips to share along the way!

Polytunnel Greenhouse Update for November

Canna Lilies, Vegetable gardening

This year, I have the polytunnel greenhouse loaded up with all the canna lilies I care about, featuring a vibrant array of colors that will soon bloom, and we are also growing a delightful variety of tomatoes and peppers as well, ensuring a bountiful harvest that will not only enhance our meals but also bring a sense of fulfillment and joy to our gardening experience as we nurture these plants through the cold months ahead.

I began pest control from day one of closing the greenhouse door. It is wise to be mindful that a cozy environment created for your plants is also loved by insect pests, especially during that crucial period when most beneficial insects are dormant and not present to maintain the natural balance. Regular inspections and monitoring become essential; by being proactive, I can identify potential pest problems before they escalate. Using a variety of preventive measures, such as companion planting can further deter unwanted visitors. I am companion planting by scattering marigold seeds near my peppers and tomatoes to deter nematodes and other pests. Additionally, integrating organic pesticides helps create a healthier growing environment, ensuring my plants thrive while minimizing harm to the ecosystem within the greenhouse.

We had a blizzard last week and it is hot this week!

General gardening

We have had extremes of weather this week. We very rarely see snow. Last week I taped the windows and stuffed foam in the door and this week we are opening the greenhouse front and back with the temperatures getting almost 90 F. We always take the cover off April 1st since it will be way too hot in a polytunnel to grow anything. Then we use the area as a container garden with trellises. Watch the video to see the details.

To make an oil soap spray take a gallon sprayer and add 2 Tb cooking oil and 2 Tb castille soap and mix well. Test leaves first and wait a few days to make sure the spray will not burn your plants. Also, I never use this kind of oil spray if the temperature is over 80 degrees and I spray in the evening. The idea is to get the pests under control in the greenhouse during the winter. Beneficial insects will emerge and take over some of the pest control chores during summer. I switch to using only the soap and spot spray isolated infestations if I don’t see predators sitting right next to them!

polytunnel greenhouse growing in winter
What oil soap spray does to aphids
Poppy seedlings

Seed Starting has begun

General gardening
Starting Carolina Cross Watermelons
My seed starting corner

I am so happy to begin starting seeds early this year. I am growing Carolina Cross watermelons this year. I grow these organically and for eating. It does take some vigilance and effort to keep the aphids and worms off the young plants but it can be done! I use organocide, oil soap spray, and spinosad.

I washed all my seed starting trays with a dilute bleach, water, and soap solution and let them dry in the sunlight. I started my seeds in Miracle Grow seed starting mix. I will update later on. I put in a tiny pinch of Garden Tone fertilizer in my watermelon seed starter as a supplement. Let’s see if that works well.

When it gets hot over 85 F I hope to have the pests under control by then and I depend on my beneficial insects to come out of dormancy and do the pest control job for me. Once it warms up I scout for pests and the beneficials only spot spraying if I see a need to control an invasion. I don’t want to kill all the insects because my beneficials need to have food. It creates balance when I observe first and sometimes simply watch the prey to predator ratio over time.