The First Pumpkin Seedling

I love starting plants from seed, and this is my second year growing pumpkins. My daughter Sarah has been throwing a pumpkin carving party in October for the last couple of years, and last year I was able to bring 6 or 8 pumpkins. Amazing, what comes from such a tiny start.

Turtle

The turtle is back.

I've lived in this house for about 23 years, and just about every May we see a turtle that comes to lay her eggs here in one of my gardens. This results in extra pool duty in mid August, to rescue the babies who fall/crawl into our pool. With vigilence, most can be saved.

I had been in and out of the fenced in area around the pool, so she must have gotten in when I was upstairs. She scared the heck out of poor Niles (my Chihauhau).

Hypertufa

My newest project is making pots from Portland, peat moss and perlite, or sometimes sand. They resemble the garden troughs, originally cement boxes used on farms to water the animals.

In the early 20th century, gardeners bought them up cheap as farmers upgraded and automated their farms. Then of course they became valuable collectibles. The problem is, they are very heavy. Hypertufa looks like the original troughs, but is lighter.

My early and very informal market research tells me they are deeply interesting to serious gardeners and small boys.

Garden Sale

Well, the good news is also the bad news. Although I did sell quite a few of my pots, I still have a bunch left. As I hate seeing them leave, (I never trust most others to care for my mini gardens), I'm glad not to be wiped out. When I give them to my family, friends and neighbors, I still keep an eye on them. Works for everyone, especially the plants. But not a good attitude from one who hopes to make money selling container gardens!

May 2

A few days later, it is almost breathlessly hot. I got very sunburned yesterday at Family Fest, making it difficult now for me to be outside. I thought it was supposed to be cloudy and stormy today?

Late April

We've had a chilly damp few days, but the sun is out now. It will be a lot more pleasant getting my plants ready for Family Fest this Saturday when it warms up a bit more.

The forget-me-nots are blooming now, true blue flowers are not too common

Real Life Farmville

So about a month ago, I spontaneously decided to make a change in my life, and spend as much time in my garden as I could. This means I have to find a way to make money out here. So far, things are looking bright. I am going to have a tabletop at Family Fest May 1, at Dutchess Stadium. I'm having a garden sale at my house Mother's Day weekend, and the Stormville flea market will be coming up again Memorial Day. I'll keep you posted on how it goes, I know I'm not the only one who hates to leave my garden this time of year.