Remember back in late November I found an incredibly HOT deal on bulbs? 75% off probably because everyone was too busy thinking about Christmas to plant them. I thought I was such so slick buying them last minute and saving so big. Fast forward two FULL months and they were still in the bags, waiting patiently for me in the garage! Shameful, shameful, shameful, I know. I just didn’t get around to it. I’m trying very hard not to feel guilty – it’s not like I’ve been sitting around twiddling my thumbs for the last two months, but I should have planted them long ago.
So I did. I planted them yesterday – February 2, 2013. I figured I had two choices – plant them and see what happens or throw them away. Might as well plant them and see what happens! I didn’t follow the guidelines exactly – I didn’t plant them six inches apart – they just seemed so lonely! I know, I’m horrible. But they are in the ground now and I’m hopeful something will pop up – I’m an optimist!
Am I crazy? Wait. . .don’t answer that. Do YOU think they’ll bloom this spring? You’ll be the first to know if they do (or don’t). I will plant more in the front today.
I weeded this mess on the side of the house. You can see my irises are popping up already. This would be a great grow spot – it gets a lot of sun. But I think the previous owners scraped a lot of paint into the dirt when they repainted the house (who knows how long ago). The dirt just doesn’t seem very “pure” as I dig through it – so the last few years I’ve been hesitant to plant food in this area. Is there an easy way to test the soil? Or should I dig it all up and fill it with fresh top soil?
Let’s talk garden planning. I stayed up late last night going through the Botanical Interests seed catalog that came in the mail this week. I circled way more varieties and vegetables than I have space for. I can see how you could be a bit zealous with those catalogs! We do plan on building an additional raised bed (where the big bush is pictured above) and I’d love two more possibly. But I want to try my hand at container gardening more this summer, since I already have a bunch of containers laying around.
Are you planning your garden? Going to plant anything new? Should I buy grow lights like these and start them in the garage? Last summer I didn’t build my raised beds until April – so I ended up buying a lot of starts from the Farmer’s Market. That adds up fast and I want to do seeds this year. As soon as I map out my garden beds for this spring, I’ll be sharing!
And just because it’s been ages since I’ve done it, here are some photos of the kids and the yard! I hope to start my Saturdays in the Garden posts, soon.
Digging for. . . .
Worms for the chickens! He loves worms – check out his worm bin video here.
My daughter, in her winter parka, helping me plant the bulbs. We made a pattern – tulip, tulip, daffodil, tulip, tulip, daffodil. She thinks they’ll bloom – I hope they don’t disappoint!
Looking forward to greener days ahead and more birds in the backyard. I need to make a batch of hummingbird food (get my recipe here) – now is a great time to put it out. They are hungry and looking and if you get them in the habit of visiting now, they’ll come all summer long!
Then we came inside and had hot cocoa. It might have been warm(er) and sunny, but it isn’t spring just yet!
Mary Ann says
They’ll bloom…. I have done this, too…. and I love the boots on the little boy helper!
Lizzy says
Fall bulbs need to be well chilled. Should this ever happen again – and it happens to most of us! – try putting them in your fridge for a couple of weeks. You can also use this trick when forcing bulbs to bloom indoors.
Heather says
Lizzy – Great tip!!! Thank you, I will remember this. Right now they are in the garage near the bad door. Hopefully chilled enough. 🙂
Shari says
I did the same thing as you. I bought my bulbs for 75% off at Home Depot thinking that I’d plant them in the next few days.
Well, after two months in “their bags” I finally planted them
on January 27th. I guess they wanted to live so bad, they’re already starting to come up. (I did end up throwing them in several pots I had last seasons flowers in) I guess it worked.
Good luck to you :o) :o) :o)
Heather says
So glad I’m not the only one who is just now getting around to planting my bulbs. Excited to hear that yours are already thinking about popping up! That’s great news.
Becky G says
You have 2 adorable baby bees! Here’s hoping you will have flowers soon!