When I do decide to purchase a plant at the local nurseries, I always look for
a good sale and I usually only buy one or two..........as
you can see........I purchased a whole cart full. The local store had
their potted plants on clearance sale for only $1 each......(the yellow daisy pots in the photo)
and large containers that had 3 plants were only $5 each!
When I peeled the clearance sale tag off, each of these plants had the original price
of $18.94 each. I paid $20 for what would have been $151 for plants.
Now.........to try to keep them alive and healthy in this west Texas climate. In March, we have already had days in the temps of 100.
This year I wanted to purchase flower seed packets of flowers that I have
never tried to grow before. Also, living out in the country, we have a large mouse, rabbit, ground squirrel, and deer problem. Anything I plant in the ground.......I either never see when it sprouts or after it has grown a few inches, it is all eaten . This year, with the different packets of seed, I have used the sunny windows of the house in different areas to sprout and grow the plants. Once the plants get big enough, I will plant them in containers and either cover them or keep them high enough off of the ground , safe from varmints. I am thrilled that
Nasturtiums have sprouted and grown well.
I love the way their leaves look.
I have also gotten marigold, bachelor buttons, Shasta daisy, and sweet peas to sprout.
One thing I have found perfect for indoor sprouting is the plastic cupcake holders.
I had a lot left over from recent baking projects. These hold the little seedling cups
and the cover keeps them moist........just like a tiny greenhouse.
Once the seeds sprout and grow about an inch, simply remove the top and the trays
hold the seedling cups well.
I have plenty of plastic containers for transplanting, but.........
my son loves these crackers that come in a gigantic size tin.
Instead of letting him toss them away, I have him save them for me
and I have decoupaged, painted, and stenciled them into
plant containers.
I hope this finds pleasant weather upon you and lots of wonderful things
sprouting and growing for you
I wish you all a blessed Easter.
My heart sings with the robins in the rain.
For I remember it is Easter morn,
And life and love and peace are all new born,
And joy has triumphed over loss and pain.
Alice Freeman Palmer (1855–1902), "On a Gloomy Easter"
