Flowers and planting

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"