Taking advantage of the 75-degree sunshine today while my sick six-year-old took a nap, I snuck out to the greenhouse to inhale some fresh air.
This is day #2 stuck in the cave while she’s getting over a stomach bug that hit Saturday night. And, today, I think the cedar allergies were giving her a headache, so going outside was, well, out.
So I grabbed my gloves and seeds and some seed starting soil and my nifty label maker and off I went for a quick reprieve. I planted:
Heirloom Tomatoes (from Tomato Bob’s Heirloom Tomatoes):
- Omar’s Lebanese
- Eva’s Purple Ball
- Hank
- Black Krim
and
- Green Onions
- English Breakfast Radishes
And I took my handy-dandy label maker to label the pots. (It was given to me by my DH for my birthday a few years ago — he thought I was crazy when I told him that’s what I wanted.) But I love it – and use it on file folders, frozen food, you name it. It helps keep me organized.
And the notebook below (isn’t it pretty?) is my other organizing tool for the garden – while I love this blog, I need something that is on paper. Hard copy. Tactile. Something I can touch and feel and hold and write on and erase and in which I collect information. I love this notebook. I made sections for each bed and put all the plant lists in it. Then I add to it when I buy plants. (sometimes!) And this week I put tabs in for each bed so that I can find them easily. It’s great to be able to search my blog, but if I am looking for the name of a plant, which I often am, I can’t very well search for it, can I? So, this helps me keep on top of things. I am what I call a binge and purge organizer. This includes the garden. Sometimes I have it all planned out and on paper and I keep track of things, and then at other times, my planting style is exactly what Pam at Digging described today as plop-a-plant! You have to go read her post. It made me laugh out loud.
While I was out there, the towering dead tomato plants were taunting me…look for them to show up here sometime this week!
You are so organized and efficient! I’m envious of your wonderful greenhouse!
Robin – HA! I am so not organized, but I try in fits and starts. I have a garage full of piles and half-started things and projects, you name it. I never feel like I’m on top of things, but, at least I still keep trying. I keep thinking new containers or labels will compensate for my frequent lack of focus!!!
I love that term…a binge and purge organizer. We need some organizing around here. I can see you are thoroughly loving your greenhouse!
gail
Gail – I am loving that greenhouse. I actually pulled of dead leaves and pruned a little on things in it today for the first time. That was nice – instead of running in there at 5, squirting everything with the garden hose (including me) turning on the heater and running back into the house to feed critters and people. I languished today!
I keep a paper garden journal too, Diana. However, some blogs (mine included) do have a search box that lets you search for a particular plant name. It’s very handy. I search for things on my own blog all the time.
I bet your label maker is super handy. I need to get one of those too.
I hope your little gardener gets well soon!
Pam – I love the web, but I am addicted to paper. I did newspaper layout, managed a print communications division and am a scrapbooker. It’s in my blood! So, can you search for plants if you don’t know the name? Like a master list of plants to jog your memory? I can only type in a name and search. That would most helpful when I am having an ADD moment!
That is some wicked label maker. Anyone that has one of those is inspired to keep organized.
I think it a good idea to make a folder that has each bed’s flowers in it. Now that is an idea I could get used to. Maybe this winter I will try to get something like that ready for use this spring/summmer.
I hope your little one gets to feeling better.
Lisa – I know – I love the label maker. My DH just laughed at me. I have to have names written down or I will never remember them, and I love notebooks. And it’s fun to look back through it and see what ISN’T there any more!
Diana, While I love your greenhouse, I am most envious of that picture of you with our new President! I had a few friends over this morning for an Inauguration Party, and have been glued to the celebration all day today. (The cedar is too much for me to get outside, anyway). Enjoy your puttering!
Get Grounded – I, too was glued all day with friends. Overcome with emotion at times, I’m so proud today. My DH is in DC. Says it is phenomenal. And I am still watching. Now, of course, after the important business of the country and the world, waiting for the infamous dress!
Hi Diana, this made me laugh, I am like you, both super organized and terrible. I do like that label maker and think about it every time the commercial is shown. Your greenhouse looks like quite a sanctuary, hope your child recovers soon too. Black Krim was the best tasting tomato we grew last year, I did save seeds and need to get them going.
Frances
Hello Diana, thanks for stopping by my blog. Regarding your question about the shrub. I posted the wrong name. It is a Korallenbeere in German or the correct botanicla name is Symphoricarpos orbiculatus. Can’t believe you are already sowing. I won’t start until February/March. Keep coming by! Andrea
Andrea – thanks for the clarification. We have nice warm weather today, but here, that could change dramatically tomorrow. We won’t have consistent nice weather until the end of February. Last chance of freeze in early March.
You are WAY too organized. You’re making the rest of us look bad. Stop it.
“Binge and purge organizer”….I like that phrase.
If you have any seeds left over from your sowing, I’m thinking of doing a seed swap party for the Austin gardeners. With your greenhouse, you’re way ahead of most of us. Interested?
Jim – HA! Maybe I should take pictures of all the messy garden crap that’s scattered all over my garage and list all the half-done or not even started projects that are on my list….would that help?!
MSS – I actually do have lots of seeds left – especially those heirloom tomato seeds that I hate to waste or let sit and you know I’m up for any social gathering anytime! Email me and I’d be happy to participate or help plan, etc. Sounds like the perfect idea for this time of year.
Oh how I wish I could be starting some seeds but it is a bit early in Iowa. Hope your little one is feeling better……….. love the photo of you and Obama. Yes we can! The P Touch was a wonderful gift.
Iowa Gardening Woman – I’m even putting the little seedling pots down on the ground in front of the greenhouse heater, to keep them warm enough. BUT, they aren’t in the ground yet – I could so still kill them! My girl is all better, thanks. Are you just glued to the TV watching the President now? I’ve become a total CNN junkie. Have a great day.