Getting Ready for Seed Starting

I finally have my grow lights and table set up. I will be planting rubarb, tomatoes, peppers and some flowers if I can squeeze them all on the table. Last year I purchased a timer which will help me immensely! With the nice weather, I'm not sure if I need the plastic sheeting yet.

I have most of the newspaper I need for making seed tapes. I used my new paper cutter to cut the newpaper. It was so easy!

I think I went a little overboard when ordering seeds! I purchased my seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds this year. They were much cheaper than Burpee's! I learned that heirloom seeds can be saved from the vegetables to use next year so that will help me save money! Also, I don't have to plant all of the seeds this year. They're good for another year or so. I can't believe I planted all the seeds from the packets in previous years!

Visitors at the Bird Feeders

This winter I purchased a suet feeder for my bird friends. I was surprised to see a woodpecker eating the suet one day!

While the woodpecker was busy, a cardinal joined in at the finch feeder. I didn't know they liked thistle! If only I could keep the cats and raccoons out of the yard. The cats go after the birds, and the raccoons try to eat all the cracked corn. I love watching the birds with my binoculars. ;)

New Birdhouse

This past weekend we got the new birdhouse placed in the buckeye tree in our backyard. I'm hoping the chickadees or wrens will use it this year. The second picture shows how high we placed it. I'm planning on adding a few more on our property in the future.

You can see it when you pull into the driveway. ;)



Winter Sowing

I am experimenting with sowing seeds in the winter this year. I planted purple coneflower just to see if this works. Next year I will try vegetables. To do this, I cut the water jugs in half, filled them with dirt and planted the seeds. I ducktaped the jugs back together and left the lids off so that water can get into the jugs. I will check the jugs in April. I hope it's as easy as the website said. ;)

Italian Stone Pine Trees

 
Boy, do I need to catch up with my postings!

These are 18 Italian Stone pine trees that I picked up in January at the Lowes in Mayfield Heights. The cedar pines in the pots were free from the Lowes in Green last April. I need to put them in a permanent spot where the deer won't eat them sometime next month. They are showing a little winter damage, but I think they will survive. I have many places to put them, but first I have to get permission from my husband to dig up the yard. ;)