Greenhouse Envy

mini greenhouse

Mini greenhouse

Last year I watched with admiration as Sarah the Gardener built her second greenhouse. Sarah writes a fabulous blog about her garden in Australia, and is about to publish her second book on the subject. Check out her amazing garden.

I’ve always liked the idea of a greenhouse. My dad planted that seed years ago as he too wished he had one at home. Living in Silicon Valley means houses are small on small plots or large on small plots, but rarely will you find a house with a big piece of property attached. It’s simply cost prohibitive. Those of us who garden make do with the limited space.  We have great weather year round and a long growing season to boot. I have zero room to complain.

So imagine my delight when I saw an ad in the paper for this scaled down and highly affordable mini-greenhouse at our local garden center. It was on sale for $39 bucks which is a steal if you ask me.

I put it together over the weekend and it’s ready for plants.  I’m going to take stalk of my seed collection this weekend and then the fun begins.  Planting seeds!

Spring, also known as the Vernal Equinox, is just a month away in this hemisphere.  As Sarah puts her garden to bed for the winter in Australia,  our California garden will be waking up.

I’ve Been Framed

Thanks to all who voted and commented with your suggestions earlier in the week on I’ve Been Framed.  The straw-colored hallway won.  Here is a video of the art as I approach.  I hung her so our eyes meet when I walk by.  It’s nice to live with someone who sees eye-to-eye with you every single day.  I promise not to let it go to my head. 😉

There was a great artist named Pauline

Who lived with a kitty so darling

She made fabulous art

Art filled with great heart

Now it hangs on my wall thanks to Pauline.

Garden Limericks: Happy St. Patrick’s Day

I’m not Irish, but my once bright red hair might give you pause.  I’m not a fan of beer, either, green or otherwise.   I do love the excuse to wear green, however, and the chance to write green limericks.

Here are two from last year:

Snail on a Tulip MagnoliaAs a gardener I find much to love,
even weeds at the end of my glove.
I once kept a log,
then I learned how to blog,
hence combining two hobbies thereof.

♣♣♣♣♣

Leprechaun Path Fairy Garden

Fairy Garden

♣♣♣♣♣

In my garden I learned how to sow,
tiny seeds laid all in a row.
Then I wait for the pests,
snails and rats never rest,
hoping one day something might grow.

Birthday Wishes

When I was fresh out of college, I had the luck of the Irish, the chance to work for a fledgling (now thriving) theater in San Jose, founded by full-blooded Irishman James (Jim) Reber.  How Irish is Jim?  He was born on St. Patrick’s day!

Today, Jim is Executive Director of San Jose Parks Foundation.  He’s raising green for green. Here is Jim’s story:

I am using my birthday as an excuse to raise funds to keep San Jose’s Parks green, beautiful and safe and accessible to everyone. Help me celebrate a birthday, the arrival of Spring and San Jose’s Parks Foundation’s Neighborhood Empowerment Program. The foundation works with neighborhood groups to help residents keep their parks in great condition. $50, $100 or whatever you can afford will help keep our city parks green and healthy.

There was a young man named James Reber,
He started a repertory theater,
Then parks caught his eye;
He’s such a great guy,
Happy birthday, it’s time for green beer-beer!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day: Garden Limericks

I composed a few garden limericks in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

As a gardener I find much to love,
even weeds at the end of my glove.
I once kept a log,
then I learned how to blog,
hence combining two hobbies thereof.

In my garden I learned how to sow,
tiny seeds laid all in a row.
Then I wait for the pests,
snails and rats never rest,
hoping one day something might grow.

“May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields.”Irish Blessing

Weeds, Masquerading as Clover

The Long View