Phaedra's Garden 2022

Phaedra · Mar 9, 2022

Summer Asters, the germination rate is surprisingly high!

The growth of the potato stem cuttings also looks very promising. After searching online, I realized that this method is quite often used.

It's still freezing today (and tomorrow). But from the coming weekend, it will become much warmer, finally.

The three new pullets finally learned how to leave their coop in the morning (but didn't know how to go back in the evening...even there are two adult hens as their role models) and also enjoyed the feed here.

Today's discounter treasure hunt - 12 Yogurt (each 250g) for 2.6 Euro.

My FIL had a much sharper mind today and can finally understand what happened in Ukraine.

We just realized that many truck drivers working here are, in fact, from Ukraine, and many of them decided to go home to fight for their country. We saw this on the highway this afternoon.

Today's last task is making a new space for hens to work and play. So far, so good - and we will try to use PVC pipes (50mm) later to build a polytunnel.

Phaedra · Mar 13, 2022

Now I am swamped. Spring arrives, and there are so many gardening things waiting. Sowing is only a tiny part of that. I am not hurrying to sow anything this year, although I want to plant much more than last year.

I will say I am much more disciplined now - after all, like all other things in our lives, gardening is also about knowing what we really want, how to prioritize and compromise under current circumstances. What I sowed in the past few weeks are those that can tolerate the spring here - peas, broad beans, brassica family, onion family, spinach, beetroot, and swiss chards.

I also used stem cuttings and lateral crowns to propagate potatoes and strawberries.

Peas that are ready for transplantation.

The third batch of broad beans

Girls are doing fine. Bravi is the one in the front, fully recovered from the sparrowhawk attack.

Eggs, eggs, and more eggs :lol:

Phaedra · Mar 13, 2022

I am also sprouting some perennials that I bought from the discounters. Huu, their prices are really "friendly," although they might not be as unique as those are sold by the gardening centers or nurseries.

My favorite material for writing what I have planted - is yogurt cups.

This greenhouse is one of the best investments in my life so far.

Bees are busy, too.

ducks4you · Mar 14, 2022

Phaedra and family shall Not go hungry this year.
Nor will they smell bad. (All of the flowers, and such...)

Phaedra · Mar 15, 2022

We just used PVC pipes and nets to cover the chicken run - it's safer for them, and the space is still quite comfortable when we walk in and work inside.

Lucky birds - they do have a good life here.

After 10 days of good weather, it rains today. My husband is on leave until the weekend, so I have more time for myself. I decided to spend some hours on my seed collections and decide what I like to sow next.

The photo was taken yesterday, and as usual, I didn't remember which variety of tulips I'd planted here. Let's see.

Phaedra · Mar 15, 2022

The last work today - I cleaned and re-organized the west side of the greenhouse. Another two amazon basic shelves will arrive tomorrow. So before the weekend, this side will be ready for the peak sowing season.

I also used the same method to combine water-proof cold white LED strips with the other two shelves. They look neat and efficient.

My personal laboratory :lol:

ducks4you · Mar 16, 2022

Are your labels made from plastic jugs cut into pieces?

Phaedra · Mar 17, 2022

ducks4you said:
Are your labels made from plastic jugs cut into pieces?

Yes, from the packaging of yogurt.

Phaedra · Mar 17, 2022

The first work today is cleaning the glass wall, which separates the greenhouse into two compartments. It has a different feeling to watch those plants through the glass.

After several hours, the re-arrangement of the west side is almost ready, just waiting for the new potting table.

The white Japanese camellia, like a dream

I also did a lot of sowing and transplanting - two varieties of zinnia, Cayenne pepper, two types of eggplants, sage, wild garlic, Shiso, two varieties of Basil.

Edible chrysanthemum - it's one of my favorite leafy greens in the springtime.

12 Echinacea plants grew from home saved seeds, and this is their second year. The new growth looks very promising, and I can't wait to see their beautiful flowers.

Leggy and pale potato stem cuttings - after just one week in the greenhouse, they show such a strong will to thrive.

The young shoots of bleeding-hearts - this is my first time planting bleeding hearts. The color of young leaves is so lovely.

This is a pot of florist's daisy, and I bought it last autumn from the discounter. It successfully overwintered, and I decided to re-pot it.

I cleaned them up and removed some old leaves. As expected, these were propagated from three individual stems, and each is well-rooted after staying in the greenhouse for months.