Niko, Chioggia beets, and such

I was able to enjoy the sunny and cool winter day out in the garden today.  I removed some old kale and celery plants  left from last year and I added some manure and brown leaves to the garden bed.

This is "Niko" our greenhouse mascot. Isn't she adorable. She loves spending time in the greenhouse munching on kale. If I try to take her away before she is ready, she runs to the other side of the basket to get away from me.

Niko

I wintersowed "Garden Bells" penstemon in the greenhouse a few days ago...

along with "Tutti Frutti" Lupine

Their home.

Some of my spanish onions and leeks have sprouted and I find myself having to fill in the empty spots with new seeds.  The first seeds I planted were a couple of years old, hence the low germination rate.  I'm trying to use up all my old seeds.  I know, I should have sowed them in a papertowel first.

Sweet Pea "Perfume Delight"

I find it hard to reset the low and high indicators on this thermometer.  First, not that it matters much, but the blue indicator needs to be on the low side and vice verse with the green...and when you get both needles on the same side of the red one, it is hard to seperate them.  I need to ask someone that has one of these how they work it.

My new coat hook.  Now I have a place to hang my coat, hat, and camera while I'm working in the greenhouse.

Sedum "Autumn Fire" from last year; and waiting for me to make a bed for them to lie in...I need to continue the arduous task of removing the landcaping rocks and fabric.   

My "Blue Flax" have sprouted along with my "Portulaca", and "Bombast Poppies." The last two are not pictured. 

My surprise "Chioggia" beet harvest.  Last year, I remember sowing these seeds and forgeting to label them.   I thought they were swiss chard and I remember not being impressed by their leaves.  Well no wonder.  By the way,  I had some for lunch and they were deliciously tender.

Finally, I have renewed hope .  My "Elvas" amaryllis is growing.

I got a great deal from the local garden center... I know they look dead in the picture but they are alive and healthy.  I bought six 6packs of strawberries for .25 cents each. Ahh love the deals.  I planted two packs in my garden and the rest are for the Pathfinders' garden  I will be helping to start this spring.

Here is the before picture of another thrift store treasure.  I bought this wood planter for five dollars and I am in the process of painting it white.  It will be a window box.  I can't wait till it's up. More pic to come.

This is "Coco" our rescued dog.   Look at those innocent eyes.

Till next time.  Have a wonderful weekend.