Tulips as Cut Flowers

A new year. A new project.

Since I have this flower obsession it only makes sense to share it with others who love fresh flowers. It is a laborious project that my back can surely tell you about. Many tulips were lovingly put in the ground (sounds so simple) with compost added then covered again. They went on a hillside so drainage wouldn't be a problem when our Spring rains come. The temperatures are in the teens here so the roots should be growing 8 inches below the soil as the soil temperature is warmer there. Hidden but very busy.

The months of March, April and May they will be dug out with bulbs attached, hosed off and stored in a 38-40 F cooler til market days or florists call. The reason the bulbs are left attached is they have a long storage life until you actually cut them from the bulb and add to a floral arrangement. You will also get longer stem length. Many start showing color at the same time so this helps the grower, me, have a little more time to sell them. 

The tulips that will be available are all billowy doubles that you don't see for sale in your grocery store. These are luxurious and look like peonies. Real showstoppers. Can't wait to share photos with you.

A note here about adding bonemeal. If you are planting with a cat or dog helping they will go bananas over the bonemeal. I used in some beds and didn't in the others for that reason. I think it just as wise to sprinkle fertilizer on the soil when the tulips first start poking up through the ground in the Spring. 

Watch how the Smithsonian gardeners plant tulips here. That soil in the video looks completely different than mine. 

596https://www.smithsonianchannel.com/videos/400-tulips-in-20-minutes/15596

Squirrel Bank Tellers

Squirrels.

Just the word conjures up fluffy creatures that jump around,

rarely slow, but always fast paced from branch to branch.

At least here in Maryland. They are about as busy as ants!

The branches bow to the squirrels when they leap through the air 

onto them like the branch is saying, "You're welcome,"

and then tossing them back up in the air.

It's a jungle gym out there in the woods. 

In town toothy squirrels scold the cats, dogs and 

even birds down on the sidewalks.

So I was wondering do you feed the squirrels during the winter months?

Like most people feed the birds?

Our neighbors put out salt blocks and apples for the deer and it keeps 

them coming back for more.  If someone put out salted caramel apples

for me I would keep coming back too. That is a given. 

We have four chestnut trees and the squirrels get more than we 

do every year. To pick the chestnuts you need some major insulation

on your hands. The outer part is like picking up sea urchins. 

Meanwhile the squirrels who have the daintest paws ever and can

only carry one heavy chestnut at a time to their secret hideaway 

still manage to get more than we do.

So here is the real news.......

I am writing and illustrating a children's book

Illustration has worked it's way back to the very tip top 

of my creative endeavors. 

Stay tuned and in the meanwhile I'll be feeding the squirrels.  

        

Cooking with Lavender - Daily Painting

Lavender...

Just saying the word evokes images.

Have you ever heard anyone call it Rabbit Tobacco?

Okay. So deer don't fancy it, but we all think it's a fine dining ingredient.

Lavender and honey, lavender and lemon, lavender and lavender and lavender....

You get the idea. In the winter months we tend to become passionate about these things.

Maybe you are even sipping on Lavender Tea as you read this.

When I was a young girl I asked my Mother if she could paint my bedroom lavender.

She obliged and I thought she was the coolest Mom and I the coolest kid. 

This was before we even had any lavender plants in our landscape.

Now I have both lavender and rabbits outside!

The lavender we planted and the rabbits just came to visit, hop about and nibble.

I'm enjoying my daily painting time.

It's refreshing and it gets the idea machine pumping.

Watercolor and brushes equal Love.

A small size 2.5 by 3.5 inch print offered here.   

Signed and titled on the back by myself

$5.00 and that includes shipping.