Oh happy day! Brrr . . . it's cold, but at least the sun is shining for a change.  Oklahoma's average, last freeze date is April 20, but we can get a freeze even later as shown in this Oklahoma Climatological Survey map.  April is a long time coming, but with the sunshine comes hope that spring is hopping closer every day. While you wait to plant your tomatoes, squash and green beans, there is something else you can do to pass the time.  Start an early spring vegetable garden with delicious, direct sown seeds of cool soil loving vegetables like: spinach, lettuce, kale, chard, carrots, turnips, beets and even bok choy. Now is the time.   Onion sets and Potatoes can also be planted now; just remember to get them in before St. Patrick's Day.  For a full list of cold weather vegetable planting dates, see the HLA-6004 Garden...

Recently, I watched Garden Story, an older show from PBS.  One segment was about Anne Spencer, an African-American poet who was part of the Harlem Renaissance although she lived and gardened in Lynchburg, VA.  Her story was very poignant, and she loved gardening.  Her husband built a garden for her behind their house, and in it he placed a small building where she could write enclosed by her flowers.  It reminded me so much of Debra Prinzing's book, Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways: Big Ideas for Small Backyard Destinations and the movie, A Room with a View.  That need for a quiet place to ponder the next word or action is something for which we all yearn. I'm not a poet, but her poetry, with its images of the garden, touched me.  I especially loved this piece written for her dear friend and mentor, James Weldon Johnson, who was tragically...

What creative souls read my blog, and just like the two bulbs, above, you are resilient. That's what I think when I read your comments.  I am humbled that you stop by and visit, leaving your thoughts like tasty crumbs of the best carrot cake.  From all of the comments for the seed and book giveaway, I believe the next generation is in good and caring hands.  I was overwhelmed by the response, so I resorted to the random number generator.  It chose No. 36 which means Jennie from Daftly Smitten won the seeds and the book, but I want you to know I read every comment.  Thank you for entering. Congratulations Jennie! Although she was picked by random, I wanted you to read what she wrote: "Kids love pizza. Telling them that they can “grow their own pizza toppings” can be a great introduction to gardening, especially since tomatoes,...

When I stopped by Brenda's Cozy Little House, she was in the middle of a cloche party, hosted by Marty of A Stroll Thru Life.  It was simply so much fun that I knew I must join them and their friends. Some of these girls are amazingly creative, but I've discovered almost anything under glass looks good.  Why don't you give it a try? I didn't take photos of all of my terrariums, but you can still go back and see those.  Here are two more which found their way into my heart and home. Don't forget.  The Botanical Interests seed and family gardening book contest is over tomorrow night at Midnight CST.  If you know anyone who would like to garden with their children or any other children, please send them on over.  The more the merrier. This morning, we had a tiny shower, and for a moment, it...