How can you temporarily alleviate a case of spring fever if you’re tired of cloudy days, winter storms, and disgusted with Vladimir Putin?
When world events make you blue.
I can’t fix world events, but I sent money to Catholic Relief Services and World Central Kitchen. Everyone needs food and shelter. Like so many of you, I wish I could do more.
In fact, I wish I could meet Ukrainian refugees with a bouquet of flowers and take them home with me.
I also continue to pray. I pray every time I think about what I cannot control. It helps me bear life’s burden when it feels too heavy.
We all have our ways of coping with current events, and spring fever is definitely a current event.
Another healthy way to cope?
Go to your local nursery and buy something that’s alive.
I bought a variegated plectranthus, Plectranthus coleoides ‘Variegata,’ in a hanging basket because the leaves smell delicious, especially in the warm greenhouse. It makes seed sowing a pleasure. I didn’t like the plastic pot it was in so I replanted it in a coir and metal hanger. I took any cuttings I broke off and put them in potting soil. I’ll use them in the pots in front of my house once the weather is warm.
I also bought this purple and white dianthus in a four-inch pot and then repotted it in an antique container I bought years ago. I love dianthus because they smell like carnations. In the best way, they remind me of high school dances and wrist corsages, and I have always liked to dance.
Scent is tied to memory. Think about that the next time you plant a rose or heliotrope in your garden.
New coir planters and grit.
I got the coir planters shown below with clear tops to sow some seed. I sowed a few tomato and pepper seeds today. Potting soil and chicken grit for the top of the pots came home with me too. I buy my chicken grit from Tractor Supply. It’s pink!
Something funny.
I bought Dr. Earth Bud and Bloom fertilizer to use on my pelargoniums. I should have looked at the ingredients because today when I went back inside the greenhouse, the entire space stunk of poop. I covered the fertilizer with grit. I hope it tones down the natural and organic smell.
As I wrote above, when you can’t control the weather or world politics, do something else like go to the plant store. It does a body good.
A new episode each week.
If you’re having spring fever, you can also listen to our garden podcast, the Gardenangelists. We’d love to visit with you over the garden gate. A new episode drops each Wednesday.
Think of the person who had to “hand craft” the bud and bloom booster! : )
You are sending me out to buy things at TLC, yet again. Thank you. Maybe.
Is there a general rule on germinating seeds? Under a clear dome or covered/dark?
You are a very caring soul, thanks for the post.
Debbie, I can truly say I’m glad I don’t have to hand craft that fertilizer. It smells so bad. There is no general rule on seed starting because every type of seed is a bit different. I do think covering them with plastic or a clear cover helps them germinate faster. However, I didn’t cover all of my seeds this spring. Some I just sowed. Some flower seeds need light to germinate so you need to google them first. As for warm-weather plants, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant all like heat mats. I like to live dangerously so I didn’t use heat mats for everything. Here are my seed starting archives. https://reddirtramblings.com/tag/seed-starting/
Thank you, Dee. This was a bright spot in my day. Im knitting a sweater called Ranunculus as i pray for the people of Ukraine to feel God’s love, protection and provision.
Hi Becky, that is a lovely thought. I hope things continue to improve in their country. It breaks my heart. ~~Dee
Flowers are good medicine! I guess that’s why we send flowers when someone is sick or sad. It’s been hard to watch the current events and I’m grateful for even a grocery store bouquet this time of year to brighten the days. A trip to TLC is definitely therapy with all the color! Looking forward to the spring weather this week…can’t wait to get my hands back in some dirt!
Hi Sonia, flowers are good medicine indeed! I often buy them for myself in winter when the nights are long and the days are gloomy.~~Dee
Thank you for all of the reminders Dee. This morning was the perfect time to read this.
Hi Dana, I’m really glad it was helpful. ~~Dee
Yes, tired of the world events, and yes, everyone needs food and water. Liked your ideas for helping and for scratching that spring itch, also. To scratch my spring itch, I went to the Myriad Botanical Gardens Gardening School today. I saw your book on the Full Circle Bookstore table with the other lovely gardening books. 🙂
Love the blue iris, ‘Harmony’.
Hey Theresa, I’ve had really good luck with that iris. It’s such a fab color too. I may add more this fall. I hear the gardening school was good this year on sustainability. I’m glad spring has finally sprung. A feel more cold nights, and then we’ll be complaining about the heat. Ha!~~Dee