Winter is almost over here in Oklahoma, I think. No freezing in the next 10 day forecast anyhow and temperatures in the 70s next week already. Guess we’ll see what the groundhog has to say about it, but I say hurry up, Spring. I planted some more seeds on Sunday and will continue to plant more all season until I run out. This week, I planted the following seeds: Vitex pink Vitex lilac Blue flag Iris Joe pye weed Liatris Dang shen Rosemary Thyme Broadleaf sage Nootka rose Strawberry vanilla hydrangea Paradise apple Early blooming lilac California poppy mission bells Hardy hibiscus Pale purple coneflower Gaura Shade area wildflower mix Cottage garden mix Rose of Sharon Pink and white Delphinium Linaria Chelones hot lips turtle heads Mugwort . Hopefully some of these will come up in the spring. I am going to be starting celery and cardoon at the beginning of February. I may also start some oregano in a pot on my apartment balcony. I bought an organic seed starting mix for these. I have already planted a few things on my balcony that could be too invasive to plant in my garden. These include Chinese lantern, dandelions, and apple mint. I have a peppermint plant from last year that may return as well. I reported the emerald ash borer situation to the USDA and they want to send an inspector to check out the trees. If it is the emerald ash borer, they give you a bunch of tiny parasitic wasps that are natural predators of the emerald ash borer to release. This is supposed to help stop the spread of the insects. I will be starting the tomatoes, tomatillo, and peppers using coconut coir pods that expand in the middle of February. I am curious to see whether I get better results with the mix or the pods.
This week, I made my favorite and most popular chocolate chip cookies: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/17209/absolutely-the-best-chocolate-chip-cookies/
I purchased a few bare roots plants for the shady areas in the garden from Walmart: tricyrtis toad lily and pink bleeding heart. I had mixed results last year with the Walmart bare roots transplants. These are both really pretty so I hope they grow well in my garden. I have recently started drinking loose leaf tea and really like it. I want to reduce my microplastic consumption from tea bags. I am also hoping to switch my cutting board and kitchen utensils from plastic to wood soon. I am beginning to plan my Valentine’s Day gift for my boyfriend, a prime rib dinner. I have bought a nice roast already but need to come up with a few special side dishes and a delicious dessert as well. I always enjoy cooking for him and food is his favorite gift. It has been a great week and I am excited to see what the spring will bring.
Lisa Ledbetter 