Started spring planting over the weekend - three pots of peppers and one of basil. This first week of planting is nerve racking with the will-they or won't-they grow anxiety but really can't wait to see what comes up and get those seedlings out in the fresh spring air.
(Above) Ready, Set, Grow!
The storm isn't supposed to arrive until tomorrow night but the management in my building already called today to remind me to take in my plants before something got broken. So I moved everyone in and placed them by the window.
(Above) All my plants
(Above) And my gear. With birds.
Hurricane Isabel back in 2003 was definitely scary with all the wind and rain and people buying up all the toilet paper at the store - am crossing fingers that Irene dies down considerably before getting up here. But have gathered up some extra water and candles just in case - am sure my plants and I are going to be just fine.
As if you had to ask!
(Above) Dirt and Blue with Seedlings
Its been few weeks since I posted photos and in that time things have gotten lusher on the balcony, even with the unending heat.
(Above) Basil, Cilantro and Peppers in a Row
The basil is still crazy - really must make some pesto this weekend to prune some of the gorgeous big leaves on it.
(Above) Some of the cute little peppers
I think all the pepper seeds who are going to sprout have sprouted, its now time to give these sweethearts some room. I don't think I'll see much action from them for a few weeks yet at least, may even need to move them inside to finish their season.
(Above) Whole lotta cilantro
Even the cilantro has come around. Think its time to make up some salsa and see if pruning doesn't get it to grow a little more.
Its been another week of crazy mad insane heat. Have been keeping up with the watering but things have been growing slowly. Except for the Basil which has been leaping and bounding.
(Above) Just switched the Basil and Cilantro plant pot positions to see if that has an affect
Otherwise? Its only been a week with the Pepper seeds but one of the pots has put forth a couple of wee very sweet seedlings.
(Above) Close-up of the two
So it'll be another week of watching and watering - hoping to see some more pepper seedling action....
My Companion convinced me to give my Anise and Parsley another week to germinate already but they did not comply. So I scrapped them and planted peppers in their pots - Anaheim Chili and Jalapeno. And since the Basil and Cilantro were getting crowded I split them into bigger pots. The Cilantro seems a little doubtful but I swear the Basil has grown leaps in its new digs since just this morning.
(Above) How things currently stand - Basil and Cilantro going strong, Peppers in the wings
The Basil and Cilantro are still growing, albeit slowly. All their seeds have sprouted. But the Anise and Parsley? Nada. Nothing Zilch.
(Above) Basil, Anise, Parsley, Cilantro in a row
I was ready to call it quits with those two but decided to reconsider for at least another week. With the thought that growing conditions could be playing a part I moved the pots, placing the Anise and Parsley in what are apparently the prime places with perhaps more sun and definitely better continuous water.
So we'll see what happens - but if I don't see some sprouting in the next week or so I'll definitely be looking to put something else there instead....
We've had some rain this week but more importantly I kept up with my plant watering. My reward were a bunch of sprouts.
Okay - more like 6 sprouts, across two of the pots.
(Above) Valiantly growing growing growing...
Basil and Cilantro were the early starters, but since the gang all have 7 - 14 day germination periods am hoping to see some action from my Anise and Parsely as well...
Yup, I know I planted some things back in April. But, well, with the traveling I was doing I wasn't really in a regular routine. And not watering them didn't exactly help the growing process. So today, I started over again.
(Above) Anise, Basil, Cilantro, and Parsley started, with other seed packets at the ready
My Gardening Advisor and I went to Home Depot yesterday to pick up the potting soil and look at the plants they had there. Am still dying for a lemon tree or some other fruit tree/bush but its so late in the season we didn't see anything interesting. Never mind though, some herbs will be a good way to enjoy the last half of the summer season. Am looking forward to plenty of pesto!
On Sunday, hair still done up like Frida, I did some grocery shopping. And while at the store saw some bromeliads that knocked me off my feet. So I did the only sensible thing - I brought the prettiest one home.
(Above) Brome at her perch on one of my bedroom windowsills
(Above) Closeup view of the blossom
Feel a little cheat-ish for having a plant I didn't raise from seed but like I said, I couldn't resist. Looking forward to seeing how she continues to grow!
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