2014 - New Beginnings and Old Blooms

Happy New Year!  New Year's Day is all about new beginnings.  And while everything's covered in snow now, nothing makes me think of new beginnings more than my little garden.  I started "urban gardening" about a year and a half ago and I've since accumulated a nice little collection of pots and hanging boxes.  I usually do two plantings per year - one in the spring, and the other in late summer/early fall.  So as I'm dreaming of warmer months, here are some bright blooms to add cheer to your day.

Flox are pretty and colorful, but short-lived

These marigolds continued to bloom long after the first frost

Taking a vegetative turn with decorative cabbage and peppers

Nothing's prettier than flowers against a backdrop of fall leaves

Mums are my favorite fall flower

Planting a Seed

A couple weeks ago when it was really warm I decided I wanted to plant flowers on our balcony.  I bought dirt and seeds and planters.  Of course since then it's gotten cold again, but we're past the threat of frost now so today I muddied my hands and braved the chill to plant some seeds.  It felt like a fitting way to celebrate both Easter and spring.  

Here are the before photos.  I got these great hanging planters at Crate and Barrel.  Hopefully in a few weeks I'll be able to show you the after.  

I planted a variety of flowers and herbs.  One is supposed to attract monarch butterflies and another is supposed to drape over the planter.  

I'm so excited for warmer weather so I can enjoy sitting out on my balcony, hopefully surrounded by beautiful flowers!