We had the most beautiful hoarfrost last week — thick and icy, coating every tree and plant. Absolutely magical! Of course, it obscured the fact that a few hundred yards from where I took these photographs, the Marshall Fire had destroyed entire neighborhoods a few weeks ago. Today I dropped off some items for friends who lost their home, and if you still feel called to help, there are more than one thousand families who are struggling from this trauma. The Boulder Community Foundation is taking donations to help people who lost their homes in the Marshall Fire. You can donate here.

Though we aren’t even to the end of January, I’m beginning to plan for spring. I start my day in The Greenhouse each morning — checking on the plants, watering, taking cuttings, potting up, and soaking in the warmth and a little Vitamin D.

If, like me, you are starting to think about spring, I have some ideas and resources for you!

Starting Seeds

Now that I have The Greenhouse, I’m getting serious about starting plants from seed. In the end this should save a lot of money (I hope), and allow me to have a greater diversity of plants — particularly water-wise and native plants — in our garden.

This year I am trying the seed blocking method for starting seeds. You don’t have to have a greenhouse to do this — a sunny windowsill would work just as well. You also don’t need a lot of equipment. Just three things: trays, a seed blocker, and a trug or bin for making the soil mix.

Colorado flower farmer @blossomandbranchfarm has a great tutorial on how to start seeds using the seed blocking method. She recommended these particular trays which are perfectly-sized for the seed blocker — and happen to be perfect for the shelves in The Greenhouse, too.

Her tutorial is in two parts. The first includes all of the why and a glimpse into how it works.

The second video includes her peat-free soil recipe. Another big reason I’m planting seeds this year: I can grow peat-free. Using peat in gardening is an enormous environmental issue. More on that later, but suffice it to say: going peat-free is much better for the Earth, and it’s important for us all to do our part.

So, what am I starting? I have ordered seeds from several sources including Prairie Moon, Botanical Interests, and Baker Creek. I plan to start a variety of perennials including varieties of Agastache, Yarrow, Goldenrod and Baptisia as well as annuals including a wide range of Zinnias, Dill, Penstemon, Nasturtiums, Queen Anne’s Lace, and Salvia. I’m planting for the bees and other insects — lots of umbellifers and blooms with big, open centers which are easy for pollinators to find. I am trying a LOT of new things this year and several I’ve never heard of including Rattlesnake Master! We will see how it goes!

The Grand Garden beds after being planted last summer. The pink blooms in the foreground are Red Birds in a Tree (Scrophularia). They are planted out with Geum, Yarrow, Scabiosa, Bee Balm, and Verbena.

In planning my gardens for this year, not only am I thinking of the pollinators and hummingbirds, but I am also aiming for more cut flowers to bring into our house. That was one of the most pleasant and wonderful surprises of my garden last year. I was able to cut bouquets weekly — almost daily — to fill our house with flowers. I’ve always wanted such a garden! And last year was the first time I’ve achieved that on a regular basis.

So, as I think about planting, I’m also plotting a bit for myself. Fortunately, the pollinators and I have similar tastes!

Dahlias

I have also ordered dahlias — not native or water-wise, but oh, so glorious! I’m planting 20 different varieties — most just one tuber each. They won’t all come up, of course. That’s the way it goes with plants! Last spring I planted three varieties two of which came up and bloomed. They were beautiful and did well, so I’ve gone all in for Dahlias this year.

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A post shared by Angela K. Nickerson (@midmodernmama)

I ordered tubers and cuttings from a range of farms and sources this year including:

Some of these growers still have tubers left, and some will have a second sale period this spring. Floret Flowers also has an amazing guide to dahlia sources if you are still looking for some of your favorites — or are starting your own dahlia obsession like me.

I’m working on several tutorials for gardening ideas and lots more for the spring including a gardening journal/planner which will be in Owl and Ember’s next product release just in time for spring! That is a true labor of love, and I can’t wait to share it with you!

More soon! Until then, happy planning!

XOXO
Angela