A Colorful Corner of Spring
April 10, 2026 
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| Should my nails match my flowers? Yes! Go Ginza, 310, by Essie. |
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I’ve planted 200 zinnia seedlings along the edge of the flower border. Last year I went with the classic lollipop brights that zinnias are famous for, but breeding has come a long way, and over the years I’ve enjoyed experimenting with newer varieties—so this season I’m returning to that. My 2026 palette leans softer: muted pinks and dusty roses, peaches, bright and dusty limes, pale golds, and shades of linen. I can’t wait for the show. |
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| Off like a rocket! |
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I'd give Biscuit a C- in squirrel chasing. He is slightly lazy in that respect. Squirrels in this neighborhood destroy fruit trees and other crops and are considered pests. Here he is rounding a corner after I shamed him into chasing a squirrel up a tree. In this picture he looks like he's trying to impress me rather than do any real critter chasing. |
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The vegetable garden is looking great. We even have a blueberry sized tomato! I'll make a post on the vegetable garden soon. |
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I had to replace several of my herb perennials for the crime of being too woody and too leggy. I have a new green sage and a pretty tricolor sage, a new oregano and a new thyme. |
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| I am bringing a spring green cream soup to my dinner group party tonight as a first course and will top each serving with an edible blossom and sprigs of fresh dill. For the soup I just cooked one chopped fennel bulb with the fronds, a handful of asparagus, one sliced leek, and three chopped bok choy in 5 cups chicken stock. When it was throughly cooked through, I added several handfuls of spinach, stirred to wilt, then used my stick blender to cream. Lastly I added 2 cups half and half and 1 cup milk, and salt and pepper to taste. We will be ten tonight and I figure there is enough for everyone to have 1 1/4 C soup--perfectly adequate for first course, plus pretty and yummy! |
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| The Climbing Eden is at its peak this week. As the buds begin to open they have light pink petals edged with darker pink. As they continue to unfurl, they darken. |
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Underneath the olive tree, another flower snow storm. I'm gearing myself up for an olive mess this summer. Ugh. |
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Everything in the greenhouse is mostly planted out. I held a few plants back for backups in case some of the transplanted ones don't make it. |
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| I have a "make next" file and this is what's in it right now. I've got other projects on my needles at this time, but I mainly use this folder for patterns that I love and don't want to forget to make. |
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| Another fun rainy day craft is slime. We had hours of fun with our favorite slime recipe. |
What should I do with all the roses? A tulipiere is one of those funny things that is both sculptural and practical when you have an abundance of blooms. I don’t use it often, but the few times each year that I do, I’m always grateful it escaped the donation box. This vintage piece makes the cut every year, and I imagine it will follow me all the way to the old folks home one day.
My glass tulipiere comes in two parts: a bottom ring made up of small, connected vases arranged in a circle with an open center, and a separate top section of attached vases that fits neatly into that opening. Each little vase holds a single bloom, creating a tidy, round arrangement.
I bought it years ago and have never come across another one like it.
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My chief inspector has to approve of all blooms. |
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| It's fail proof! |
- 1 Gallon Standard White Vinegar
- 1 Cup Table Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Liquid Dish Soap--I use Dawn
- Mix: Combine the salt and vinegar in a large container or pump sprayer and mix until the salt is dissolved.
- Add Soap: Stir in the dish soap.
- Attach SPRAYER to bottle.
- Apply: Spray directly onto weeds during bright, sunny conditions for fastest dehydration.
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14 Comments
Yes! I did enjoy this post and found it very helpful, and very beautiful! Your garden is amazing. Thank you for sharing. I have a very little garden but I'm still going to try your weed killer. Even small gardens get weeds!
ReplyDeleteThank you! If you have a small garden you could divide this by 4 and just use one quart of vinegar, 1/4 C salt and a tsp, of Dawn. Then put it in a spray bottle!
DeleteYour garden is absolutely beautiful! Especially the wisteria which doesn’t grow here in Montreal. We still have a little bit of snow left 😯
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, I imagine wisteria would be challenging to grow in the north. Enjoy your beautiful snow. We've had days of rain lately, and in California, we never dare complain of rain!
DeleteThank you for yet another great blog post. Your wisteria is breathtaking and your roses are non-too-shabby as well. :). In my part of Canada we are in process of Spring, although overnight we are still dipping below 0C, so your garden photos are most welcome. Looks like Biscuit is settling in well. Take care and keep up your great blog. Thank you……Gail
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind comment. California always brings a preview of spring to the rest of the country, and I'm happy to share it! Biscuit is napping now with a mohair blanket to cover him, but I'll be sure to let him know you said hi when he wakes up. ;)
DeleteThe wisteria and roses are awesome. Your writing is so good you should write a book
ReplyDelete(fallen petals soft as a carpet, flowers brushing your cheek, sweet perfume in the air, and the buzz of busy bees). YOU are awesome.
Aww, Carole, thank you so much!
DeleteYour garden is positively dripping with wisteria. How dreamy is that?? Sorry Biscuit didn’t inherit the squirrel chasing habit. Maybe later. I seem to have seen a tulipiere recently. Maybe just in a photo? Not sure. Thanks for the slime recipes. My granddaughter and I are the only two family members who would be interested. Love that website too. Chloe
ReplyDeleteThe slime is awesome. We made both the fluffy and the stretchy versions. I think she'll love it! Tulipieres are still around and I see them occasionally--even at thrift stores- but I think they have lost their popularity. Too fussy maybe? I look at mine and think, too fussy for me too, but I keep it and use it still for old times sake!
DeleteI know it's been said before but your garden is really over the top. I tried the vinegar solution last year at the very end of autumn on some plants that grew in some cement cracks in the driveway and i'm waiting to see this year what comes back. ever hopeful.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I use the mixture in the cracks also and it does burn them right up! For us it's a never ending battle.
DeleteYour garden is amazing! This recipe for the weed killer came just in time. I was just about to google it and then read your newsletter! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYour wisteria is absolutely stunningly glorious!!! It does not grow here in Minnesota either! I love your blog and your garden and all your beautiful knits!!! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou make my day when you make a comment!