I've been really enjoying work, being in the plant shed mostly every day working at the register, dead heading the petunias and learning galore about plants from the lovely ladies in the plant shed Lori, Debbie and Johanna. Their love for gardening is infectious and with each plant sold I learn a bit more from these ladies about the wonderful world of horticulture . Naturally all this knowledge has encouraged me to try out some gardening of my own. ( I can't tell you how happy they are to see me trying) At the end of each week everyone in the shed tallies up their "pile" for the week of plants to add to their garden, and I'm even joining in with a few little plants of my own. I can honestly say I am surprised to be so interested in plants, but its a really fun hobby to research and read about. I thought I would highlight for you my favourite plants I've brought home to try!
We get FREQUENT calls about 4 times a day inquiring as to what varieties of tomatoes we got in this week and Sweet 100 or Tiny Tim is usually at the top of peoples list. This has encouraged me to grow some of my own, because not only do I enjoy them, but so do the little Piggies. So I picked up a few orphan plants (dropped packs of plants where only one plant survives) and created a garden.
It was a lot of work because I only had some tools to work with around the house that Mom gave to me. So i built a 4 foot bed with a small trowel and rubber gloves to protect my hands. It was a slight struggle but once I mixed in some Jolly Farmer organic compost I was well on my way.
I've also planted some nasturtiums in hanging pots, sunflowers in pots, and acquired two hanging baskets for around the outside of the house, Million bells and fushias.
The newest plants which arrived home yesterday is a Peony called "Gay Paree". While we were home last weekend Mom brought in some fresh cut Peonys in a vase which Scott LOVED, so I've picked out a pretty one we're going to plant in our back yard. Debbie assured me we can transport the peony to our new home in the future whenever we want to move, and she even said Peonys can outlive people, and has heard of them being left to loved ones in Wills.
And Also a peach flowering Maple called Abuliton that is a plant which fairs best as an indoor plant. It flowers all the time and has adorable Hibiscus like flowers... I'm a BIG fan of the flowering aspect (all interesting plants should flower nicely and often) so I will post TWO photos of this!
On Friday we all had a BBQ out back of the retail store to celebrate summertime and a retirement of a longtime staff member. It was fantastic, the food was excellent and everyone enjoyed the break at lunch to chat and eat. Then in the evening after work all the younger staff members met up at the Lower Deck for drinks and getting to know each other outside of work.
Me and Megan caught the ferry over from Dartmouth which was a blast in its self as we were alongside a tour boat disguised as a pirate ship with canons and pirates yelling "YARR LAND AHOY"(sorry no photo-it all happened too fast for me to see the potential for a blogging moment). It was really fun sitting out on the patio at the Lower Deck chatting and enjoying conversation over drinks instead of over bags of fertilizer or while deadheading geraniums. The Lower Deck Staff even took a picture of us coming soon - check out their website http://www.lowerdeck.ca/ldeck/photo_gallery.html.
Lucy is settling in nicely, really making this place her new home. She is snuggly and loving always enjoying a car ride to a new place or just a night in watching some tv. She came over to Kims apartment with us today and was an assistant painter as we adventured with some purple paint in Caleighs room. She even got along well with Bear, the little black kitty of Kims that isn't crazy about many people. Lucy was thrilled to spot a black cat, but was a little confused when it wasn't Sirius. A great adventure for Lucy overall, she didn't even blink when we drove past her old home on the way to Kims- it looks as though she's adopted us as her new family :).
That peony is beautiful. My peony is a dwarf, and I think its an "early" as well, because mine is done blooming now. It is about 16 years old, and I moved it from Dad's house to here in 2001, after we put in the pond with the brook. I can understand people "willing" them to others, I love mine and it was my moms', so I would hate to leave it with strangers. Geesh.
ReplyDeleteI think I will have to come back and do some more shopping; this time for indoors. Tell Scot I'm hooked up now...I'll be reading your blog now so I am so honored to be on it. I'm off next week Michelle and would luv to bring Gill and Aub over to meet Lucy and your critters. Let me know when will be good for you.
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