Assuming that there will be a Part 2...
I've had a serious self-discovery this past week, monumental. Late winter is my "off" time of year. Ask my mom, I say every year that I hate February; now, I'm starting to understand that it's not the month by itself that I'm not fond of...it's the way I feel.
Late winter makes me feel d r a i n e d. I am so tired and unmotivated to do most things. It wasn't until this week that I understood this, until my husband said something. Apparently, from his three years with me, he's observed this behavior that happens...every year before spring.
Maybe this is why I love spring SO much. The warm sun feeds my soul, and I cannot help but be outside. Cue the barrier, we live in an apartment...that's on the fourth floor. The little balcony we have has not been calling my name...until now.
I have determined it to be, that this bland balcony, will be transformed into a flower garden. No easy task, but a great way to get my hands in the dirt early. My journey started when I was eyeing the book, Cut Flower Garden written by Erin Benzakein of Floret Flower. After stalking her blog for a week, I bought the book and some flower seeds. (sidenote: she's great, and if you like seeing pretty pictures of flowers, I highly recommend an Instagram follow)
The first task at hand was to figure out where I would put all of these flowers I was planning. I needed some form of tables or shelving to provide more sunlight. Shout out to my mom, because she came in like a hero and gifted me her old college book "shelves." (Little did she know back then that brick and wood would be super trendy again). These provided the PERFECT place for my soon to be flowers.
Because it's too cold outside in Idaho, I started my seeds inside. This consisted of me planting, watering, and putting a covered tray of seeds on top of my dryer. Yes, you read that right, I have had seedlings on my dryer for weeks. Apparently the heat helps germination, and I'm too cheap to buy a heating mat. (Also, I have never been more on top of laundry than I have been with this seed project; my husband is a big supporter in the flower project for some reason. ;))
I have started Sweet Peas and Pansies, in hopes that I can plant them outside when the danger of frost has passed. I will plant the Zinnias later, because they are fast growers that love warm weather!
Since then, my seedlings have sprouted! Once this happens they graduate from the dryer top to the windowsill, and I cross my fingers that they are receiving enough light.
Assuming that all goes well, the pansies will go outside once they have a few sets of leaves on them, and the sweet peas will follow when the frost passes.
This little project has been such a blessing to me. There have been days where I have felt so exhausted, but seeing these little guys change gives me something to look forward to everyday. I have no idea what I am doing, if it will work, or if I will be rewarded with flowers. In the meantime, I feel enough joy that this project would be totally worth it even if it's a flop.
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