Stawberries and Lavender

Well, not together, but they're both on my thirty before thirty list.

I scored a bunch of strawberry plants from a very generous free-cycler this spring and now that they're healthy and lush I thought I would share a few photos.

I think my main motivation for wanting to grow strawberries was to try my hand at making freezer jam. It just sounds so delicious! Unfortunately we won't be harvesting any strawberries this year,  but I'm hoping for a plentiful crop next year!

Another thing I've always wanted to grow is lavender. The heavenly scent of those beautiful purple flowers sucks me in every time. I can't help but stop and take a whiff every time I pass them- even the foliage smells wonderful!

And as long as we're on the topic of gardening, I thought I would share a few photos of some of the veggies that we planted this year. We've been enjoying a lot of fresh salads this summer with tender leaf lettuce, fresh tomatoes right off the vine and giant cucumbers. Yum!

I hope your summer is going well. What simple pleasures have you been indulging yourself in?

Photo Friday

As I was out spraying my spirea for aphids this morning (I used a simple solution of soap and water - no nasty chemicals here), I noticed that I had a helper ridding my plants of those little green pests. He looked so pretty perched on the bright green leaves, I hurried to grab my camera so I could share his beauty. Isn't he just purty? This totally made my morning!

Contrast

Last night I took some pictures of my impatiens seedlings that just sprouted this week so I could write a post in celebration of the arrival of Spring. I was planning on snapping some shots of some sprouting flowers outside this morning, but just as I thought I could put away the winter clothes and start planning for warmer weather, I woke up to this:


Here are the tiny little seedlings that I started indoor a few weeks ago, nice and warm in the comfort of my basement - a stark contrast from the conditions outside!

I decided to plant my flowers from seeds in recycled egg cartons this year to save money. Rather than paying upwards of $2 each for impatiens, I spent a mere $20 to plant 48 plants, including 6 tomato plants. I also saved money by using egg cartons and seed starting soil rather than purchasing an expensive seed starting kit. There's no reason we can't surround ourselves with beauty this summer while working with a tight budget! In total I spent approximately $20, (seeds- $5, soil - $5, plant bulb for shop light - $10, egg cartons - free!) while if I had purchased my plants from the store I would had spent upwards of $100! I'd say the $20 was money well spent, wouldn't you?

I would love to hear the creative ways that you are finding to save money without sacrificing the things you love this spring!