Saturday, December 01, 2012

Winter Evenings

Echeveria under lights
 There are not that many thoughts of the plants outdoors this time of year.  The snow makes it more difficult to get around and has covered the traces of summer's green things.  I have some growing indoors, including succulents, herbs, orchids, and a lonely Spanish lavender.  We had a great orzo pasta salad with fresh basil this week that made that pot of basement-grown basil very worthwhile.  I planted a few more basil and cilantro seeds today for the benefit of future winter foods. 


Parsley, cilantro, basil and peppers under light
 I have some pepper plants started, though they will outgrow the little plastic dome at full size.  They will push up into my lights and I will have to pollinate them with a paintbrush.  We will have to appreciate them in a special meal too. 
Snowy yard and frozen lake this evening







Snowmobilers have been out on the lake ice for a few weeks now, thought they are likely the bravest (stupidest?) ones.  However, the temperatures of -20C and below this past week probably did add thickness to the lake ice.  Soon we'll be having ice fishing contests and then the sled dog races will be upon us.  Our dog has focused squarely on barking until she gets inside to watch television with us and eats the kids snacks when they are not paying attention.  Her winter coat will be growing in soon.
My reblooming orchid - A Bletilla or hybrid?


Otherwise in blogger land, the great Google has told me that I ran out of storage space for the blog and its pictures.  Thus, I will have to pay for more.  I don't want to stop blogging for now, so I'll pay them the few dollars to keep posting with photos...

4 comments:

spurge said...

What a great idea to grow veggies inside in the winter! I've grown seedlings that way, but did not think I could bring an entire pepper plant to maturity and fruiting indoors. Will have to try...

Unknown said...

The orchid is so beautiful! I have never seen one that is white and pink, how pretty. What kind of lighting to you use inside to grow your peppers? That is such a great idea. Thanks for sharing.

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Gardenista said...

I've grown pepper plants indoors - they do prefer a fairly large pot and hand pollination, but it works. I use a combo of regular cool white fluorescents and grow light fluorescents. This works well if growing things on a small scale.

Northern Beauty Seeker said...

Nice to see the grow lights keep things going in the dark of winter. Glad to hear you are keeping the blog going - we need northern blogs!

All the best for the new year. :)