A Touch of Spring
This time of year I think we all start craving Spring. I want greens, yellows, pinks, and purples.
And I’m tempted to pick up a big bouquet of flowers from the store as the late Winter snow flurries fly. But a bouquet of flowers is a bit too frivolous for me these days, so I came up with a compromise.
These lovely little primroses were at the grocery store for less than a $1.50 per plant. So for right around $4 dollars, I have this wonderful little centerpiece. They are just the bright spot I’ve been craving. And the best part is, once they are finished blooming… and the weather is suitable, I will plant them out into my garden. Then they can be enjoyed year after year.
Here’s another little bright spot:
I have collected several favorite vases suitable for forcing a bulb. Here is the hyacinth in bloom in my kitchen right now. The scent is heavenly. Over the years I’ve forced hyanciths, tulips, daffodils, and crocus, both in vases and in pots with soil. There is a tutorial here.
Once they are done blooming, I cut back the bloom (leave the foliage) and plant it out in my garden. It won’t bloom again the year you plant it, but it will bloom the next and subsequent years.
It’s also springy to grow a center piece of wheat grass: There’s a tutorial here.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to bring a touch of Spring into your home, you just need a little creativity.
I grow a container of oat grass nearly every spring in time for Easter. It’s an tradition that my mom always did when we were kids and my Oma did before that. I tuck little colored eggs and Easter figurines in among the grass. It’s just such an adorable centrepiece — I love it!
So true! I stopped at a garden shop yesterday for the same reason but couldn’t settle on anything (trying to cut back impulse buying) but your ideas are good ones. Now I can go back with a plan, thanks!
I started to plant grass indoors last spring and loved it for how simple it was. Here’s my version of it
http://wonderwomancreations.blogspot.com/2009/04/sprouting-spring.html
I never thought of forcing bulbs in a vase like yours, I love it. I am itching for Spring!
Thanks for the links. I’ve been wanting to force bulbs this spring. First, I need to find some bulbs. :)