Tickle the Roots

As a not-yet-visited member of the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, I decided I should check it out.  So I registered for a class on planting indoor seeds and dragged my mom along.  This was one of the more informative and pleasurable classes I have taken.  I am inspired so look forward to lovely flower photos and veggie discussion in future posts.

First, if you have never been to the local botanical gardens, definitely put it on your list of things to do. The green houses and plants are absolutely beautiful and the staff is unbelievably friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable.

Joe, our master gardener and teacher, distributed handouts on how to plant indoors, tips for success and even resources for seeds.  The planting was hands on and we all left with at least 4 starter plants.  He even held a raffle for some carpenter lights, soil kits, and hyacinths.  He did this in two hours, which he filled with laughter.  You could tell this man loved to garden.

Some of the tips included adding hydrogen peroxide to your watering, sweeping new growth with feathers and watering from the bottom. The best term though had to be "tickle the roots".  It really just means to separate the roots when you purchase new growths, but I love the term and will be using it in other ways :-).

Check out my handiwork:

Mom and I will be visiting the nursery to get soiless   soil, carpenter lights, shelving, seeds, new gloves, and so on and so and so on.

If you plan on taking such a class, remember two ancillary items:  1 - ask your mom to come and if you are lucky she will make you an incredible dinner before you go (thanks mom!) and 2 - be careful with your soil when you bring it home or you will leave some on the counter, floor, car seat and sink.

Cannot wait to start tickling the roots (I cannot stop using the term).