"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Monday, March 19, 2012

Is tomorrow really spring?

Okay, so today is supposed to be the last official day of winter.  I saw that it was supposed to be sunny, although cold, so I decided I would hit the nursery for some spring inspiration.  It definitely did not feel like spring was a day away as I walked around in the 41 degree weather.  Lots of cars and trucks had snow on them, they must live a little higher up because today I didn't see snow at our house.  After quickly walking around the outside plants I headed inside.  No matter how much I wanted to plant shop it was just too cold to think about doing that today.
I just had my phone with me today so the pictures aren't the best, but there was too much to see and not take any pictures.

There was lots and lots of spring container ideas to look at in the greenhouse area.

Molbak's always has amazing containers put together.  They usually have all the plants in the containers nearby so that if you want to do it yourself you can, but you can also buy one ready made.

Pansies were everywhere and so bright and cheerful.

Maybe when it warms up a little I'll go back and get some spring color for some of my empty containers.  The forecast is for more days in the low 40's and rain and no matter how much I love to garden, I'd rather do it when my hands won't go numb trying to plant everything.

Love how they used the pallets as backdrops to hang wooden crates.  There were so many great ideas just on this one display.

Here they had hung terra cotta planters to use as storage.


I love how they used chain to hang the pallet as a table and attach it to other pallets.  You can see the hanging terra cotta pots from the previous picture on the other side.  This would be a great way to make a little secret seating area in a garden, the other side could be your potting bench.

We saw this huge rooster yesterday and Sweet Pea insisted I take his picture.  I love how the picture turned out, very vintage looking.  He was hanging out with all of the ducks by the pond, I think the chickens were all hiding from him.

I'm pretending not to be jealous of the warm weather that much of the country is getting, but it is so hard not to be.  I did notice the cherry tree beginning to bloom and the pear tree isn't too far off from blooming either.  I decided to acclimate the pea (sugar snap and Sweet Pea), spinach and Brussels sprouts seedlings.  Normally I start peas outside, but after the last two years of wet springs they didn't do well so I thought I'd give them a head start this year.  Hopefully they'll do okay in the upcoming cold days.
All words and photos in this post are property of A Gardener in Progress. Pin It

33 comments:

  1. You found a lot of inspiration there. So many neat ideas.
    Love the rooster photo!

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  2. Oh, such great pictures of Molbak's! They're wonderful, even if they are cellphone photos. Makes me want to go to the nursery too. They have such clever displays! I agree, it's too cold to do much in the garden. I went out this morning briefly to cut back one of my hardy fuchsias, and came in shivering with achy hands. I want just one day, please, in the 60s at least.

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  3. Looks like a great place to spend a cold day -- love the hanging pallet table.

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  4. Love the pics and ideas! Even if it was cold out, it looks like you snagged some great inspiration!

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  5. Great pics and ideas! My favorite is the pallet setup used as a table for a secret seating area...that is super cool and I like your idea of using the other side as the potting bench. I must remember this one! I too bought a few plants today although we have a winter weather warning for tomorrow. Supposed to be snow but this evening is gorgeous? I couldn't resist some iceland poppies! I've never been to Molbak's but I definitely want to go next time I'm in the area. I loved the containers they had at the NWFG show.

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  6. Okay, now I want to go to a nursery! :)

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  7. I like your vintage rooster too. I thought it was an old postcard. And pansies...they just scream Spring with those happy faces.

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  8. I hope Spring comes soon to your area! We are enjoying warm weather here in Southern Indiana, and I am sure it is headed your way! Seedlings and growing well and flowers are in bloom! Hang in there, it will be there before you know it! Best wishes! Mindy

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  9. A warm nursery/greenhouse full of color sure helps these days. I like all of the ideas, but I seem to have a hard time making them nice in my own garden. It must be the professional touch that I lack ;) Hopefully we'll get warm weather soon!

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  10. Catherine, this nursery is awesome! I love, love, love their displays! Hopefully the weather is warming up for you soon. Here in Southern California it is unusual chilly, too, but from tomorrow on things are looking better. Well they better be, since it's the beginning of spring! Good luck with hardening off your seedlings!
    Christina

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  11. Hey your pics look great! It snowed today in the desert. And tomorrow is spring. What the heck is going on? Tonight I've covered all my plants for the first time this winter. Crazy weather.

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  12. What a wonderful nursery! Thank you for sharing their super ideas with those of us who live on the other side of the world and would never have got to see this amazing place without your having taken us there, albeit 'virtually'.

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  13. What a lovely post !!!......and yes yes yes yes yes !!! ...it is spring !!!...love Ria...xxx....

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  14. This was such a joy an amazing nursery .

    Spring has sprung with us my favourite season .

    I so enjoyed reading your lovely post.

    Thankyou
    Scotkat x

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  15. This looks like a wonderful nursery, especially that they allow you to put together your own container plantings. It seems like we have switched zones with temperatures in the eighties, spring on steroids in the Chicago area.

    Eileen

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  16. Love these creative ideas...so sorry to hear your weather is yucky...you have the weather I should and I want the slow spring...too hot, bulbs fade in a day and the mosquitoes are horrible and it is MARCH! ...wishing you a warm spring soon...you deserve some nice weather

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  17. What a great nursery with wonderful ideas. The 40's are way too cold to be gardening for me too. It's been close to summer like weather here. We really didn't have a winter to speak of and that makes us a little nervous for summer/hurricane season.

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  18. They do have some great displays and ideas for spring gardening Catherine. I cannot believe that you are having this cold weather and we are in the 80's and it feels like summer.

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  19. These are wonderful ideas! And it does look very spring-y, although I can understand that 41 degrees didn't feel very spring-like! I hope you get warmer weather soon. And I hope your peas do much better this year!

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  20. I have got to visit Molbaks one of these days. I would just drive up to see it I think. Your photo's are so cheerful and just what I needed to see on this wet, gray first day of spring. Keep us posted on how your pea's do. I just sowed directly this past week. I'm a little nervous.

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  21. It's snowing here, predicted, but still snow...sigh. I hear you about wanting to garden, but the weather not cooperating.

    Is Molbaks still as delightful as it used to be? That was a major field trip for deserving employees at the garden center we worked at. What a wonderful and inspiring place that is.

    Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

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    1. Jen, it's even better than it used to be. It's both great and dangerous for me to live so close to it. Stay warm!!

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  22. Thanks for sharing the great displays! A lot of neat ideas. Spring has sprung for us...and gentle rains are here.

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  23. Thank you for the tour! I loved it. Such good ideas. I also love the vintage rooster.

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  24. Looks like you had a wonderful time exploring Molbaks, OK so is it sad that I still have not made it there!! I know shock! I MUST get there soooooon!! Love the pallet display, so much inspiration!! Cheers Julia

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  25. ps. love what you've done to the blog =)

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  26. wow! love the pics and the place. It looks rather big and the flowers and plants inside the greenhouse are simply stunning, not to mention the DIY ideas. The plants seem oblivious to the cold weather outside :)

    Ben (Gardening Pleasures)

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  27. Some really interesting ideas at what looks like a very large garden centre. Don't think we have any garden centres that big in Ireland! Your phone takes great photos. I just love a visit to a garden centre!

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  28. Well, would you believe we got a FOOT of snow yesterday,(Wednesday)? It was snowing when I woke up yesterday at 6:30 AM and still snowing when I went to bed at 10 last night. Fortunately it is clear and sunny today and the snow is melting. And fortunately the CEO of the company I work for told everyone to stay home. Needless to say, I am SO ready for spring. This is just freaking ridiculous. Btw, I've had fun cruising through your Pinterest boards. Some of them had me laughing WAY out loud. :)

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  29. I can't believe you got that much snow, that is crazy!! Glad you didn't have to go to work in it. I think the storms all went south because it's been cold, but sunny here. It's time for to really warm up!

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  30. Not so warm here, it froze this morning! Crazy weather, warm and dry, then wet, then dry and cold! Can't make up its mind. I love the rooster photo, a very handsome fellow, and those pallets look great too! They have a lovely rustic charm about them displayed with the crates.

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  31. Spring is definitely here. I loved going to the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show and really wrapping myself in the season.

    Last night we had a gentle rain, which we NEED here in California.

    Spring joys!

    Sharon

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  32. That DOES look like a fun nursery! It's funny how opposite our weather has been. We are actually way ahead of you this time. It's been summer all week long! Today is actually cooler, but still in the 60's. Everything spring is in bloom, I love it!

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