Penny's Passion: Thinking Out Loud Thursday - April 7, 2016

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Thinking Out Loud Thursday - April 7, 2016

Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  So glad you stopped by today for some thinking out loud action.

Today I'm thinking about Spring.  Even though the first day of Spring was officially March 19, our weather has been all over the place.  We've had temps as high as 77 and as low as 33.  But eventually it's bound to get warm and stay warm, right?!?  Oh, and by the way, that day where the high was 77 and the low was 33 -- that happen ON THE SAME DAY!  St. Louis weather is cray cray.  But when it warms up for good, I'm looking forward to getting the garden running again.

One thing I love to plant is herbs.  You know when you do something and you just get a feeling of satisfaction from doing it?  Well, stepping out my back door and snipping fresh herbs for a recipe is one of those things for me.  (I know, it's the little things that sometimes gets me excited.)  One reason I think I love to plant them is because they are so easy to grow.  I'm giving some very serious thought this year to planting seeds instead of buying plants.



I'm pretty intrigued with seed balls.  Have you ever tried them?  My friend Tammy gave me a box of wild flower seed balls which started my infatuation.  Planting seed balls would be great to do with kids.  So much easier than trying to distribute tiny seeds.  Kids could just plop these in the ground and you're good to go. Wait 8-14 and start to watch the magic happen.  The dirt balls are comprised of premium seeds and the perfect blend of composts and minerals that provide just the right stuff for growing your plants.


You can get seed balls for all kinds of garden items including basil, broccoli, red cabbage, cilantro, dill, kale, lettuce, parsley, pumpkins, radishes, spinach and tomatoes.  They also come in a wide variety of sunflowers and wildflowers.  Check them out HERE.

No area to plant in the ground?  Check out this pot!  You could plant your whole herb garden in this baby.  I'm also thinking this would make a great Mother's Day gift for some moms out there.



Last year I believe the bunnies ate more of my garden than I harvested for us.  This year I'm going to try a new repellent - Bonide Repels-All.  I did a little research and this stuff seems to be the answer for keeping little critters out (it does not harm the animals).  Sorry bunnies -- your dinner will have to come from someplace else this year!  Do you have a secret weapon to keep animals out of your garden?



No garden is complete without garden markers!  I'm loving these vintage spoon ones.  Again, great Mother's Day gift idea!

` Set of 6 GARDEN MARKER stakes Made From Vintage Spoon Handles ~ Oregano, Basil, Parsley, Rosemary, Thyme, Dill

So that's what I'm thinking out loud about today.  What's your favorite thing to grow?  Have any gardening tips you'd like to share?  Now it's your turn - join me and Vanessa at X-tremely V by linking up your favorite post(s) from the week.  We love hearing from you!




Enjoy more Thoughts for Thursday at

14 comments:

  1. My gardening skills are laughable, but this gets me all excited about it. Again. :)

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  2. Love that planter and the spoons. Truthfully, I try and try to grow herbs, plants, flowers, they end up dying so I've just given up. I support the local farmers and so they grow it for me. Thanks for hosting and in case I haven't mentioned it before, I love your new party button.

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  3. I tried to plant my own herbs a few years ago and it was a big bust. I swear I have a brown thumb!

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  4. I have had an herb garden for years-one of my favorite jobs. There is nothing better than running out to the garden to grab some fresh rosemary or parsley for a recipe!

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  5. Herbs outside my backdoor next to the kitchen is also one of my joys in the summer! I always make sure I have parsley, basil, oregano and chives. The antique spoon handles garden markers are wonderful. Did you have a link for these?

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    1. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Handles-Oregano-Parsley-Rosemary/dp/B017VLLWVG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1460019108&sr=8-8&keywords=herb+markers&linkCode=sl1&tag=penspas-20&linkId=1e969c13c7d2e0079a428083ac01508c

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  6. Gardening season is almost here! I haven't started my seedlings yet... I better get on that ASAP!

    Thank you for sharing your heart here (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).

    Wishing you a lovely weekend.
    xoxo

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  7. That planter! How fabulous. And I'm happy to hear I'm not the only one keeping the local critters well-fed. I tried the fake owls to keep them away, but it took them only a few days to realize the owls weren't interested.

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  8. Totally feel you on the weather! Northern Ca is having 30 degree difference from morning and night!

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  9. That planter is awesome looking!

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  10. I love herbs as well for the same reason. I have never tried seed balls, but I do plant seeds. I have all kinds of herbs, will have to keep my eye out for those seed balls here on Germany.

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  11. Hi!
    First time visiting here! I love your post, and the way you are going to protect the bunnies! Also, I've never heard of seed balls. Will have to look for them.
    I tried to leave a link for your link up, is it a post link or blog link I should leave?

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  12. Oh my goodness. Indiana weather is just as crazy. We've followed a string of 70+ degree days with a string of high of 43 degree days. It's awful! My hubby and I are trying to plant some herbs in a hanging bag this year, but we're not having any luck with them so far. Do you know how long seeds last? Ours are a year old.

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  13. Hi
    Off to buy my seedballs right now.
    We're heading into Autumn and Winter down her in the Southern Hemisphere; it'll be nice to get some herbs growing on the verandah.
    Thanks

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