The Marigold Potager – A Zone 3 Prairie Garden

Chatting About Gardening Is My Favourite Thing To Do : )

We have now been back from our Panama trip for a week and a half. The days have flown by, there seems to be so much to do daily.

I have been working in the potting shed, starting peppers, eggplants, and celery. So far, I have transplanted my dahlias that were sprouting in the cold room, and took a few cuttings of those sprouts, too. They are pretty wimpy and stretched out from the lack of sunlight, so I am crossing my fingers that they take. No harm, no foul if they don’t, 5 new dahlias to gain if they do. See these sprouting dahlias in the ‘What To Do In The February Potager’.

I decided, after reading the post about artichokes (see farther down), that I really want some for the bees. So, now am on the hunt for seeds asap! They grow huge so no room for one or two in the potager, but they add such a pop that they are well worth it. Edible, of course, if you want to. Me, I just want them for the bees, hahaha.

If you have not yet started anything, not to worry, still lots of time. Is early in the year yet. Getting hot peppers and onions (from seed) on the go soon very soon is a good idea though.

How to prune tradescantia for a bushier plant.

How to grow and care for Cranesbill Geraniums.

A small front yard for the pollinators. I love this front yard, and all the ideas I get from it! Here is the plant list for that front yard.

How to grow artichokes. – They are winter hardy in a zone 8 or better (very few areas like that in Canada, haha, but some), in zones 6 and 7 they will usually overwinter unless you have a harsh winter. I used to lose them every 2nd or 3rd winter in my zone 7 garden. That’s okay, I started new ones each winter to plant out, just in case.

In our prairie homes, start them early (now), plant them out after the last frost, and enjoy them for the summer. Even if you do not want to eat them, the pollinators adore them.

I really, really, really want this zone 3 climbing rose! The rose itself looks a little bit like Koko Loko, which is gorgeous, but the fact that it is a climber is what really appeals to me.

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I am just waiting on these labels and paint pens to arrive. A dahlia grower I follow says that paint pens will not fade in the sunshine, unlike sharpie type markers. These ones are affordable, too.

I am also considering trying these high domed, lighted starter trays to use for cuttings to keep them humid, plus give them light. If you get them, don’t forget to click on the coupon for an extra $3 off – great deal!

*As an Amazon affiliate, if you buy an item(s) from one of the links, I get a small commission to support my blog. It does not cost you any more to purchase through my link than if you went to the link on your own : )

Homey Bits & Other Things

The best and worst super bowl commercials. Number 4 was my favourite. Probably just because I love them both ; )

Season 4 of Sweet Magnolias is out on Netflix. I am, of course, binge watching them, so almost done the season already. Waiting on ‘The Last Of Us’ to come back to tv (though will probably not watch it if he dies, gotta admit). What are you bingeing? What shall I watch after the magnolias are done?

My guilty pleasure show to watch is The Great British Baking Show (and the Canadian one, too, whenever that comes out). Is that really geeky? Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue are the best though, so much fun to watch and hear their comments. I also like Masked Singer, All Things Great And Small, High Potential, and Rescue Hi Surf. What’s your guilty pleasure show?

These 4 before and afters of white and wood bathrooms.

15 lasting design ideas. I sure do love the neutral office space, also the powder rooms and that laundry room. Wow! Our major renos are done, but adding some of these touches to the rooms would be easy to do and make them amazing.

Recipes

Rhubarb Crumble Squares. Definitely making these. I have a couple of packages of frozen rhubarb in the freezer, this sounds like the perfect way to use some of them. Now to decide whether to make them for the next family dinner (we have one each month) or for the neighbourhood ladies coffee date next month?

This no-bake chocolate raspberry cheesecake looks yummy… though I must admit, I would use regular graham cracker crumbs for the base ; )

Lemon Rhubarb Olive Oil Cake. Yum!

Lemon Lush Dessert – probably not so good for you, but boy, does it ever look delicious.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. Not a fan of raisins? Try using golden raisins instead. My grandson and I love them in our cookies.

Tamari versus Soy Sauce – what is the difference and where to use them. I use tamari on the regular, but not so much of the soy sauce.

This winter cobb salad (with tofu) looks like something I would try… making a few changes to suit my personal tastes (no kale for me, thanks – hah!).

I also make something similar to this all the time. Snack sized bites of crispy baked tofu – delish.

Ravioli in a sage and browned butter sauce. This makes me think of the ravioli at The Cactus Club Cafe. It is one of my go to meals. Their crispy tofu bowl is also amazing.

Happy Sunday ~ Tanja