Spring Hasn't Sprung... Yet

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As I continue nurturing, sowing and sweet talking all my plants, herbs and flowers on my kitchen gardening table or in the grow tent, I keep a close eye on the weather outside. Last Thursday, temperatures here were inching towards the 70-degree mark; but 48-hours later we were hit with a winter weather warning which resulted in an ice storm, freezing rain and eventually snow. It's amazing because on that Friday my husband said, "You should get your greenhouses up and going...". Now he sees why I didn't. He's not a gardener, so I'll excuse his words.

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What's Been Happening & Growing

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Sour Gherkin Cucumbers

I planted Sour Gherkins about two weeks ago and they were transplanted into Solo cups over the weekend and they are thriving in the grow tent. I have four of Gherkins right now. I plan on adding two slicing cucumber and two pickling cucumber plants and will be sowing soon.

Last year I had a slow cucumber harvest and am hoping new varieties as well as they new location will help increase my yield.

I had found the Gherkins through a local seed company and will be using them to make homemade relish, miniature bread and butter pickles and adding them to every salad and homemade salad dressing I can.

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Habernero Peppers

We are a household that LOVE peppers; jalapenos, cayenne, poblano, serrano and on and on...
To date there hasn't been a pepper we haven't liked and grown. This year I am adding some more Habernero (as well as Poblano) to the garden and greenhouses. I use the cayenne peppers to make home hot sauce (hubby is an addict of Frank's Hot Sauce so I make our own for cost savings reasons). I want a milder, less heat leveled pepper for myself, so that's the reason for the pepper expansion.

Lemon Grass

I have grown lemon balm for years and this year I wanted more lemon. So I turned to lemon grass.
I use the lemon balm (dehydrated) and add to my herbal sweet teas; plus I give some to my mom for her tea. She loves the natural flavoring boost the lemon balm gives to her morning kick-start.
But the lemon grass I have other culinary plans for. I'll be adding to my stews, some soups, stir-fry meals and as a little punch to salads and salad dressings. And don't get me started on using it for BBQ season coming up soon.
Plus I can use to make homemade mosquito repellent.

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Camellia Flowers

I first learned about these flowers from @fernowl13 earlier this year and was fortunate to have found some for sale.
These are an unknown color as when I bought them, they were sold as a variety pack. I am hoping for pink personally, but I'm sure I'll be pleased with whatever color grows.
I am adding quite a few different flower varieties to my herb garden this year for a few reasons.
One is for some added vibrant contrast against the green of all the herbs; and the second reason is that some of the flowers I am adding are edible.

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GREAT Investment For Indoor Garden

Aside from the grow tent, this little humidity and temperature gauge has been one of the best investments I made for the indoor winter garden.
It digitally keeps track of all the humidity levels and temperature. If you ever decide to have a grow tent or indoor winter garden, I highly recommend investing in one of these. I paid about $9/USD for it and was well worth the money.

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