Origami Newspaper Pots

The weather is changing rapidly and has been consistently mild causing all kinds of beautiful blooms.  I do hope this continues and we don't get any freezing temperatures.  It still could happen, time will tell.  We have gotten snow in Charlotte in April.  So I thought I would get a head start and plant seeds indoors hence the Origami Paper Pots.  All you need is newspaper and a desire to fold....trust me it is therapeutic.  It does take time but you will be so proud you did not just recycle your newspaper but repurposed it.  I used a small newspaper.  If you use the large size you will get two squares from each sheet. After cutting the paper, you will need to square the sheet.  Just fold in a diagonal to cut into the square shape.  The piece should measure a little over 10 inches square.

 Fold paper diagonally on both directions to mark the center.  Fold each corner so the points meet the center.

 Fold each corner once again in the same way.

Fold up and divide into thirds. (Eyeball the folds) If you want you can use a ruler to make sure the measurements are about the same. Do this folding in both directions.

Once folded into thirds your square should look like this.  Don't forget to repeat the process in the other direction.

After folding in this manner in both direction notice you have a grid. The base of the pot will be approximately 2 to 2-1/2 inches.

This is the tricky part but don't give up.  You will be folding up the sides to create a box.

This is how it should look once you fold up.  Now bring the top and fold it down so it is now inside the box.

After you fold down the side tuck the point inside the box.

 

The finished box should measure approximately 2 to 2-/12 inches square.  

Fill the paper pots with loose soil and place in a pan.  I used a rectangular cake pan.

Place around 3 to 4 seeds and cover with about 1 teaspoon of soil. Water and keep moist.  I made a  tent using the plastic wrap in which rolls of paper towel came.  Keep the wrapping loose to simulate a  greenhouse.

I planted Cornflower seeds and they sprung fast.  This is how the seeds looked two days  after planting.

A week later the seedlings look happy although thin.  Keep in a well lit location and water using a spray bottle.  I squirt them when I see the top of the soil looks dry.  You will do this at least 4 times a week.

I will be planting these outside soon.  There is no need to take them out of the paper pots.  Plant them directly into the ground.  The paper will disintegrate.

A Green and Lush Late Spring

Now that my allergies are gone I've been enjoying walking through the yard and spending time outside. The rains we have gotten lately have kept everything lush, green and thriving.  The yellow squash plant is also loving the heat and is gigantic.

Yellow squash are so easy to grow and I eat them fresh in salads or cooked.  The trick is checking the plants outside and avoid letting them get gigantic like......

This zucchini which was picked yesterday.  It measured 14-1/2 inches long!

I've always heard not to pick zucchinis when they get this big and use them for cooking.  I did not let it go to waste.  With the help of my food processor I shredded it for use in making Zucchini Bread.  I have enough in the freezer to make 8 loaves.

 The tomato plant. No tomatoes have been picked yet.

The herbs - dill, sage and sweet basil finally got over the early spring bugs.

The Gardenia plant is now at least 7 years.  It was a gift from a co-worker.  It is loaded of blooms.

 The blooms before they fully open.

Opened Bloom

Gardenias are excellent for cutting and arranging in a jar....only trouble is you bring the large black ants that also love to feed on their nectar.

This yellow flower looks a lot like the Yellow Coreopsis -- just larger.  The seeds came free in the mail.

After a week these are still looking fresh and smelling so wonderful.  My friend Debbi brought a bouquet on a recent visit.  

This is the easiest to grow and care of the Begonias I've had.  This plant is at least 4 years old.  When it gets cold, I cut it back and keep it inside.  When the weather gets warm it loves being outside and fills up in no time.  It's called Angel's Wing Begonia. They are also very easy to propagate and root very well in water.

I will be posting soon  the recipe I used to make Zucchini Bread.

A Green and Lush Spring Part 2

When I do my dishes...this is what I see to the left.

The Ohio Tree as I call it is looking good and healthy until the Japanese Beetles land to eat the leaves. If not treated with Sevin powder or spray these beetles can really cause damage.  Right now the little tree is need of some pruning.

This is how the Ohio Tree looks under.  Sometimes I also call it my umbrella tree.  All the dead sticks that are visible need to be trimmed off..

 This bush is amazing.  I wish I could state the name, but I have no idea what it is called.  I really haven't seen another like this one anywhere.  We transplanted it from a different location and it has done the best this spring.  Every single branch has white blooms.

Look carefully and you'll see a cross.

 This variegated vine hides gardening tools behind the fence. Sadly, I don't know this ones name either, and it is not an ivy.

 This one will soon open up and reveal the beautiful Pink Peony.  The ants are all over this plant but Cliff has reassured me that they won't bother or affect the blooms in any way.

The Azalea blooms that ended inside my house graces my kitchen window.

I heard my pastor say this past Sunday that due to the sin that entered the world, creation groans. Still the Lord chose to let us enjoy the beauty of his creation and I'm thankful for this blessing.

“We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.”  Mother Teresa

A Green and Lush Spring Part 1

I can't remember a prettier spring than the one we are enjoying this year. The explosion of bright greens, pinks and whites is a delight to the senses.  I decided to take a walk in our garden and experience the wonderful aroma as well.

The one nuisance that keeps me from working in my yard is the seasonal allergies that get in my way from experiencing this wonderful time of the year. My wonderful husband Cliff can take all the credit for our beautiful yard. He is the one who does all the hard work.  The pollen count has also been higher than in other years...but to my surprise I really have done much better.  Someone said maybe something in my diet could be helping.  I do take honey in my  coffee every day.

Happy palms in the front of our house

 The Coreopsis always look the best this early in spring.

We have a nice variety of Azaleas. This one is my favorite.

Using the Corel Painting program I created this Impressionistic interpretation of the same picture above.

 Light Pink Azalea.

Hot Pink Azalea.

Very white Azalea.

Carla enjoys very much this time of the year.  She goes on her excursions and spends more time outside.

Finally...

I continue to make progress doing my Corel Essentials lessons.  It is so much fun.  I would like  to turn this one into a card.

More garden pictures to come.....