The Porch Garden Expansion

Since I have very few tools, I could not install our new window boxes on the porch railing until Kat's Dad's next visit.  I took advantage of the few days' wait to assemble, paint the home-made mounting brackets and hang them out to dry.  I needed 12 nuts and bolts to do the assembly so I was somewhat frustrated to discover that the package I had purchased contained only 11!  Imagine....eleven....which knucklehead in the marketing department came up with that packaging strategy?  Oh, wait a minute, I get it now...if you need an even number of units greater than 11, you must purchase two packages and retain 10 if you only need 12!  Not to be outdone by a sadistic marketing person, I affected the final connection with a couple of cable ties....works just fine and I managed to resist the duct tape!!

Yesterday, Kat's Dad came over for a visit and we installed the new window boxes.  Initially, we had discussed expanding our herb garden and we went to Walmart's Garden Center only to learn that their herbs had, for the most part, been taken away that morning.  We did manage to find some Rosemary and Thyme, picked up more potting soil and some Begonia to introduce a bit of colour to the Porch Garden.  On the way back to the cash I found some Cilantro and Parsley seeds....what a score!

This morning I planted begonias in both window boxes.  I think the effect is rather pleasant.  The begonias came in a 9-pack...what is it about these odd numbers?.....and I had used 8,  What to do with the lonely, leftover begonia?  Realizing we had more than we would be likely to use, we had discussed an adopting-out program.  But there was only one so I decided to pot it thinking we might find a place for it in the apartment or that perhaps Kat's Dad would give it a home.

After a few more transplantations, I decided to start the Cilantro and Parsley seeds.  Hopefully, they will germinate and build sufficient strength to winter over in the apartment.  Our little Porch Garden has grown in so many ways as to provide us with a peaceful, fragrant environment for sitting out in the evening and a good variety of food sources, coupled with the colour and elegance that the begonia provides.  All in all, a very good gardening day.