Saltwater Sounds Weekly: National Gardening Day and a Burst of Blooms
Welcome to Saltwater Sounds, a collection of ideas, tips, and inspiration. Here, I share everything happening in the world of Shiplap and Shells, what’s to come, and the inspiration I’ve found from other bloggers around the web.
This and That
I hope you’ve been soaking in all that mid-April is bringing to us.
We’ve had some inconsistent weather lately but are looking forward to dry and sunny days all of next week. I bet you can guess where I will be! Yes, I’ll be spending all my time in the garden.
We got so much done in the garden this past week, and I couldn’t be happier to be back at it, getting my hands dirty again. I’ll share more about the gardening projects we worked on later in the post.
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Girls’ Weekend Trip
Jax, Ollie, and I spent the weekend on Anderson Island with several girlfriends. It’s been such a great way to reconnect with special women I don’t see as often as I’d like.
We’ve vacationed in Palm Springs together for the past three years, but we didn’t go this April due to various circumstances. We’re so grateful to spend time together again here in Washington state.
We visited the Anderson Island farm, gift shop, and museum on Saturday.
The weather cooperated enough for a kayak ride.
National Gardening Day
Tomorrow is National Gardening Day, which is the perfect excuse to spend time outside and celebrate this community we all love.
It’s a special day to encourage gardeners and would-be gardeners to pick up a shovel, plant some seeds, and kick off a year of homegrown beauty.
I’ll be visiting my favorite nursery to celebrate!
Last year, I went home with an SUV full of summer annuals to plant in containers, hanging baskets, and window boxes around the garden.
“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” – Margaret Atwood
In the Garden
We spent last week prepping the flower beds with another layer of fish compost. After this April task is completed, the garden always looks fresh and alive.
Our organic fish compost is from Oly Mountain Fish Compost and is nearly odorless. We spread it in the garden beds every April.
Do you remember me showing you the new garden beds we added last week? New compost makes everything look so much better, don’t you think?
The tulips are finally blooming, and it’s been so fun to walk out and see those bright, cheerful petals after the slow build-up of anticipation. They may be slightly behind this year but were worth the wait.
Because the tulips bloomed a couple of weeks later than the years before, my plans to transplant the cut flower seedlings into the raised beds have hit a bit of a snag.
Usually, I have the chance to enjoy these tulips for weeks and bring tulip bouquets in every few days. But because we have to clear the beds out in the next week or so, I will share these beautiful spring blooms with all my neighbors and friends next week.
I’m sure I’ll have some takers.
Next Up in the Garden
I’m planning on a few big projects for next week.
I’ll start splitting the dahlia tubers and hardening off the geraniums and seedlings in the greenhouse.
My hubby and I also go through the entire yard to check the sprinklers and drip irrigation system to ensure everything is working and positioned correctly to water the garden beds and lawn.
Garden Supplies and Tools
Check out my favorite garden supplies and tools for the growing season. Whether you’re looking for potting soil or deer repellent, you’ll find what I use in my own garden.
From the Blog
Grow Your Dream Garden: A Beginner’s Guide to Flower Gardening
Do you dream of having your own flower garden but feel overwhelmed by the thought of starting one? This guide to flower gardening for beginners will show you everything you need to start a garden and how to maintain it to get the best results… CONTINUE READING.
12 Ideas and Tips for Creating a Low-Maintenance Garden
Do you love having a garden but lack the time, space, or interest to maintain one? The good news is that you can still have a gorgeous garden space with these 12 tips and ideas for creating a low-maintenance garden…CONTINUE READING.
Dahlia Planting Guide for Beginners
Do you love how dahlia flowers look but aren’t quite sure what it takes to grow these beautiful blooms in your garden? Today I’m sharing my dahlia planting guide for beginners with tips for planting, storing, growing, and how to care for dahlias…CONTINUE READING.
Small Bedroom Retreat Ideas for Spring
Are you looking for spring decor ideas for the bedroom? Today, I’m sharing my spring bedroom refresh and some ideas on maximizing limited space in a smaller bedroom…CONTINUE READING.
‘Growing a Cut Flower Garden’ Series
Learn about the ins and outs of growing a cut flower garden this year. Click the button below to be taken to the entire series of blog posts and choose what is interesting to you.
My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web This Week
How about making this beautiful naked cake with fresh berries and vanilla buttercream?
You will not want to miss this stunning colonial home on the bluff.
This spring fling tablescape is gorgeous!
Show your mom some love with some cookies for Mother’s Day
This St. Croix home.
The best prickly pear margarita recipe.
Thank you for being here and following along each week. Whether you’re dividing dahlias, planning your garden, or just taking in the beauty of spring, know that I’m cheering you on from my little slice of the Pacific Northwest.
Wishing you a week filled with fresh blooms, sweet moments, and dirt under your nails.
Until next time,
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