Heat Wave

This past week the daytime temperatures have been hovering right around 70 degrees, and I am not complaining...but I have been perspiring.  Especially when I step inside the greenhouse, where the average daily temperature seems to be stuck at 98 degrees.  Whew!  That happened fast.

Since I happen to be spending quite a bit of time in there these days, I've learned to dress in layers.  Of which I immediately start shedding upon entering the heat-filled, glass-encased structure.  Now you'd think I'd just dress appropriately for the heat (i.e. shorts and tanktop) from the start, but the old-fashioned me that I am still thinks that attire isn't suitable until after Memorial Day--even for the short walk from my porch to the greenhouse.  Yes, I don't always make sense.  But that's why you like me...or so you said.  But let's put all discussion of fashion aside and focus on what I've actually been doing in the greenhouse (besides glistening in the sun and hearing phantom choruses of Martha & The Vandellas singing Heat Wave.)

If you read my most recent "Chores" post, you know that I started my tomato seeds on March 1st.  Now, almost two weeks later and with the help of all that blessed heat, they've finally emerged.  I'd been monitoring them closely everyday, watching for the first signs of the little seedlings to appear.  Spotting that first one was so exciting--it made my heart go pitter-patter.  Which consequently made my husband go green with envy.  Kidding.  He's not the jealous type.  But even if he was, green is my favorite color so I'd probably be fine with that.  But enough about my love life...

I've also been starting the remainder of my transplant seeds, including sweet peppers, calendula, impatiens, eggplant, sweet peas, morning glories, and okra.  These plants all need a head start in the greenhouse before going out to the garden in mid-May, and right now is the perfect time to get them going.

My citrus trees are shedding their winter foliage and sending out new leaves, and so they've been re-located to their rightful place over by window on the "peacock wall".  This wall borders the peafowls' roosting area, and by placing my citrus trees there the trees catch the breezes that blow through the window when it's open.  Also, the peafowl can see the trees through the glass, and it makes them feel like they're in a forest...or so they said.  And peafowl are pretty honest birds.  Snobby, but honest.

Lastly, I've been situating some of my over-wintered plants into sunny spots to encourage them to break dormancy.  My efforts are paying off, too.  My fig tree is simultaneously fruiting and producing new leaves like it's apt to do.  Good thing, too.  Otherwise I'd have to curse it and make it wither.

And the potted French lavender is filling in nicely,

The Red Lettuce is sprouting up green--which is quite normal, actually;

And the calibrochia in the hanging basket is looking rather perky if I do say so myself.  And I often do.  

All in all, I'd say the greenhouse has really come alive in the past few weeks.  Everything seems to be off to a good start, and things are changing by the minute--seeds are sprouting, plants are growing, and a few flowers are attempting to bloom!  It's a hotbed of activity in there (pardon my pun), and I'm enjoying every second of it...even if I do get a little faint in the heat. 

Oh well, it's nothing an ice-cold glass of sun tea won't fix.  And a little Motown music.  Cheers!