The Thrill of Saving Flower Seeds

one of several petunia plants I grew from seeds collected from last year's purchased plants--
it's even beginning to bloom!

You all know that I save seeds from one season's plants to grow vegetables in the next season. It's not a huge savings, but it's one of those satisfaction things. But do you know what I find really exciting in the gardening realm? Saving seeds from flowers that I bought in the garden center and growing them the next year into actual flowering plants. It's as if I made something. So exciting!

a bundle of marigold seedlings --
I can already see where they will be setting flower buds in a month or so.

This last year I saved nasturtiums (but those fall into the edible category for our house, so not as exciting), "Patriot Mix" (red, white, purple) petunias, and autumn-colored marigolds. I started the seeds for the petunias and marigolds in March under lights. The plants look wonderful. Last summer, I wasn't even sure what to save -- what was a seed for both of these plants. I looked both plants up online to see what to look for as seeds. And I luckily found them on both plants.

Now I have annual plants for my pots and garden for zero cost! I would have bought the petunias for sure, as I plant these every year in a couple of pots in the front yard. The autumn marigolds will give me end of summer color to enjoy, once again.

Free annuals grown from my own collected seeds -- now this is excitement!

Easter Luncheon Photos

Dessert first, because that's the fun part!  Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting, decorated with either chopped pecans or garden violets

Chocolate Pudding and Cake (a failed chocolate cake that I crumbled and topped with scratch cornstarch pudding and some chocolate chips)

Green Bean Casserole (the standard cream of mushroom soup recipe)

Sweet Potato Casserole with Praline Topping

Kale, Cranberry, Almond Salad with a sweet citrusy dressing

Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Pan Dinner Rolls

Plus we had a baked ham -- I didn't take a photo