Sunflower Seedlings Succeeding

I must admit, I was a little incredulous that the seeds I shoved crudely into hurriedly spoon-dug holes in our lawn would actually grow. Z1 seems to have mostly forgotten about the project despite her detailed and meticulous plans but I have been regularly checking the small, barely uncovered earth patches in our rapidly growing grass.

I am pleased to report that at least two of the seeds seem to be succeeding in growing. Now, I am aware that two seedlings does not a sunflower circle fort make but there was lots of rain last night and lots of sun forecast today so we might get a few more.

Feast your eyes on these marvellous marbles

I love them

I don't think much needs to be said - just marvel at my marbles. Some of them weren't completely frozen but I didn't have the patience to wait longer.  I also didn't have the patience to keep my gloves on while snipping the balloons off. That was not a good idea.

Icy Colourful Marbles - progress report

Day 1 - poking the snow-dusted
balloons

I may have uttered a few curses under my breath as the icy wind attempted to flay the skin from my cheeks while I walked through the car park to work on Thursday morning, but I thought of my slowly freezing garden sculptures and bravely toughed it out.

I had checked the temperature immediately on waking: it was -1C. By the time we were leaving the house, we had a light dusting of snow and it was -3C. Poking the balloons revealed that there was some crunchiness but they were definitely not solid ice. By 11am, it had reached -4C and I was at my desk thinking of my balloons.

More snow had fallen by the time we got home. A poke let us know that they were significantly icier than the morning. A shake revealed some slooshing. Temperatures are forecast to continue dropping - it should be -7C overnight and -8C by morning. I think we'll be snipping and exposing our icy jewels on Friday evening. I am rather excited.

Day 1 - in the evening