Spring Planting (Guest Blogger and a Gardening Giveaway)

Photo courtesy of Wes Carter via wesleycarter.wordpress.com

My cousin Wes is a Renaissance man. He crochets, cooks, paints, creates bonsai trees. He has traveled the world, sheered sheep, been an extra in movies, bred bettas. He is one talented guy and he can do just about anything he puts his mind to, but one area where he absolutely excels is gardening. His knowledge on the subject is extensive. He has an eye for beauty and this coupled with his gardening know-how is a magic combination. I asked him if he could share some tips with me and people like me who are beginning gardeners so he agreed to do a guest post here on my blog. Meet Wes:

Hi, I am Jill's "crazy" cousin. My first love was a plant, and I have extreme fondness for them. I blog a bit at: http://wesleycarter.wordpress.com/ and enjoy helping people with whatever issue they might have concerning gardening.

This year has really progressed quickly, and there is a lot to do in a short time. Soon all the garden shops will be filled to capacity with friends and neighbors trying to outdo each other.

One of my favorite ways to ensure a window box or deck planter is outstanding, is to go as large as you feel comfortable, and then push it one more size. Bigger IS better for plant roots. Having lots of room for them to grow also gives a lot of leeway if you forget a watering.

I always like color mixed with something edible. You may think I am "crazy" but basil, parsley, strawberries, chives and even cherry tomatoes are beautiful when mixed with zinnia, black or yellow leaved sweet potato vine, peppers, Japanese Blood Grass or every day marigolds.

All of these will do really well in full sun, but remember on the hottest days, just like in a garden center, you too may be watering every day.

Click on over to Wes's blog to see more pictures of some of his plants and to check out his latest post.

To celebrate spring (and the gardening season) I thought it would be fun to put together a little spring care package with some local honey, a couple of packets of seeds, Bert's Bees Hand Salve ("a farmer's friend"), a hand stamped card, and a few other treats for one of you. The giveaway is open to followers of or subscribers to my blog and/or Wes's blog. Just make sure I have a way to get in touch with you should you win.

To enter:
Mandatory entry--Leave Wes a comment on his blog HERE (you can either ask him a question you have about gardening or plants or just comment on his most recent post) and then come back here and leave me a comment letting me know that you did so.
Extra entry 1--facebook, tweet or pin this giveaway (leave me a link to verify)
Extra entry 2--post about the giveaway and mention Wes's blog on your own blog (again, leave a link to verify)

I'll take entries through April 3 (one week from today) and then we'll draw a winner out of a terracotta pot. :)

Happy spring!