Trial and Error

Since I now have a greenhouse, I thought it would be only fair if I acutally learn how to use it. Besides, it sounded like something fun and fairly easy to do. Don't you pretty much just stick some seeds in some dirt, sprinkle on some water and let nature do the rest? I found out the hard way that there is a little more science involved. Like maybe knowing where to plant what you have grown, among other things. So here I am, learning by trial and error.



Trial:
Four O'Clocks. The picture on the Gurney's website looked cute. It says they even attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Oh, and they smell good too. What's not to like? I started the seeds in the greenhouse and the little seedlings grew very, very quickly. Somehow, though, during the seed-starting season, I lost (threw away) the seed packet and quickly forgot any and all information about what Four O'Clocks actually do. I planted a few of them in the bed by my lamp post, and the rest in some planters on the deck. They started out small and kept growing, and growing, and growing . . . which leads me to this:

Error:
When you plant four o' clocks in a planter box, beware that they grow to the size of a small tree. Better to plant them en masse in a whiskey barrel. And they need water like no other plant I've seen. I did find, as promised, that they attract hummingbirds at an amazing rate. They really are a cute plant if planted in the right setting. And they are prolific bloomers. Here's a closeup I took this morning (the blooms don't open until four o'clock).

And on a side note, here's the cute nest Sean rescued as he was cutting down the pine tree. I hate to get rid of it, but I don't know what to do with it. Any suggestions?