I have a timely picture to share today.You see, two days ago I picked my first crop of lettuce! Some red varieties....of course! 
I had a great idea some months ago that I would start my lettuce inside (as I often do) but instead of putting them in the garden, where I have to share with the furry critters, I would plant them in this large, $1 washtub I bought last fall at the Mega-auction! Another advantage? I can bring in the tub when the weather gets a little chilly. Iowa Springs are notoriously volatile! It has worked like a charm!I will tell you, I did not punch drainage holes in the bottom (heavens, no!) I filled the bottom with five 1-gallon milk jugs, to fill the space, allow for drainage, reduce the amount of soil needed, thus making it lighter to lift! In all my vegetable gardening I use the Square Foot method developed by Mel Batholomew. He has a great book on the subject! I highly recommend it.
So what else is on my patio right now? A footed washtub planted with daffodils. Not at peak, yet.
My chives, in a minnow bucket bought at neighbors garage sale a few years ago!
Then, there's my rosemary.....what's that next to it??? Some kind of strange gnome???
No, it's Santa! 
I guess rosemary does look a bit like a Christmas tree! He found his way to me two weekends ago at another awesome auction. He was stuffed in a box lot of hideous (my opinion) yarn and macrame Christmas items. Mom spotted him! I completely overlooked him! Thanks Mom! He is BIG, 8 1/2" tall and in wonderful condition! Here's the label.
I am tickled to have him! Since he was so well hidden, I picked him up for a song!So, I will be heading over to Sue's this evening AFTER the window washing, to check out the other Rednesday finds! Hope you do, too!
