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I know this photo looks like Spring, but yesterday was only one of two days in April that it was nice. Last week we had snow three times, and we have below freezing temps forecasted this week.
A few Daffodils have actually poked their pretty heads out. No tulips and Iris are only snips sticking up.
We have a NEW trellis for the Clematis. I relocated the OLD birdhouse on the play set. The grand is seldom here to play on it anymore. We will begin dismantling some of it and using the materials for projects.
Only things up on our north beds are two rhubarb plants which are doing nicely, and of course mint, same mint I have been pulling for 38 years.
We have a few chives here and there and I already made a delicious bacon/cheese/chive spread for Easter. My beds are still covered in winter yuck---but that is sheltering the bees and helpful bugs to keep warm enough until it stops freezing. Not to mention protecting tender perennials.
Hubby started to till this week, but finding it so very wet with the recent rains. We have moss growing on everything as we have had so few sunny days. We are about 3 1/2 weeks behind last year, weather wise.
I baked the last of the squash and gourds and froze their goodness last week. Two big ones had gone bad, so I dumped them in the garden, as they were really rotten.
Some huge critter left some big prints in the garden with no beginning and no end???just in the middle---An Alien Critter??
This is my peas---spot for planting, which I had planned to do today---but it's too wet, we had near an inch of rain this AM. The hose goes to the garden sink, we can easily direct waste water from cleaning vegetables wherever needed.
Inside the greenhouse it's starting to look GREEN! Some pansies I picked up for the backyard and another special pot full. My reused plant tags are being sorted here. I have to come up with a better system, for sure.
I planted all this in early to mid-March---Cleomes I re-planted again yesterday, very poor germination. The tomatoes are ready for transplanting. Most tomatoes were in cups--but we ran out of room in the house for more big trays.
All the plants were moved out to the greenhouse Easter week, so we would have room to eat in the kitchen.
These tomatoes in bigger pots look great and the peppers, too.
Has anyone noticed how few seeds are in packets this year?
Since when are they stingy on marigold seeds?
I've really kept track of how many seeds are in the packets and the germination---I'll post soon.
The Chinese Eggplant will need to be thinned this week, they look great!
This Dill/Cilantro tray looks miserable...so spindly---when the sun finally came out they baked in the greenhouse. I have them in shade now to see what survives. I really have bad luck with herbs from seed.
Here's another really skimpy seeds marigold tray.
I will start some more with my old saved seeds.
The Kohlrabi look great, the planter holds Chives and lettuce. Normally they are on the front porch by now---but it's going to be too cold.
Yesterday, I finally started cucumbers (3 kinds) Zuchinni, and yellow summer squash, only a few plants of each. Also some Waltham Butternut Squash our favorite and a good keeper, along with mini gourds, and of course pumpkins for pies and decorating!
I have three planters of Nasturtiums going ---and they all look great!
This is Radishes and onions. We usually have fruit for Mother's Day---not this year, it will be later for sure.
We got a notice from our community and county that serious Avian Flu has been found in the area, and we have been advised to turnover birdbaths and remove all bird feeders. So sad, it has hit the farmers in Illinois also.
We love our little tweety birds, so I filled an entire huge garbage can with dumped out feeders-(feed went to the garbage) filled it with water and quite a bit of bleach to kill any bacteria or virus that might left on them. They will be rinsed and stored, and used again when we have the all clear.
I'm sure the squirrels will be unhappy at not getting any 'leavings' on the ground, and the bunnies, too. Early AM I see a sweet bunny nibbling the thrown seeds and also the tender grasses created around our patio stones.
The Bleach---will kill the virus, even though it's the NOT-Green thing to do. Birds are very important to all ecology systems and need to be protected.
I can't wait for some Spring flowers...
My neighbors yard with the white Narcissus, so pretty.
Tomorrow the electrical power stack, meter, fuse panel, main power line, and line to the garage are all being REDOne by contractors. This is something we can't do ourselves. Tuesday and Wednesday roofers install a new roof and gutter system. They are even going to hook up our rain barrels, and work out proper drainage for our 'on a slight hill house'.
That's if the weather holds!
See you on the other side...of lots of money spent on nothing pretty.
OOPS---last minute addition
I got one long tray of Bachelor Buttons planted in the greenhouse and then....
WE HAVE TICKS in the GREENHOUSE---&#!@*!!!
More on that later!
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Sandi
I think I need rhubarb just to have something that finally GROWS! Isn't it pure joy to see all the daffs come out? And seeing yours, I'm wishing I'd started seeds! Looking good, Sandi!
ReplyDeleteJeanie, Isn't that the truth---it's been awful. Tomorrow we have frost forecasted again. so far behind! didn't get my peas in either. Hugs, Sandi
DeleteHi Sandy, We’re about 3 weeks behind weather-wise in comparison to previous years too. So smart to leave leaf litter to shelter those beneficial bugs, caterpillars and tender plants. Our hydrangeas took a hit with our roller coaster 40 degree temperature swings back in March. They’re just brown stalks as the new green growth was frost nipped twice. I picked up some seed packets for planting but haven’t opened them yet. I’m not surprised that there are fewer in number…shrinkflation like everything else! Hope it warms up for you soon. ♥
ReplyDeleteReally, I watch your blog and am always so jealous of your flowers. Crazy we did have heavy frost last night. LOL...Shrinkaflation---GRins, thanks so much for stopping by, Sandi
DeleteAlways a pleasure stopping by! Beautiful daffodills. Hugs and blessings.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Maristella. I should just take photos of my porcelains...cause I have no flowers other than the Daffy's, and the pansies in the greenhouse...we had heavy frost this morning! Yikes, Sandi
DeleteOh goodness Sandi, I can't imagine still dealing with snow! We've been in the 70s and 80s, daffodils are long gone and everything is blooming...I do admire your gardening skills and dedication, all I can do is paint flowers, I can't grow them :)
ReplyDeleteJenna
Jenna, it's now the 3rd of May and we are facing frost-kissing temps the rest of the week. We had one day of sunshine last week, its UGGHHHY. I'm thinking you have the right idea, paint flowers and leave it at that! Smiles and here's to some sunshine---someday! Sandi
DeleteWow, you have quite a production going on. How fabulous to be able to grow all of those veggies and herbs. It's been colder here in NJ than usual. I usually plant my flowers mid-May but at this rate, it's hard to believe it will warm up enough! We had a bad bird virus here last year, and also had to take away feeders. Happy to see all the usual birds back this year.
ReplyDeleteHi, Amy. It's been horrid here---no early May post, the tulips still haven't opened...UGH. Looking forward to your bird photos---my nuthatches are all but rapping on the windows for food...lol. Hugs, Sandi
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about the Avian flue. It's awful not to be able to enjoy the birds feeding but seeing Amy's comment above gives me hope that you'll be able to feed them once again someday. I hope that the week that has passed since you wrote this post has brought more growth in your garden and less soggy ground. I'm always amazed at the wide range of vegetables and herbs you grow there and how it all ends up being cooked in your beautiful kitchen. I hope the electrical and roofing contractors did a good job and you're pleased with the results--if not with the bill for it. Ouch, it does hurt!
ReplyDeleteHi, Dewena...sigh, it was a long week, we still aren't done. Weather (horrid) has interfered. Probably won't be done with the gutters until it weather cooperates. Electrical---took 5 days, LOL not 1. REALLY glad we decided to have them do everything. The greenhouse is just spinning it's wheels, we just haven't had sun or warm temps enough to make things thrive. Electrical was over 12K...because of the new lines to the house. Upside, the house is ready for the next 50 years! Grins, thanks for commiserating...LOL. Sandi
DeleteI'd been wondering where one of my comments got to, it seemed to have disappeared from your blog. About Joyce and the short story, The Dead. Then I realised I'd been looking in the wrong place. And that you'd gracefully - and enthusiastically - responded. Thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteOut of which a little maggot has grown. I take it, as a gardener, you're anti-maggot. Here's the thing: your re-comment ends with a compliment to me (Which is surely undeserved; I like to think I belong to the undeserving poor, as explained by Mr Doolittle in Pygmalion). You say: "always good to visit with you".
It's that preposition "with". There's a belief in the UK that Americans talk more snappily than Brits, that they don't waste words. Speaking as one who earned a living correcting the prose of - inter alia - professors at such Halls of Learning as MIT and UCLA, I have to say this isn't true. I've cut scads of stuff from their learned papers and they - I'm glad to say - have thanked me for my surgery. But never mind professors.
Whose idea was it that the verb "meet" required the preposition "with"? Here in the UK we say: "I met you." Many (most?) Americans appear to believe that this shorn-down sentence is too bare, and feel it necessary to say "I met with you." Well, who else? Just think of the wasted breath - zillions of puffs - the country could save.
Why am I addressing you about this? You've read Joyce and thereby know everything.
LOL-- I'm far from any sort of grammar winner. I was put in 'duh' English composition in college because of my inadequate skills and nearly did not make it out of there. As far as the sticky 'with', I unfortunately write as I speak, and then the Midwest falls out. My only writing skill is, I can put you 'there' into the skin and setting of the story---totally in incorrect grammar. And nice to have 'met' you---implies we have bumped heads in the pub or church, LOL, depending on your leanings. SM
DeleteSandie,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by!! We have finally had some nice weather here but I will wait to plant my flowers until right before Memorial Day as we have had frost a few days before ...Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Hi, Debbie. Yes, the weather is crazy. I actually closed the greenhouse tonight. We have no frost warnings, but it is a bit nippy unless the sun is out. Have a great week and thanks for the revisit-visit-revisit...LOL. Sandi
DeleteHi my dear friend. Have a lovely week ahead. I hope your days are warmer and beautiful. Today here is a gorgeous sunny day in Autumn...
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you, Dear one! Sandi
Delete