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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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