Spring flowers

Spring garden,
originally uploaded by pollyalida.

Thanks to the cool weather, the spring flowers have lasted quite nicely. These tulips have surprised me, coming back for several years now. And the bleeding heart is beautiful. Funny, I don't remember planting it, but there it is, so I must have planted it.

The crabgrass is starting to sprout, so I've put another layer of Garden's Alive WOW corn gluten weed killer/fertilizer down. And I've been scratching at the big bare patches to keep the weeds disturbed.

Also put down some organic grub killer. Hope that will start to control that problem, though the lawn really looks terrific right now. In fact, it looks like a lush green forest. Time for the first mowing.

I know where you planted the parsley!

I know where you planted the parsley!,
originally uploaded by pollyalida.

It's hard to hate this bunny. She (he?) is spending lots of time eating clover in the lawn right outside my office. She's out there right now. But I suspect she is also the critter that ate all my new parsley plants. Fortunately, she hasn't found the peas or beans... yet. Time to spray with red pepper!

First weekend in the garden

It's been a weekend of beautiful weather. Sunshine and warm. The daffodils are blooming and the forsythia burst into full bloom today. The peas and beans are planted, as are the morning glory and moon flower seeds. And one lonely tomato is in a big pot, surrounded by a warm plastic wall-o-water. The deck is scrubbed and has been christened with the first glass of wine of the season. Being outside and pottering in the garden on a fine day is my idea of heaven.

Bean Tower

Doug has often mentioned how, as a kid growing up in England, he loved broad beans fresh from the garden. So this year, broad beans it is! And of course, that was a great excuse to try out this bean tower. It assembled quite easily and looks like it will be a space saver. Seeds ready to be planted tomorrow are:

• Crimson Flowered Fava/Broad Bean (Thompson & Morgan)
• Stereo Fava/Broad Bean (Thompson & Morgan)
• Oregon Sugar Pod II - Sugar Peas (Thompson & Morgan)
  

First foray into the compost heap

Today was the beginning of compost season. Yay! I moved all of the fresh debris out of bin 1. That left the bin about 2/3rds full of good compost, though some of it was still frozen. Still, I got most of it out and ready to use. Spread some on the transplanted rhubarb plants and the rest went into the hole where the beans will grow.

This 3 wire bin system came from Gardeners Supply and hides behind an old stone fireplace & wall. It's a bit awkward to get to the bins, so someday we'll pull down the old wall. The wall, remnant of previous owners, is neither lovely nor functional at this point. Tomorrow it may be compost day 2! Need to move the contents of the other bins, harvest the good compost in them and then rebuild the heaps and get them cooking!

Seeds Sprouted!

After only 72 hours, the Sun Gold and Yellow Stuffer tomato seeds sprouted. A day later, the SunGold tomatoes and celery root were catching up the next day. Amazing.