Again, long time, no post. I think it's because it takes awhile at this time of the year for things to get shakin'! Alas, the lack of winter rains and surplus of sunshine is moving the garden along into spring in high gear.
I ventured out in the yard today to take an assessment. Four things outside confirmed we are in for an early spring-and possible problems. The first picture below is of the "violet carpet". It is actually on a normal schedule, as the violets bloom in late winter. These are true violets, the ones that the French make perfume out of and they do smell wonderful indeed. The second picture is of the winter Hellebore, again, blooming at the correct time of year. When the Hellebores bloom profusely, as they have this year, that tells me that we had sufficient cold for the fruit trees to produce. That's good. However I moved along to the tree peony and saw the new huge flower buds-about 20 days too early. The tree peony typically blooms on my birthday, April 16. I have no doubt that it will be blooming before the end of March. I happened along to the Blenheim apricot-starting to bloom. This is at least 20, and probably 30, days too early. It still could set fruit by wind pollination, but typically it relies on bees, which are starting to come out, but still not quite here. It's frustrating because there are so many fruit buds on the tree, but I'm not sure that the conditions are going to allow fruit set. Ah, the life of the backyard farmer!
Meanwhile the "greenhouse" in the garage is moving fast. The cucumbers are growing full speed ahead and will be ready for planting in less than a month. Normally, I would never plant cucumbers in April, but this year I think I will be able to. One benefit of a early spring I guess. The tomatoes are moving along as well, especially the crazy Cherokee Purple. I am going to have so many of these plants if they transplanted well. The pic with the netting seed start pots shows the vigorous CP in the back and the slower Brandywine in the front. The next pic below that shows the CP I transplanted today, making sure to cover the seed leaves (the first leaves sprouting from the seed) to ensure strong roots. The watermelon are just now popping up and will grow slowly, so I'm glad I started those now. The pumpkins are the "Sugar Pie" kind, great for eating, small, and not impressive for decoration, but it's all about food this year.
The great thing about a blog is I don't have to be out in the garden at the moment, wondering where to start working. The bad thing is I have to go do that work right now...I'll get my Vitamin D and be happy about it!
YOU HAVE BEEN BUSY! This is fun to follow your busyness.
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