Spring is here?

Today could be categorized as a typical upstate spring.  One day it is 72 and sunny, the next it is 34 and raining to beat the band.  The last few days have been the latter.  Not very pleasant and not conducive to gardening.  If you go out for more than a few seconds you are soaked to the bone.

I am reading a book about permaculture in our northeastern climate.  It is very interesting and has me really thinking about our own yard.  I have been working hard on getting it cleaned up over the years (with the help of family of course) and the thought of filling it up again is kind of funny.  Of course the idea is to fill it with edible and useful plants and trees, not weeds and ugly brush.  So the ideas are swirling around and slowly embedding themselves.  I am not sure my husband will enjoy the added work I have in mind, but the end result will be well worth it.

I thought I would share some pictures of our spring day.

This is my kitchen garden. Last year it held tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. this year will be the same with a few additions.  It does need to be worked, if it ever stops raining long enough.

This is my flower garden. It is looking a little sad right now. I have a clematis which grows up the trellis, they are beautiful light blue flowers.

This is my bulb garden. It has crocus, daffodil and tulips. they have been spreading nicely over the last few years.

This was the old garden on the property. It is a nice flat area out of the water but it is too close to the woods and critters who would like to share my harvest. It does still produce blackberries and my compost pile resides here.

This is our lake, I mean backyard. It was almost dried up a few days ago, and then it rained. I would love to make this space more useable but it is difficult because it floods every year.  In the foreground is the remainder of the old chicken coop we had to take down.

The other half of the back yard.

My Wegelia bush. It is beautiful when it is in full bloom. It produces reddish leaves and deep pink elongated bell flowers. The best part is they are deer resistant. It has grown considerably since I purchased it years ago.

I hope you enjoyed the partial tour of my water logged property.  Hopefully soon I will be able to post pictures of a more productive area.  Happy planting!

Garden Fever

It has been beautiful here for the last few days. I am itching to get my garden ready and the seedlings planted. It will be another few weeks before they can safely go in the ground, but the little greenhouse may get moved outside so they can harden off. It really is an exciting process. You plant a tiny seed, care for it, pray they all come up, and watch them grow.   Sharing it with your children is another added bonus.  Watching them get excited about the baby plants is wonderful.  The first time you eat from one of your plants is so fulfilling. It is almost addicting.

This greenhouse is wonderful. The plants grow like mad in it.

The cucumbers are separated and most are growing tall and strong. A few are struggling, but I am hoping they will survive. I would love to get some pickles made this year.

The tomatoes are growing very well. They need to be separated as well, but I don’t think I have enough room in my greenhouse for all of them.

The peppers are growing as well. They are a little slower as they are ready for harvest later in the season.

My little strawberry plants are adorable. They are growing slowly but surely. Who would have thought that the plants started out as teeny as they are.

It is hard to see all of them in this picture. They all seemed to grow on one side.

Next week the greenhouse will be moved outside for hardening off. I will miss them inside, but it is time. I will plant some pumpkins, zucchini, and sugar snap peas to have an earlier harvest and sow the rest in the ground. My nasturtiums and marigolds are getting really tall and ready to go out as well. I will also plant morning-glory seeds which my mother saved from her flowers last year. It is such a great feeling to share things you have grown.

This year I am going to try using Epsom Salts as a fertilizer.  I have read that it helps your plants grow stronger.  I have also read if you spray them on your pepper flowers it will make them fruit sooner.  This is another theory I will have to try.

Last year my mother was given Fred (a cherry tomato plant) This year she will receive Fredericka. Maybe a cucumber plant will adopt her as well and possibly a pepper or flower or two. That is part of the joy of gardening to me. Not only the fresh produce, but hearing how others enjoy theirs. I will also be sharing with my in-laws and my best friend this year.  We will see what else this planting season brings.

Happy Planting!