Well, among the many things that took place over the weekend (more later I hope), I found a good chunk of time for some gardening. The primary objective on Saturday was to prepare the ground and plant some young plants for future vegetable goodies. I planted three types of squash, three types of tomato, two types of corn, and harvested some peppers from the pepper tree (I might plant some as seeds for new pepper trees, since they are so beautiful) as it is producing a huge new crop already.
I’ve also planted three types of peas. Here are some pictures (click for a bit larger). In one picture, you can see the feeds from the drip system I told you about earlier, which will be re-buried once everything is in place….
There was also a lot of trimming. A Rosemary bush had gone wild and needed to be curtailed a bit, as was a giant lemon tree from next door that was producing too much shade by leaning over on my side. I got several tasty lemons for my trouble.
Much more to do, though, much more to do…
Are you planting anything indoors or out?
-cvj
If there is a change in climate afoot, its upside, albeit perhaps a transient one, is the clarity of conscience with which we can claim to have grown corn, tomatoes, squashes and, most excitingly, chillies in the UK that might possibly rival SB produce. Last year’s chillies were particulalrly fine; pace JC: they were hot. Even the son-in-law, who hails from Trinidad, admitted to their having more than their fair share of poke. Who knows what 2007 might bring; a pineapple pit (c.f. Helligan) is currently under construction.
One of the things I miss about the southern US is the wide variety of vegetables served there. You didn’t say what varieties of squash you’re planting. My favorite is a yellow crookneck squash.
It grows in Seattle well. I like to slice it 1/4″ thick and fry it in a small amount of butter. My meat eating Seattle friends actually fought over this dish.
JoAnne:- Wow! That sounds quite amazing indeed!
-cvj
I am planting my tomatoes outside this weekend! (wanted to do it last weekend, but it was cold & rainy.) I started the seeds end of February and now have dozens of healthy tomato plants (and a few not-so-healthy ones). I am planting a record 28 tomato plants, 18 different varieties. This is an experimental year for me, to see which types of tomatoes do well in my climate. During the course of the summer, I will also be building a greenhouse/critter repellent enclosure for them.
Yes, peppers look great! I planted a pod of peas on my window sill in NY and to my surprise one of them is growing. But my experience is that they never grow to full size unfortunately.
I also have an orange that I planted a while back and it is doing not too bad. Recently it grew a huge leaf, totally out of proportion, much greater than the others and now it is not doing anything. Maybe I’ll post a picture sometime like you do. Thanks also for that great photo of the rose a couple of days ago.
How hot are the peppers? They do look good.
Man those peppers look great. I think I’m going for Thai food now.
I have been planting lots of perennials, including delphiniums, penstemon and digitalis. I’m trying to create a country garden effect (even though I live in deepest suburbia). We’re also working on our kitchen garden, but so far have concentrated on herbs as we can’t decide on which vegetables to plant! We could do with a drip system as it has been worryingly dry lately. I was quite pleased with myself as I recently picked up a leaflet at the garden centre about water management in the garden and found I was already doing most of the things suggested. Your garden looks wonderful as ever!
Yesterday, with a surprisingly nice warm front passing through, the leaves finally came out on most of the trees (the fruit trees just blossomed a week ago). The tulips opened after the last freeze (four days ago). and the narcissus/daffadils are only now rising up. And you, you are picking ripe fruits and vegetables. Oh the agony of living so far north.
But wait, aaaaaahh that’s it. We have water, snowpak, long-long days in summer, and relatively little in the way of air pollution. mmmmmm I think i will stay with the later springs.
No planting, but I have orchids about to flower in my kitchen window! And the fuchsia on my porch is starting to bud again. Your garden looks lovely; maybe I’ll get one of my own someday!
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