Dear Carol, Mary Ann and all other gardening friends,
I hope you had a good weather week. Other than the hail on April 6th, and the one cold, but not freezing night, I think we are “go” for spring. A couple of the tomatoes I planted too early have succumbed to hail damage. I knew I was planting them before I should, but I’d watched the weather for low nights and found none. Who expected a stupid hail storm? Not I.
So, today, I will pull them up, take the tags back to the store and buy new plants. Lesson learned again. Just wait. Although, we could still get another hail storm.
Meanwhile, most of the lettuces are on to their second set of leaves, and I planted a salad bowl on the deck with a few varieties including ‘Forellenschuss’ and a mix from Renee’s called Garden Babies, a butter head type.
The onions are also recovering from the hail which makes me glad, and the garden has a more full appearance than it did even a week ago. We can now plant beans, summer squash, corn, cucumbers and other warm weather seeds. I’ll get right on that.
A couple of new seed varieties I’m trying is Dragon Tongue bush bean, Little Dumpling and Tatume squashes, along with Little Fingers eggplant. In fact, I’m growing three varieties of eggplant, and if I find Fairy Tale somewhere, I’ll grow it too. Eggplant is one of my favorite vegetables especially the Thai and other Asian varieties.
As for squash, I think I counted nine varieties, some winter and some summer. Yes, I’m a bit obsessed, but who cares?
Til next time,
Dear Dee,
It’s good to see that Spring has found her way into your garden too. What a shame about that hailstorm that ruined your tomato plants. I sow mine and make sure I have backup in case something very unexpectedly (hello hailstorm) happens.
Our gardens are coming along in leaps and bounds at this time of year and there is much to do, most of it great fun.
Love your lilacs. Had bought a small shrub myself last year but I thought it had died during that cold winter we’ve had. Yesterday I noticed that it had some green buds so it is alive and kicking. What a relief!
Love,
Yolanda XX
.-= YolandaElizabet´s last blog ..Speed Weeding =-.
Those tulips are spectacular. Lucky you to be able to grow Lilacs. They are my favorite flower. Take a big whiff for me. I think their perfume is intoxicating. Hey, I’d say your veg garden is doing very well. Your casualties of hail were very low.
.-= Jenny B´s last blog ..The Crossing on Chisholm Trail =-.
“The lilacs are starting to bloom, and they serenade me as I plant and weed.”~~that is a beautiful image~Happy Spring, xxgail
.-= Gail´s last blog ..Good Morning Starshine =-.
Dee, Your lilacs are beautiful-don’t they make you smile? So glad you didn’t lose more to the hail. A couple of tomatoes isn’t bad. Your potage garden looks great and I wish I could taste all of your varities of squash. I love any kind.
I cant believe you are already planting tomatos etc outside, here in the Uk it will be about a month before we get to that point
I didn’t realize lilacs would grow/bloom where you live but I guess you get enough cold weather for them to bloom. At least you certainly did this year! Wish I had room for all the veggies you grow. I do remember having to replant tomatoes a time or two because of hail damage. Fingers crossed that’s the last one you’ll get (and me too).
.-= Jean´s last blog ..Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch… =-.
I’ve to a Dragon Tongue Bean, too. They just look so cool growing all speckled-y like that! Sometimes I laugh at what draws me to different plants and vegetables. BTW – your potager is awesome. I am green with envy! You must be loving it.
.-= Diana´s last blog ..Too many veggies to eat? Share the love. =-.
Dee, It is amazing how full the garden gets in a very short time. Like you, I tend to plant something too early, and like you I plant too much of my favorites. There is always the local food pantry to supply with the extras, thought. Love the lilacs. Pam
.-= Pam’s English Garden´s last blog ..April Flowers, August Temperatures =-.
The tulips and lilac are so beautiful.
Do you grow spaghetti squash?
.-= Sweet Bay´s last blog ..The Spring Rush =-.
I too get a little carried away when it comes to planting, but I figure I will find out which are the best producers in my area.
You’re going to be so sick of squash — but I love them and plan to plant too many, too. Even the form of the plant can be pretty, not to mention the tasty results. Those tulips are gorgeous. I love how you’ve combined them, to jewel-like effect. 🙂 Happy planting!
.-= Meredith´s last blog ..focus: week fourteen =-.
Happy to hear all was not lost, Dee. Everything looks so lush and green … your lilac shot is stunning. Go spring!
.-= joey´s last blog ..‘SOFTLY THE EVENING CAME …’ =-.
My squash list isn’t that long but I’m beginning to wonder where I’m going to put all the ones I want. 🙂 Love lilacs!!!!
.-= Gardener on Sherlock Street´s last blog ..Picnic Table Part 2 =-.