Sunshine! Growth!

Finally, the sun has been out and I've managed to get most all the planting done, with the exception of the peppers.  They're not ready for transplanting yet.  I started them later this year than normal since I took up so much of my cellar seeding space and time with flowers - something I don't plan to do again.  Then again, plans have a way of morphing and changing in my world.

I'm finally getting some red-stemmed rhubarb!  The plants I rescued from a crowded patch of my mother's that wasn't being allowed to grow properly are gorgeous.  They don't have these red leaves in the old patch, so it's a wonderful surprise.

I don't know what variety they are - neither does my mother.  The starts from seed of 'Holstein' and 'Cherry Red' varieties that I put out this year are small, but growing nicely.  Their stems are quite red, but their leaves as yet are green.  I'll be interested to see if they, too, turn red when they're more mature.

The red-veined sorrel that was so slow to start is finally getting serious.  I have a few of them still in small 4" pots, and they really don't like to be exposed to full sun.  These are in the semi-shady part of the garden, and they seem to be managing okay.

They're transplants from seeds I started indoors, hence the nice spacing. I also had seeded some directly into the garden at the time I planted the lettuce, but it didn't seem any would germinate.  I've noticed a couple that finally did, but they're barely even visible at this point.

I love this 'Rocky Top'  lettuce mix from Baker Creek Seeds.

The only drawback is that I have no idea what each variety is.  They're all marvelous, though.  Look at this cute thing.

I've already made two sewings from this one packet of seeds, as well as saved some for late summer planting in hopes of a fall crop when these have gotten old and bitter.

The cabbages have taken off, but no heads are apparent yet.  I've noticed cabbage loopers in the area and a few holes in some leaves, so I've started a regiment of applying Dipel dust.  Dipel is the brand name for a formulation of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis).  Bt pesticides are the protein crystals of a bacteria that kills only caterpillars (by actually physically cutting holes in their guts and then growing like a cancer - sorry everybody).  It's not harmful to any other beneficial insects or animals,and it has no effect on the plant.  DO wash it off before eating, of course (not that it would hurt you, but, yuck).  I have to admit, I do like to watch the white loopers flitting around.  They're among the very first butterflies and moths to appear in the spring.

The Chinese cabbages are in dire need of thinning, but I still can't bring myself to do it.  It looks so pretty!  A visiting neighbor suggested thinning them by eating  some of them like lettuce while waiting for the remainder to make heads.  We tried some.  The leaves are kind of rough but taste like Chinese cabbage - imagine that! - so I guess it could be done.

(l) 'Early Jersey Wakefield' cabbage, interplanted with Marigolds and Nasturtiums

(r) Chinese cabbage 'Hilton'

That same lady commented that my carrots were awfully thick.  

And here I was proud of myself for getting such a nicely spaced stand this year.  She should have seen last year's thicket!

The tatsoi and arugula are harvestable, so I've got lots of makings for lovely mixed green salads.

Tatsoi

The "shady" end of the garden: cabbages and leafy greens, beets in the back (upper left) just germinating

And...a favorite reward...raw tender baby peas!

This is the first year I tried this variety of peas.  Very tasty.  Loaded with pods.  No trellis needed!  'Improved Maestro' will definitely be the choice of the future.

The cucumbers and zucchini are putting out true leaves.  I'm still skeptical of the zucchini in the tomato cage, but I'm also willing to be impressed if they actually grow nicely in there.

Tomatoes are in (interplanted with marigolds).  I'll give them a little while to get going and then put cages around them.

I've got five rose bushes in my new rose garden, and Shazam! is the first to bloom.

I couldn't resist this birdfeeder for the wildflower garden.  The birds, however, are resisting it just fine.

A lot of work, but oh so satisfying

 View from the rose garden

 And the other rewards of spring...

Roses, Siberian iris, Columbine, Peony, chives, Missouri primrose, 

and whatever that white filler plant is!

Water, Water Everywhere

I had planned to be planting the summer crops yesterday, but I've been put on hold by the weather.  From April 25-May 1, we got 5.75 inches of rain.  Three and 3/4 of that came on April 29.  I can't even scrape the weeds, it's so muddy.  I'm worried about the Salvia in the rose garden, because I don't think it likes soggy ground. I know it doesn't like cool weather, and yesterday seemed downright cold, with the high not even reaching 50 degrees!  That plot of soil was still wet when I uncovered it early this spring after sitting all winter under black plastic to deter weeds.  I hope the roses and herbs can handle it.  I have been amending the holes I dig for them with humus and manure, so hopefully that's been enough to keep the roots from drowning.

So far, the vegetables that I've already planted are holding their own and at least not under water.  The forecaster says we're to get another three inches (!) of rain tomorrow and the following day.  I'm building an ark.

My 20 little Lisianthus plants were not so lucky.  They were in a low spot at the edge of the garden, and were under water when I went out during a break in the rain a couple of days ago.  I had no choice but to dig them out and put them in some semi-dry potting soil until the rain is over and I can get enough soil from my compost pile to raise that low spot.  It stayed under water for almost two days.  I also had to dig up a new rhubarb plant that was nearby.  The compost pile itself is eroding from all the rain, so I don't know how long before I can get into that.

the Lisianthus patch completely under water 

20 Lisianthus dug up and repotted

Flooding at the northwest corner of the vegetable garden, and down the wildflower path 5/1/17

I tried to trench some water away from the Lisianthus so I didn't have to dig them up, but it wasn't working.  The water table was at the surface.

Although we've had lots of rain in the few years I've been gardening here (last year's onion and cucumber crops rotted), this is my first flooding.  The vegetable garden is on high enough ground that it drains well.  Still, there's a limit to what it can hold.  Fortunately, it hasn't flooded, but tomorrow may take care of that.  Fingers crossed.  Then I have to hope for enough sun and wind to start drying things up before the small plants' roots rot from being waterlogged.

It's a good thing I don't have to survive from the produce in my garden. What a layer of Hell is added to people's lives where there are no grocery stores or highways, not to mention property rights.  Let's don't go down that road in this blog.

The chives still look happy.

The Hostas are glorious.

As are the Clematis.

And the aphids in the wildflower garden are having a party.

They seem to be limiting their destruction to this one type of plant - and I believe it's the yellow coneflower, Ratibida pinnata.

I must get back to that ark.  Hope to see you in a couple of days.

UPDATE 3 hours later:  The weather forecast now predicts just under two inches of rain the next two days.  If they change it again, I hope it's in that same direction.

UPDATE 9am the following morning:  Sadly, they've revised it back upwards to 2.3 inches.  Still better than 3.  We shall see.

FINAL UPDATE:  The total turned out to be one inch.  It was more than we needed, but it was a relief from the probability we were expecting.