Monday Musings

  Spring is the time to revel in the soil and reap its benefits. While I begin planting summer crops, I enjoy the toils of prior years, as perennial plants flower. The Rosa rugosa bursts with blooms. A nearby pair of clematis intertwines. At their feet, shoots of cannas start to appear. Sprouts of potatoes fill potato boxes: Yukon gold, fingerling, and a purple variety. The strawberries peek from the mulch, creamy white petals portend sweet red fruit. My early spring garden thrives (L to R): (1) lettuce, snap peas, two types of carrots; (2) broccoli, nasturtiums, garlic, and white onions; (3) nasturtiums, red onions, spinach, and beets; and (4) tilled and ready for cucumbers, borage, and dill. I’ve tended to my dwarf fruit trees, pruning, fertilizing, and mulching. The question remains if the birds or I will win the battle for the fruit. In the greenhouse, vegetable seedlings (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant) and their companion basil flourish, awaiting the passing of the final frost, ...

My gardening has been on a hiatus due to health issues last fall that extended into early spring. I am back on my feet and eager to return to vegetable and perennial gardening. But first, I had to do much overdue fall garden cleanup: raking leaves, picking up downed branches, and pruning overgrown perennials.  The front porch is tidy and welcoming for humans and birds alike, with bird and hummingbird feeders, and hanging flower baskets. All three Clematis are in full bloom, Jackmanii the most prolific. A bright pink and light purple vine are recent additions that gradually fill their trellises. At the Clematis feet, a small birdbath provides water for wildlife, and Cannas leaves are beginning to emerge. In the orchard behind the carport, the hardy Rosa Rugosa and its clove scent welcome pollinating insects. Three Lavender shrubs are leafed and budded, and the bees are buzzing in anticipation. Perennial herbs are doing well: chives, oregano, dill, and borage. The asparagus is in its...