As mentioned in last year's garden thread about planning, I picked up two large tomato plants (one very large and one medium large... the expensive kind), variety Better Boy. The largest one is blossoming now.
I remember your plan to stage tomatoes and I think I will do the same to enjoy the crop for longer. We shouldn't plant here until after the 24th of May ... well, not without watching the thermometer and having a plan B for frost protection.
Brad "the butcher";15865259 said:
Chives, green onions and all my herbs are in full swing already. Going to start my spagetti squash and a few other hardy early starters next weekend. It is amazing how much produce with very little weeding I am getting.
My favourite squash to grow! Will you have a problem with powdery mildew in your climate or is there a variety that is resistant?
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To you mowers of grass and harvesters of kale -
So, it's spring in Ontario ...
On the 20th ... fresh snow on the garden. Since then we have had snow and rain and freezing rain, but not a lot of accumulation - perhaps 8 inches or so. Rain took a lot of what otherwise would have been deep. We are lucky with the latest storm front, not too much ice, but south of us there are still 100,000 homes without hydro and warnings that laden trees will be taking out more lines. The snowblower, today hunkering under an icy sheet of tarp, is not being put away just yet.
Before this past week of winter weather, the spring melt washing through an ancient culvert out near the roadway opened up a sinkhole in the lane. The contractor filled it in as a temporary fix and I am taking my chance on it, getting out and back in for now. Dez is always nearby to lend perspective ... :thumbup:
BUT ...
Robins have arrived. There is a lone, shy woodcock hanging in the woods close to the house ... which is great because this is one fascintating bird to watch. Too shy for pics so far.
Here, March can be spring or winter, but mostly both. Optimistically I prep for yard work even while keeping the snow removal equipment at hand. On March 17th, the river ice went out (about three weeks earlier than usual), the hillsides and laneway exposed to the South were almost bare but still frozen solid and most other areas remained snow covered.
So, while in between seasons, I have snowshoes about to be hung on the wall inside, snow shovels to the left soon to be put away ... and stakes ready to go into a garden fencing project as soon as the ground thaws. That's optimism.
During the sunny break before the storms, I pulled the burlap from the evergreens, yews and some perennials. I left the roses ... and young maple and locust tree trunks covered against sun scald for now. You can see the space in the lavender where one very tidy mouse made a snug nest again this year. I took it for my 'bug art' collection in the porch. This years mouse nest on left, last years (not so tidy) on right. I find amazing beauty in nests and plant tufts and insect under-bark trails.
Inside, spring is definitely underway in the south facing windows ... going for colour in the landscaping and wanting it in bloom early.
Bleeding heart from root.
Seedlings started ... shasta daisies, amaranth, snapdragons, salvia, marigold, portulaca, pansy, thunbergia, double petunia, astilbe and 5 types of nasturtiums. Heirloom tomato Bonny Best and hybrid Super Sweet 100.
Last years garden thread showed some wonderful, fluffy ornamental grass so I have started a bunch of it as well. Sweet basil and wild (from gathered seed) and hybrid columbine.
In a huge tree pot, I have planted morning glory that will climb 8 ft high to wrap the porch column in giant leaves and blooms. At the base of the morning glory, the crystal palace lobelia will arch out covered in in hundreds of stunning blue flowers. You can tell I dream in technicolour.
Morning glory planted Mar 14, sprouts on 17th, tall with lobelia seedlings 25th.
As soon as the weather is warm enough, all these plants plus all the overwintered geraniums will go into my trailer so that they can soak up the sunshine during the day and be rolled back into the shop overnight. That's when I get my house back.
BTW, the sun shines here as I write
