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| Mini Daffodils |
The title of this installment could be "The Soggy Saga of Thistledown Gardens".
Our weather, with the exception of three days has been cool and wet. Granted, we haven't experienced any flooding, but there's nowhere you can walk without hearing "squish".
In spite of the weather, we've been busy with spring tasks.
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| Garden is open! |
The garden season has begun!
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| The first harvest |
We've had our first harvest! This is lettuce and chervil that self seeded last autumn. I always leave some to go to seed so we can have an early "free" harvest. We're still picking from this. It helps to bridge the vegetable gap we begin to experience at this time of year.
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| Planting begins |
I've sown peas, lettuces and spinach already.
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| Peas coming up |
The peas are up but not climbing yet. Some of the lettuce and spinach are up as well.
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| Chieftan seed potato |
Three types of potatoes have been planted.
Of course, expert help is always appreciated.
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| Cat acts in advisory capacity |
Many of the potatoes are emerging now.
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| French Fingerling up |
I've set out my cool weather starts: cabbage, Asian greens, chard, kale, lettuce, celery and parsley.
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| Ready for planting |
Today I set out my tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and zinnias. If nights get cool next week, I'll have to cover them.
While I've been busy with the garden, Bob's been attending to his chores.
He sprayed the apple trees with clay to keep the insects off of the forming apples.
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| Shiitake logs ready to grow |
His Shiitake logs are all stacked and ready for the season.
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| Sycamore seedlings |
Two years ago, he sowed some seeds for Sycamore trees.
He has now transplanted six of the seedlings to various locations on our property.
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| Planted seedling |
Currently, he's replenishing the cedar mulch around our back seating area.
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| Fresh mulch |
We participated in a protest in a small neighboring village on May Day. We finished just before the daily rain came.
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| May Day rally in Ovid |
We had three really nice days this month. On April 24th, we walked a portion of the Black Diamond Trail in Ithaca.
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| Along the Black Diamond Trail |
The second beautiful day was Mother's Day. We decided to stay at home and walk on our own property.
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| Walking our property |
We also just spent much of the day relaxing on our porch reading, listening to the birds and enjoying the fragrances of spring.
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| A good book and a lovely day |
Our summer birds are returning. The Hummingbirds returned on May 1st. The Orioles are back and have already gone through two 32oz jars of grape jelly. The Towhees are back and the Wood Thrush are singing in the woods. We really enjoy the birds.
Within the next month the garden planting will be finished and hopefully the weather will be more consistently pleasant.
Happy Spring.
Until next time,
Kathleen and Bob
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| Red Currant in bloom |
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| Jack in the Pulpit |
