{ poppy seeds I scattered absentmindedly at the end of last year are beginning to bloom for the first time }
When we moved into our new place our teeny tiny yard was just grass. I dug a narrow bed half the length of our fence and slowly filled it with the plants we'd brought with us plus random new ones I'd pick up here and there. My impulse buys quickly filled the empty spaces and I started adding length each time I'd bring a new plant home, until soon, the bed spanned the length of our fence and there was no where else to go.
{ Mr. fig is just starting to show leaves -- I may keep him in his pot so I can maximize his sun exposure by moving him around }
It's really not like me to go without a plan. If anything, I over plan! But I'm happy with the way our little garden has come together. It's not perfect. And it's no where near complete. But there is no pressure and it's allowed me to enjoy it more. There are definitely things I'd like to change, plants I'd like to move, and things I've changed my mind about.
For example, I've realized I enjoy daffodils in open fields of grass, and cut in a vase on my desk, but not really growing in my little garden. ...Elsie disagrees.
This is a Pink Lemonade Blueberry plant. I picked one up at the Root Cellar for a friends birthday and Elsie insisted we have one of our own. The berries are said to be sweeter and less tart than the blue variety. This variety doesn't require a partner to be productive which is ideal in our limited space. I love the pink-tipped buds.
{ primula -- one of last years impulse buys! }
{ the oregano has come back soft and bushy -- I love running my fingers over it }
I've also just planted the first seeds of the season in preparation for this years vegetable garden in the communal plots. If you're not sure when to do what, the planting charts from West Coast Seeds are invaluable, I use them every year.
{ I've started these seeds indoors on a small window ledge }
{ These seeds will be planted directly outdoors, I've organized them by month }
Are you making plans yet for this years garden? I'd love to hear what you plan on growing!
...oh and don't forget we're giving away a deluxe set of Knitter's Pride interchangeable needles! Get your entry in before tomorrow!!!
...oh and don't forget we're giving away a deluxe set of Knitter's Pride interchangeable needles! Get your entry in before tomorrow!!!
I'm intrigued by the Pink Lemonade blueberries -- never heard of them before!
ReplyDeleteI'm an apartment-dweller with only a balcony, but I am over-ambitious with everything, including gardening, lol. Last year (my first), I grew pac choi, peas, Swiss chard, bush beans, carrots, a mesclun blend, baby Romaines, tomatoes (a fantastic tumbler and one small patio-variety "regular" one that was a dud), herbs, strawberries, a zucchini and a cucamelon/mouse melon.
This year, I've gone insane, and am planning all of the above save the strawberries (they were ok, but the ones at the farmers' market are tastier, and space is at a premium) and the cucamelon (also super-yum, but I had pollination problems, and hand-pollinating the teeny-tiny flowers took a lot of work). Different tomato varieties, and possibly some beets, too. Oh and spring onions, and...
As I said, I'm a little nuts. :-)
Oh my goodness you are AH-mazing!!!! I thought I was over-zealous with my patio gardening when we were in an apartment but you are 10 times the patio gardener I ever was. I'm so excited that it was such a success that you're doing most everything again this year! I'm so inspired by you!
DeleteI was so inspired by this post I rushed over to the root cellar to pick up veggie starters (kale, strawberries, snap peas) a few new herbs, as well as a pile of West Coast Seeds. I splurged on sweet pea seeds this year as they are one of my favourites. xo
ReplyDeleteYay! That's exactly why I posted!! It's that time--let's get ready! I love sweet peas too. Elsie and I ride our bikes along the goose and pick them to take home.
Deleteoh wow, over here in Ontario where everything is still brown with chunks of crusty, dirty snow, your photos are impossibly lush- that oregano looks so soft! And the colour of that poppy...swoon.
ReplyDeleteIsn't the poppy amazing! It's the only one so far but it's stunning! And we really do have some of the mildest weather in Canada, I feel so fortunate. You can live vicariously through me until all of your snow is gone :)
DeleteI say knit what makes you happy! Not only does this mean knitting things you like, but work with yarn and needles that you enjoy too. Isn't that the point? Thanks for a great giveaway chance!
ReplyDeleteKendra don't forget to leave a comment on the giveaway post for a chance to win!
Deletethat white primula is divine. I am impressed by how organized your seeds are, by the month -- great idea.
ReplyDeleteMy first year here on the island I had amazing tomatoes in pots. But the past 2 years they've been a bomb. So no more tomatoes. But I love salad green and herbs in my pots. Blooming in my yard right now are daffodils (crocus are finished), heather, hellebores, camellias, and the tulip magnolia. Tulips are already in bud.
Tomatoes are hit and miss depending on the year -- our summers aren't always the warmest or the longest. Regardless, I grow them every year in the off chance it might be a good season :) Very jealous of your magnolia, they are glorious this time of year.
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