Tuesday, May 06, 2014

This Morning in my Garden



Warning: Picture heavy post. Technically my garden is outside, but I'm beginning my wander with some indoor photos. Tomato plants enjoying the light by the patio door. They are growing so well. I think I might risk putting them into the greenhouse this week. I'm a little cautious that way. 
 

I've been saving egg shells. It's been a little tricky opening the eggs without cracking them right in half. Tapping the narrow end to crack, then gently prying away pieces with my fingers has been messy, but I've wanted to have as large an egg shell remaining for starting seeds. On my windowsill the basil popped out yesterday. Are they not so very cute? Bachelor's buttons are stretching upwards, but the butternut squash seeds are still asleep. 

If you try this: Be sure to rinse out the egg shells well. It's easiest to do this just after emptying the shell. A faint odor that had me sniffing under the sink, the dishcloth, and the garbage container was finally traced to my starter shells. Once filled with dirt and water - well, just a warning! I have another tray to start and those shells have been rinsed and washed and rinsed again.
 

Now we head outside, through the garage door onto the patio, past the barbecue shelter and herb garden. Peony buds are promising lots of beauty in the days to come. I'm in no hurry. There's a plethora of enjoyment in the garden these days.
 

Tiny cherries forming. Netting will be on our shopping list soon.
 

It won't be long before we'll be eating these - like in a day or two. Another raised bed holds garlic, planted last fall, now growing tall and green. I've made a rhubarb pie and a rhubarb crumble from fresh stalks. Three slender asparagus stalks were grilled briefly over the weekend and added to our dinner plates.
 

Blueberry bushes in the foreground, a pyramid of strawberry plants in the background, and to the right, the bean towers still taking their winter rest.
 

This is what makes me think the greenhouse is warm enough for tomatoes - a volunteer cucumber plant already getting its second/third leaves. And the plastic hasn't even been lowered. 
 

Growing along the fence, over the compost bins. Our neighbour's neighbourly grapevine. 
 

Rounding the last corner now, apricots are forming. In our climate the apricots need full rain cover. So....
 

Here's a photo of the south-facing wall, built above a natural stone wall in our lower yard. The cloth covers our Meyer Lemon tree. You can see a few lemons peeking out at the bottom. We'll take the cloth off next month. To the right of the lemon tree is the apricot tree. In the foreground, not under cover, is our raspberry bed, flourishing green and lush. 
 

Now we'll head back up the slope along the patio. A stop to sniff the lilacs and take another lilac photo.
 

And finally, the chives, in bloom. This particular clump is not in the allotted herb garden, but really, who cares?

I fairly danced with excitement after this walk through my yard. It's a regular suburban back yard, but it's filled with promise just now. Am I this excited every spring? I can't remember. I'll just enjoy it.

What's new in your garden? 

24 comments:

  1. Such a sweet and beautiful morning..
    Big hugs x

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  2. Well done you! It's so great to see our hard work emerging and the production beginning. I always get excited when our grapevine starts growing so I can make dolmades again! Have a great week xx

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  3. I thoroughly enjoyed this little garden tour. It's all happening so fast right now, isn't it? I'm finding if I don't get out there and have an up close look it's very likely I'll miss out. Yesterday I went to clip some knock out roses only to discover the first blooms on the iris, peony and Double Delight rose.
    I like the way you protected your Meyer Lemon. How exciting to have all of those lemons to look forward to.

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  4. How lucky you are to have a large garden and grow your own fruit and veggies as well. Love your pretty lilacs too. Thanks for visiting my lilac garden!

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  5. I bet you were...in Christ, all things are new!! fun to see what's about to bloom and what is blooming there. What about this greenhouse you mention??? I dream of having one. One day...maybe.

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  6. I really enjoyed the walk around your garden. I could smell those lilacs!

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  7. To see all your garden you would not think its a regular suburban back yard. You are making the most of it and you'll have a lot of fun when the harvesting starts!

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  8. How delightful and a wonderful promise for the days ahead. You must have green fingers as the saying goes !

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  9. There is a lot of promise in the garden this time of year. I'm just heading out to make a tour of my own yard. You inspired me.

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  10. Wonderful growth going on with the fruit, veggies, and blooming flowers. The lower branches of the forsythia bush are blooming. It's so chilly and we are so far behind.

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  11. Thank you so much for those lovely photos....but do you mind if I am a tad envious? I received my seed order in the mail but I'm afraid we are not nearly close to planting anything this year...maybe that's okay as I am spending many hours with my Mom in hospital...

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  12. The chives sure are a pretty color. I have a vase of roses from our flower bed right now. It's green and lush here already...and hot! lol Hugs!

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  13. What a lovely garden...and what an array of plants you grow and enjoy! I am wondering if you planned and planted it all yourselves, or did you add to an existing garden. I don't have an eye for garden planning or landscaping, thus my curiosity. :)

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  14. I enjoyed your tour of the garden Lorrie. You have lots of different things growing and it all looks so healthy already. My chives are about 4 inches tall now. That's a start. :) Have a great Wednesday.

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  15. I have a similar plan for an upcoming post -- took a wander through the garden with my camera today. Of course, I'm not nearly as clever with the camera as you are, nor do I have the veggies growing. Love visiting yours -- always an inspiration!

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  16. Oh such a lovely tour of your yard and gardens - isn't spring just the best up here? So green and fresh.

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  17. Right at this moment, I'm sitting by a window and can hear the birds chirping outside. It made the most wonderful sound effect to this post. I love a garden and wish that my thumb were greener. Apparently, mine is not only brown but lazy to boot. I have little to nothing growing that God himself didn't plant.

    I've always wanted to try the egg shell starters because I use a lot of egg (whites).
    Never have. Apparently, it's the lazy thing again.

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  18. Such fun to see everything coming alive! We don't grow vegetables any more ... our yard is just too shaded
    and I'm not much of a gardener, but I do love the little checks on the peach tree, the grapevine, the plum tree and the blackberries we still have... and all the perennials, so fresh every spring.
    Your little egg shell garden is very cute!

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  19. Oh, Lorrie, your gardens are gorgeous and with so many varieties of plants! I would love to be able to grow as much as you. My chives aren't open yet but soon! And, yes, one must stop a sniff the lilacs ~ so wonderful and so short lived.

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  20. So many lovely things in your garden. I think your climate might be warmer than ours at the minute.

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  21. I get this excited every year. Oh your garden tour is making me more excited. I must do a tour soon. I had no idea you could keep a meyer lemon over winter as far north as you are, or for the matter apricots. Now I am going to be bugging my "live-in gardener" to plant them. We have kale just about ready to pick and garlic that was planted last fall too. How very exciting!

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  22. Your garden is lovelyl and filled with beauty and colorful blooms too!

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  23. Anonymous12:26 PM

    When I am indoors contemplating all the weeds and work outside, I'm not excited, but only tired. But as soon as I go out there and see the buds and shoots, I can't help myself, and I start taking pictures and driving to the nursery for plants. Spring is good for the soul.

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  24. LOVE your garden Lorrie! I am fascinated by your eggshell plant starter method...might try that.
    Blessings, Aimee

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