April is here and Spring is showing some signs of arrival. We have had a wet winter, heavy snow in spring, record river levels, and below average temperatures. Even though the yard is snowier and wetter than last year, things don't seem to be too far behind.
Above is a photo of ladybugs in the south foundation bed -- it was actually taken March 20. It is interesting to see this bed come to life first...the beetles are the first moving insect of the garden! I really must make better use of this early bed with its heat.
No outdoor seeding yet, things are way too wet still. I will try to transplant some lettuce this year and see if we get salads sooner than direct sowing. If that works, then I will repeat again.
(lettuce seedlings, 7 days old on 4/5/2009)
Cool-season transplants are growing nicely...
(early cool-season seedlings on 4/5/2009)
Some are chomping at the bit to be put out. I may start some hardening off so they can go in as soon as the garden is ready. I see some round swiss chard leaves, and the kohlrabi and kale are hard to tell apart at this point (kale is on the end).
(closer view of seedlings on 4/5/2009)
But, as you see - that last 12 inches of snow is holding on still. That is probably good though as the river levels are still falling (they will rise again come this weekend maybe). I do know it is spring...robins are singing, staying in the trees - what is up with all that white?
(snow from late March storm 4/5/2009)
This is the first vegetable showing its green. Walking onions I planted last year. I am hoping they will take off in their second season. I think I will be happy with this perennial giving a yearly supply.
(walking onions 4/5/2009)
In the south bed, day-lilies are sprouting nicely. They are a bit water-logged this spring, but about as tall as last year.
(day-lily in southern bed 4/5/2009)
I think this some kind of crocus I planted last fall. Either way it was planted last fall and it is coming up now.
(bulb in southern bed 4/5/2009)
I'm getting excited to get out and plant and see what is coming back under the snow!
16 comments:
Isn't it great to see signs of life in the garden? Your seedlings look very healthy.
BTW, I love walking onions. Sometimes I just leave the seed heads in a pot all winter and they are still alive and grow-able in the spring, with tiny green shoots coming out of them. Hardy lot, they are.
Connie...It is always amazing to see how things stay alive through the cold -- some seem to grow magically under the warmer spring snow.
This will be the first season to taste the walking onions...If they pass, I will really love their hardiness.
It's so great to see some signs of green after a snowy winter. I haven't tried the walking onions yet but they are on my garden wish list. I am eager to hear how they work for you.
Before the last snow, I saw some green in my lambs ear and dianthus. With weather in the 50s this weekend, I hope more will peek out!
Hi Chirs, we only got a dusting of snow, you got a lot more. Not mamy plants above ground except daylilies and bulbs here. I did see some ladybugs when I moved a rock.
Marnie
Hi Chris. Yes, the onions were on my list after I read about them. I hope they do take off, might depend on the spot they are in.
Beth, I will have to look at where I had dianthus last year -- maybe it is growing too. Some of my seedlings are dianthus. I hope they do well. 50s will be a change!
Hi Marnie! There were so many places with a lot of snow over the last month...sounds like your garden is in a similar place in time as ours for now.
I love the ladybugs -- in the house I sometimes find those asian beetles, but most outside are not.
I'm amazed to see how much further advanced your garden is than mine. One side of my back garden is snow-free, but there are very few signs of life there. The nights have been well below freezing.
I wondered how you were doing when the Red was flooding so badly there. Now it's doing its thing in Manitoba. It looks terrible there.
Have a great long weekend!
Hi Chris....I cannot believe you still have so much snow.......
it is good to see the ladybird again....I found my first today hiding in a oak leaf.....
I understand what you are saying with the seedlings....I have much that needs to go into the garden but it is way too early......
Enjoy your weekend......
Kate, we have still had those freezing nights...I think this next week we will have some warmer days! There isn't abundance of growth yet, but it is exciting to see it starting up again.
We have been following the flow of the river as it heads north...there are so many small towns and homesteads that have a hard time preparing.
Hi Cheryl. After a few days, the snow is all but gone...except the north sides of the fence and house.
I may be able to start some things outside next week as it dries up. Will probably have to wait longer to start some new beds (that should have been started in fall).
Happy Easter!
Hope you and yours had a great day. It was cold and rainy here.
Your seedlings look happy. I was able to get romaine and sugar snap peas planted before the rains came.
The soil is so cold still. Hoping things warm up soon.
Sherry
It looks like our gardens are on a similar schedule. Even our ladybugs are synchronized. Aren't those first green shoots the loveliest?
Sherry -- Happy late Easter! We a great celebration and met my new niece of 6-days (Sunday).
This weekend may be a planting weekend here. The snow is now gone, we have 60F days, now the ground needs to dry a little.
Hi Northern Shade. Finding those first shoots and moving insects is definitely the start of a new season!
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