Thursday, May 23, 2019

Short Garden Tour

This tour will be relatively short because there's not much happenin' out in the garden yet.

We've had two days of rain now and a layer of fog was heavy when we got up this morning.  Now about two hours later, the fog has mostly lifted but a mist is still falling.


We had our first meal of asparagus night before last.  Wahoo!  More will be on the plate tonight.


I wanted a dousing of rain on my chives before I started prepping them for the freezer.  Got that.  Now I need to wait until they dry before cutting.  But they're certainly ready.


This is the bottom half of my two remaining strawberry rows.  (I'm standing about halfway down the rows.)  The Cavendish plants I ordered to replace the Earliglows I tore out last fall were shipped yesterday.  They will go in a row to the right of the rows showing.


I've read for best flavor you should not cut your rhubarb stalks until they are 12" long.  After this rain, there will be rhubarb cake on our table very soon.


The garlic is coming along nicely.  If you look at the bed to the right of the garlic bed and off the far corner of it, you can see (almost) what's left of the blueberry bushes after I took out all the Witches' Broom fungus.  The remaining bushes have slight buds showing, but no leaves so far.


The haskap bushes are leafing out like crazy.  That's one of the two Borealis bushes in the foreground and a Berry Smart Blue behind it which is now over five feet tall.

Looks as though this will be another inside day, but that's fine.  We did need the rain.  Our temp was 43° first thing this morning.  Not warm, but better than in the 30s as we have been having so it's all good.

16 comments:

wisps of words said...

Glad your blueberry bushes are trying to survive!!! Do you give them 'pep-talks'? Who knows? Maybe it would help them... The husband here, talks to his plants. :-)

You printed in gray, and it's interesting, how well it reads!!!! I might think, it would not show up, but it does!!!!!! To me, shades of gray, are much easier on the eyes, in blog print. But wonder how many, agree with me? So I'm usually too chicken to use them. Phfitttttt.... Might get more brave!!!!!!!

Fresh food from the garden! Ohhhh yessssss....

Didn't know about the 12" for rhubarb stalks... He cut some and we too will have pie. Well, HE will have pie. I can't eat my *World Famous* home made crust. -grin-

But he grows 'em. He should eat 'em!!!

Things are perking along better here, as you can tell. Doc gave him another med, for which I am so grateful. We will go back in a week, and in another week, to keep check.

Beautiful day here! Enjoy your indoor day, there!!!!

Susan said...

My rhubarb is going gangbusters - and that's about it. Except for the chives, that is. I am going to try and remember to get out there and cut them so I can freeze them, too. They are so nice to add to winter meals. I am hoping that we dry out enough this weekend for me to get pretty much everything in. This is my last opportunity for a three-day stretch of uninterrupted time!

Michelle said...

Arg; your garden is so CLEAN! I battled weeds for over three hours yesterday and made some noticeable headway, but there is more, more, everywhere I look!

Mama Pea said...

wisps of words - I talk to the plants in the garden all the time. I've even noticed I'm talking to food in the kitchen, too, which is starting to worry me.

When choosing a color for the fonts of my posts, I have a choice of three or four "grays" and if I don't choose one that's too light, they usually show up well.

Not being able to eat pies (made with your world famous crusts!) would be so sad for me. I do love my pie! Especially rhubarb, apple, cherry, blueberry, banana cream, strawberry glazed, raspberry/cranberry . . . well, you get the idea.

Keep taking care of your dear hubby. And do every little thing he wants and desires so his blood pressure doesn't go up. (Tee-hee!)

Michelle - It looks so clean 'cause THERE'S NOTHING PLANTED THERE! ;o) Actually, I have done a bit of weeding so the areas aren't completely covered when I can start planting. Now that we've had this soaking rain, those cute little (NOT) weeds are gonna pop up like gangbusters.

Athanasia said...

I hope you're not sending that rain our way. We had rain 6 out of 8 days. After a big storm Tuesday night with 54 mph winds we have had SUNshine the last 2 days. We need some drying out.

I have never heard of a 12" rule for rhubarb. We sell hundreds of pounds of rhubarb at our farm stand.

Mama Pea said...

Athanasia - The storm of which you spoke sounds as though it could have been dangerous!

You must have many, many plants of rhubarb to sell that much! Do you ever pick the stalks when they're shorter than the 12"? I'd be curious to know when you stop harvesting it, also. I've always stopped right around July 4th as supposedly you want the rest of the summer's strength to go to the plant. I've always done that and this one plant of mine has been going strong for 20 years. And, yes, I know I should divide and move it soon!

Rain said...

Hi Mama Pea :) Your garden looks great already, wow about the chives...I have never successfully grown them, I don't think they really like my pots lol...I went to the nursery the other day and got some organic ones for the window. Yay for asparagus! That's really too bad about the blueberry bushes, I hope they bounce back for you! We are in for some heavy rain today and tomorrow, but I got some planting done yesterday. The pumpkins are in the ground finally with a poly tarp over them.

Mama Pea said...

Rain - I think you're right about chives not liking tiny pots. I've never been able to keep a clump going inside over winter. That's why I take the time to freeze so much of them.

I'll have a race with you to see who can grow the biggest pumpkins this year! But you know, you already have a head start on me. I've read that if you "water" pumpkins by pouring milk around the soil by where they're planted, they'll get reeeeaaaalllly big. Never tried it though.

Rain said...

Ooh yes, you're on!! :) But I'm sure you will win! Heck, I'll try anything lol...I'll pour milk in the soil! Actually there is a part of me that would love to grow those giant pumpkins! But I'll wait until I have a bigger acreage for that venture!

Mama Pea said...

Rain - Yes, you really don't have a lot of space in which to garden right now. But you sure get a lot out of what you have to work with. We'll hold off on our giant pumpkin contest until next year!

Patty said...

That's quite a bit of fruitfulness already! Spring is exciting. It sure doesn't feel very springy yet though. What a winter we had! I'm going to try to catch up with all of you here, and possibly start posting here again sometime soon. :)

عبده العمراوى said...
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The Wykeham Observer said...

I would like to try the haskaps. From what I read , I would need a different variety per 3-4 bushes as a pollinator? Is that correct? They also look quite suitable as an ornamental. Thanks! Phil

Mama Pea said...

Patty - Hey, good to hear from you! I know you've been super-busy and not had much time for blogging. Miss reading your posts. Hope all is going well and you can find time to start posting now and then.

Phil - Yes, haskaps do require that different variety as a pollinator. We have two of the one variety and the one other variety as pollinator. They are a fast growing and very attractive bush. I think blueberry bushes, when they're healthy (!), are attractive ornamental bushes, too. Especially in the fall when they turn red. Our haskaps have not done that.

Sam I Am...... said...

Your garden looks beautiful....not a weed in sight! Look at your chives...they are flourishing. Glad you got your blueberry bushes off to a good start. Maybe if you can keep a handle on the fungus it will not affect your berry production....hopefully.
What are haskap bushes? I've never heard of those. Glad Spring has finally 'sprung' for you!
I'm so sorry I fell beh ind on reading your posts. I am all caught up now!

Lynne said...

Your garden looks so neat and lush. At least you've somehow manage to get things clean up. That's great!! Rhubarb pie sounds good. My mother use to put strawberries in with the Rhubarb. Was good too!