With the type of weather we've been having recently, it's tempted me to get out on the veg' patch, and start planting.
First to go in were the red Onions, and a few Calabrese, white Cabbage, and red Cabbage.
I've also been a bit foolhardy and planted-out 6 'Supersteak' Tomatoes. My fingers are crossed that we'll have no further frosts. I did the same last year and all was OK.
Lady Magnon is very fond of Strawberries, and I suspect she'd fill the whole of Haddock's with them, given half a chance. These are our very favourite 'Gariguette' variety, that I've stuck in an old wheelbarrow.
And look what's popped up. We have swathes of Honesty flowers that seem to have appeared from nowhere.
p.s. Whilst most of our fruit trees are covered with blossom, our mainstay Apple (Reine de Reinette) has almost none. I can see some serious scrumping going on this Autumn, otherwise we might go Apple-less.
We had very warm weather and some of the trees were in full blossom. Then cold came, followed by snow. My weeping cherry's flowers all died as well as my beautiful purple azaleas. I have many plants in my basement ready to go in the ground but Mother Nature fooled me once, and I am not giving her another chance. I will wait till May 1st even though the weather now is warm and gorgeous. I wish you good luck. You are an optimist, Cro, and that is a good thing - most of the time
ReplyDeleteI'm keeping my fingers crossed that we have no further frosts. If we do, I'll simply have to replace my tomato plants. But, as you say, I'm an optimist.
DeleteI have held off planting out but with this warm spring it is very tempting. I have several flats of tomato plants in the greenhouse that will be distributed to the neighbors.
ReplyDeleteToo tempting for me, I'm afraid.
DeleteI will be planting out everything at the next full moon.
ReplyDeleteWhen there's an r in the month. Never fails.
DeleteIf there's an 'a' in the day of the week, I plant out.
DeleteWe have started planting out as well. It's a grand feeling.
ReplyDeleteIgnore the Ice Saints, and throw caution to the winds!
DeleteLovely! I will get around to veg growing in tubs once I've got the inside of the house sorted out. My back garden is really small and not on Haddock's scale.
ReplyDeleteRuby Chard, onions, red Kale, etc, would all look good, and grow well, in tubs.
DeleteA friend to the North of you has a plum orchard on her land (but not farmed by her) and the blossom has survived and the crops could be very good this year. I wish the same for you. I have wild strawberries in the garden but this year instead of flowers I shall plant some in one of my barrels. Thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeleteMy main Plum tree is behaving very oddly this year. About a quarter of it is in full leaf, another quarter only just in flower, and the rest still to do anything at all. It seems to have a split personality. Still, plenty of fruit to come.
DeleteWe (Jenny and I) have a quince bush in the back garden, but we've never tried cooking or eating the fruit, which I suspect would be fairly inedible. But this year we must try some and see if we're unfairly maligning the poor things.
ReplyDeleteI have a 'Vranja' Quince. It is in flower at the moment, and will no doubt produce its huge annual crop. Our favourite is to cut into quarters lengthwise, core, peel, and roast with with either chicken or pork. Delicious. Otherwise they all go to the compost!
DeleteWe had a light fall of snow last night and a frost this morning so not all past here Cro. Today is bitterly cold (2) but so far dry. I suppose you could have a bit of fleece ready to fasten over those tomatoes should frost be forecast. Or you could even do it every night for a week or two - not much effort for early tasty tomatoes.
ReplyDeleteI've got a big roll of fleecy stuff that I can cover them with; I'll keep an eye on the meteo. Sunshine and 14C here this morning, I think we'll be OK, but you can never be 100% sure.
DeleteLiving dangerously I think. Mine are still all tucked up in the greenhouse. Too wet to get the ground prepared.
ReplyDeleteThat's my problem too, overnight rain almost every day. I can't get my Rotavator onto it.
DeleteThe climate where you live is far warmer than here so you can afford to be adventurous - I won't be planting mine out till end of May, just to be sure.
ReplyDeleteWe normally reckon on after mid May, but I'm prepared to chance it.
DeleteAnd so it all begins again - don't you love this time of the year?
ReplyDeleteIt's all a great cycle. Yes, starting again every year is very exciting. Expectation, before the realisation.
DeleteJust imagine what it is like being a farmer. Mind you the farmers year starts in September with Autumn sowing.
DeleteIt looks lovely. No such adventures here, alas! The ground is soggy after all the rain, and an icy wind is blowing - even if it were not so, we are too busy working on J & MM's cottage, less than 3 months until they return so our own place is being neglected.
ReplyDeleteIs that the hen house to the top left of the first photograph?
You must be excited to have them return to the UK. The ground is quite wet here too, due to overnight rains. You can probably see that there is plenty of weeding to do!
DeleteI'm afraid our hen house is now silent. Too many killer dogs around.
I'm looking at all this with envy. I am looking out of the window right now and it is snowing. Blaaahhhh ....
ReplyDeleteWHAT!!!
DeleteColorado in all its glory!
DeleteHopefully no frost for you - looks like the good weather is here to stay.
ReplyDeleteI loved yesterday's post Cro; a tree for each grandson. Have you in mind what tree you'd plant for a granddaughter? Greetings Maria x
As she would definitely be 'the Apple of my eye'... I shall have to think about it.
DeleteNot too long before Haddocks is bursting with greenery. Hope that the weather stays mild.
ReplyDeleteIt's all go at Haddock's. Everything is sprouting.
DeleteWith outside tomato and pepper plants you might want to invest in some of these wall o waters. You can find them on the Internet. Fairly cheap, long lasting and very efficient.
ReplyDeleteI use large plastic bottles with the bottoms cut off, that I half-bury pointing to the roots. I fill them once a day when it's dry.
DeleteMy tomatoes are all processed and safely tucked up in the cupboard. Each year I look forward to them so much and then by the end of the season I just want them to DIE. Broad beans (fava) and garlic have recently been planted here. I planted out about 170 cloves - you can never have too much garlic or chilli!
ReplyDeleteI bottle lots of Tomatoes. Toms with Courgettes, Ratatouille, and Toms with Peppers. I still have about 20 jars from last year.
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