A bit of colour

April 12th

After all the heavy rain this week it's nice to see a bit of colour.
(Yes, I'm English so the word "colour" has the letter "u" in it)


April Tulips



The garden creek, normally a mere trickle.

The seeds I planted on March 30th are up and running. I think that every one of them has germinated.


(L to R Cucumber, Watermelon, Squash)

I had a drive over to our little garden center here in town with the express wish to buy some lettuce seeds. I think I know why the first lot didn't come up. They were last years and apparently lettuce seed is only good for a year. Duh!!

So I picked a packet up along with 4 Bell Pepper plants and then somehow these seemed to suddenly appear in my hand...............???


Delmarvel Strawberry Plants

Well, to be honest, it's all Elizabeth's fault really. I've never been much interested in growing strawberries, too many plants rambling all around the place and taking over the garden etc etc.
But when I saw on her blog here that she was growing some in a hanging basket I suddenly had a change of heart. I also remembered that I have at least one spare basket kicking around in the garage so this was a good way of using it. We always have flowering baskets at the front of the house, why not try some fruit? All I have to do is try to keep the House Finches from nesting in it and all will be fine.

In the past we have struggled to water and tend a basket due to it being transformed into a nest site for these cute little birds. It's just a little scary as we have 3 cats who of course take great interest in the comings and goings of the parents while they build the nest then feed the young. On hot summer evenings I have to enjoy my nice cold beer sat in front of the garage rather than on the patio so I dont scare the birdies. Fledging time is a nightmare!!
I may hang the strawberries round the back of the house actually as that area gets the sun all afternoon (and I'll be able to drink my beer in peace)

More rain...........

April 7th
Wow, has it been wet these last few days or what?
It's rained so hard that it's punched quite a few holes in my Floating Row Covers. I'm probably going to have to purchase some more before spring is over. Everything looks wet, sad and limp.
But, here's the story so far...........
Yellow Onion Sets in Plot 1 are up and looking good as are the Red Onion Sets in Plot 2.
Plot 3 looks rather barren. OK, I'll wait and see.
Radish and Turnips are doing well in Plot 4 but the Spinach seems to be a "no show" at the moment.
But, here's the good news. ALL 10 potato plants are up in Plot 5.
Hurray !!
There seems to be life in the latest (and last) seeds I started indoors. Cucumber, Squash and Watermelons have all sprouted under the lamps.
And, as I type this I'm hearing thunder and seeing flashes of lightening all around the area so more rain is on it's way.
Hey, who ever said it was easy growing stuff in Oklahoma?



Baby trees in nursery

My batch of baby trees arrived from the Arbor Society last week. I'd forgotten about them to be honest and only remembered when I spotted a 2 foot long bag protruding from the mail box. Eeek, ok, dont panic Mick!!
All I've got to do is find them a home for the next year as their future sites are not ready yet.
Hey, to be honest their future sites aren't even decided upon yet.
And, I dont want to lose any precious growing space either.
Enter the old medicine cupboard...................
This fine piece of late '1970's woodwork was ripped with great force from the bathroom wall last year by my good self (the previous owner of the house having kindly fastened it there with 6 inch nails) and had been living in my shed since, awaiting a use. I potted all the saplings and found the ones which require "Full Sun" a little space in my small fenced off area so that they could get a good start without being hassled by rabbits or naughty pussycats.


Front Flower Bed

Some needed to be in partial shade so these were found a place in the front flower bed which loses the sun soon after mid-day. Since this photograph was taken I've surrounded them with chicken wire.



Front Flower Bed

So, everything is found a little home and we can all relax.
Until the next gardening emergency...................