May brought both sunshine and warm rainy days so the garden, in fact the whole neighborhood is lush in living color. The vegetables are growing madly out of the ground and the flowers are in full bloom. There are bees everywhere, which makes me very happy. The blossoms on all of the fruits and flowers are keeping them quite busy.
I bought 6 beautiful tomato plants from my favorite nursery. I followed the advice of my friend who works there who suggested I come back upon delivery of fresh plants and was rewarded with a wide selection of healthy, fresh varieties. I chose two Romas because they are so wonderful for oven drying with onion, garlic and basil (tomato jazz). I bought one Sungold cherry tomato, because once you’ve tasted a garden fresh Sungold you’ll forever want them in your garden. I bought Early Stupice and Silvery Fir Tree (heirloom) for their promise of nice round fruit for salads throughout the summer. I love to make Caprese salad with fresh mozzarella, basil and tomato. I can hardly wait!
I am perplexed about my asparagus. Two years ago I planted 4 three year old plants. I had hoped by now to have a bit more harvest. If I Leave the few little spears unattended they grow up and out into gigantic fern-like shrubs. The nursery people were somewhat stymied this year and last. The suggestion was to cut away all of the fronds and see what happens. I did it, so next year will be it’s last chance. My garden real estate is much too valuable to waste it on an under producing harvest. Besides the asparagus from the farmers market was totally delicious last week. If anyone has any other suggestion, remedies or solutions, please let me know.
My Meyer lemon tree is out on the deck full time now and is all the happier for it. Lots of sturdy green lemons and even more sweet smelling blooms for the next rotation of fruit.
Strawberries, blueberries and Marion berries are all looking quite spectacular with the slightest hue of color to come.
My funny little columnar apple tree is setting its fruit nicely. I’m sure it helps to have a second one nearby now.
My potted pear tree that I purchased last fall looked great until I got up close. I noticed several of the leaves were blistered and the one lone little infant pear was misshapen. Upon consultation with the nursery up the street we determined it was probably mites. I got some Neem oil (organic) and sprayed. Probably no pears this year but it should get the tree back to tip top health.
A far as flowers go, the peonies are in full bloom. I picked a large bouquet yesterday because from experience, when the peonies bloom, we will undoubtedly have a long rainy, windy stretch of weather. I have three plants all the same which came from a plant my mother had years ago. I remember when she brought me the tangle of roots, wrapped in newspaper. I planted it and the next year had beautiful bright pink blooms. A couple of years ago I used my perennial cutting knife and chopped through the roots again, teasing them apart and now have three wonderful plants that always make me think of her. Thanks mom! I love looking at favorite plants, knowing their human origins.
My favorite rose ‘Jude the Obscure is opening to it’s lovely full glory. It joins its summer companion, the clematis and together they continue to make their way up and over the the shed.
I’ve decided after power washing the main structure of the shed, the paint is in pretty good condition. I still love the soft mellow grayish green and the color goes perfectly with the blueberry shades I’ve chosen for the door. This weekend the door will get its new colors.
The foxgloves have popped up here and there and I love them. Their wild and reckless placement doesn’t diminish their beauty wherever they choose to show up in my garden.
Enjoy your weekend everyone! Happy June!
