What have you done today in the Garden?

This morning I cleared out the last raised bed that had peas going to seed for me. Got about 100 or so peas for planting next year from that. Then I weeded it, added the pea plants to the bottom along with compost ontop of that and watered it.

After that I got the edging around my fig tree and since it really does look like rain this time, I decided not to mulch it until after the rain but I watered it just in case we don't get the rain.


Then my hip was playing up so I got in the reclining position for a couple hours, took a pain pill and it was back to normal so I planted Four tomato plants, two heatmasters, (first time I've grown those) into the bed where the peas were and caged them.



Then I dead headed a few roses and my big Cecile Brunner rambler by the potting shed and called it a day.

 

cleaned up the fuchia collection in the greenhouse tiddied up the shelves. Planted some glad bulbs.


The grapevines are slowly coming back after last years ground squirrels attack. I lost hundreds of $ in plants well established in my garden. No use crying over spilled milk it’s a good excuse for letting it go.
And so surprised to see ‘Lovre Lies Bleeding’ back too.



@Anniekay Cecil Brunner is a great climber I had it in the garden for years. The q]ground squirrels got it last year ate the roots. it’s a hardly plant and has beautiful double huge blooms. Your veggie and flower garden is really a well planned out project.

 

Got my compost delivered today.I had to borrow a couple of bricks from my grape corner to hold the tarp covering the extra compost. I will be planting my usual cool weather seeds tomorrow. Carrots, lettuce, beets, kale, and peas, oh yeah spinach as well. I filled the old strawberry patch and spread flower seeds. Hopefully it will draw the bees. Last frost is supposed to be May 10th. It used to be the end of May. I'm very excited about planting tomorrow.
The buds are coming out on my maple out front. It's the first to come out and the last to drop. Go figure.

 

Today I planted four more hills of squash seedlings, in the kitchen garden. Three remain to plant.

I also laid cardboard mulch on the last (sauce & salsa) tomato bed. I laid steel fence posts on the cardboard so the wind wont blow it.

I found old holographic, reflective streamers already tied to string. I place those over some of the squash seedlings to (I hope) deter jays from pulling them up.

I need to spread slug bait tonight just before dark. They ate couple of marigolds, chewed on a broccoli leaf, and chewed a tomato leaf. It's been a bad year with slugs.

 

@Willowisp0801 those are really nice looking raised beds!

 

@Pacnorwest your yard / garden is gorgeous!

 

It's been busy here, and I can finally post on this thread. Spring has roared in quickly this year. I spent a few days digging and worming out quack grass from the raspberry garden. All that I could sniff our were removed, and some delicate q tip /roundup work will happen on the remaining sproinks.

It was really getting sparse, so I also replaced a lot of canes. Hubby has decided that he no longer needs the berries for gallons of raspberry wine that does not get used ( much like the squirrel canners in my family hahaha) , so I am once again excited to have neighbours over to visit and pick this summer. I had to get the plot in shape! I miss the ladies and would love the company.

I also rebuilt and consolidated the asparagus beds. I have many ( about 200) seed starts to fill in on the rows. I'm not expecting a lot to survive the winter, so I'm hoping for 20-30 survivors depending on the winter.

Yesterday the strawberry bed was weeded, fertilized and watered. Everyone is starting to grow. With the hardware cloth on the perimeter, and the pea netting on top, it is the first spring in five years that I haven't had vole or deer damage. That's a win! Fingers crossed that the lygus bugs stay away.

The gardens were tilled early this year, about a month ago. We are expecting snow tonight, so I am glad that I have not planted yet. I think in the next week the spuds will go in, as well as the seeds. I do have my spinach coming up and a wee bit of lettuce.

In between getting firewood, I hope to plant my squash indoors tomorrow. I'm running behind a little bit.

I have all of my plant babies on the deck during the day ( except the tomatoes and peppers). Today the temp dropped from 11 C to 5 C by the afternoon, so everyone was moved inside. This year I'm not placing my tomatoes in so early, but trying to plant the larger plants. They are in 1 gallon pots and doing well. My hope this week is to add more compost and cover the greenhouse soil with clear plastic for a week or so to get it really warm. A cool ( warm) experiment.

I will have photos coming.....as I have a new I phone coming ( I have an I phone 6 ....and this was a new special for seniors through our provider, so I am SO So excited for easier and better pictures.) It's hard to spare the half hour on line right now to process photos from my old equipment.

 

Annie do you know which fig variety you have?

 

Mel, loved reading your update!

I remember last year you had great results with your squashes. Are you growing new varieties, or staying with success?

I planted Canada Crookneck, Buttercup, Butternut Rugosa, Galeux d' Eysine, and Red Kuri. All but Galeux will be on trellises.

Which tomatoes are you growing? I have mine planted. I check the forecast every day. It's early. They might sulk with cool weather. But it's so warm, so early this year, it's difficult to judge.

 

Thank you and so is your garden. Every year is a special treat to see all your plant collections, fruit and veggies.

 

Melody can’t wait to see photos of all your gardens and projects. I can’t believe it’s still snowing there. Sounds like the ground temps are warming up enough to work the soil.

 

It's called: "Green Ischau Fig"

The figs are mostly green when ripe with a bit of a light tan color just below the stem. The advantage of this is that birds can't spot the figs very easily since the color doesn't stand out amongst the leaves. They grow zones 7-10 and only need 200-300 chill hours. They're honey sweet and medium sized, not as large as brown turkey but the tree has been very prolific considering it's only been in this spot for 3 years.

I first planted it too close to my sewer line and moved it the following fall to it's present location, therefore stunted it a bit, I think. It has produced every year and is still less than 5' tall.
I had a giant splitting of the bark two years ago and thought I might lose it but, it survived and produced like nothing at all was wrong !! I think it's a very good variety.

@Melody Mc. I'm excited to see how your garden progresses and yeah, I got a new IPhone as well and you will get very nice pics which, I think I can speak for everyone, will be exciting to see !!