What's Growing On
I've been working in the yard a bit and was happy to see the violets beginning to bloom. They are early, but they'll soon be making their yearly appearance on my table in my Mango, Dandelion and Violet Salad which I posted last year.
I was really surprised to see that my chamomile came back after the winter, usually I have to start it again from seed.
On my front porch I planted some greens, which I covered with this fabulous floating row cover
. Last spring I had an awful time with insects and birds eating my greens just as fast as they came up, now I no longer have to worry about it. This is product is wonderful, the sun goes through the cover, I can water through the cover, and the insects and birds can't touch my greens :) It's hard to see, but below the planter next to the bottom step is some of my kale. Most of it is two years old and going to seed now, as it is a biennial. The birds and insects do not seem to like kale, they have never bothered it.
. Now I don't have to worry about frost either.
What's growing in your garden?
So far this spring I have seen no bees near my home, when my cherry tree was blooming, near the dandelions, and with all the other spring flowers in bloom, not a single bee of any kind, anywhere. When I was out walking in the neighborhood, I saw one bumblebee about six blocks from my house and it really caught my attention since it was the only bee I've seen and I have been watching for them. Anyone else notice a lack of bees?
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8 comments:
What pretty violets...and that salad looks wonderful. Row cover is great isn't it? I think the lack of bees is a growing problem...I usually see some around here...but not as many as there used to be. Thanks for sharing the photos of your garden...I hope you keep us posted on its progress!
OH, how I love the gardens! No gardening here yet. We had snow today and our last frost date isn't until mid to late May. Sigh. Soon, very soon.
I have a ton of bees here. I guess they all came east for some reason.
Alicia
What lovely little violets. The salad you made is just beautiful too.
Looks like things are off to a good start in your garden...the row cover is dead handy isn't it?
As for bees; I definitely don't see as many as there used to be around...and I think it is a growing and serious problem.
Thanks for sharing your garden progress...I'm looking forward to more updates through out the season.
I've never eaten violets, I will have to try them. Dandelion salad is a spring main stay in my house though! I haven't noticed as many bees either. I've seen a few bumbles and a few honey bees and that is it. There should be lot more because the wild apples and dandelions are in full bloom right now.
Rose, thanks. The row cover is fabulous, I wish I had found it years ago!
JulieLynn, I know what you mean, our last frost date is in May also. We have frost warnings again for the next few nights, but I only planted cold weather crops and the row cover I used will protect them from frost. My tomatoes and peppers won't go in until the very end of May.
Alicia, you are so lucky to have bees, none around here :(
Rose, thanks, the salad is yummy and full of nutrition too:) I agree, I think the lack of bees is indeed a growing and serious problem. It worries me.
With all the rain we've had, everything here is lush and green, so I hope this will be a good growing season and will post updates.
Kateri, violets are tasty and packed with nutrients, just like dandelions. If you like them I think you'll also like the violets. Thanks for your input on the bees also.
First of all, the bees are all here. What can I say? You have chamomille that returns? Wonderful! My herbs are in a back rookm sprouting happily. Even though we have had an early spring (for Minnesota), I don't dare plant till after Mother's Day. But it is satisfying to be back in the garden. Love violets - one of the earlilest, wake-up spring colors in the ground.
Claudia, you are so lucky to have the bees! It does feel good to get back in the garden, doesn't it?!
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