Saturday the temperature was 60-65 degrees (fahrenheit). It was so lovely out that I spent the better part of the day on my patio cleaning up the mess winter left behind -- sweeping up dirt and leaves, pulling new weeds, prepping pots, and cleaning up perennials so they can begin to grow again. This type of stuff is my happy place. Gardening is my therapy, and one of my favorite things to do.
The patio has it's own microclimate, due to the fact that it's on south facing cement in full sun. Because of this, my plants wake up slightly early and I can start gardening a little bit sooner than my neighbors that grow in the ground. Since it's been so nice lately, I decided to plant a few cold weather veggies as well -- radishes, spinach, kale and shelling peas.
I'm really excited to see how they turn out. I planted them all wrong last year and it was sad to see not a one of them turn out. I've spent all winter researching, and should have a better time growing them this year. Cross your fingers they turn out and don't get murdered by a freak spring hard freeze. We still get those here, but my patio is resilient against them unless it's less than 30 degrees during the day.
The perennials have begun to wake up. Currently, there is new growth on the majority of them. Once spring gets in full swing, I'll be able to move them to their homes for the next six months. For now they'll stay clustered near the house for warmth.
The roses, spring-blooming clematis and japanese maple all have tiny leaf buds forming on their branches. The salvia is sending up tons of little leaves.
The catnip is already growing rampant in the little boxes I planted it in last year. The shasta daisies are putting out tiny leaves. The strawberries all have new leaves forming at their crowns. The lamb's ear and bee balm have both begun to sprout new leaves, as well.
The only herb to wake up so far is a tiny little clump of my onion chives.
I'm still waiting to see if my ostrich ferns survived, as well as the rosemary, thyme and mint. They were all rated for my zone, so we'll see.
I also snagged some beautiful pots at Ross this week for less than $6 each. They're heavy duty ceramic or a stone mix, and are at least 12 inches in diameter. Except the small one, that's more of a 6-inch pot. I was so excited when I found them. Pots like this sell at garden centers for a pretty penny.
Isn't this exciting? Growing season has begun around here!
++ What are you growing this year?
You have quite the variety! I'm making my first attempt at a container garden this year. My seedlings are looking great, I already need to transplant them into slightly larger pots. I'm growing tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, bell peppers, and cilantro. My kids are so excited to see the new progress every morning.
ReplyDeleteThat is very exciting! I'm getting antsy waiting until May to plant my warm weather veggies. I'm planning on growing zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, a small canteloupe, and a couple kinds of peppers. Plus more herbs and I have strawberries. Isn't gardening awesome? Good luck with your containers. I find they require a little extra care than an inground garden, but mine have done very well. Last year my tomatoes were highly prolific in pots, as well as my zucchini and jalapenos.
DeleteOooh, I love those pots! I'm not growing anything this year (or ever, because gardening just isn't my thing), but I love seeing your passion for it!!
ReplyDeleteMy back yard has been calling me. Thank you for further encouragement! :-)
ReplyDeleteSpring is so exciting. The only thing that's growing for me so far are my sweetpea seedlings and I can't wait to see more green!
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