Iris

Iris
Originally uploaded by Rexfree_99

The garden is doing it's best to make me forget all the work that happens at other times of the year. Every day there is another new Iris opening. I am so glad that I decided to invest a bit this year. I will be very curious to see if the supposed reblooming iris really do that.
In the veggie garden, I am happy to announce that my tomatoes, marigolds, eggplant and padrone pepper that I planted early have survived two frosts this week. Only the little basil got a bit of frost on one side where the row cover had blown up. Otherwise, all looks fine.
The radicchio seems to be fine as well, and the established lettuces and greens are doing really great. I have had two huge salads with the mesclun mix I planted at the base of the miniature Peach tree. Delicious, both of them.
The very first of the roses are coming on, led by the Lady Banksia and one apricot miniature rose. The Icebergs have a lot of buds and I expect them next.
We should get rain for our entrance into May and I am hoping that it will be a goodly amount. We are still in dire straits here, and hopefully this late rain will help.

Lady Beetles on Swiss Chard

Lady Beetles on Swiss Chard
Originally uploaded by Rexfree_99

Naturally occurring beneficial Lady Beetles feasting on something on my Swiss Chard.
Hurray for Mother Nature.

Columbine

Columbine
Originally uploaded by Rexfree_99

One of the most beautiful columbines in my yard...a volunteer from some past planting which came up between my big flagstones. Lucky for it, it is right next to a support for the willow tree so it is out of the traffic zone...I should say, lucky for all! It is a gorgeous small flower.

Wisteria hanging over Cache Creek

Wisteria hanging over Cache Creek
Originally uploaded by Rexfree_99

Spring, despite the intense winds, is bring out all of the wonderful flowers. My wisteria which I planted last winter is really doing well, although it is only planted in a wine barrel, errr, a half barrel. I am not sure how long it will stay healthy and happy there...I think with soil replacement and fertilizer it might work for a while.

First Iris 09

First Iris 09
Originally uploaded by Rexfree_99

One of my favorite gardening events...the first Iris to bloom! I love it because it is so beautiful and it seems effortless at this time of year. The planting is far behind me and the reward is always so magnificent.

Home of the tomatoes to be...stay tuned.

Home of the tomatoes to be...stay tuned.
Originally uploaded by Rexfree_99

So very strange, I posted to the wrong blog...in any case, if anyone wants to read the entire post, you will have to go to Back To the Land blog.
This is my new tomato planter and I am thrilled with it even though I can't plant any tomatoes or tender plants for a whole month.
But at least I got all the soil in today on the day my mom would have been 96 years old!.
Hope these tomatoes will be tasty or this will become a planter for the peach tree.

Spring Swiss Chard

Spring Swiss Chard
Originally uploaded by Rexfree_99

My Swiss Chard is coming on again, for a last full burst before the heat of summer. The Brussels and Broccoli behind them are so infested with aphids that they will be coming out this weekend. I think I will be planting zucchini and flowers in their place.
See the next photo for the future home of the tomatoes

Foo Dog with maples and mungo

Foo Dog with maples and mungo
Originally uploaded by Rexfree_99

Today, I had so much work in the yard, that it was great to find one place where the work is all done! My containers on the front deck need little tending and give me great pleasure at this time of the year. It is great to see that the maples made it again after all my poor luck with them in the past. Hopefully they will continue to thrive.
As to work, I had a jungle of vetch to pull out and managed to get to most of it...now it will require vigilance to make sure that it doesn't climb down from the hill again before weed eating time.
In the rest of the yard, I had to deadhead all the daffodils, and consider mowing a slightly wider path thru the tall grass. And again, the problem of what to do with the aphid infested cabbage and brussel sprouts...I think the sprouts are salvageable, but the cabbage is pretty disgusting. The aphids are so think that you can't even wipe them off my hand. Gross.
The oaks down here by the creek and just starting to show a little bit of green, the figs and grapes continue to leaf out and I have the beginnings of a jungle again.