On Sunday the weather was spring-like and beautiful. Temperatures got up to 75 degrees (23 C) and the sun came out after several days of rain. It was good to get outside and forget about the state of the world for a few hours. Gregg and I took the chance to get some garden tasks done while soaking up the sunshine. We re-mulched the rose bed around the two new shrubs, swept and tidied the porch, and planted this year's lettuce. Have I shown you how I grow lettuce?
Another thing I did yesterday was bring my tomato, herb, and marigold seedlings out to the porch to live. We're still sure to get cold weather, but they're all fitted snugly into large Styrofoam boxes that can easily be moved inside if need be. The 10-day forecast looks very warm, and the sunlight filtered through the porch screen should really make the little plants grow. I hope to plant out in about a month.
One last sure sign that spring is here is Louella's tree bursting into bloom. This is about two weeks past its absolute prime, and it's still so beautiful! These trees are always the first to bloom in our neighborhood, and I look forward to them every year.
36 comments:
Does that mean it will go out like a lion at the end of March? Our weather is still up and down but that is normal for Illinois.
How wonderful to get out in the sun and accomplish some tasks in the yard! It was 63 here today (cooler yesterday but still sunny) and I went to an outdoor zoo with a couple grandsons, mowed, took a walk and enjoyed that feeling of productivity. I earned almost 15,000 steps. Woo hoo!
Enjoy, we're supposed to have some sort of mini ice storm tomorrow morning.
The kiddie pool makes a great lettuce bed!
The paddling pool is a lovely idea for growing lettuce, and the plants are easily accessible.
The little pool is a brilliant addition to your garden.
Love,
Janie
Do your flowering trees bloom so early in the season usually? We are finally getting warm. We are supposed to be in the mid 60s this weekend...but it still bounces from warm to cold. A while yet till any blooming of bulbs or trees starts.
Drag Queen Hedda Lettuce approves of your gardening technique!!!!
Wonderful weather for early gardening. Here the snow is melting but yesterday was in the 30s f. still long coat weather. I did spot snow drops and daffodils starting though.
What a novel idea for a lettuce bed. I may try that!
The trees here are starting to bloom and look so beautiful.
You are definitely a carrier of the gardening gene! I can't wait to see how your lettuce does. Mine has done squat this year.
I bet your lettuce is just the crispest, Jennifer.
Romaine lettuce in my childhood was the crunchiest.
Kos (Greek). It became quite rare because few greengrocers stocked it.
Wonderful on buttered crusty bread with cherry tomatoes & spring onions.
March is coming in like a lamb in Scotland too. Beware Ellen D's warning.
Hemingway described cold March/April in Paris as the goblin spring.
A Moveable Feast. Published posthumously.
I too use large plastic planters for my salads. They do very well.
You took full advantage of the warm and sunny day. As you know, I try to do the same whenever possible, but in my case it is walking and not gardening (for lack of a garden).
So nice to see Louella's tree still thriving.
Probably so, yes. Our last frost date isn't until early April, and we've been known to have freezes in mid April (although that's rare). I imagine the end of the month will be stormy and/or cold.
15,000 steps is AMAZING! Good for you! I didn't take nearly that many, but I was still a bit sore from the garden work. Muscles get lazy over the winter!
Jeez, I'll bet you're tired of snow, ice, and cold. I am and we haven't had nearly the kind of winter you always get!
It works really, really well!
Exactly. Easily accessible and no weeds to contend with.
“ Small kiddie pools (with holes punched in the bottom for drainage) make great containers for growing lettuce. ”
You star xxx
Years ago, we used plastic kiddie pools for the litters of puppies we’d occasionally have around here. A cheap, easy to clean, containment system.
Clever re-purposing of the kiddies' pool!
You have come a long way with all your gardens! My peppers have sprouted. They always take such a long time. I can't wait to get my garden in. I am excited and we have not even had a 70 degree day yet!
clever! I wish I had thought of that.
Yes, we have several kinds of flowering trees that start up in late February.
Thank you Hedda Lettuce!!!!!
We have daffodils starting, too.
Try it! You won't be disappointed! I grow more lettuce than I can eat most years with this method. Fancy lettuces cost a fortune in the grocery stores, too.
Thanks Janie!
"Goblin Spring"...I like that. I've meant to read A Moveable Feast for years, maybe now is the time. I think Kos lettuce seeds are available in one of the heirloom seed companies I buy from; I'll check and let you know.
I look forward to tender young greens in a few weeks!
And her grandson lives in her house now, and he loves it too.
Thank you John! xx
That's a really good idea.
Thanks Neil!
I have a few peppers that JUST sprouted, finally. I wonder why they're so slow?!! Glad to hear it isn't just me.
Is it too late to grow lettuce in Arizona? You may still have time!
I'll keep you updated! Thank you!
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