The Veggie Garden

Shall I not have intelligence with the earth?
Am I not partly leaves and vegetable mould myself.
- Henry David Thoreau

Saturday the 2nd, I was looking forward to getting much accomplished in my garden. I'm pretty proud of myself , I started early this year with the mulching, weeding and transplanting, Time for the veggies... yum yum. I had been waiting three days for the ground to dry, we have had several spring showers. WJ had already tilled the garden , all I needed to do was plant to my hearts content. I walk towards the veggie plot, check that I have all my supplies ... ground looks dry. I step into the tilled dirt and my foot sank ...........up to my ankle. Oh NO!!

The tilled dirt and low ground made it the consistency of WET CEMENT. I have limited time for planting because the forecast calls for more rain on Wednesday! At this point I am in panic mode. What to do.... what to do? No problem... I'll add more top soil in the low spots and with a couple more days of sun it will dry out...... I hope.

It worked, but didn't dry until Tuesday afternoon....... as you can see above I finally finished. I worked frantically until 9:30 pm , rain was in the forecast not only Wednesday but Thursday, Friday. .. then more rain next week on Monday, Tuesday... well you get the idea.

Planted this year was white corn, okra, green beans, yellow squash, zucinni, jalepeno, bell pepper, and two varieties of tomatos 'parks whopper' and 'big boy'.


And above is a thornless blackberry bush I added to the mix this year.

A nice surprise to days end with day lily Stella D'ore the first bloom this year.

Lavender

Lavender and Alice Hoffman
(Practical Magic )

There's a few things I've learned in life: always throw salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for good luck, and fall in love whenever you can.

From High Country Gardens is Buena Vista English Lavender and Shimmer Evening Primrose. I took this picture to show how deep the pots are from High Country. Plants in deep pots are great to purchase, the roots are more established, which of course makes the plant have a greater chance to establish faster and thrive in your garden. In the background a gift from a friend of mine a football gnome featuring the Indianapolis Colts.

Viola 'Cornuta Purple Showers' that I planted April 13th and already blooming.


A close up of my Honeysuckle in full bloom.



Ghost Fern came out fast this year.


A three year old Clematis (type unknown) getting ready to bloom. Here it is last year.

Heuchera

I have never had so many good ideas day after day as when I worked in the garden. ~John Erskine

New Plants! My idea of a great weekend is adding something new to my garden. Above I laid out 5 Heuchera's under my tulip tree.

Heuchera 'Caramel' - I love the unique color of this coral bell. It blooms white flowers in early to midsummer. It grows to only 8" tall, so would be great for borders. The leaves are golden orange that become more apricot with warmer weather. Heat and humidity tolerant and deer resistant too.



Heuchera 'Brownies' - This Coral Bell blooms creamy flowers in midsummer and grows to 16" tall. It produces huge chocolate-green leaves with rosy red undersides. It is heat and sun tolerant and a vigorous grower.