It’s hard to believe it is already mid April. I guess time flies when you’re having fun! Things are really growing here this spring, with ample rains and warmer than usual temps. I like to take photos to document things for my own records and thought I would share some of them.
There were two giant old-fashioned lilac bushes here when we bought this place. One was planted up against the foundation where it doesn’t get enough sun to really bloom well, but the other one blooms like crazy. We pruned it back hard last year. I’m using some of the twigs for row markers. I just love the smell of lilac, and this one really perfumes the air when it’s in bloom.
old fashioned lilac blooms (click on any photo to enlarge)
There is also a giant Kwanzan cherry tree here that was planted some time ago and we always look forward to it blooming. It’s in the background of the lilac photo. The blossoms look like puffy pink powderpuffs to me.
Kwanzan cherry blossoms
The catmint is an early bloomer in the Wild Garden. Bees love it and cats leave it alone, unlike its cousin catnip. Later on, when it’s done blooming, I’ll cut it back to keep it shaped up and get it to rebloom.
catmint blooms
The variegated hostas out front are lovely right now. We got lots of these babies! My wife has divided and given them away like crazy, but they just keep multiplying. These get a little too much sun to stand up to the heat of summer, but they do well early on.
variegated hostas
We also have lots of these small flowered, late blooming narcissus out in the front beds by the driveway. I have no idea what variety these are, but they are sweetly scented and not much bigger than paperwhite blossoms.
yellow narcissus
The cold frames are full of edible goodies about now. I number them for my own purposes so I can document what was planted in each, and so on. Cold frame #1 has overwintered spinach, lettuce, and other greens. The overwintered mizuna plants are bolting, while the spring sown ones are just now sizing up. I need to get the bolted ones out of the way, because they are hogging the sunlight.
cold frame #1 with lettuce, spinach and Asian greens
Cold frame #2 has overwintered spinach and Spotted Trout lettuce, plus new plantings of komatsuna, pak choi and yukina savoy.
cold frame #2
Cold frame #3 was assembled in February and planted with escarole, endive, lettuce and spinach. The lettuces are ready for harvesting now as needed. The spinach is just starting to get some size to it.
cold frame #3
Cold frame #4 was completed in March and immediately planted with radicchio and kohlrabi. The plants have a way to go yet. I love the radicchio in salads and grilled as a side dish. Much of the kohlrabi gets eaten raw. This year I am growing the Gigante kohlrabi in addition to the smaller purple Kolibri. The radicchios are a mix of round heading types.
cold frame #4 with radicchio and kohlrabi
The last small cold frame was bought some years ago and is being used to protect a planting of beets and chard. I’m afraid the deer would have a field day with these if they could get to them!
beets and chard planting
That’s a little peek at what’s growing here in April. I hope you enjoyed the tour!