I loved May Day in Hawaii. Flowers, hula, and maypoles. Sometimes I miss school since it would force celebrations on me. I didn’t even remember it was May Day today until someone at work mentioned it off-hand. This weekend, however, I did notice spring had arrived. I love my house. I have only lived there since last June so I have been enjoying the surprises of spring since I have no idea what is going to bloom next. Like take a look at the purple budded tree…
This bloomed almost overnight. So pretty!
In honor of spring, one project I have decided to take on is planting a garden. Now I have not done any form of gardening in the past. In fact, I could be known as a killer of house plants�??I just can’t seem to keep them alive. I have no idea why I think I can plant and maintain a garden. I do have help though. There is this nice retired guy who lives down the street…his friends know him as “the tomato king”…and he has volunteered to teach me. He has given me advice, prepped the ground, and helped me plant my tomatoes. Here is the garden as it stands today (tomatoes planted, everything else soon to be planted):
The blue plastic are walls of water that you put up to protect the plants from frost. Those come down on May 15th. I have yet to plant the rest of the garden…really need to get to that this week. I am thinking beans, carrots, cucumber, squash, bell peppers, peas, and onions. I think that sounds good but any suggestions out there? What’s that? You want to see my tomato plant growing? Well, okay:
The tomato king tells me I will have tomatoes from July until October. I don’t know if I would bet on it but so far I seem to be keeping my plants alive.
This weekend I casted on for the decidedly spring project Rambling Rose. I have miles and miles of ribbing ahead but I am LOVING the way it looks (pictures soon to come). The yarn and color (Rowan 4 ply soft in #378 Daydream ) is very feminine and I think matches well with the very vintage-y, girl-y accents of this sweater. I think the season is propelling me to work on this sweater because it so wants to be worn while the flowers are in bloom. I must work on it tonight. There I go…my own little May Day celebration. Happy May Day everyone!
The following 5 comments were originally left at blogspirit:
There is nothing – NOTHING – to compare with home-grown tomatoes. Store-bought tomatoes will be ruined forever for you – I hope you’re prepared.
And it’s so cool that there’s someone there to teach you the ropes. I’m not so good with plants myself, but I’d love to learn.
I am jealous of your sunlight — I don’t have enough to grow vegetables. Here’s my advice, though, from long years in the horticulture industry:
Get crackin on the peas. You’re nearly out of time for that.
Carrots and onions should go in now.
The others should wait until May 15th.
Swing by a local garden center (not a big chain) and try to get a copy of the Utah State University/UNLA (Utah Nursery and Landscape Assoc.) garden guide. It recommends varieties (a little out of date, but still useful) and gives recommended dates for various things based on our climate here.
Also, my perennial advice to everyone who has a garden is to plant beets. That’s because they’re easy to grow and they are the best vegetables ever. Like plant candy!
Also, my perennial advice to everyone who has a garden is to plant beets.
Only plant ONE zucchini plant. Don’t be tempted by the six pack of plants. Just one. Bell peppers need tons of water too, every day for juicy peppers.
Oh I am so very jelous of you!! I kill all plants that are my own. When I care for other peoples plants, somehow I manage to keep them alive!
Your yard is beautiful by the way! ; )
I have to recomend a little bit of Basil for the Garden ~I got a lovey plant of it at the SLC farmers market last summer and it was so lovely and prolific ~and it goes lovely with tomatoes