There Will Be A Garden

There hasn't been a whole lot of gardening going on around here still formerly Hurricane Irene hit at the end of the summer.  We pretty much packed away the garden and didn't look back.  We were very lucky that we got to go down to Florida twice this winter -- the second time because I was laid off from my job at the end of February.  Not worry, I've already started a new position and I'm very happy.  Unfortunately it's a return to more traditional 9-5 office hours with a 45 minute commute each way, so I won't be at home as often as I used to be.  But I've been told summer is a lot quieter and we even get 6 half day Fridays, so we'll see.  I would have loved to get the garden in before I went back to work on May 1st, but the weather just didn't cooperate.  With the odd hot and cold spells we've been having, not to mention April showers in May, I was afraid to plant veggies too early.  Though some seem to have survived the stupid warm winter we had, like this kale:

Just pulling them out made a big difference:

This photo was actually taken a week ago.  Now the lupine's starting to bloom and the irises are even taller.  I must clean this bed up, it's just a mess:

Another side effect of our non-existent fall clean-up -- strawberries growing in the driveway.  I'm hoping I can salvage some of them, but they can't stay in the driveway:

Some things need absolutely nothing done, but as an aside, this cranesbill pink geranium is crazy big:

When I planted it almost exactly a year ago:

Another part of the garden that needs no work:

And the sage plant along the driveway was covered in blooms a week ago.  It's one of the first plants I bought when we started gardening and I love how it's flourishing:

Now to what I did on Saturday...my annual plant-buying outing.  Now that I have to squeeze these things in on Saturdays I feel a little more stressed.  It's amazing how much better our neglected garden and driveway looks with some hanging baskets of petunias:  

So much fun planting awaits:

I love the color combos I have here:

I hope this geranium will bloom pink, but I'm afraid it's going to be red.  No matter, I bought it for the variegated foliage:

Did you notice any difference in these photos from Saturday?  Taken with my new iPhone 4s.  I've read that they have great cameras, but I didn't really believe it.  I do now:

Seriously, look at that bee!  Not a great photo overall, composition, subject, etc., but it's crystal clear:

Tomorrow is Mother's Day and I'm beyond excited to have my menfolk helping me in the garden.  I need to formulate a plan...what's going to be our priority?  Happy Mother's Day and happy gardening!

Comments

[Mummer]

!Yay! Heather's back! I am sooo glad I now get a little 'window' on a New England Spring again. I've missed you....
Of course, I saw you most often in our Florida Spring this year. You all came at the very best times - the temperature is still miserably hot and steadily climbing.
Keep up with the lovely photos. Your bee shot
is indeed stunningly sharp. Now to get pix of your pet praying mantis!

[Katie]

So glad you posted! Sounds like you've had a heck of a year - and sorry to hear about the job loss but I'm glad you landed on your feet. I love that pink geranium by the way!

[Heather's Garden]

Mom -- I talk to you all the time. You miss my photos, not me!

Katie -- It's not a bad thing in the slightest, just made me a little crazy because I'd been hearing how awful the job market is, but knock wood I didn't have that experience at all. I actually got the first job that I applied to and withdrew myself from the application process at the other two places where I interviewed when I was offered that first one.