seasonal observations

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iris_march29_0Some springtime observations and garden notes…

The bats (and flying bugs) are back, and have been back for some time now. The swallows are as well!

The osprey has returned and we’ve been watching to see where it decides to nest. The dead tree it has nested in every year could be in better shape.

Elders are flowering. Already?

Crows are around again; paired off, talking loudly, and constantly gathering nesting materials.

The wooly bear caterpillars are super abundant, like I’ve never seen. Last year we hardly saw a single one.

Our apricot has set lots of little fruits for the first time, and the stanley prune flowered abundantly. Even the apple tree has put out it’s first 2 blossoms. It’s struggled, so this feels like a great sign of progress.

Herbs, like thyme, chives and rosemary are flowering and others such as oregano, savory and echinacea are putting on new growth like crazy.

In the garden the slugs have been scarce so far this year. I’m amazed. And so relieved! The peas and fava beans are growing with vigor, carrots have abundantly sprouted, with almost no help from me – due to a seemingly perfect balance of rain and sun. Beets and cilantro are putting up green growth, and borage – which made it through the winter (with total ease), is about to flower. I planted corn last week. This is a first for me, and I am super excited! I purchased a variety which is said to do well in cooler conditions – heirloom seed of course. I plan to do a 3 sisters style planting in that bed.

Last week I did another round of planting in pots – some garden staples, some for the general landscape and some just for fun… more peas, more lettuce, more basil, more sunflowers, goldenrod, baby’s breath, cosmos, blue fescue, echinacea, and a bunch of other things I can’t remember at the moment.

Something gives me the feeling this year is going to be pretty excellent for growing plants.

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