Milwaukee has been experiencing some weather extremes. The days have been wet and gloomy, more like Seattle than the typical mid-west summer. The extra rain and high winds tested the skills of the City of Milwaukee Forestry Department. Late nights and long days went into clearing the streets of downed trees and limbs. They are a well oiled machine when it comes to storm work.
The wet weather has hampered gardening. I had worked quickly to get my plants in before the lingering front settled in. The plants are thriving from getting in the ground before a thorough soaking. I over-seeded and patched some areas of turf which have sprouted well with minimal attention. My only regret is I didn't get my shade plants in before it all hit.
Our crew still has a bunch of trees to get in the ground. Most areas are so wet, that we can't get in to do this. Other spots need just a couple of days to make this possible. The trees that are in are happy with the moisture levels keeping them hydrated. The rain is good in some ways and a hindrance in others. I guess you can't have it all.
The walk through my misty garden was a treat this morning. Water drops clung to everything. There were spider webs across the grass that were beautiful. There was fur and feathers from a battle that took place yesterday that was not as appealing to see. Everything was just so quiet and peaceful. I love a hot cup of coffee on a cool, wet morning. I think I will take advantage of the saturated mulched areas and get the Weed Dragon busy burning up all those tree seedlings coming up. Make hay when the sun shines, burn weeds when it doesn't. Have a great weekend!
I took a walk in the garden before work this morning in between rain storms. We have been hit pretty hard with wind and rain. There has been plenty of storm damage keeping my co-workers in the district offices busy in to the wee hours of the morning. The rain has kept us out of the fields. We are so close to finishing the tree planting that this is an unwelcome roadblock to that completion. The walk this morning was a welcome diversion. I found my garlic forming scapes (seed heads) which were ripe for the picking. These saute up well in dishes and are best picked early to continue good garlic bulb formation. Seed formation tends to diminish the rest of your plants in general.
I took another gander around the yard on my return from work and found a bountiful crop of those beautiful Alpine strawberries. So packed with flavor in their marble size miniature form.
They will be a tasty addition to a spinach salad for supper. I made up some bacon to make it an official spinach salad. The cool weather has produced the best crop of spinach I have had in my garden in years. I have taken note that planting on the north side of my raised beds helps to keep it from bolting early. This will be the first spring I have had success with this crop. I planted in square foot fashion and popped about 3 seeds per dibble hole to ensure success. The first round was thinning out the extras and now I take out the largest of the plants. Lettuce has also been a terrific crop this year.
If you are experiencing rain, take the time to see how truly beautiful the garden is with the moisture brightening all the colors. It's worth the damp feet.
I have been to only one garden center this spring to pick up plants. Crazy for me as I love to go and see what everyone has growing. I am understanding now why my former boss (when I was a laborer) only went when he finally had time to see his friends at their greenhouses. After spending all that time over-seeing all those plants, it just isn't exciting to go see more.
I finally made my run to my favorite place. Two weeks later than usual, the selection had diminished. The houses were empty and everything was outdoors. Luxembourg Gardens in Franklin is a wonderful little gem of a garden center. Run by the owners and tended by other knowledgeable staff, it is a wonderful place to unwind and shop. It is not a fancy place, but it has just what I like. Sue never lets you leave without making sure you know what you are buying and the best way to care for it. If you are buying things before they should be set outside, she will let you know that, too.
I picked up my herbs (including my Mojito mint which I am enjoying right now in the proper beverage) and an assortment of annuals to add to my beds totaling just one flat plus the seven pots of herbs. I think I will be lucky to get these in with the rest of my plants I have waiting to get in the ground at home. I am still hardening off some of them as well. It will be a late to come flower garden this year.
I have been enjoying Pak Choy and radishes. The early cabbage is forming heads so I want to cover them from the moths this year. I want to try the pantyhose method on some of them and see how they do.
Nothing has hatched from the praying mantis cases yet. They got out a little early this year. The birds have been fun to watch in the backyard this spring. I have feeders with nuts, thistle, and nectar so the variety has been good. We have a nesting robin right outside the bedroom window. The babies are visible from the window and also from the ground.
The Little Free Library has also been going well. It sits just off the walk, but inside the front garden on an old stump. I am glad I went this route to put it up as it really fits the garden style better than up on posts. It also makes it fun for little ones to pick out their selections. I recommend putting one up if you are a reader who loves to share.
I will be out in the garden tomorrow to finish off the final planting. For now, I think I will just enjoy the fruits of my laborer and the cold drink in hand.
