May 07, 2005
Gratuitous Domestic Posting (TM) - Outdoor Division
I was out poking about in the garden this morning. How terrific it would be if we could somehow preserve the perfection of this time of year: The place is all cleaned up of winter's detritus; everything is fresh and green and growing; there is no sign yet of blight or disease; all of the weeds have been yanked for the moment; and the rabbits, slugs and insects haven't started in yet. It's all so pristine, like one's house just before a dinner party.
As much as I look forward to the main blooming season (i.e, the party itself), I also know that it's only a matter of time before I lose control of things. There's simply too much to keep up with and once it gets out of hand, one spends the rest of the summer playing catch-up. Oh well.
By the way, one of my peonies has forty buds on it this year. I can't wait to see what the blooms look like and find out exactly what it is. This plant was a leftover from the previous owner. I found it among the raspberry brakes, dug it up, divided it and moved it to my peony bed. It didn't bloom last year, probably because of all the trauma of the move. But this year I think it's going to pay off the wait with dividends. (The other half of the original also has about thirty buds.) I'll keep you posted.
Posted by Robert at May 7, 2005 11:19 AMYou are so "right on" with your outdoor postings... Yes, we are cleaning up the house, and loving it before the party begins....
What do you use to hoop your peonies? I have double hoops and they still aren't enough; the first big rain after the bloom and the peonies are a mess. Could you post some pix of your set up?
What do you apply the super phosphate to?
We hit it hard in the garden today. Planted three new azaleas, cough, small leaf rhododendrons, three more low growing blueberries, a columnar crabapple and, some dalias. God, I love being outside after the winter. It was sort of raining off and on. So what, don't have to go to the office today and who cares how filthy and dishelved I am.
I have 125 heirloom tomato plants and 25 tomatillos under the lights. I will repot to bigger pots tomorrow. I have signed up good homes for about half of them. It is sort of like having puppies or kittens; you want them to go to good homes, on the other hand you can't possibly take care of all of them yourself.
If my friends can't absord the babies I'll give them to the local farm stand to sell. An argument will ensue as the owner of the farm stand is a friend of mine and she will want to pay me.... What a tremendously kind family; if you are ever in Setauket, NY go to Ann Marie's Farm Stand.
Posted by: babs at May 7, 2005 09:52 PMSo when it bursts into bloom you'll post a pic?
Posted by: JulieB at May 7, 2005 10:54 PMBy the way, one of my peonies has forty buds on it this year.
You should probably have a doctor look at that.
Posted by: Bill from INDC at May 8, 2005 12:35 AM
