May’s Garden

 

Here in zone 6, things are starting to take off. Cooler weather plants are finishing up. I haven’t been able to get things done exactly how I like due to shoulder surgery 😩 and limited activity. But most of the hard work was done beforehand. I do what I am able, at a slow pace and the rest I call on family members to do. Hmm 🤔 perhaps that’s why they are all avoiding me…

Gardening is my therapy.

Below: In the flower garden, the phlox is finished blooming. It actually made it to the end without the deer and rabbits eating it, thanks to deer spray and netting. I also found these stepping stones I love at Hobby Lobby. Sale price $6 each! I have 3 different ones. I was worried about the late frosts we had this year, but the impact was minimal. The lilacs are done. Columbine are approaching the end.

 

 

In the vegetable garden: The radishes and baby bok choy are done. Both were first time crops for me. The bok choy did better than I thought and was quite tasty. The radishes were tasty as well, however of the four varieties I planted, only two did well.

 

 

The broccoli did very well, although there were a couple of heads that went a little long because I wasn’t able to cut them off with one hand. I am leaving the rest of the plant in a little longer so some side shoots can form.

 

 

The zucchini is beginning to take off. I planted green and gray zucchini. Looks like that might be the green variety based on the babies.  I planted some in containers and some in beds.

The Brussels sprouts are getting large as well. I think I may have planted the spouts too close together. Time will tell.

 

 

The strawberries are very tasty. The first year plants don’t set as much fruit. Next year will be more prolific.

 

 

The raspberries are beginning to bloom and the blueberries have tons of berries this year, even though I was worried about the lack of visible pollinators at bloom time.

 

 

Here are the tomatoes and potatoes. I have them in beds and containers as well.

 

 

Snow peas are taller than I am and producing heavily. They will be done soon.

I don’t know how I ended up with so much lettuce. I am giving bags to everyone I meet. People are beginning to avoid eye contact. Much like zucchini syndrome. We’ve had a hot week here and the lettuce and spinach are beginning to bolt.

 

I have some winter squash and melons that are just in the beginning stages.

There are some roses, clematis, peonies and lilies blooming as well.

 

 

      “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”  John 15:1-2