A day
(slightly drizzly – nothing you’d call actual rain) and a half (slightly busy with other things) spent indoors.
When I go down to the garden yesterday afternoon, I can’t believe what’s been happening.
There are,
quite undeniably, pears growing on the pear tree. How exciting is that? (Okay,
okay, I know there’s a long way to go before I get a pear crumble out of this
tree, but still. Pretty fucking exciting as far as I’m concerned.)
The
California lilac has burst into bloom and is absolutely buzzing with bees.
You’ll have
to take my word for it (as they are apparently camera shy), but there really
were at least twenty bees sucking the nectar out of these flowers when I took
the photo.
Lots of strawberries have started to appear. This is going to be a great crop
– especially as (touch wood) the netting means most of them are for me and not
for the birds.
Less good
news elsewhere.
So much for
my recent excitement that peas were starting to appear. Some have, but only
four out of dozens planted. It’s possible the birds got to the seeds. It’s also
possible the seeds (third year in a “good for three years” packet) were
actually past their sell by date. More seeds will need to be purchased and planted.
Peas now well behind schedule. Sigh.
The beets
are still coming along nicely and I think (although it may be wishful thinking)
that I spy with my little eye some carrot leaves starting to appear. (And as
they do, I suddenly ask myself why the hell I planted them in the shallower end
of the raised bed. Doh.)
Four squash
plants have sprouted. No idea if they’re acorn or scaloppini. (Should have made
a note of which I planted where. Time will tell.
No sign so
far of any lettuce, rocket or spinach. Too soon to give up on these? Nah. Ever
the optimist me.
