Garden-y goodness

[siercia]

I spent most of this afternoon digging up the bulbs I planted last fall. When they came up this spring, they were too far apart and looked straggly, and I've decided I want to change how it looks. I'm going to mix them in with the rest of the plants in the bed bordering the edge of the front yard, instead of having a big triangle. We'll try to get the triangle to go back to grass. Hopefully it will co-operate. I've got to get some more mulch to cover the few areas that aren't covered, but I shouldn't need too much more. It was neat in digging them up, to see how many of them are propagating further bulbs on them, spreading their flower-y goodness. I'd wondered how, in planting the bulbs 6-8 inches apart like the books recommend, that people have the giant clumps of daffodils, crocuses and irises, but I guess I know now.

The other really neat things was feeling just how warm the earth was from the sun. Most of the gardening I've done before today was in the spring, before the ground really warmed up. Today was different - as far down as I was digging, the earth was warm. It felt so vibrant and life affirming to be working with it. Or maybe I'm just silly.

In other news, every tomato plant I've put in this year has at least one little tomato hanging on it. And my yellow squash, zucchini and cucumber plants all have buds or flowers on them. The only plants that aren't showing signs of vegetable producing are the peppers and eggplant. I am SO excited!

Comments

Wow, it sounds like you're a real expert gardener!

[mamawrites.livejournal.com]

We're just taking baby steps this year -- a new bed down by our sidewalk with some perennials, and a container garden in back with herbs. I'd like to plant bulbs this fall, and maybe vegetables next spring so Julia can see them grow.

Enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Re: Wow, it sounds like you're a real expert gardener!

[siercia]

Heh. I'm hardly an expert. Actually, I think I'd rae myself maybe one step above complete novice. This is the first year I've gardened, since I was eight, and helped my dad with his rather unsuccessful vegetable garden.

The bulbs were easy - plant them point up, give them a little dosing of bulb food, and wait for them to do their thing. The vegetables are proving easier than I thought - I amended my soil with some peat moss, and purchased topsoil, and they seem to like it. I think that part of the trick there is giving them lots of water... and right after I planted them, we got a couple of good rainy weeks. And they're in a good sunny spot.

I can't wait for Widget to be old enough to be interested in helping me garden.