A temporary (I hope) setback

My old bean towers fell apart at the end of last season - they were 12 years old. I decided to try a new design and ordered the above pictured bean towers from Gardener's Supply Company with my tax refund earlier this year.

I didn't open them when they came since the ground was still covered with lots of snow - I just set them aside until I needed them. Today I opened them and went to put them in the garden and lo and behold - one of them is defective! And of course, customer service is closed so I have to wait until tomorrow to call (I hope they are open on Saturday). My fear is that they will want me to return the defective one before sending out a new one and who knows how long that can take? I am hoping that they will realize that this is planting season and if they make me wait I will just ask for a refund and buy something locally that I can put right up.

I have always had good luck and great customer service with Gardener's so I'm hoping this will be just a temporary setback.

I really like the one that is up - no more strings to string up like I did with my old towers - it comes in two pieces - you just unfold them - put the bottom one in the ground and then stick the prongs from the top one into the holes on the bottom one -that was a little tricky lining up all of those prongs and holes, but the rest was easy peasy - well, except for the second one that seems to be welded incorrectly and won't open up at all. I like that they fold flat for easy storage and the height seems good.

I'll keep you posted on how this all comes out and how they work out for me throughout the growing season.

Loving this May weather!

The Brussels Sprouts are planted!

Fresh cut rhubarb just begging to be made into Rhubarb Crisp. Yum! The first batch of the year is always the best tasting!

Soon there will be strawberries to go with the rhubarb and then I can make Strawberry Rhubarb Pie! I can't wait!

The next batch of veggies is getting used to the weather outside so they can be planted next - broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and a herb pack that I picked up from my CSA today.

How is everyone else's garden coming along? What have you planted? Are you ahead of me? I doubt anyone is further behind than me, but do leave a comment on where you are at with your garden so far this year.

It finally looks like spring!

Pea plants are up and looking healthy!

Brussels Sprouts are outside getting used to the weather before I plant them.

And my beautiful apple tree is in full bloom!

Finally a beautiful day!

The rumor I heard was true! It is 81 degrees as I type this! After a very cold and rainy and almost nonexistent spring - warmer weather has arrived! It is going to cool down and be closer to normal temps by the weekend, but compared to how cold it has been, I will take normal!

If you look really closely here, you can see a pea starting to peek through the soil. In spite of a late planting, I think it will be a good year for peas.

The seedlings in the basement are also behind schedule - also planted late - but they are very healthy looking and I have confidence that they will do well and catch up once they are outdoors.

The apple tree is about to burst into bloom. I can't wait. I love how the apple tree looks when it is covered in flowers - and the kids love picking little green apples, which can't happen without flowers first.

I hope all of my fellow gardeners are enjoying this glorious day!

Time to Plant Potatoes

These potatoes are sprouting and saying they are ready to be planted. I am planting them whole this year like my dad used to do. I usually cut them into pieces - but you have to make sure you cure them before planting when you do that or they will rot instead of grow. I always lose a few to rotting because I am just impatient and plant too soon. So this year I am experimenting. I'm not sure why we cut them up - I guess I will see if I get less yield this year.

The trees have finally started leafing out and I am starting to feel like we will actually have a spring and that summer will be here. I actually heard a rumor that it will be 80 tomorrow - after all of the cold, that will seem really warm. But I'll believe it when I feel it on my bare arms.

Happy Gardening!