I've spent a good portion of my Sunday working in the garden with my son. That's a reward in and of itself, but seeing my plans move towards reality as plants go in, or start to bloom and grow from earlier work, is just happy-making.
The peas are tall, but not blooming. They might not, I suppose, this being Texas and warmer than they like. The transplanted tomatoes and peppers are hanging in there. The blackberries I put in early in the year are throwing new growth, as is the peach and the blueberries. The nectarine did not make it. The grape, on the other hand, has a foot or more of growth and I am tying it to the trellis. The Peggy Martin roses are happy and perhaps will bloom this year!
The herb bed is almost full, I put some parsley and sorrel in today, as well as a basil plant... Need to pick up a Thai basil, or see if I have seeds for it. I have strawberries in, and blooming, but they are small and not setting fruit. Probably need to water them more! I need to direct-sow a few things, like zinnias. Today I finished the little annual flower border in front of the house, which will be a mad mix of color unless the summer's heat toasts it dead. Which it might. There's a reason I'm planning to slowly move everything to Texas natives and perennials, at that, with deep roots and less need for water. I've already done that in the 'Hedgerow' I'm creating between the house and the road, with things like Blackfoot Daisy, Bidens, Geum, Dwarf Yaupon Holly, Penstemon, Hardy Hibiscus, blueberries, semi-dwarf Methley Plum, Scarlet Sage, Golden Currants, and a Mexican Plum. With seeds and plants, over a few years, I'll be developing that into a thick row of year-round interest in various plants. I think I'll put some peppers and the tomatillos up there this year. I do like some edible landscaping!
Things that need a lot of water, like the lemongrass and ginger, both in pots, will be right outside the doors, where I'm likely to remember they exist. The herb bed will hopefully not need much once it's established, as it's hardest to reach with the hose. Ah, well, it can be moved if it fails this year, and most of what I have in there likes a Mediterranean clime - hot dry and sunny. Just like us! The raised beds for veggies are out back, where there is some shade. As the potatoes are in grow bags (and doing fine in them!) I'll likely be watering those every day even so.
I got a little (and I do mean little!) start of horseradish on a whim, to see how it manages here. I also got a start of rhubarb, because I love it so, but I'm afraid it won't do well at all. I can only try, right? I'm going to put it right by the hose bib (well, a few feet away, just in case!) so I can water it every time I drain the hose to coil it up. I'm contemplating fall, already, as there will be more planting for the future done in that season than in spring here in Texas, I'm learning. The (relatively) mild winters give things a chance to really put down roots and develop before the mad dash of spring begins. That will be a season of perennials, and any other trees and berries I want to put it. Too late this year for any more of those. I think I'll get an own-root peach from the local nursery when he gets them in again, though, to replace the nectarine. I need to get the Dude to help me string wires for the espalier system on the shed, where I'll train the first peach on the wall. Hopefully this will create a favorable micro-climate to keep the blooms from frost damage, and support the limbs when it fruits.
I keep reminding myself it doesn't all have to get done this year, this spring. I have some time. I have lots of growing to do here, both in the garden and in the house. Spring fever is real, and I'm enjoying the garden for now! It will be too darn hot soon enough.