Wednesday, January 30, 2008

The state of the garden

As my spring fever continues to rise, I decided to check out my garden--which I've conveniently been ignoring since the last time I picked a green pepper or some lettuce and spinach for salad, back in maybe September? I can't recall. Suffice it to say that I didn't really clean it up before the cold came. Here's the garden today:


I guess I was hoping the stuff would just die out and compost itself! Anyway, note the washed-out colors, except for the spinach that has somehow survived snowfalls and sub-freezing temps all winter:

I wonder if it's bitter or anything--I mean the new little leaves in the center. Maybe I should've tasted some.

At the risk of breaking my own heart with longing, here's a picture of the garden taken in June 2007:

Oh, my cries of angst! [back of hand on forehead, head tilted back dramatically] Springtime, come soon!

*sigh*

Back to the washed-out colors, I had the camera on automatic mode, but the photos were very washed out in the brightness of early evening. I'm a little disappointed that the pics weren't better, but I'm not all that sure it isn't the subject matter that just looks like that, washed out and brown and dull. I took these pics at about 5pm today. I do love that the days are getting longer now!

Speaking of crazy plants that are still green, look at this over-achieving herb garden pair:

Parsley in January! I thought about picking some for Nibble, but I'm worried it too might be bitter.

Lavender staying strong! It never got any bigger than this (it's maybe seven inches across) but it seems pretty hardy.

Meanwhile, in last year's tomato garden (which I actually did clear out, so I wouldn't get a million little volunteer tomatoes), the crazy daffodils are starting to sprout:

I remember they did the same thing last year and they were fine, so I'm not too worried. Must've been that single day (yesterday) when it got into the forties. "We're having a heatwave!"

If it weren't so cold (we're in the 20s and falling, with a lot of wind), I might consider cleaning up the big garden and putting all that stuff in the compost heap:

Yikes--that heap just might need to be turned....

14 comments:

Susan Gets Native said...

That wind you are feeling blew through here last night. I thought we were going to lose the shingles. Batten down the hatches!
I, too, am clutching the pearls about Spring. I have so many plans...well, I have big plans every year. But implementing them is a different story.

RG said...

Those pictures were all so fine - they resemble my winter mess - until the one of the green garden ... aaaggghhhhhhhhhhh.

Will we ever see that again?

Fran said...

Your garden! It is lovely in all of its states.

dguzman said...

Susan, it was like a hurricane out there! I too get big plans for the garden, and when I start to falter, Kat's always there to help me--she's the one who redesigned the garden to have that space up front with the little stepping stones, where we have flowers and berries.

Rabbits' Guy--I sure hope so!

Fran--Glad you like. Wish you could come see it in person when it's all green and growing. It's beautiful!

Mary said...

Don't fret. You are not alone - I have a few heaps, too. Ugly, ugly...

Jess Wundrun said...

i'm with fran. beautiful.

Earl Cootie said...

It's so hard to get decent picture in winter. The gray and brown everywhere around, combined with the crappy light. And even on sunny days, the sun's so far south that all photos turn out like they've been taken at sunset. A blinding, white sunset. Ugg-lee.

Lisa said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. It's always good to hear from new fellow journeyers.

I, too, am ready, ready, ready for Spring and warmth. This time of year (jan-mar) is hardest for me. Ohio is lovely but it would be better if I could hibernate :-0

Love your garden photos! I'm planning a bigger, more adventurous garden this year with one of my new-found neighbor friends.
Here's to home-grown produce!

Peace,
Lisa

Lisa said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. It's always good to hear from new fellow journeyers.

I, too, am ready, ready, ready for Spring and warmth. This time of year (jan-mar) is hardest for me. Ohio is lovely but it would be better if I could hibernate :-0

Love your garden photos! I'm planning a bigger, more adventurous garden this year with one of my new-found neighbor friends.
Here's to home-grown produce!

Peace,
Lisa

KGMom said...

Whew--you really do have spring fever. I enjoy gardening, but only flowers.
I love the photo of your garden in full leaf.

Anonymous said...

I feel right at home there in all the stages. Your spring garden is lovely! Like something out of the magazines I sigh over.

Larry said...

You've got some hardy garden plants there.-I'm looking forward to the spring planting myself.

pissed off patricia said...

The picture of your garden in its glory is so beautiful. Just hang in there, it'll all be beautiful again in just a few months.

dguzman said...

Thanks for admiring my little garden. Kat did the design with the little area and stepping stones in the front, and I think that's what made it so pretty. AND she said that this year she'll help me make it even bigger! Whoopie!