It's mid May already!

It's mid May and I still don't have everything in the garden yet. I'm running behind. Last year I was too far ahead and so I tried to compensate. Looks like the sweet spot is right in between. Next year!

Sooo, I checked in on the eggs today and found out they're gone, because they hatched! I didn't want to mess with them for more than a second to ensure the mother didn't abandon them so I was only able to get this one image. Damn, they are UGLY!!!! I hope these guys grow up to be swans, otherwise......

(click on any image to see a higher resolution version)

I finally got around to putting in the soaker hoses. It looks silly but my hope is it will cut down on the amount of time I need to spend each morning and night watering the garden during the summer with a hand held hose.



Here's a close up, you can see the water dripping off the bottom edge of it.

Snow peas in the ground!

Beans in the ground!

The trellis I built for them and the cucumbers which have yet to sprout.

Carnival squash in the ground!

Giant gray pumpkins in the ground!


Potatoes are finally sprouting.

Onions coming up. I got these from my uncle Oscar last fall from his garden.

In the bed towards the bottom of the image there are two types of lettuce, spinach and red cabbage. The top bed I am just going to plant flowers. I have two types of sunflowers, columbine and lupines in so far. I will replant the lupines in the fall.

Gnome with the spirit of Jerry Garcia still keeping vigilant watch. Don't mess with him, he's crazy.

Chive flower blossom.

I don't know what these are but when they take over and area they take that spot over! Good luck trying to get rid of them.

Random flower that sprouted around the front door.

These tulips didn't like the rain.


Close up of a raspberry stalk and it's thorns.


Dandelion.

Our driveway looking towards the road. Nice rock work Jane!

Jane's pigmy rhododendron has finally blossomed.

Some random wild flowers coming up through the lawn where I haven't mowed yet. I try to go around these patches and not kill them when I can, they're pretty.



The stream.
I finally got the mower working yesterday after a month of trying (changed oil, removed stale gas and replaced with 93 octane, new spark plug, cleaned air filter) and hit the grass at the front of the yard by the road. I should have taken a "before" image, the grass was literally three feet high in spots. Most of the mowing was done with the mower at a 45 degree angle, like it was popping a wheelie the whole time to get over it and keep it from stalling. Here it is after it was mowed. 30 minutes before this a teenager crashed just after the yellow arrow sign. There is an accident here every other week, and those are just the ones we know about. FYI, if it's wet outside and you're approaching a downhill instant 90 degree curve, slow down. Actually, here's some more driving advice. Always break before the turn, then hit the gas when you're halfway through it to tear out like a bull. Don't break through the turn, it's too late. I learned this from reading the Gran Turismo booklet. Very insightful.


Also planted seeds of brussel sprouts (totally the wrong time but whateva!), two types of carrots, basil and ZUCCHINI!!! I also planted some gladiolus bulbs and some elephant ears, we'll see how they do. Thanks for reading.