Early May Rains

The first week in May in Southern Maine is proving to be a wet one. I am not complaining at all for the rain is coming gently and stops for part of the day allowing for some outdoor work. For the last few springs the homestead has face an annual torrential storm triggering destructive garden flooding but this year may well be the exception. The relentless task of mowing has begun though, but only around the Field Garden and in Midge's Orchard so far. By this weekend the entire place will need mowing and this will mean the beginning of adding grass clippings to the compost piles. The rain also makes the weeds flourish and they always grow faster than the flowers and veggies plants so this means a lot of time will be spend on hands and knees communing with nature in weed form.
More seedlings are emerging, especially peas, turnips, radishes and beets. More and more asparagus shoots are appearing in the Field Garden but none yet in the Raised Bed Garden. I notice that tons of blueberry buds are forming on the 18 bushes. I think a bumper crop will be the 2009 blueberry story! I noticed the first buds on one of the dwarf apple trees so some first apples should happen this year. Many blooms are emerging on the lilacs as well. All tulips are now in bloom in their many locations and the three circles of grape hyacinths in the lilac bed are blooming as well. There is nothing like a burst of spring flowers to trigger great gardening excitement each spring!