The Summer-like Spring Continues

The great weather continues with only a brief interlude of a frost one night. No real damage on the homestead as no fragile plants have been put out yet, only seeds planted so far. Since it has been warm so early some Maine farmers were at risk for  their various fruit blossoms: strawberries, blueberries and fruit trees.  But all is fine here. The strawberry crop looks to be a bountiful one this year....many white blossoms and now berries forming.

As you can see below, the azaleas finally are blooming.  My plants are along side the garage and are in the shade a lot so seem to bloom later than most around this area but they are worth the wait. The next photo is of the wisteria in the archway by the raised bed garden. Its bloom this year is a mix of white and purple and there are many, many blooms.

The nighttime temperatures are nearly 50 degrees now or above and the days are near 70 or above in the ten day forecast so it was definitely time to put out the greenhouse and add all the plants that have been started inside the house. Hopefully the tomato plants and other things will now experience a big growth spurt as the weather is so good there really can be put in the ground soon, possible even before the usual Memorial Day planting weekend.

 

The last two pictures show the creative log rack that my neighbor Pipe Smoking Paul invented many years ago. He lent it to me to use to cut the many pole of wood I had gathered than needed to be cut into stove-sized pieces. These pictures are before and after shots  In a matter of minutes the chain saw turned it into cut logs. I actually did three rack loads of pieces.  I now had my winter of 2010-2011 wood supply all gathered and should easily have over three cords ready for seasoning all summer and fall. I do have quite a pile of these newly cut logs and some others logs that do need splitting into smaller pieces though.

Some new plantings this week include snow peas, sunflowers, and acorn squash. I have cleaned and prepared some additional planting beds so am ready to plant more beans and other things. The potatoes have now emerged in their rows and the onions are flourishing nicely.  The asparagus is simple wonderful this year. Four meals so far and counting. I expect to make the first rhubarb pies just before the family arrives from Brooklyn for a week long visit over Memorial Day.