Mother Earth's Garden

I love how the garden takes off in June. It starts the month with new plants, blooms, or seeds, and by the end of the month things are really starting to happen.
Here’s my main vegetable garden. It’s actually right at the edge of a pasture, so that’s why it looks like it’s surrounded by grass (it is).

I have most of my garden planted. I’m still debating on adding a couple half rows of sweet corn, and some green beans. Everything else is in and growing.
At the beginning of this month I’m harvesting some spring greens, spinach, strawberries, onions, and …read more

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Peony blooms are spectacular, they’re truly show offs in the garden this time of year. No matter what color you have, you definitely know when they’re in bloom in your garden.

I think peonies are easy to grow, just give them a well drained sunny, or partially sunny location and they’ll take off.
 
They don’t spread, they just get a little larger each year. You can divide a chunk off of a mature plant to start someplace else in your garden.

The only drawback to peonies is the ant attraction. Ants love peonies, and not just your Aunt …read more

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I have a love hate relationship with clematis. I love it, but it doesn’t love me. I’ve never had much success with growing clematis. Every time I plant one it either doesn’t grow, or doesn’t bloom, or both.

My mom on the other hand has great luck with clematis, maybe she just has the perfect spot? She doesn’t do anything with hers and it blooms like crazy every year.
I think I might just give it another try. The beautiful blooms are definitely worth the frustration. Maybe I just need to find a better spot for it in …read more

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I spent the afternoon planting my garden. I had some plants to get in there and I didn’t want to let them sit in pots too long. I planted 18 different types of tomatoes. Most were heirloom varieties, including Cherokee Chocolate, Green Jubilee, Ivory Egg, Blueberry, and some of my favorites like Arkansas Traveler, and Brandywine.

I also planted some eggplant, basil, flowering kale, and 4 different varieties of peppers. They all joined the cabbage, potatoes, onions, greens, spinach, and peas that I planted in April.
I still want to get some melons, squash and beets planted, hopefully tomorrow. I usually …read more

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In our area (USDA zone 5) the frost free safe date is usually Mother’s Day, but we’ve had two frosts since then this year. We had a fairly hard frost last night!

What can you do to protect your plants from a late season frost?

If you’ve planted any tender annuals, such as tomatoes, melons, peppers, petunias, or cucumbers cover them with a lightweight blanket or sheet.
Any newly planted plants that have been inside or in a greenhouse, and are not hardened off to the outdoor weather yet should be covered.
If your plants aren’t in the ground yet bring them …read more

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I’ve had tons of blooms this month, but most didn’t wait for Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day. My fruit trees, and lilac blooms have all come and gone, but my irises are just coming to life with their spectacular blooms.
Here’s what’s blooming in my garden for May Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day 2009.

The white irises are just starting to bloom. They make my hillside garden look like a wedding when they’re in full bloom.

I’m surprised they’re still looking so fabulous after the last two days of rain and wind.

My strawberries are blooming, it makes my mouth water just thinking about strawberries!

The Cranesbill …read more

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I started some seeds and onion sets a few weeks ago, and now those plants are happily growing in my garden, along with the weeds that seem to be popping up everywhere.
The onions look great, I have red white and yellow planted, I can’t wait until I can start plucking them out of the ground.

I also planted some cabbage directly in the garden, I need to get out there and thin the plants. I think I’ll give the plants I thin out to my sister for her garden, or just replant them in another spot in the garden if …read more

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We had a beautiful rainbow over our garden last night. I snapped a few photos, but didn’t get a chance to post them last night. It was one of those crazy hectic days.

I hope the rainbow will bring good luck to my garden this summer! I did notice my onions, peas, and some of my spring greens are peeking up out of the ground. I should be planting more to join them in the next few days, and some tomato and pepper plants in the next few weeks.

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Asparagus season is almost here in my zone 5 Ohio garden. My favorite way to cook asparagus is on the grill. I also like it tossed with olive oil, and a little parmesan and either grilled or baked in the oven until it’s tender.
Did you know you can eat asparagus straight from the garden? If you haven’t tried it, you should sometime. It has a different flavor, and a great crunch.
Asparagus is easy to grow, and the only care it really requires is a little dividing every few years. Set new asparagus crowns up in a sunny …read more

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I hope you and your family have a wonderful Easter. I’ve always heard if the weather is good (sunny not rainy) on Easter, the weather will be good (sunny) for the next ten Sundays. I hope that’s true, we’re having a fantastic sunny Easter this year.

The grass is getting greener, the spring flowers are blooming, and the weather’s getting warmer. Easter is one of those spring milestones when you know the weather only gets better from here!
Have fun finding those Easter eggs!
Image via sxc.hu user Jazza

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