Thursday, May 15, 2014

My Active Garden

I thought I would do a post on all the plants that are growing in my garden and the general activity. Things are quite busy in my garden! My plants are growing, seeds are sprouting, birds are making nests, weeds are thriving and the insects are out and about. I have been filling my bird feeders a lot, the birds are hungry. This year I have a lot birds visiting my garden and my feeders. I have seen Black Capped Chickadees, Sparrows, Gold Finch, Barn Swallows, Cardinals, Morning Doves, Robins, Purple Finch, Tufted Titmouse and Woodpeckers. The Robins stand and watch me weed and turn my soil, as soon as I move away from the area they run over and scavenge for worms. I also enjoy watching the Sparrows swoop down through the air to catch insects. Pretty soon my garden will be occupied with House Wrens, they come every year and nest in my bird houses. This year I sanded and repainted my bird houses for the Wrens. I love to listen to the sounds they make. I am also waiting for the hummingbirds to make an appearance. I have a Trumpet Vine and Coral Honeysuckle growing on my garden fence for them.

As far as the plants that are growing in my garden, they are doing well. The broccoli and cabbage I started from seed indoors is growing beautifully. I am hoping they produce before the heat of the summer comes.
 Broccoli bed with three different varieties.
 Calabrese, Arcadia and Di Ciccio


Deadon Cabbage
 
 

I also purchased some transplants at a local nursery. I bought Romanesco Cauliflower, Savoy Cabbage, Winterbor Kale and Snowball Improved Cauliflower.

Savoy Cabbage protected by wire fencing so the voles do not eat them. I find that when I plant young plants towards the back of my garden they are vulnerable to voles.
 
Winterbor Kale
 
Snowball Improved Cauliflower
 
Romanesco Cauliflower
 
I was very excited to see that my Purple Artichokes survived the winter and are growing new leaves. I am hoping to be able to harvest some this year.
 
My Purple Asparagus is sprouting and I have been able to harvest enough for
a side dish with dinner last week. It was wonderful!
 
 
 
My Chinese cabbage, carrots, onions, garlic, shallots, snow peas and lettuce are also growing nicely. Yesterday evening I planted 20 tomato plants, I still have around 30 more to plant.
Thanks for stopping by and taking a look at my garden activity!