My son, Benjamin, really knows how to get my blood boiling.

The other day we were sitting out on the back deck enjoying the warm sun and fresh air when he turned to me and said, “You know, your garden doesn’t look very good this year. Before there were lots more flowers and vegetables.”

To which I replied…

“What?!?!?! It’s only May! Not even Martha Stewart can make tomatoes produce in May.”

Wisteria blooms over the garden gate. By summer's end, the sweet autumn clematis will have reached up from the other side.

Wisteria blooms over the garden gate. By summer's end, the sweet autumn clematis will have reached up from the other side.

Still, he did have a point. I have been a bit slow to get things rolling here this spring. My attentions have been torn between work, house, cooking, animal husbandry, writing and a great deal of time exercising on the spinning bike, classes and my home yoga practice.

Thankfully, many flowers, herbs and fruits return on their own. I’ve added bedding plants from the nursery. But I still have a stock tank pond and some more vegetables and flowers to attend to.

The herb garden includes flowers--columbine for spring color and celosia once June arrives and to the end of the growing season.

The herb garden includes flowers--columbine for spring color and celosia once June arrives and to the end of the growing season.

Most of that will have to wait until after the Garden Bloggers Spring Fling that comes up next weekend in Chicago. I will work in new bed digging and some woods clearing between other business trips I have planned this summer.

Jubilee strawberries produce all summer long. A single bed is enough to keep us in strawberry shortcake and to eat for breakfast with Greek yogurt.

Jubilee strawberries produce all summer long. A single bed is enough to keep us in strawberry shortcake and to eat for breakfast with Greek yogurt.

I am also making time to just sit still and appreciate what I’ve been given. I hope with all the busy-ness of gardening, you also have a beautiful place to sit and enjoy what you’ve created.

Wisteria also grows along the fence at the back of the garden. If you look closely, you can see a couple of asparagus stalks that have persisted even after tearing out the asparagus bed.

Wisteria also grows along the fence at the back of the garden. If you look closely, you can see a couple of asparagus stalks that have persisted even after tearing out the asparagus bed.

Robin

13 Responses to “Spring has Sprung at Bumblebee”

  1. Lisa at Greenbow Says:

    I don’t have any annuals in the ground around here yet. I figure I will do that when I return from the SF. I know lots of people are feeling the same pressures and doing less in their garden this spring. Of course record rains have put a damper on working in the garden some this spring as well. Some years are just like that. I think Martha would be happy with your garden as it is. At least as happy as Martha can be. tee hee… Happy Spring.

  2. Jackie Says:

    Your garden is exquisite! Even if it is early in the season.

  3. Katie Says:

    Wow, your raised bed frames are works of art. I have raised bed envy now!

    B is crazy. Your yard has WAY more going on than mine! It looks great.

    Say hello to Phooka + crew for me.

  4. Dee/reddirtramblings Says:

    It looks pretty darn good to me Robin. I can’t wait to see you my friend.~~Dee

  5. gina Says:

    Robin – wow! I need to see your previous gardens, then, because this one is fabulous. I really want to grow some Wisteria on my fence but I was always afraid the fence wouldn’t be strong enough to support it.

    And I agree with Katie – I’ve got raised bed envy, too.

  6. Cindy, MCOK Says:

    I’d love to walk through that garden gate and smell the wisteria. SIGH. I agree that beautiful places to sit and drink in the beauty you’ve created are a must!

    See you soon!

  7. Melanie Jolicoeur Says:

    What an amazing garden you have! This makes me want to put in a strawberry bed next year, and the raised beds are so neat looking.

  8. Weeping Sore Says:

    Your wisteria is gorgeous! My beans were all “harvested” by rabbits, but I have salvaged a few tomato plants. I think your garden is gorgeous, despite what your son says. I particularly like that you noted the importance of just sitting and enjoying it.

  9. Sherry Says:

    Your gardens look wonderful. I too was later than usual getting my seeds in the ground. It was just too wet!
    Sherry

  10. Cynthia V. Says:

    Thank you for reminding me to take time to appreciate all I have been given. I do, but it is good to be reminded.

    And the garden looks beautiful.

  11. Jean Says:

    I think your raised beds look great. You’re right about taking time to enjoy it. So right…

  12. Teresa~ Gardening with Soule Says:

    Your gardens look really great and that was a month ago. I am sure your son is just remembering last year at the end of the season. That gate with the wisteria is so beautiful!

  13. Matsouille Says:

    Your garden is amazing !! absolutely fabulous !! It really looks like heaven !! I hope my wisteria will grow like yours !!
    .-= Matsouille´s last blog ..Ménage de printemps dans le jardin =-.

Right Now at Bumblebee

February 6th, 2012

Another Monday.

Harry and I spent the better part of the weekend painting the master bedroom. We traded off between rolling and detail work and we both made our fair share of messes. For a while Sophie perched on top of a chaise to supervise our work. Sarah was distraught. She does not like change.

Today we get back to normal. I will have to do something about my manicure. Speckled fingernails in Benjamin Moore Light Pewter is not really a good look.

Here’s wishing you a happy, calm and productive week.

Robin

February 3rd, 2012

If you’re in the neighborhood and just happen to have your paintbrush and paint clothes with you, stop on by. Harry and I are taking the day off from work to start painting the master bedroom. We figure it’ll take until Sunday. Harry does most of the rolling—no small chore with high ceilings—and I do all the tedious detail work. You, of course, can pitch in wherever you like.

We’re painting it a dove grey. So if you see some grey in my hair in the next few days, it’s paint. Got it? The grey is paint.

Robin

February 2nd, 2012

Happy Groundhog Day! What are you doing to celebrate?

We’ll have a special dinner of NOT groundhog. Dinner will be a special pasta (TBD) and some yummy homemade yeast rolls. Then we’ll pull out the photo album of past Groundhog Days and reminisce. We will toast Puxatawny Phil by opening the first bottle of my homemade apfelwein, which I hope is sparkly by now. If it’s any good, you’ll hear more about it.

Cheers!

Robin

February 1st, 2012

Working from a home office is not always what it’s cracked up to be. I have a lousy IT department (me). Interruptions range from barking dogs to crowing roosters. I hear my business phone ring during non-business hours.

But there is a lot good about a 15 step commute. Such as today. It’s cloudy and a bit drizzly, but the temps will climb into the mid 60s for the second day in a row. I will turn off the heat, throw open the windows and give the house—and office—a good airing. Ahhh!

Robin

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