the may 2020 garden ~ springing forth.

As a gardener, the weather in May was almost perfect. Milder than usual temperatures, mostly sunny, low humidity, steady rain here and there (other than a day of torrential downpour). The plants are quite lush and now the dance will begin to keep everything in order so that the garden doesn't become a jungle. 

The harvest of strawberries is low this year, which was expected , since we thinned and transplanted a number of plants last year. However, almost 20 pounds of strawberries can go a long way, and we have enjoyed many bowels of fresh strawberries, strawberries with cream, kale and strawberry salads, (and probably the highlight) strawberry pie. We even have a half gallon of strawberries stored in the freezer for smoothies. Twenty pounds goes a long way. 

Kale, spinach, endive are being enjoyed almost daily in salads. My teenagers are used to this routine and eat it faithfully! Dinner doesn't seem quite complete to me without a salad.

Thyme, parsley, sage, mint, oregano, lemon balm, kale, raspberry leaves have been dehydrated. Countless numbers of flowers have been planted. The snow peas are blooming, the potatoes have been hilled, a new garden bed has been created where the trampoline (now sold) used to stand. Our faithfulness with composting provided much more ready for use than we realized, which motivated the creation of many new beds this spring. 

The blooms are stunning gifts! Spirea, clematis, roses, iris, peony, kale, honeysuckle. The bird song so charming - especially the house wren. We are faithfully keeping a record of the birds we see in our yard. New to us - white crowned sparrow, blue bird, chipping sparrow, rose breasted grosbeak.

The days of Winter seem to linger, while the hours of Spring seem amazingly fleeting. Even with more light it seems there is less time. I hold loosely to the idea of "getting it all done" and instead enjoy having the responsiblity of taking care of what I have been given. 

Produce Total: 35 pounds

Strawberries - 19 

Kale, Spinach, Endive, Brocoli Rapini - 16 pounds