4th week of April 2008

Snow Peach and Tulips Everything seemed to burst into bloom this week. Tulips are in full regalia, some daffodils are still going and the fruit trees are covered with color. The snow peach trees are especially beautiful with their pink blossoms. As the cherry blossoms begin to drop their petals, the children say, "It's snowing!" This is also the time when our ancient white lilac spreads it's perfume throughout the yard. What a wonderful time of year.

Our meals keep adding new flavors also. We had our first meal of asparagus, just a few pieces for everyone the first time around but very delicious. Purple Asaragus Olin picked the green ones from his "secret" patch, a stray clump by the fencerow that always produces early and I am now gathering some from my small patch of purple asparagus. Rhubarb will be coming soon and the children reported some strawberry blossoms that they will be keeping a close eye on.

In the veggie garden, several flats of lettuce transplants went into the ground this week along with the last of the early broccoli and cabbage. I was tired of watering them in the greenhouse which can get up to 90-100 degrees in a hurry on sunny days. The tomato seedlings are coming down from the indoor light table and getting a dose of sunshine in the greenhouse also. I'm trying to keep my 25 varieties in order while I transplant them to bigger pots. And I even came home from a friend's place with two more kinds to try - Manitoba, an early red and Purple Calabash. So many neat tomatoes to grow and I'd love to try them all in my lifetime!

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