March Comes in Like a Lamb

Cyclamen planted under the Wisteria entangled pergola.

March came in like a lion here in Bakersfield, California (zone 8-9).  February ended with a much needed but not enough rain. Most all the buds are swelling or have already broken.  It looks to be a drier than dry year.  It’s always something.  Irrigation in the garden is mostly drip so we’re hydrologically economical.  Heavy composting and mulching will help to keep plant roots moist and cooler.

Plans are on the calendar to remove the gravel under the pergola and replace it with Dichondra (seed).  The area is bordered with sidewalks so the chances of the stuff leaping out into the lawn are reduced.  Having this green patch should help bring the temperatures down a bit.  That’s always a good thing.

What do you do to save water in the garden?  Have you ever intentionally grown Dichondra?

I could handle summer if it was like this.  Maybe this is what summer is like where people enjoy the summertime.

Krusty in the Garden

More time is being spent in the garden and less time inside due to the wonderful change of the seasons.  Here are a few things that have been knocked off the list of things to do:

Plant the Cyclamen (Fantasia) at the base of the Wisteria under the pergola.  Cyclamen grows fairly well here during the cooler months.  When the weather turns hot, the Cyclamen say, “Farewell”.  They can make a comeback when the weather eases up.  I used up some of my planting mix for Azaleas and some Azalea fertilizer to get these babies started.  Cyclamen should not be kept wet so plant them a bit high to avoid rotting the roots.

This fall every stinkin’ radish seed must have sprouted.  There is an abundance of radishes that were harvested.  Both varieties (Jaune D’Or Ovale & Watermelon) will be taken to work to share with associates.  Did you know that the greens can be sauteed in olive oil and garlic?  I didn’t even know you could eat the greens.  The golden variety is very peppery.  The space where these were growing is needed to move some lettuce transplants.

I’ve never transplanted lettuce before; but, like the radishes, most every lettuce seed sprouted and the sprouts need room to develop.  Today was a cool, overcast day; so it seemed a perfect time to give it a shot.  If all the transplants survive their move, I will be in salad all winter long.  The salad bed will be renamed Salinas South.  Most all the beds were thinned and seedlings were transplanted wherever possible.  Sadly, a pile of Purple Cauliflower seedlings were sacrificed because I just don’t think we will be able to eat that much cauliflower.  There are plenty left along with broccoli, cabbage, beets, peas, carrots and onions.

Most all the herbs are thriving.  The Lettuce Leaf Basil just won’t slow down.  It gets pruned regularly.  My work associates enjoy this basil.  Someone brags about their recipe using my basil on their pizza.  I have yet to receive any pizza.  Maybe some day.  Some herbs that were planted didn’t even germinate – Stevia and Lavender.  Duds.

The Borlotto Solista Beans look like blush colored ornaments on the dying vines.  Harvest time for these beans is coming up.  The support will be removed and stored for the winter while I plan out the summer garden.  Maybe green beans will grow in the garden in a few months.

See the pot of Rosemary and Thyme?  It reminds me of Krusty the Clown. 

These are things I think about when I’m out gardening.  Scary.

Spring is Busting Out!

The cyclamen are in full bloom. Today is great. It's cool and rainy. The plants love it. Blossoms are popping. I dread the summer. By the time August rolls around the plants are burned out from the heat along with this farmer.