This picture shows why this plant is called Bronze fennel.  The new leaves come out this beautiful bronze color.

 

We love this plant.  We add the leaves and even slices of the small bulbs to our salads.  It is so fresh and tasty.

 

Best of all, the black swallowtail butterflies lay their eggs in the leaves for their caterpillars to feed upon when they hatch.

 

Win/win/win.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Have you seen the wild roses on the side of the road?  We smell them before we even see them.  Roll down your windows when you drive down Moccasin Creek Road.  The air smells so sweet.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Look at my new potato bin.  We planted potatoes in it back in March, and when I got back from my trip they had really grown up a lot.  So I filled in more soil, covering the stems with good soil.  That is where the potatoes will grow:  into good soil.  So exciting!!!

 

I will keep you updated.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

You can't believe all the blueberries !!!  I can't believe all the blueberries!!!  When I left for Virginia they were blooming abundantly, but when I got back, I couldn't believe how many berries were set.  Amazing!!!

 

Maybe you can come help us pick berries when they get ripe, because we are going to have a ton.  How blessed we are!!!!

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

I got to spend my birthday with my sisiter, Linda.  She is the "big" sister, but as you can see:  I am definitely bigger.  Linda reads this blog every day, and often comments.  She is my number one fan, and I am happy for you to meet her.  She is a kindred spirit, a role model, and a gardening buddy.

 

HAPPY TO BE BACK!!!

 

 

 

Today is my birthday, and for a special present I am in Virginia with my three sisters.  

 

I won't be writing for about a week, but I hope you will rejoin me in May.  I'll be back in the garden then.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

The garden is such an amazing place.  This is my rhubarb, re-emerging after its winter dormancy.  All winter we couldn't see anything there.  Now it is emerging with these big, beautiful leaves.  I divided it and put two plants into pots to share with my neighbor, and we still have lots for us.  

 

The leaves aren't edible, just the stems.  If you look closely you can see a little red at the base.  This variety of rhubarb is mostly green, with  just a little bit of red on the stems, but it is still delicious.  And isn't it pretty?

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Here are the potatoes coming up in the new raised bed.  When they get up a few more inches I will add soil, so just the leaves are showing.  That is where the potatoes will grow, along the stems, into that soil.  Eventually, I hope to add soil almost to the top of the boards.  

 

Right now I am so happy to see them showing green.  

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Now that we have installed a gate across the steps to the lower level, the Clematis has grown back, and is fuller than ever.  It is planted under the deck in the shade, and the top is up two levels, and it is full of flower buds.  There must be a hundred.  

 

Last year the deer got in there and ate it down to the roots.  We weren't sure it was going to make it.  But it did, and it is gorgeous.  Yay!!!

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Going up the steps to our favorite Sporting Goods store, I noticed this periwinkle peeking out.  It was planted under the steps years ago, and now it has filled in the entire shady space.  

 

I love seeing it in bloom, and isn't it fun to say:  periwinkle.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!