A Garden Update

Depending on the day, the weather has somewhat improved, being more conducive to outside activities, like gardening. However, I still have an open wound because I was impatient (as usual) and had the stitches on my finger taken out too soon. With an open injury and a splint, I am trying to garden left-handed while keeping my injured finger clean. Not an easy task when you’re as clumsy as I am.

However, my impaired gardening has not stopped me from bragging to my Los Angeles friends about eating radishes, spinach, lettuce, and strawberries from our garden.

Playing tennis lately has been “iffy” at best. Too much rain recently, followed by some wind gusts. Today was a good day. There was enough sun for tennis, without being too hot. Although the wind presented a few challenges, it was fun to play doubles. It feels like there may be more days of tennis ahead.

For now, the garden is “humming” along, with a few sour notes and some skipped beats. One tomato plant’s existence is wavering. The “Mugsy” tomatoes that look like peas are back! I was convinced that, like my rosemary, last year was their last. I was wrong. Although late this year, and only four-inch high, there are over fifty of them. I’ve already yanked out about twenty-five. Mugsy just looks smug, as if daring me to pull out more. He knows it’s hard for me to pull out plants with culinary worth.

I’ve been able to pick and eat a little spinach every day and am starting to feel Popeye strong! Our sage, oregano, parsley, and lovage are taking over the world, yet my carrots look anemic at best. I think I planted them so close together, so I’ve stunted their growth. Another spring, another lesson learned.

My neighbor Kate germinated some of my tomato seeds for me. The picture in the seed catalog was intriguing. As usual, I didn’t read the small print, and the leaves have huge thorns. I’m hoping the tomatoes are not lethal weapons.

Daniel has decided I am now the gardener, and he is the carpenter. So, just to annoy him, I have planted some seeds randomly. I have yellow zucchini, round zucchini, butternut squash, and acorn squash planted in various places. Survival of the fittest continues to be my gardening philosophy.

Thanks to Bill, I have tons of irises, and they all exploded this year. The most beautiful ones were planted in a somewhat shady area, so they bloomed late. They were well worth the wait; they’re spectacular.

Of course, there are plenty of garden surprises. I planted freesia bulbs last year that never bloomed. This year in the place I panted them, beautiful Japanese Irises appeared. I didn’t even know that plant existed. I have no idea how they popped up in my garden, but I’m glad they did.

This evening, sitting on the deck, we watched a bird pecking at the seeds in our tarragon plants. I dare Daniel not to acknowledge that the birds are responsible for dropping a variety of seeds around, and it’s not always me planting seeds randomly.

Although I must confess, I went out to plant a few lettuce seeds the other day, and the splint on my finger broke through the bag. The seeds scattered all over, and no way I was going to try and start digging them out. So, there could be none, some, or lots of lettuce soon—hopefully, a happy gardening accident.