All of the 100+ flower bulbs were put in the ground last fall have come up, bloomed, and most are fading away now. What a joy all those colorful crocusses, daffodils, narcissi, and tulips have been. In addition to those, I have planted over 113 plants in the back bed this spring, including mostly perrenials that will be with us (hopefully) for a long time. Where did all these plants come from? There have been community plant sales, the local hardware and variety stores, cullings from my work in a community garden, seeds I started indoors, and foraging in nearby ditches. I am learning to keep a little shovel and plastic and paper bags in the car! There is a bit of color left back there, but I am looking forward to much more flowering as the sun smiles on us more. I have learned so much in studying and working outside.
Do you know the difference between a botanical garden and a pleasure garden? A botanical garden has all the plants identified with their scientific (Latin) names. In a pleasure garden there need be no such thing. Mine is a little of both.
The veggie garden is coming right along, too. Radishes, radishes, radishes. Which I don't like much, but are so darn rewarding to grow. This year I tried French Breakfast. Do you know that the French have sliced radishes on lightly buttered french bread? For breakfast? I tried it with my whole wheat toast, and, I must admit it was the most enjoyable radish I have ever eaten. I plan on repeating that pleasure often in my life.
