Hello dear readers,

I write to you from my office today after a long day in several gardens. Little half-moons of dirt still live under my fingernails, and I’m quite certain my back is sunburned, despite my best efforts. But it was all worth it, because the many garden projects I’ve had on the go are beginning to come together.

I have been swamped with work and school¹ and other things, but there has been a lot going on outdoors, too. And so in true Catherine fashion, you’re getting a list:

• This spring has been the hottest and driest we’ve seen in a long time, and so many of the flower are blooming ahead of schedule: Siberian wallflower, bluebells, irises and roses are all showing up before their time. It’s been a beautiful spring!
• My sister and I planted a number of things in the back field of our grandparents’ farm: giant pumpkins, birdhouse gourds², loofah gourds, and what we are affectionately calling wonky gourds³. Photos to come of those ones especially!
• I planted a few zinnias along the back fence where there were a few bald patches from the first batch. I also filled in some other bald patches with even more nasturtium seeds ⁴.
• The oregano and parsley that wintered through has been given a haircut and held back with twine, and the catnip has been replanted now that it will get enough sun.
• I planted rainbow corn at my grandparents’ farm, and when I checked today, I saw that about 90% of it had come up. I am a little worried about how much corn I’m going to have in the fall.
• I also planted bush beans, but those are doing less well. The potatoes, though, are doing their best to take over the garden⁵.
• The garlic I planted last fall is already starting to turn yellow at the tips, and I’m worried it’s going to be ready before I’m ready to work with it.
• I’m thinking about buying some solar powered lights to line the path I made this year.. Stay tuned to hear about what I choose.
• My mom and I spent a good fifteen minutes turning the new sprinkler on and off, repositioning it slightly each time. And our hard work paid off, because 95 percent of the garden is covered!
• Last but not least, I made my most adult garden purchase ever: a three way hose splitter. It is necessary, and solid brass. I’m very much looking forward to hooking it up.

That’s all from me today. I hope your gardens are bursting with life and that you’re getting to spend as much time in them as you can.

—Catherine

FOOTNOTES

¹ For reasons unknown to anyone, I decided to sign up for the next course in my graduate diploma (inclusive education) at the same time as I began my full time job. Whoever lets me make decisions needs to be punished.

² I’m only learning about these this year, but you can bet I’m going to grow way too many of them and cover the entire yard.

³ I cannot for the life of me remember what they’re called, but they’re the ones that are all different shapes, sizes, and colours. My sister really wanted them and so they’re in!

⁴ I had more nasturtium seeds than I knew what to do with, and so they’re dotted all over the yard now. I may even take some of the leftovers to my grandparents’ farm (even though I’m sure they have lots).

⁵ Thankfully by next fall we’ll have a new storage system in place, and so the potatoes can go hog wild for all I care, because I’ll be able to store them all!

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