Yesterday was a curious day - unseasonably cool (which probably reduced our severe thunderstorm chances), drizzly, cloudy...but the colors of the flowers and greens were quite vivid.  Below are some pics taken during a morning walk around the yard.

Top row - various azaleas in our back yard, white clematis, and our deck garden.
Next - arugula, cilantro, and mixed red mustard and red Russian kale on our deck
Next - Pansies on our deck, the driveway seedlings, and first garden planting of lettuce
Next - Miss Kim lilac next to our driveway, Miss Kim up close (I need aroma with my pics!), Pale Leaf mutation of Mullens Mortgage Lifter tomato seedlings
Last - blue pholx in our shade garden, my own seedlings in the garage (just in case of hail!), a weigela in a pot on our deck

Could be some bad storms today...stay safe, everyone!

We are about to click into May, and I have but one row planted in the garden. The beet row hasn't yet been fully prepared...no bleaching, no planting. All of that is fine, because our weather is dictating that we need to modify our plans a bit - thank goodness we have a long growing season.

Here are some things to keep in mind/watch for over the coming days, as well as some cause and effect observations about the spring weather we are experiencing in general.

Heavy rains/thunderstorms can wash away early seedlings, particularly if they are very small. I've lost rows of greens and beets during gully washing thunderstorms. We may have a limited greens season, but it is easy to be depressed about wasted effort as an early planting vanishes.

Hail - that's the real bad guy to gardeners. The types of thunderstorms we may get could produce the type of precipitation that shreds young and old foliage alike. If you've not planted yet, fine - on Thursday, things should smooth out.  Hail is bad news - it is my own particular worst fear each season (along with late, unexpected frost, of course).

Many of you probably notice that tomatoes don't mind the cooler conditions nearly as much as peppers and eggplant - which simply refuse to put on much top growth until we get milder evenings. Don't worry - the roots are developing - but you won't see much until it warms up - unless you have greenhouse-grown seedlings.

Hold back on planting beans until we dry out and the soil warms - otherwise your seeds will probably rot and you will have a row with few, if any, bean plants. Again, beans from seeds are quick, and our season long, so don't waste money and effort planting seeds too soon....the same can be said for squash and cukes....which also like it warm.

If you are on the fence about planting or waiting, realize that tomato, pepper and eggplant seedlings planted in cool conditions will survive, but mostly just sit there glumly wondering when the weather will improve. If you've not planted yet, that's fine - it is not nearly too late, and won't be - you can plant right on through end of May or later, since you will easily have the 90-100 day or more window of prime temps for your crops.

The good news is that we are having a pretty spectacular set of conditions, temperature-wise, for things like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, peas, and all sorts of greens and beets. But only those who have well-drained soil, and got their plants in early, will be enjoying this advantage!  The greens that I planted in my garden, and on my deck in pots, are happy indeed...if a bit overly watered - with more on the way.

Happy gardening, all!  Hoping to see some of you at Atlantic Orchid and Garden this coming Saturday morning - I will be talking about.....surprise!...tomatoes!

I've so enjoyed the last week or so, waking and, after breakfast and coffee with Sue, heading off to the "office". Consisting of my garage, driveway adorned with lines of vegetable seedlings, my transplanting table, bags of MetroMix 360 - as well as blooming flowers and shrubs, singing birds - it is the best office of my working experience. 

Even better - my days over that span have been punctuated with visits from fellow garden enthusiasts, heirloom hunters, long time customers and many that I am meeting for just the first or second time. Unlike previous years, when Fridays and, especially, Saturdays at the Farmers Market were just madness - parking difficult to find, my customer visits compressed into a short time period that didn't allow for the sharing of experiences, advice, suggestions - or even a chance to say hi, on some occasions - this season has been relaxed, gradual, and utterly delightful. Though it is likely a hardship for some of you in a longer drive to the boonies of North Raleigh (for which I am deeply appreciative), it is really for the best...instead of disappointing by not having items that sell out instantly, the opportunity to browse it all here hopefully has made up for it.

And - perhaps the best of all - some of the conversations we've had, and new friendships that have emerged over common interests - it has really energized me (as if I need any more energy when it comes for my gardening passions!)....over the last weeks we've had discussions about beer, wine, dark chocolate, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, our favorite recipes, movies, and so much more.  I've been able to demonstrate the Water Scarecrow (no one has gotten wet yet!), transplanting, various containers sizes and selections, the 100 year old Lilac that surprisingly thrives on our side yard (growing here thanks to my grandfather, Walter, who grew it at his Rhode Island home, and my dad, Wilfred, who rooted the cutting and brought it to us 20 years ago).

The season is late this year, so the plants remain plentiful, and more visits here are still to be completed and scheduled....and, starting this week, my own garden efforts need to accelerate - time is flying!

Again, thanks to all of you who took the time and effort to stop by, and thanks in advance to those who soon will. I've got my list - recipes to share, my home roasted coffee to share (and get feedback on!), movies to put into my rental queue, some bartered wine (bottles for seedling!) to sample, lunches to schedule.  What fun!

We've lived in Raleigh for 22 years - which means we've gardened in this climate for 22 years. If I think back, I can recall evenings of transplanting seedlings in a hot, humid garage, mosquitoes buzzing about, or evening dog walks that leave us panting as much as Buddy and Mocha. 

This year it's been different.  The weather has confused those things that grow - we lost our Oleanders, and the Bay tree growing near the house and Rosemary took some knocks (though they are still living). The Bradford Pear bloomed well in advance of our cherry.  The Lilacs seem just thrilled with things, blooming away at a level we've not seen here before.  Our poor eggplant and pepper seedlings would like to file an official complaint to mother nature - where is the evening warmth?

If I compare our weather this year with my memories of springs in Rhode Island, or New Hampshire, or Pennsylvania, it is familiar. This is what spring should be - some cool days, chilly breezes, some grey, cloudy, rainy spells. 

Some of our annual tomato plant friends asked me whether the unusually cold winter will mean less diseases on our plants this coming year. Of course, we won't know the answer until we see how things develop as the season proceeds. But one thing is certain - this season will be different...they all are.  Gardeners are great optimists.  Each year we have delights, and (for years like 2013), more failures than we care to ponder. But we get to do it all again the following year - and with the same, if not increased, wonder and excitement.

I've just loved spending time talking with our seedling visitors - with all of you who make the trip. It is less rushed than the market - I've been able to give some transplanting demos, and show off the dark violet lilac that my grandfather grew in Pawtucket, RI over 100 years ago, and that made its way here to Raleigh as a seedling that my dad rooted 20 years ago.  And now lilac Miss Kim is about to open its blossoms and perfume the end of our driveway.

The plants are great - keep coming!  There's lots more to discuss!

I've updated availability of some varieties on our seedling list. Working out in the driveway in this weather is pretty unbeatable. I've so enjoyed some of the transplanting demos, walks around the yard, sniffing the heirloom lilac growing on our side yard, with some of you during our visits. Gardeners are just the best, and I do so appreciate you stopping by for our plants.

News - I am going to add straw bale gardening to my experience this year.  More on that later...but I will be off to purchase some bales tomorrow.  What fun!

I've finally planted a row of lettuce and greens in the garden, and hope to get more greens and beets planted in the next few days. In between playing with the seedlings, I need to start bleaching pots, stakes and cages and preparing to plant tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. So much to do!

I woke this morning to find a message from my brother, Kent - our mom, who was under hospice care in Florida, was finally at peace. Phyllis ought hard to find happiness after my dad's stroke and eventual passing back in 2007. Prior to that, her life was full of church, friends, some great later-in-life trips, and her family, and it was a life lived very well indeed.

Phyllis is loved by many and will be missed, but, like my dad Wilfred, will live within us for the rest of all of our lives. 

Now you and dad stay out of trouble, mom!

In no particular order - getting dressed up for church, the smell of the Easter Lilies there, as well as some great stirring hymns....receiving a plant (a tradition in our church - every child got a begonia, later an impatien)....the Easter baskets, smell of chocolate (especially those white bunnies)....our two girls dressed up and posing in front of the azaleas for pictures, church at Duke Chapel, then a walk through the gardens there....of course, thinking of my grandparents and parents, who still exist in and influence our character and lives.  And our daughters, though not with us this year, will be in our thoughts as well - have great days, Sara and Caitlin!

With a key lime pie baking in the oven, we are soon out to walk the dogs....then, after playing with my plants a bit, having a guest for dinner.  

Peace to all - have a wonderful day!

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday.  Give the gift of vegetable seedlings - wonderful heirloom tomatoes, complete with stories!

Anyway, it may be awful outside, but the garage is dry (I am so thankful to not be under a tree or getting whipped by a cold breeze at the Farmers Market - which is what would typically be the case if I was doing what I did the past 15 years!).  The plants are all getting well watered, the selection is great.  Send an email to schedule a time to come by - if not today, starting Monday (I'd prefer to have Easter Sunday to myself, but I know of at least one person coming by, which is fine).

I am out there shivering a bit, damply labeling recent transplants.

Mostly - I want to say thank you to those who stopped by yesterday and this morning - it seems as though the sharing of a passion for gardening leads to wonderful conversations.  Sue and I really enjoy our annual seedling gardening pals, and appreciate you all!

OK - I am now warm and dry, so it is time to head back out to my garage "office" and get something done!

I've decided that we don't have a frost threat tonight, so the seedlings are just about back in the driveway, looking very happy after two cozy nights in the garage.  For the next month or so, here is the process:

Check out the list.  Decide what you may want (if you wish to pre-select), or just do browse shopping when you get here.

Send me an email to arrange a day and time, with your plant requests if you wish to decide ahead of time; I will send you my address and cell number.

I get plant info request emails throughout the days (and have been for weeks) - my process is to give my email a quick check in the morning, designate it with a folder label, and get to work on my garden.  I am reserving night time for responses back to you (unless it involves a change from previously arranged pick up times and dates) - so if you email me in the morning or afternoon, you will get a response from me by midnight.

For varieties that run out quickly, there are always plenty of great, nearly equivalent alternatives....the great thing about doing this from our driveway instead of the market is fewer disappointments (since you get to see everything I have when you are here).

I am going to make every effort to stagger your visits, to avoid clogging up the driveway, as well as giving me enough time to chat with each of you on your visits about your options and choices.

As always, the plants are 3.00 each, cash or check - I have plenty of change, but we don't accept credit cards.  If you have boxes or trays, bring them along - otherwise we use the plastic grocery bags to bag up the plants.

Send your emails, plan your visits...and see you soon!

Boy, am I glad that I got the seedlings into the garage yesterday.  It was below freezing here this morning, and may go even lower tonight. But, rather than empty the garage back out onto the driveway tomorrow, the Thursday night lows have me nervous as well.

And so, on Friday morning, the seedlings will reemerge.  Trips to our house to get plants will begin after lunch on Friday (April 18); please work with me via email to set up appointments.  As we've seen, the ground is still cold, so there is no rush - because you are not limited to the Raleigh Farmers Market on Fridays or Saturdays, there is more flexibility - I will have plenty of great plants right into mid May, and we have such a long growing season here.  

I will be going through emails tonight to ensure we are set for upcoming plant pickups, especially for Fri and Sat.

See some of you soon!