Poking a few centimeters above the soggy soil, the first tulip shoots emerged today. Way back in September, dozens of bulbs were planted in beds across the front of the house. Not suprisingly, the first bulbs to show are planted closest to the house and in the sunniest bed. Compared to last year, these tulips emerged about 10 days earlier and 11 growing degree days sooner.
5/16 - Chives begin bloom
5/18 - 5/20 - Heavy rains bring vegetable garden to near standstill.
5/20 - Tulips lose flowers
5/1 - Grass seeds emerge, taking 10 days to germinate.
5/2 - Pole beans sprout, taking 11 days to germinate.
5/3 - "What a day for a mow!"
5/5 - All tulips in bloom.
5/6 - Soil temperature = 60F.
4/22 - Critters began digging up seeds, eating lettuce and chard.
4/28 - First tulip blooms; bibb lettuce transplanted; solitary spinach test-seedling planted; soil temp = 52
4/29 - First pea and beet sprouts emerge.
Cloudy, cold, and rainy typified the past week. Buds on a few deciduous trees began to swell noticeably. Some even showed a bit of color. Springtime bulbs like tulips and daffodils continued to march toward bloom, which is probably two or three weeks off still. Pictured at left are garlic chives. These were planted three years ago and seem to be finally hitting its stride.
April 9 As yet unidentified tree in backyard sets red flower-like buds.
April 12 First bud on hydrangea emerges; wild turkey struts across backyard; rain and sleet
April 14 Raised garden bed filled; forsythia just starting to turn yellow
April 15 Late season nor'easter drops 3+ inches of rain; no growing degree days logged for April thus far
