The Garden Awakens
Anise 'Woodland Red' ( Illicium floridanum ) A few weeks ago, I thought spring would never arrive, but now the change is astonishing. The nights are still cold (40s and sometimes even 30s) so planting tender annuals and vegetables is unwise although I have already succumbed, but covering and uncovering things gets old quickly. Someone made a wise comment last week and I must agree with them - "Don't plant anything tender until after May 1". Several plants are blooming like never before. One is the Anise shrub (above and below). I don't know if the recent tree pruning, which is allowing more sun into the woodland path, is affecting it or perhaps it is just age, but I've never seen so many blooms. Michael refers to this as "the stinky fish shrub" and I have to admit to smell of the flowers is quite unpleasant. It is so beautiful that I can overlook that. The old pink dogwood tree, which was already here, shades our woodland path and it too is prett
Gorgeous tomato, I can almost taste it. Good hint about the lime and epsom salts. I've never heard that one before.
ReplyDeleteJan
Always Growing
I wish that tomato was in our garden today! Our plants are blooming but nothing has started yet, although the squash looks like it may have some very soon. I'd better go get the radishes out.
ReplyDeleteEverywhere I go I see luscious homegrown tomatoes...sigh! I am going to pass the lime and epsom salts idea on to my local garden friends.
ReplyDeleteGil
I have heard that Epsom salts, high in magnesium, do affect bloom rates on tomatoes and also peppers. I am a bit jealous that you have your first tomatoes when I have just put mine into the garden! Enjoy that BLT.
ReplyDeleteOOhh I can't believe you already have a tomato..I'm so jealous..15 tomato plants and all I have is one little green one and alot of blooms. We lime everything up here, acid soil. The lime works because blossom rot is caused by calcium deficiency and epsom is a source of magnesium..which i use regularly on my roses. I actually put egg shells in the hole with my tomato plants..OMG the news is just saying that Obama has made it..anyway..the egg shells are full of calcium. Hey..thanks for visiting my blog and the great comments you left, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteWell, go Michael! I can't grow tomatoes. Well, I can grow them and they're edible, but never much to look at. There is nothing better than a fresh tomato samich. Years ago a friend from Pennsylvania made me try one with a slice of cheese, I though it would be gross, but I haven’t eaten them any other way since that day. I’m not a big fan of BLT’s, just give me lots of mayo, salt, pepper and a slice of cheese.
ReplyDeleteHi Phillip, I too am jealous. We have green tomatoes, not close to turning yet, probably while we are away, then the birds will peck holes in them. A BLT sandwich is tradition here with the first red tomato too. Yum. Your stone post was fabulous, you have such an interesting garden, lots of steps and paths and places to stop and contemplate. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteFrances at Faire Garden
Enjoy the first tomato, Phillip, but it's obvious that you're not the real tomato farmer because you only told us that it was a 'tomato'.
ReplyDeleteI'll bet Michael could tell us what variety of tomato it is!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
[With Juliets, Viva Italias and one lonely Celebrity so far.]
Sorry about that Annie, I did mean to include it - the variety is 'Early Girl'
ReplyDeleteThanks for the answer, and for letting me tease you about the name. Usually 'Early Girl' lives up to that moniker in our garden, but no tomatoes from her so far, Phillip.
ReplyDeleteAnnie
It will be the end of July before I get my first tomato. The endless perks of living in the north.
ReplyDeleteI used to live not to far from you. Huntsville and then Guntersville.
There is nothing like the first tomato of the season! The epsom tip is a new one for me.
ReplyDeleteThat is early! I also vove a good BLT!
ReplyDeleteMmmmm....interesting tip. I've always used epson salts on my roses, but never tried it on the tomatoes. You will have to report how it does again this year. I think I will give it a go in our seed company trial gardens.
ReplyDelete