Saturday, May 26, 2018: Memorial Day Weekend, rhubarb, dill and basil

Today I took the rhubarb (east raised bed) and basil (west raised bed) I sprouted inside out to the garden. I also sowed some dill in the west raised bed. I also started another pot of basil to keep inside to hedge my bets (I don't know if rabbits will eat the basil or not). While I transferred one okra earlier (looks like it is doing OK so far), the younger okra is not ready to go out just yet. I have one started another batch of okra in a larger pot (they don't seem to do too well in the little peat pots) and they are already sprouted.

Okra on left and basil pot on right

Six basil plants

Three rhubarb plants

Tuesday, May 22, 2018: Okra and Spring

Last year I harvested many okra seeds with the hope I could start them inside and take them into the garden. I probably planted two dozen seeds in peat pots earlier this year. Over half of the seeds sprouted, but only one survived to be about six inches tall. Today, I took that one out to the garden.

I was hoping to plant three plants and I'm still trying to inside. I've planted three plants each of the past two years and ended up freezing and giving away many okra.

I had ordered some rhubarb seeds and have them potted inside. I am hoping to plant four additional plants this Spring.

Rhubarb from purchased seeds (looks like one has croaked)

The one plant outside that we have had for 4+ years has gone to seed with an abundance of seeds on it. I will try starting some of them. Rhubarb takes a season or two before it ready for harvest.

4-5 year old Rhubarb gone to seed

Rhubarb seeds

Looking around the garden on this bright Spring day...

Roses are doing well. I pruned them in April

Asiatic Lilies will have a lot of blooms soon.

I thought the Bleeding Heart had died last year, but there it is.

May Apple looks good

Succulents appear to have survived the move outside

Carrots or Beets

Kale

Leeks

None of the three dozen pepper plants survived the last freeze. I waited longer this year to take them outside, but not long enough. I planted both carrots and beet seeds. One of them is going well and no sign of the other. I also planted some Swiss Chard without success.