Today as I sit at the computer and write this post, Pat is on the tractor, digging up a large patch of the yard. This is the first piece of cultivated soil that is not going to be used to grow flowers, vegetables, or fruit to be marketed. We plan on growing fruit trees, but the fruit will be for our consumption and enjoyment. We are going to develop a perennial flower garden in this area as well. Finally a step in the direction of landscaping the yardsite. It has been a long time coming and I am really looking forward to creating a perennial bed with the plants I have collected over the years. Now to come up with a plan of sorts...which is not a strong point of mine.
This weeks bird sightings include a few Tree Swallows, not many yet, Doves, Western Wood Pewee and an Eastern Bluebird. The bluebirds that nest around here are the Mountain Bluebirds, so the Eastern Bluebird was a bit further north, than they usually are. Hopefully he will stick around, find a mate and nest here. They look like the Mountain Bluebirds generally, but they have an orange colouring on their breast.
The greenhouse plantings are going as planned. Now we are planting Cosmos, Four O' Clocks, and Zinnias. These plants only need about four weeks growing before they are planted outside. Zinnia's are a big crop for the fresh cut market sales. We succession plant these seeds, so we always have plants that are just starting to produce. We have a lot of radish and lettuce sprouted in the beds in front of the house, but as soon as the weather turns cold, they are at a standstill. So no hurry to plant the peas or spinach until it consistently stays warm during the day.
A couple more perennials we have available for sales at the Saskatoon Farmers Market. Starting Saturday May 5 we will be in our permanent location inside the building, down the center isle, corner spot, close to the garage doors. Overall there will be a lot of exciting events and promotions going on at the market this summer, fall and into the winter months. I will keep you updated through facebook and the blog.
Sarah Bernhardt Peony
Red Charm Peony
Both are excellent cut flowers...surprise, surprise. We all need more flowers in our gardens to bring indoors. Don't worry about bringing ants into the house on the flowers. Make sure you cut the flowers before they are fully open and if you notice any ants on them, just give the flowers a good swoosh to knock the ants off. Leave some in the garden, but always cut a few for your enjoyment in the house.
Both of these varieties grow to about three feet and prefer full sun to part sun and are hardy to Zone 3.
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