Well, this is Growing Well

I stepped outside this morning expecting nothing from the garden, only to see what was going on out here. I found mud, chilly temperatures, and some surprises. Everything looked suspiciously productive. Suspicious because I still don’t consider myself a competent gardener. It’s almost like the plants had a meeting without me and decided to get their act together. Good for them. I have no idea how to do that.

So I grabbed my camera, took a slow wander, and let the garden show off a little. So, now I’ll give you all a look as well.

Close-up of a sprouting fava bean

I have never grown fava beans before. They have sprouted with the kind of dramatic flair usually reserved for stage actors and toddlers. The seed has sprouted and is posing like it knows it’s the star of today’s show. Honestly, if seedlings could demand royalties, this one would. I can’t wait to eat them!

A few steps over, the raised beds are waking up. Drip lines are weaving through green growth, tiny leaves are pushing up like they’re late for something, and the greenhouse in the background is pretending that it wasn’t a wind tunnel all winter. At one point, I had to collect a couple of the panels from the neighbors’ yards after a windstorm. The greenhouse and I have been through things.

Close-up of drip irrigation nestled among dense early spring chamomile.

And then there’s the greenhouse nursery where hope and impatience live side-by-side. I’m happy to say that most of the seedlings are thriving while some are still thinking about it. I don’t judge. We all wake up at our own pace. I happen to need coffee and some of us require snacks.

A small heater that keeps the greenhouse from dipping down too low on the thermostat.
Close-up of young seedlings in a greenhouse tray.

On a different note, I found one of the gnomes leaning suspiciously close to the heater. I’m not saying he did anything, but the last time he looked that guilty, I ended up with a mysteriously relocated trowel and a row of radishes planted in the shape of a question mark. I’ve moved him to the bird bath where he can reflect on his choices.

The strawberries that have been growin gin the same bed for three years are just now beginning to blossom!

It’s the magic part of the garden year, where nothing is perfect but everything is possible. The soil is soft, the air smells like rain, and every corner has something quietly happening and the groundhog is eating your dandelions.

I'll allow the groundhog to eat the dandelions, but once he starts eating the garden I'm calling in a favor from the neighbor's cat. He knows he owes me from all the treats I give him!
  • Wide view of galvanized raised beds and greenhouse in an early spring garden
  • Close up of a drip irrigation emitter nestled among dense feathery green chamomile foliage
  • bubbler drip irrigation installed in raised bed
  • Garlic chives and lavender plants in a round galvanized raised bed
  • Fava bean seedlings growing beneath a black teepee trellis in a galvanized raised bed

Sow it begins…

…or what’s happenin’ now?

Seed packets laid on empty black plastic trays ready for planting

The garden is officially in its hopeful chaos phase.

It all starts with packets and empty trays. Add gloves, labels, and a brand spanking-new spray bottle (Dollar Store gold) and I have made the small, but mighty kit of chaotically-hopeful beginnings. (The spray bottle is the hero. Seeds are needy!)

Green spray bottle, gardening gloves, plant labels, and seed packets on a stone step

The soil plugs are filled. The waiting has begun. Germination is just suspense with dirt.

Two clear trays filled with dark soil plugs for seed starting

This year’s greenhouse is nursing Sweet Alyssum, Mini Mint, three kinds of peppers: King of the North, Ozark Giant, and Lemon Spice Jalapeño. (Yes, there is a pepper called Lemon Spice Jalapeño and, yes, I am very excited about it.) Of course, I’ve added four types of tomatoes for snacking and slicing.

Outside, the cold-hardy plants are already in the ground and beginning to sprout.

Garlic chives and lavender plants in a round galvanized raised bed

Fava beans are spreading under the teepee trellis, carrots are doing their thing, and the leeks are pushing up in thin, cheerful lines like reaching towards the Sun.

Fava bean seedlings growing beneath a black teepee trellis in a galvanized raised bed

The drip lines are reconnected. The galvanized beds are waking up!

Close up of a drip irrigation emitter nestled among dense feathery green chamomile foliage

The greenhouse is visible from almost everywhere in the garden, a good reminder of what’s coming. It’s also a good place to go when I need to feel like things are under control. They’re not. But that’s fine. That’s what the gnomes tell me anyway.

Wide view of galvanized raised beds and greenhouse in an early spring garden
  • Green spray bottle, gardening gloves, plant labels, and seed packets on a prepping table
  • Wide view of galvanized raised beds and greenhouse in an early spring garden
  • Close up of a drip irrigation emitter nestled among dense feathery green chamomile foliage
  • bubbler drip irrigation installed in raised bed
  • Fava bean seedlings growing beneath a black teepee trellis in a galvanized raised bed
  • Garlic chives and lavender plants in a round galvanized raised bed
  • Seed packets laid on empty black plastic trays ready for planting