From the pot to the garden

About a month ago or so I transplanted my "teenage" tomato plants into the garden.  They were crowding the pot but still not too large.  A few of them had grown together and refused to separate so they have remained in the pot on the porch.  The other six, however, made it to their designated tomato cages and even though they looked a little sad and wilted at first, they have now grown strong and tall and have recently started flowering! The weather lately has finally been cooperating as well.  We have had several days of rain the past week or two which has given my garden a little boost. And unfortunately the weeds got a boost too!

young tomato plants before transplant

Unexpected beauty

This spring my husband and I have been hard at work on our front lawn. We have taken on the endless, time-consuming, and expensive task of landscaping. Although our progress has been great we still have a lot of work ahead of us.  We have selected many indigenous plants to help conserve water, while embracing the natural beauty of the southwest.  This time of year even some of the strangest looking cactus bloom with amazing, colorful flowers.  This unsuspecting lady was here when we moved in, and certainly surprised us the next spring with her hot pink blossoms that open up every afternoon and close up again at night.  So while my husband loves the rustic, masculine, look of desert plants, it seems they all have a vibrant, flashy, even feminine side waiting to come out once each year.

Finally....Fresh Herbs!

from left: rosemary, basil, mint

Half of my herbs have really come to life! They are mature and strong enough now to use for cooking, without fear of them dying easily.  Yesterday I made a refreshing pitcher of iced tea with lemon, honey, and of course, mint from my herb garden.  It was the perfect drink to sip while sitting outside enjoying the beautiful day with friends.

Let's eat!

Only a few of my spinach plants made it through the chilly winter months, and even the light snow.  But the ones that remain are growing strong with deep green leaves (supposedly rich in vitamin C). I'm surprised at their progress despite the every increasing temperatures. However, I have been watering them every other day and weeding around them once a week.  I also plan on spraying them with a mild insecticidal soap to keep the bugs away until they reach their peak. Soon these healthy, leafy greens will go from garden to table.  I can't wait too long though, it's heating up around here!
To find out about the health benefits of spinach visit http://www.whfoods.com

To the rescue!

Last Spring my brother-in-law and I were doing yard work and discovered a clump of mysterious bulbs in the back corner of our yard.  Not knowing what they were or why they were in such a strange place, we eventually decided to dig them up and transplant them to a little flower bed along the back side of our house.  Over the past year I have watered and watched them, waiting patiently to see what would emerge from the bulbs.  I wasn't sure anything would ever become of them, especially after finding out from my mother, "you don't separate bulbs in the spring!" Well even after another one of my gardening mishaps, everything turned out okay.  The flowers, which turned out to be a red-violet colored iris,  have been blooming non-stop in the past few weeks adding some much needed color and life to our back yard.  It was a long wait, but definitely worth it!

for more info on iris growing visit
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris