Under attack

My sugar snap peas are under attack from thousands of aphids. The aphids are under attack from lady beetles. I should move the good beetles aside and try some insecticidal soap on the aphids, but it is so much fun watching the drama work itself out that I have not been able to do so. Plus, the aphids are the only thing that finally stopped the little dog from chewing off the tops of the pea vines every day.

Struck gold

The potato plants were showing signs of disease. Since they are in the same plant family and share diseases with tomatoes, I decided to take them out now. So, with a late planting due to weather and an early harvest due to an abundance of caution, I have a small, but beautiful harvest of golden potatoes with pink eyes. 16 pounds, and now an open spot in the garden for more planting!

Grab hold

Pole beans find the old fish trap pole that washed up in our marsh and that has been put to work in the garden. It is a spectacular day.

Making way

I had planted my tomato plants in among the lettuces and the spinach. I knew that the weather would warm and the greens would bolt to seed, just as the tomatoes started to put on some size. That all happened this weekend, so I pulled out the last of the greens.

The good leaves made a trip to the kitchen. The stems, flower buds and any damaged leaves made it into the coop. All were delicious and enjoyed!

Now the bed has 6 tomato plants and one mega chard. The chard is 4 feet tall and wild looking, and I have not yet been able to let it go. Soon though, so the tomato roots are not damaged by it's removal.

Something to hang on to

So, it has been a frustrating spring. It has either rained or blown full gale force winds practically every day. My peas have been blown down, then pummeled by rain into the muddy bed. The potato leaves are brown and battered on the edges. The birds even plucked half the blueberries, even though they are still tiny and hard and green. But am I whining? Well, yes, apparently I am.

But, these flowers are in bloom in my front yard, and I ate strawberry shortcake for dinner. I'll hang on to these bits of spring and hope that soon we will see sunshine and will even be able to push open the north east facing back door!