May long weekend.

Primula Vialii - Primrose Orchid in bloom.

The long weekend started out great. We took a three hour family bike ride on Saturday, along the Fort to Fort trail. Our son has a trailer behind my bike which enabled us to go on a long ride. It was around 32C / 89.6 F, so we made a Gelato stop after a slice of pizza.
Sunday was a day to relax under the gazebo, once our new wicker backyard set was put together. (many thanks to my husband.) I transplanted my tomatoes to their final homes. One had the honour of trying out the Topsy turvey II planter. It should be interesting to watch grow; as it's planted upside down.

By Monday rain was setting in.

The cooler weather has done wonders for last year's Viola.






'Harvest Red 'snapdragon is in
bloom.



This morning (back to school & work) we had a thunder and lightning storm that gave way to sunshine in the afternoon. The thunder was quite intense as I could hear the china rattle a few times. On my morning travels, I discovered a tea light lantern with dragonflies on it. Of course - I had to buy it!

Is it spring yet?

Looks like spring...


















The season is colder than normal ...
but there is colour.
Nemesia and diascia are sheltered some what on the front landing.









'Harvest red' snapdragon showing signs of the first flowers.








Impatiens, including the new Butterfly lavender variety, Hypoestes pink (polka-dot-plant) and Oxalis adenophylla . Plants that don't mind some shade, will happily grow on the wall near the gazebo.





And the verdict is... not sure, looks like a weed.

I believe Ralph Waldo Emerson noted "What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have never been discovered."

I've got mail!

Yesterday I received my order from the Cook's Garden.('Garden Peach' tomatoe should be here shortly) Among the seed packs of organic 'Green Zebra' tomatoe and lettuce 'Reine des Glaces' was Four-Season Harvest by Eliot Coleman.

Just reading the first chapter I was inspired to try more fall plantings this year. Lettuce 'Reine des Glaces', maybe 'Winter Density' lettuce, some spinach and possibly more broccoli. (will see how the broccoli does in the pot this summer.)

The Cook's Garden has many varieties of fall and winter harvest vegetable as does West Coast Seeds; so many prospects.