It seems as though we have had an extra long winter this year. Oh yes, there have been a few mild days after the snowfest and rain marathon that have flooded many low-lying areas in California. Yet here we are again, in spring, in rainy cool weather.
Oh, no, I am not complaining. We are usually hot and dry by May with the peonies and irises drying up as soon as they bloom. Sometimes spring lasts a whole month and we get a nice show of blooms. This year is different. It has stayed cool in the beginning of spring! The only irises that have bloomed were a couple of I. reticulata and miniature dwarf bearded irises. The Dutch iris, as well as the tall bearded ones are still sleeping. The daffodils and hellebores are still blooming!
This year, I have done something quite different. I know it is a chancy venture. I started, actually some in December, some flowers that are not usually grown in this area, due to hot and dry conditions. Any of you know this area, you would think I have "gone off my rocker"! And sometimes I wonder that myself. I am not usually a "gambling woman", at least not with money. Truly any gardener takes a gamble when planting anything. The one variable that cannot be controlled is the weather.
To get down to the subject matter, is what chaos have I sown?
Foxglove
Delphiniums
Snapdragons
Stock (Matthiola incana)
Sweet Peas
So the miracle of the GARDEN FAIRY must be true. Unless MOTHER NATURE decides to override that decision and give us the usual a little later on. Of course this weather can't last forever, so what am I concerned about? What do you think will happen?
I have already planted out the last four. (Actually the sweet peas were fall-planted.) The Foxglove seedlings are outside, but still quite small to be planted.
Now, of course, those are not all that I have started. I have already put out lettuce, peas, broccoli and cauliflower. The celery is still quite small.
Only a few peas and sweet peas have survived my fall planting and harsh winter. I guess too many freeze and thaw cycles, but a few hardy ones have remained. It's too late to start more, so I guess I will try again next fall and maybe winter or very early spring IF the weather cooperates.
