Leeks, Onions & Shallots

 Nearly all the beds are set for sowing and transplants.  Yesterday, though really windy, I set in some cippolini onions that we started indoors back in February, along with some leeks and new for me this year--red shallots.  I just love cippolini's roasted in balsamic.
And finally the asparagus is started to shoot. Asparagus is best in full sun in an open site but not too exposed to wind. It requires rich,  well drained, sandy soil and prefers a PH of between 6.5 - 7.5 and  needs cool winters during its dormant period to crop well in spring. After this past winter, we should have oodles of asparagus!  I'm told that the natural habitat of asparagus is maritime and it can be found growing wild in many seaside locations around the world.  It thrives in soils that are too saline for for many other plants and is an ideal plant for a seaside garden....so clearly this addition to my garden should flourish here on the ocean front. Gotta love Spring!


                                          The last of the cippolini's from last season.

Signs of Spring

Yeah, I know, it's been a while.  It's been a long winter, but we're so glad to see the first arrivals of Spring... chirping birds, pussy willows, mud (yes, even the mud)  croccus, and one of my favorite garden plants.. rhubarb with which I'll be making plenty of jams, pies and chutney!

I've been busy readying all the garden beds and today I'll set some of the onions, carrots and peas.  I'm so glad I planted some greens last Autumn in the cold frame.

Happily growing at home are  peppers, tomatoes, more onions, rosemary, sage, basils, many greens,  scented geraniums and bay.  All in all, we're hopefully off to a good growing season.  Welcome Spring!