Seedlings, Butterflies, and Smoke

Wrapping up May with some garden notes.

On May 20th, we planted Green Arrow peas (our usual kind) and Lincoln peas (something new to try) in the South garden.  The trellis and planting system we're using this year is a bit different.  We're hoping that by planting the peas in more condensed rows that they will support each other, stay dryer, and take up less overall room in the garden.

Bea (calico) and Loulou (orange tabby) assisted.  In this picture, Lou is making sure R. plants the peas in nice, straight rows.

Wheeee-zoooom!  (Bea saw a bug, maybe?)

Lou incubating the freshly planted peas.

A few days ago, the Schubert Chokecherry tree was in bloom.  The air smelled heavenly!  The flowers only lasted about 36 hours before the petals started falling from the tree like confetti.  Bees and several butterflies (all this brown type) took advantage of the flowers while they could.

Yesterday, we had a break from the smell of smoke and the light haze we'd been experiencing from the wildfires in Northern Alberta.  Early in the evening, the smoke rolled in again, thicker than ever and hasn't cleared off yet.  It smells like a campfire, indoors and out, and the haze makes my eyes burn.  The windows are shut tight and the smell of smoke still makes it's way into the house.  I feel for those with breathing problems and can barely imagine what people whose communities are close to the fires are enduring.

These pictures were taken around 6:30am.

At the end of our driveway, looking across the street toward the sun...

Looking down our street.  You should be able to see some of the businesses and buildings along the Alaska Highway and Bear Mountain on the other side of town.

I have almost finished planting the gardens, containers, and raised beds.  Only a few containers are left to plant.  Some tomatoes need to be staked and a few areas still need to be mulched with grass clippings or straw.  These pictures were taken around 8:40am this morning.  The smell of smoke is thick and the air is hazy.  There is a yellow tinge to the sky that is noticeable in some of the pictures.

North Garden 
Cabbage (assorted) – May 20
Garlic – Fall 2018
Gold Nugget squash (C. maxima) – May 25
Fresh bush beans  (Romano beans, Red Swan) – May 27
Dry bush beans (Ireland Creek Annie, Tene’s Beans – May 26
Dry bush beans w/runners (Vermont Cranberry) – May 26
Zinnias and Dwarf Sensation Cosmos – transplanted early May

South Garden
Peas (Lincoln and Green Arrow) –  May 20
Carrots (Red Chantenay) - May  14 - resown May 31
Fresh bush beans (Calima and Slenderette) - May 28
Early Prolific Straightneck Squash – May 25
Kale, Swiss Chard, Collards – May 20
Dwarf Sensation Cosmos – May 14

East Garden
Pole beans (dry – Dolloff) – May 26
Peppers (Jalapeno, Tam jalapeno, Orange Spice jalapeno) – May 24
Tomatoes (Midnight Sun, Black Prince, Polish Linguisa) –  May 22
Potatoes (Kennebec) – May 13
Romanesco Cauliflower (Veronica) – May 24
Zucchini (Fordhook, Black) – May 25
Sunflowers (Lemon Queen, Unknown) - May 28

Jalapeno peppers (and potatoes in the background).

Potatoes (Norland) - planted May 13.

Lower Salmon River squash (C. maxima) - transplanted May 28.

The asparagus ferns have emerged!

Romanesco cauliflower ("Early Romanesco") in the foreground - transplanted May 22.
Dry beans w/runners (Mitla Black) in the background with stakes - planted May 26.

Beets (Detroit Red and Golden) - planted May 13.
Kale (Lacinato or Dazzling Blue) - transplanted May 13.

The zombie currant bush...

Apple Tree

Odds and Ends

The Schubert Chokecherry tree and apple tree had blossoms as usual this year.  The crabapple tree barely had any, and two of the large trees on the front lawn that was usually covered with blossoms at this point had none and look like they won't develop any.

Few of the carrot seeds I sowed in the raised bed and the South garden germinated.  I might have waited too long to plant them (May 13).  They seem to germinate best when the weather is cool and sunny.  The weather recently has been hot, particularly this past week (daytime highs have ranged from 23 to 29 degrees).  I tossed some more seed in both the raised bed and the garden and am crossing my fingers.