Our weekend was Friday and Saturday this week as John had to work this morning. Still, we managed to accomplish a lot despite a significant weather setback.
Friday
On a stormy Friday we visited the annual Birmingham Botanical Garden Spring Plant Sale and couldn’t help but to avail ourselves of some of the mind boggling selection of plants available there. From native plants to heirloom tomatoes, herbs to shrubs (and tons of great roses), they were there and we got quite a few great additions for the homestead. I also had the opportunity to meet Chris VanCleave, The Redneck Rosarian and though we didn’t have much time to chat I’m sure we’ll see each other again before long.
Friday night we availed ourselves of fresh, local catfish dinner while on a visit to see John’s family before returning home in the midst of a tornado watch.
Saturday
Saturday morning started bright and early. The weather could not have been more of a stark contrast to the day before with cool breezes and sunny skies welcoming us. John manned the tiller as we prepared the beds for the previous day’s purchases along with a few of the seedlings we’d started at home.
By day’s end, a dozen tomato seedlings have been planted:
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Homestead 24 (3)
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San Marzano (1)
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Red Star (1)
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Mortgage Lifter (2)
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Black Sea Man (1)
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Aunt Ruby’s German Green (1)
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Livingston (1)
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Large Red Cherry (1)
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Grandpa’s Cock’s Plume (1)
In addition, several pepper plants were placed, along with a dizzying array of herbs that include:
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Thyme
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Greek Oregano
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Red Rubin Basil
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Lemongrass
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Italian Parsley
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Mrs Burns Lemon Basil
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Garden Sage
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Mammoth Dill
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Common Sage
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Peppermint
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Kentucky Colonel Spearmint
A gorgeous gardenia, an oleander and a transplanted cedar also found new homes. By evening we were ready to have dinner and relax with a movie when John had an idea about the raised beds. The photo at the start of this post is what resulted from that quick brainstorming session and neither of us could be any more pleased with our new stair-stepped raised beds. When filled and amended they will add great and attractive growing space to the homestead.
We still have a lot to plant but as our available time (there’s no such thing as “free” time) decreases we are really happy with days like this.
