Buzz, Buzz, Buzz!

  These beautiful days are just perfect for gardening!  Once the chores for the day are complete, my time is spent puttering about the Small Gardens.  Right now, the vegetable plot is garnering most of my attention. It is time to get the spring seeds in the ground or in the hotbeds.  Since the garden has been used all winter, it is relatively clean and just needs minor work before putting in the seeds.  Still, there is always maintenance to be done and new planters to be built.  While Son is building a huge upright herb tower for me, I am erecting smaller versions to start the seeds.  Plus, he and I are reworking the drainage ditch that I dubbed Pebble Creek.  Raccoons decided that the small stream was their playground and literally tore up the entire thing.  Since it is not a natural creek in the first place, a layer of concrete should deter their efforts of digging beneath it.  

  Back in the veggie plot, however, I was elated to be in the company of a dozen or so bees.  Granted these are carpenter bees and not the sweet, little honeybees but, still, it made me smile to see so many working the garden alongside of me.  The mustard greens are bolting which is fine by me since it is getting to hot to grow them.  Several have already shot up their bright yellow blooms which attract the bees.  The bees will pollinate the blooms allowing them to produce viable seeds for next fall.

  This afternoon, after putting in two rows of yellow squash seeds, I sat and watched the bees for a few moments.  They seemed happy enough with the mustard flowers as not much else is blooming yet.  Given time, the entire row will be filled with the blossoms and more bees will come. It seems early to be putting in this many seeds but I am willing to take the chance of a late freeze.  There will be one, I will panic and try to cover my plants and promise not to push spring next year.  (I will, though, we both know that!)  For now...enjoy the weather, folks!  Get outside and do something.  You will feel better!