Wool and Spice

I don’t know how Joan and Cookie do it. No matter the time of year they still produce knitting in quantities — and gorgeousness — that boggles. Over here, not so much. A few rows every now and then does not do much for production. I have been reading about spinning and yarn so that counts for something. And the spindle got a workout over the weekend, but I need different fiber, I’m tired of using the plain old undyed stuff.

Instead I’m spending as much time outside as possible because we’re actually finally getting Spring with a capital S. I think this is the earliest I’ve ever had the six patio boxes planted. I finished two today and partially planted the others. They still need filler plants and a few things need rearranging but that’s no biggy.  No pictures, because they don’t look like much until the plants start filling out, so you’ll just have to be content with shots of the tree peony.

It’s too bad the season for this plant is so short because the blossoms are gorgeous even though the shrub itself is not the most attractive I’ve ever seen. I’d still buy more if I had the room.

I’ve been ruthless this year with getting rid of plants that are sickly or past their prime. I’ve tied up both clematis (clematises?) and put a third trellis next to a volunteer clematis which is spreading through the garden. I might be able to get it to twine around a rain spout which would be cool.

I’ve amended the soil under our deck so I can finally do something besides grow weeds there. I think a combination of ferns and solomon’s seal will look lovely, although I’m also partial to bleeding hearts and ferns. Or maybe all three. Hmmm.

And hey! My cucumbers sprouted today. I was beginning to think they were non-starters but I got the beginnings of 4 plants which will need thinning to two. A farmer at the market last weekend told me I should plant nasturtiums with them to ward off cucumber beetles. Just so happens he sells nasturtiums too so that will go on my list for this weekend.

And I thinned the radishes today; looks like I maybe waited too long because they’re pretty leggy. Oh well, we’ll see what they do with a little sun and more elbow room.

Wish I had this kind of enthusiasm along about the first of August when it’s 100 degrees in the shade. I expect the knitting mojo will be back by then.