THE OTHER SPRING
The month of May gets a lot of glory for being the gardener's herald of Spring - earth bursting to life with new colour and fresh scents. While this flush of activity is a refreshing call from the doldrums of a Canadian winter, it does not really compare with the level of activity happening in the garden right now - particularly where the veggie garden is concerned.
The diversity of crops in our vegetable garden is at its absolute peak - fresh garlic, onions, potatoes and beans are flanked by tomatoes and peppers which were only plugs in May. These plants are sprawling with their ripened bounty, after a terrific year for yield.
Cooler temperatures have delayed growth somewhat, but for many gardeners in central Canada this year's abundance of rain will provide big, luscious harvests. Out west, where it has been hot and dry, the 'heat seeking' plants will have done well.
Many orchards are brimming. Not ours, I am afraid. After a record crop of apples and pears last year, this is an 'off' year.