Lettuce and Other Stuff

So, I'm out and about running errands and I see lettuce starts. Of course, I have lettuce seeds at home, but...I confess, I'm interested. The price of a nine pack is less that a package of triple washed lettuce at the grocery. And, I see a Red Sails pack that is ready for picking now...hmmmm (that's what thinking sounds like)...

It just so happens that I actually (a first) have a place I can plant some lettuce. I should back up and say that my yard is hard orange clay. Not exactly soil (soil? How kind of me.) that one can just drop things in. It has taken me years (emphasis required) of work and countless bags of amendments, but there actually are spots now where one can...plant...without backbreaking labor. Amazing. Usually, I would scout out a spot and drag bags around. I either pocket plant or build up. Lately, there's more of the building up as my digging days are behind me (I hope).

I have very little blank space (ask the dogs). It occurs to me that those spots I am saving for tomatoes could host lettuce. Then, when it's too hot for lettuce (Mayish, I'm thinking), out they go, add some more amendments and in go the tomatoes! Sounds like a plan, right? I'm game.




In fact, I'm so motivated that I actually also planted some peas. How many years have I thought about that (but not done it)?? Well, we'll see how they do....their trellises are not exactly the best and who knows if the weather will cooperate, but, hey, sometimes you experiment.

Best of all, I had a little salad...almost home grown (very tasty)...so, no matter what happens, I got my money's worth.



*****

As the early blooms begin to pick up steam, it's hard to keep up...but I try...so, here's a few more things:


I thought this crocus was a bit unusual. Most of mine have stripes (that have stripes, of course) on nearly all the petals...like these:


The Roman Hyacinth (one bulb) has apparently increased! Multiple stems this year! And, with our mild winter, I didn't get the usual frozen one first.


Saucer Magnolia right on schedule (for it)...early...this means a freeze could be in our future (let's hope not):


Look closely and you'll see a bird's nest:


The first of the tulips surrounded by larkspur seedlings:


An early daffodil, an unknown, though I think if I could find a daffodil hunter, it might be identified with that distinctive orange ring:


What's interesting with daffodils is that one day you might have one open....then by late afternoon or surely by the next morning, the whole group bursts into bloom...and they last for a number of days.


Another variety of iris reticulata...this was a little mix...will the yellows make an appearance...who knows.


The very first flowers on one variety of creeping phlox. There's a Korean Spice Viburnum above this one and I noticed the buds swelling on it...won't be long!


And, lastly, Glory of the Snow, thankfully, no snow...

Well, that's all I have time for now....it's a bright and sunny day...I think it's calling me.