Bee Episode

No, I didn't have any issues with bees. A good segment of America's Heartland this morning was based on Colony Collapse and Verroa Mites affecting Honey Bees. Worth a look if you have the time. http://www.americasheartland.org/episodes/episode_612/honeybee.htm
My schedule today is oddly enough starting flower seeds, try to save some bulbs, and probably get those tomatoes started. The Wife bought most of these, not me. Just for the record.

Being a Good Spring

Well after about 6 days of no rain, 1 of which I had to water, we finally got some rain last night and today. Actually while reading Tami's blog, a big strike hit near the house which resulted in a WOF making an immediate jump onto the couch with me (see below.) So with the exception of one day of watering Mother Nature has done me right this year. So far. I know summer is coming and along with that, HEAT and NO RAIN. But for the mean time, the plants are loving it.

I went out Saturday and got myself 4 bales of straw to cover all of the potatoes. I did spray some Sevin on them a few days ago (and all of the other plants just to be on the safe side) and got rid of most of the beetles that were munching on the leaves. Buried them pretty good so should be good until harvest time. Well, I might have to cover them up a little more later.

Also while I was there I backfilled against all of the onions to cover up the bulbs.

Got a couple more tomatoes set so the bees have definitely been around. These are off of The Youngest Boy's plants he did earlier this year.  

So for next few hours I clipped on all of the tomato plants, weeded (never ending), cleaned up, and watered down all of the straw and green beans. The last two rows I planted have started coming up. Have to get the trellis system built for them. The peas are looking like another week or so for picking. Those we are going to freeze.

As I said at the beginning, it stormed here this evening and I got a visitor. She hates storms. Even the Chewman jumped. 

Here's the sound I was describing last post. A chirp and two whistles. Please help!

Another thing from last post was my starting an exercise program. I have changed my diet quite a bit which is what you have to do with this program. I did start another blog about it. Check it out if you want some good laughs. Working on Working Out

Where Is Warmth, and my Bees?

Where are the warmer temperatures? I just looked back to last years' weather: May 1st to the 5th, 2012= 86, 91, 91, 90, 84 degrees; May 1st to the 5th, 2013= 62, 65, 69, 64, 60 degrees. Firstly, I really don't mind too much the cooler temperatures, but the rain and cloudy days are getting a little annoying. Secondly I live in the south; it's not supposed to be like this now. Lastly, I know the hot temperatures are coming so you can bet that I'll be bitching about them later this year. And yes firstly is a word.

The one thing I will say, the peas LOVE this weather. They are still going like crazy with blooms everywhere.  Here's a comparison from April 1st to May 2nd.

Another surprise is my tomatoes. They are not full like last year but I have my first blooms already. 

Everything else is just cruising along, going with the flow.

Peppers now flowering.

My grown-from-seed Candytufts are getting close to flowering too. 

One good thing is I haven't had to water anything. I actually left some left- over paste tomatoes out on the back deck in their solo cups as I didn't have room for them this year and they're still growing. Maybe that should be the premise of my gardening this year; do as little as possible. Hhhmmmmmmm. Maybe. 

One thing that has caught my attention on the news lately is the decline of the Honey Bee. You know as well as I do that this can be a very serious situation if action is not taken to protect these colonies. Decimation of the world pollinators? I don't think so! I plant flowers around my garden as well as in my garden just to attract as many bees as I can and don't use any products that would be harmful to them. I even talk to them and give them the right-of-way in the garden. I can't say that about all of the farms in my area so that may be worth looking in to. Here's a link to The Honey Bee Conservancy if you want to check them out.

Sorry about the lack of WOF pictures but there's only so many comatose pictures you can take of her. And Chewie is getting just as bad as her. Next time I promise. Until then, keep your buzz on and beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee happy.