AH, warmth and growth

We are a couple of weeks early in the flower department here at Casa Manana due to a warm winter and global warming. This is the bowl of pansies that has resided on the portal all winter, left over from last year's spring planting.

I adore this color, it speaks to me every time I look into the cute little faces and just makes me so happy.

Another favorite are these miniature daffodils. Every year when the markets carry spring flowers I buy one or two pots of these little darlings and enjoy them on the dining table and then plant them outside when possible. A goodly fertilizing and fresh soil and they reward us with blooms for weeks the following spring.

I have been working in the garden almost every day for a week and a half, cleaning up and cutting back. I pruned the apple tree yesterday but still have more work to do on it if I am to "be able to throw a cat through it," as the old saw states. Sounds mean to me, but I understand the need for space and air. It is hard with a five apple grafted tree, however, I'll try to get it in shape.

The garlic is up about 4 inches and looking very healthy. We are still enjoying some of last year's plants and I'm tempted to try a spring planting of the ones that have formed green center shoots. I'll
let you know. I was talking to a local nurseryman the other day and got the wildest story on how to grow garlic I've every heard. If you don't know the answer, wing it must be his motto. I just laughed.