Springtime

After a longer and colder Florida winter, spring has sprung and so has my blog...finally! It has been a challenging winter here trying to keep everything growing with the numerous frosts and freezing temperatures we've had. Even as recent as last Tuesday we woke up to 30 degrees and ice on the windshield.

A year ago I set out to grow southern high bush variety blueberry plants. Blueberry growing here is a challenge because they prefer very acidic soil and in this area the soil is generally neutral or alkaline. I learned from a blueberry farmer to grow my plants in pine bark which has a low ph(acidic). I'm happy to say that good organic fertilizer and tons of water, my efforts are starting to pay off and the plants are blooming with berries today.

Around the rest of the garden, heirloom Brandywine and Amish Paste tomato seedlings are growing nicely in peat pots and just about ready to hit the dirt. Starting tomato plants from seeds is the only way to go and the only way I'll grow them. The Brandywine plants are second generation seed saved from a plant grown a couple years back.

The peas made it through the freeze and should be finished up over the next few weeks to make room for the tomatoes and lettuce. Azaleas are blooming nicely and, like the blueberries, enjoy a nice acidic soil.

Hopefully we'll be bringing some good tomatoes with us to Pennsylvania this summer!