Busy Busy Little Bees...

I have to admit that this continuing grey, cold and rainy weather is bringing out the darker side... so when I typed in the title to this latest blog entry 'busy busy little bees...' I couldn't help but think of Joachim Phoenix's messed up character Emperor Commodus in the movie 'Gladiator' when he is warning his sister that he knows the plot against him has been found out... but enough of that - I am glad that I was able to show our wonderfully busy busy little bees in the garden - they are hard to capture! I wanted to get closer but my little digital has it's limitations.

I have observed that they (the bee's) seem absolutely focused on two plants in particular in the garden - the alliums and the angelica - their nectar must be sweet. You can see their little bodies loaded up with orangey pollen. Every time I'm at the garden (uh, pretty much every day) they seem to be all over these two plants...Did you know that there are two bee hives down the block near the railroad tracks in what is called the 'burm' - run by volunteers in the Maple Community Garden? I'm not sure if that is why we have so many honey bees this year - but it is a good thing! 

Let's put all our mental energy and thoughts to bringing back the sun!! Happy gardening... and
Solas na gréine (which means sunshine in irish)

Brrrrrr...

Just a quick post to say hang in there with the weather!! It is a bit on the chilly side but I guess it's good for our greens. Our most senior member of the garden, Helen, turned 90 this week and she had a lovely tea to which all the members were invited... great to see some of you there. Wow, the cake was amazing. A few pictures including the lovely iris flowers currently gracing our garden. They seem particularly spectacular this year but maybe it's the grey skies setting off their stunning colours!!

May showers brings June flowers?

Wha' happened to our summer?! I got tricked into planting my tomatoes earlier than I should have with that blip of a summer we had... but I have great hopes for the future. The rain and coolness is certainly good for all the greens and peas. Here are a few shots of those gorgeous pink tulips that are just finishing up. And who I think is the leader of our murder of crows that frequent the garden - 'Hitch'.

Hitch on the Hobbit Tree

Perfection

Our Summer Spring has arrived...

Thanks to all the members who came out to our sunny Saturday work party. The cool winds have disappeared and it's now lovely breezes in what appears to be full on summer weather. 

Lots of weeding, cleaning up in the common areas and compost bins was accomplished, as well as refurbishing the Hobbit Tree pockets. The garden is looking pretty amazing for early May. The lilacs are in full swing along with the Solomon Seal and rhubarb. A few more daring of us... uh... maybe it's just me... have set out their tomato seedlings with full expectations of a bumper crop! I think over the next couple of weeks we are going to see an explosion of growth as it has now warmed up. Have fun planting more seeds!

Happy Gardening! 

Failte leis Na Sioga

2012 Start of the Season!

Thanks to all the members who came to the first work party of the season - 'Manure March' - and today which felt like the true start to the 2012 gardening season. The daffodils and tulips are in bloom and our pea & radish plantings are just peaking through the soil. Although the sun was reluctant to come out today in full force, it was a lovely day of weeding and getting the colossal job done of sorting out the compost. One has to admit this weather makes the weeds come out like butter!! Anticipation is high that after the compost clean-up has been done, that our members will diligently chop up any greens to be added to the bins - so that our compost worms and friends will be able to do their jobs and create a good supply of compost for the impending summer. Here are a few great pictures from the March and April work parties - thanks to the co-ordinators for both parties!!

Fall is here...

The Kits Garden fall work party and final work party for the 2011 year was a good one. The weather was amazing! I don't know what is up with the weather goddess's and god's but every time we have had a work party this year the weather has been wonderful. Lots of weeding was accomplished along with cleaning up the shed and tools - in anticipation for next year's season. Our compost crew did a great job in chopping up all the greens and filling up the bins. There are still some wonderful things growing in the garden - anyone get the amazing treat of a fall yellow raspberry? The dahlias are still in full swing and on a day like we had today - they look fabulous! Have fun reaping the rest of your harvest and putting your garden to bed for the winter. Some hay bales are on the way so you can mulch your plots with the leftover hay once it has been spread on the pathway.

September Summer Day

Wow, luck was with us for the September work party - the weather was grand! Olga was our work party coordinator and kept us on track. It was so nice to get everything done in the warmth and sun - did I say how lucky we were given the previous week's rain? The Capers lunch was our usual treat at the end of our work. Everyone, enjoy the continuing sun!