Hello gardeners from around the world, it's farm-mom back for some growing pleasure.
GARDEN JOURNAL
With the weather getting warmer and the sun coming out to see us a little more often, it's time to roll back the blanket and say good morning to my favorite flowers.
ROSES
It's been seven months since I put to bed the rose garden for the winter. Now it's time to wake them up with some pruning and a fresh dressing of enriched soil and mulch.
I believe pruning is a key factor in a successful rose garden. Mulching around the base also helps them keep warm and moist. I have found that cutting away dead wood and picking off any damaged leaves helps drive the flower's energy down to the roots, enabling the new leaf growth to emerge. Once the green begins it pays to keep an eye on them as if they were your babies.
In my case, I love babysitting, and if it means I will be clipping fragrant flowers before long, no problem.
I added a new rose bush to the bed just a few weeks ago. This one is a large yellow double flower, compliments of Mrs. Dudley.
The picture in the upper left corner of the collage shows some green growth, a terrific sign that the new bush has taken root. How exciting right? The other snapshots are of years old roses that continue to come home to me every spring to grow and green up for the summer months when the flowers will bloom.
As some of you may know, 
Since we both enjoy documenting our gardening experience, we talk about who's going to do what as far as posting as we don't want to duplicate our sharing with fellow hivians.
My first pick...PEAS, NATURE'S CANDY.
When I was a kid I hated peas, I would gag on them when my dad stuck to the rule, clean your plate, we don't waste at this table. YUCK!
But as the years passed, I acquired a real taste for them when I started growing my own. I can eat them by the handfuls when they are just picked from the vine. YUM!
We plant our pea seeds directly in the garden, no need to start them indoors, as they can tolerate some cold temperature, in fact, they thrive in the cool air.
Lettuce is next in line. I sowed the seeds directly in the garden about 10 days ago. I have two varieties this year, leaf lettuce and romaine. I have grown both of these in the past and have had wonderful success. I will wait at least another two weeks then plant some more. I do this because we can only consume just so much fresh lettuce, so by planting a few weeks apart, we will have it for most of the summer.
Who loves garlic? I do, I do.
I think I could eat garlic every day, I love the flavor of sauces, stir-fried vegetables, soups and lamb. I use it in marinades for my beef and poultry, spread it on fresh bread with a little olive oil, and crisp it up in the air fryer. It also lends itself to grilled fish for a little pizazz.
These chives come back every year with very little care, the more I cut them to add to potatoes or tacos, the more it grows. What beauties, I also freeze them for use throughout the year.
I found these odd mushrooms growing up next to the garlic but since I know very little about mushrooms, those will be tossed.
These sweet vidalia onions are a little experiment of mine. As you can see, I am growing them in water. I was planning on planting them in the soil once they sprouted roots but the green tops are so pretty, I may just let 'em grow, it will be interesting to see how big the green tops will get. The roots are full and growing round in the shape of a cup. Maybe I should put them in a larger jar, I may end up with giant stalks.
I am planning on documenting all of the above, their growth, color, and production. Gardening is not only an awesome hobby, but eating homegrown, from garden to table makes me feel healthier just thinking about it.
A little gift for my friend, 
This one is for 
Happy gardeners, make great friends.
Love y'all.
