Spring in Tennessee

I keep having this thing where I don't know what month it is. It's May or June? Because it's so warm out, and the trees have leafed out and my husband mowed the lawn last weekend. No? It's April. Right. This is the South. The dogwoods and azaleas are blooming. Right now. Spring by tax day!!

I'm so grateful. Honestly, that's what I feel when I step outside, and it's warm and sunny and things are blooming. Here's my garden, mid-April:

Done tilling

With straw down for the pathways. I joked that with the chicken wire and the clean, bright straw, it looks like a set of "Oklahoma!"

I'm done tilling. All 8 beds are ready for planting. The snow and sugar snap peas are coming up. Seedlings of broccoli, red cabbage, parsley, onions and some peppers are in. I laid the straw down on Sunday afternoon in anticipation of all the rain this week: saved me from the weeds and mud completely taking over. There will still be weeds, mind you, but doesn't it look presentable?

I freely admit that there are things I still miss about the Midwest. Rhubarb, for one. We had a booming plant in my parents' backyard. My mom is going to bring me a plant next week, but it'll be fingers crossed on if it survives here. It's not cut out for Southern climes. Lilacs, for another. I don't see them down here and it makes me sad. And ramps! I had a wonderful secret ramp patch in my parents' neighborhood. I've been keeping my eyes open on our walks by the woods and nothing. Nada. No ramps.

I'm sure the pain of missing these things will be lessened as I enjoy our beautiful Tennessee spring. And if I get tomatoes before July...that'll be the cherry (tomato) on top!

Tomato seedlings, under the grow light. There are 26. I'm probably going to put in 18 (2 squares worth).