New Banana Tree - First Tulip

Tulips are my favorite flower and I finally planted some last fall. They started sprouting weeks ago, but didn't flower until this morning. I'm not sure if the flower is supposed to be so close the ground, but I'm not complaining. I planted a total of 10 ( 2 different types) , all of which have sprouted, but only 1 flower so far.

The dewberry plant is flowering. You're not supposed to get any berries the first year, but I just may get a few. The blackberries are just about to flower as well.

I planted both nasturtium and marigold from seed a week or two ago. I haven't had any luck with the marigolds, but almost all of the nasturtiums came up. I didn't get a chance today, but plan on running drip lines to them as well.

After giving up on the marigolds coming up, I picked up 6 yesterday. These worked so well last year at keeping the horn worms away that I just can't do without them.

At the farmers market this weekend a guy was selling banana trees. My husband has been wanting on forever so I finally gave in. I ripped out some ruelllias that I wasn't too fond of and put the tree in a nice corner spot. This location will block the north wind and hopefully keep the tree alive. The type is "Gran Nain". This is the same as the commercial variety. From what I've been reading it should do fine with our weather. The only trick will be keeping the soil moist.

I noticed that a few of the veggies are looking a little rough. The squash is a little yellow in the leaves and the okra has some white veins and just overall looks unhappy. I have all of the veggies on the same drip system, and figure that the amount I'm giving the tomatoes is just too much for the other plants. I attached some 2GPH emitters to the tomatoes, so they'll receive twice as much water as the other plants. I also attached some on-off switches to the okra, so I can give them even less water, if necessary.

The same guy who was selling the banana tree also had columbine. I picked up two, the standard yellow, which is a Texas native and a very pretty purple and yellow. I planted these in the back corner of the yard where there isn't much sun. My only concern is the soil. I read that columbine prefers sandy well-drained soil and my soil is clay.

Spring Veggies Planted / Drip System Installed

I know it's not quite to the last frost, but I looked at my schedule for the next few weekends and I just won't have time to plant the veggies. I took half a day of vacation friday and got my seedlings into the ground. Saturday I worked on the gazebo again. I'll have to post some pictures soon to show exactly what took what could have been 9 full days of gardening work since late November. Sunday I installed a drip system. The new beds are really more than I have time to manage with the hose, and my tomatoes didn't do as well as they could have last year with consistent watering. It wasn't expensive, and not too difficult. I haven't hooked up a timer yet. Right now I just turn on the hose while I'm getting ready for work or taking a morning walk.

Tomato close-up. I plan on putting straw on all of the beds, once this cold front passes. I did some research and found that straw is a cooling mulch. That is perfect for out hot summers, but no so great when you're trying to keep the beds extra warm.

Brandywine, romas and misc. peppers. I planned on remembering which peppers were which when I transplanted them into bigger pots and that didn't work out so well. I planted all of them, so I guess it doesn't matter too much. I'll figure it out eventually.

Okra and swiss chard. I'm also thinking of planting some sweet potatoes as well.

Yellow squash and zucchini. The seed packed said these don't always transplant well, but mine have really taken off in the last few days. My trick will be trying to ward off the squash-vine borer. I didn't have much luck last year.

Rainbow Cherry, Sungold, misc. peppers. I have also scattered onions though all of the beds.

After planting on friday the weather forecast kept getting worse. Monday afternoon I bought some row cover and covered everything last night. This should protect against potential frost, and the sub-45 degrees that we'll be seeing the next few nights.

To fix my bloom issue ... I picked up a few bluebonnets at the Natural Gardener. I planted them right by the front walk. Ahh ... spring is here, except for that pesky cold front.

Last night I planted some daylily bulbs in this bed as well. I'm hoping the rain will encourage them to pop up quickly. I'd eventually like to make this entire bed full of daylilies. One of my neighbors has a similar thing on the side of the house and it is really beautiful. I am planning on doing the yellow/orange varieties.

Severe Lack of Blooms

I have been so focused on edibles this winter/spring that I really have no flowers. It is a bit depressing, but I walked through the garden today, taking pictures of new growth instead. The green leaves don't quite have the same visual appeal, but at least it's progress.

Meyer Lemon Buds

Chile Piquin. 

 This plant was completely smashed last fall when a tree fell on it from across the creek. I am happy to see it recovering so well. Hopefully, we'll get a good harvest this year. I just discovered these tasty peppers after moving to Austin and now I don't know how I lived without them.

Dewberry.

 I planted this one just a few weeks ago and it already seems to love it's new home. 

Fig stick is now officially one year old. 

Strawberries, planted last weekend.

Kumquat Tree. 

The yellow has completely left the leaves and the tree is looking extremely healthy. Now we wait for the buds.

Squash, Okra and Pepper Seedlings.

Tomato and Pepper Seedlings.

No blooms, but some beautiful winter color.

I was just heading inside when I turned to the right and saw this bloom peeking out at me. One single rose!