Farm School Spring Series Week Three

The spring garden is hummin' right along here at
Farm School.
We had time to do a few things that have been
on Lynn's to-do list for quite some time.

The thyme is coming right along
and smells heavenly.

Lynn has started a few trays of Datura,
also known as Devil's Trumpet.
It's a gorgeous shade of violet.
You can read more about it here. 

Tomato Town is enjoying the warmer temperatures
and the abundant sunshine we've had in the past week.

I stopped dead in my tracks when I spied these.
Oh.My.Stars.
The crops are absolutely LOADED.

Am I the only one drooling here?

 Last weekend, we planted a row of scallion sets.
These amazing crops w-i-l-l themselves to climb through 10 inches of soil
to celebrate in the sunshine.

We'll show you the unique harvesting technique soon.

The banana peppers are producing well enough
that there may be some for the farmer's market this weekend.

The Swiss Chard is bolting now,
and the seed will be saved for future sowing.

Veggies as far as the eye can see.

My beloved Red Salad Bowl lettuce is spent.
In another area, there are plants faring better, but
we won't have much longer to enjoy this tasty treat.

The Buttercrunch is also done for the season.

 The Red Annapolis has been slow growing,
but worth the wait.
It's so tender and sweet, it practically melts in your mouth.
Lynn has another red variety in mind that is supposed to be more heat tolerant. 
We hope to feature that soon.

Some of the cukes we planted last week are starting to pop up.

The Brussels sprouts were harvested last week.
Lynn has plans for the leaves.
He cuts off the top portion of the plant, 
wraps it in bacon and cooks it.
He claims it's to die for.
I think I'll take his word for it.
;0P

Lynn had obtained these pots from someone on Craig's List
who was downsizing her garden.
He didn't really need the dirt, just the pots.
We got to work clearing out some of the debris.

 The dirt was dumped onto the groundcloth
and these two forks were used to sift through the roots.

The dirt was used for transplanting these Red Caribbean Papaya.
The pots were set aside for another day's use.

Ah, now doesn't that feel better?

This sweet lil' preying mantis was found trying to dive back under the dirt.
These beneficial insects are a boon to the garden.

This glorious specimen is the desert rose.

Lynn decided to pot up the shoots that have
grown at the base of the main plant.

These root easily, so with a little shade and TLC,
they'll be a wonderful addition to someone's garden.
Faye and Lynn sell both produce and ornamentals 
at the Lake Wales Farmer's Market twice a month.

Our next task required a sharp spade.
Lynn has the right tool for the job.
The solid metal spade here on the right is at least 75 years old,
and like most things of this vintage, well made.

It was just the thing to dig up these two loquat trees
that had found a home at the base of a palm.
With a bit of hard work,
they were potted up and watered in well.
One is already promised to someone.
Lynn has another tagged for my garden.
Yippeee!

This native Fringe Tree is unlike anything I've ever seen.

The tufts of blooms are not only spectacular to behold,
the fragrance is something akin to a treat from a sweet shoppe.
Lynn thinks it smells like chocolate almond,
my vote was for vanilla.

Since we focus on the luscious vegetables and fruit most of the time,
it was delightful to learn a bit more about
the amazing array of ornamental plants and trees
that share their home here on The Hill.
Faye and Lynn are conscientious stewards of this land.
I can assure you, it's in the best of hands.

All the Farm School posts are available under our header.
The ride began here.