Is it still February?

I was just talking with my friend Ligy about the garden, and pulled out my Vessey's seed and bulb catalogues to show her what I wanted to have in my dream garden (the one I would have if money was not an object and I didn't have a full time job and three kids. Maybe fantasy garden is the right word). Then I pulled up my blog and showed her my garden photos, because somehow she never made it over last summer. She walked out with a bottle of our homemade hot sauce. I checked my stats and discovered that my loyal followers have been peeking at my blog recently, either to see if I have been writing or just because the February blues are getting them down and they are looking for a bit of summer. Heck, that was my reason for going on to the blog tonight. Apparently, it is still February, even though the local temperature the past few days has felt like April. Above zero! Again! I started checking if my bulbs are starting to sprout. I can even see some of the dead plants poking through beneath the snow. I am not yet sure what I should be cutting back in the fall, so I have left dead cosmos and black-eyed susans standing all winter.

My peppers have all died from the aphids. I tried Diatomaceous earth and then a diluted dishsoap spray but neither worked. I have given up. I am very disappointed because those were gifts from two of the most talented gardeners who have supported my beginner efforts, Jack and Gu, and I hope that they have faith in me to try again next summer with some new cuttings. I have not yet thrown them in the garbage, but will have to do it soon and make sure there are no remaining traces of aphid in my house before we start over with new seeds.

My columbine sprouts are still hanging on for dear life, unaffected by the aphids, but not growing very much. I hope they survive until May and then I pop them in the garden and hope for the best.

I have had a new and unfortunate development. We have mice in our house, and have been trying ever device and concoction in our efforts to rid ourselves of these very cute but annoying critters. The worst bit is that we have had a few sprouting plants brought home from school (science projects etc,) including parsley, arugula, and some decorative plants grown by the kids for Tu Bishvat (Jewish festival of trees), all of which were devoured overnight by our nocturnal guests. I am concerned about our sprouting table this spring, and if it risks being a buffet table.

We finished eating all the sunflower seeds, and are working our way through the jars of tomato sauce and hot pepper sauce. I am starting to dream of mud, sprouts and flowers. I am gratefully checking back on my blog to remind myself of what is in the ground because I have already forgotten what I planted. Only two more months until I start my sprouting table. Hang in there everyone!