Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Ok spring, you had better be here for good

Even if it meant waiting 3 long weeks (and witness another light snowfall in between), getting to spend the whole day outdoors more than made up for it. And I only wore slippers on my feet - no more winter socks! Today's sun and slighter higher than predicted temps came as a complete surprise so I got caught up on all of the garden tasks that needed to be done: repot the sage into a bigger container, ditto for the lemon plant that sprouted like a weed indoors during winter, and sow a few flower seeds in vases. I promised myself that I wouldn't purchase anymore bulbs online until I had the "end-of-season-sale" seeds into dirt, so getting the work done today means that I get to shop later this evening. Bakker (based in Como) has been sending catalogs every week and I just can't hold out any longer. Here are just some of the flowers that I've got my eye on.

Salvia Hotlips

Zaluzianskya ovata

Kangaroo paw (I dunno...this one is kinda pricey at 20€ for a small bush)

Average daytime temperature: 16.4°C / 61.5°F

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

First warm day of the season

Some dogbody bit my Cavolfiore di Sicilia Violetto

Yawn...stretch...clean out the cobwebs. Even if light snow and a drop in temperature is forecasted for the weekend, today is really feeling like spring in more ways than one. Of the 8 types of tomato seedlings that I planted on February 23rd, all but 2 types have sprouted through soil. I've also started peas and runner beans, with fava beans going directly into the ground soon. The dogs and I took a 90 minute stroll in full, blazing sunshine, walking up a gentle ascent of just over 500 feet before returning home. The odd thing is that on the other side of the mountain (we sit on the south-facing side), it still looks like this.

Daytime high: 15°C / 59°F