More Beautiful Blooms

This will be the last in the series of Presby Memorial Iris Garden photos. Enjoy the beauty, color, and variety!  

Presby Memorial Iris Garden in Bloom

Peak bloom at Presby Memorial Iris Garden in Upper Montclair NJ was this past weekend. If you didn't get there, I'm sure the 100,000 plus blooms will still be going strong this whole week. Go visit! It's beautiful. Iris come in a rainbow of colors, some have spots or stripes, and some are extra frilly. 

They sell plants at the show and they have a charming little gift shop too. Don't forget to stop by the donation booth on your way in, organizations like these survive on the dedication of their members and the support of the public. Let's keep this garden gem going for future generations to enjoy!

It's Iris Season at Presby Memorial Iris Garden

If you're in the New York City metro area and you love iris, flowers, or just strolling around in beautiful surroundings, it's time to visit the Presby Memorial Iris Garden in  Upper Montclair NJ. The gardens are home to 14,000 irises of about 3,000 varieties, producing 100,000 blooms annually. It is an amazing sight to behold. 

When to Plant the Garden? Now!

In our neighborhood, the daffodils are done, the cherries have leafed out, but the late tulips are still going strong. 

Last year's kale is happier than ever and that means Mao Mao's getting lots of little kale nibbles before dinner. Yes, our cat is a big fan of greens. I am too, so our human salads are getting a big supplement from the garden lately. 

Three varieties of lettuce are also sprouting in the plot. I've harvested leaves from the red romaine but the others are taking their time. This photo is from last week. We're getting closer to harvest size this week. 

What else is growing? Two varieties of carrots are up. The strawberry plants have an abundance of blossoms. I transplanted about a dozen leeks from the windowsill "greenhouse" to the plot.  I repotted a dozen pepper plants into bigger containers to encourage more growth and hope to keep a few on the fire escape. The radicchio plants are looking good but are getting a little crowded with the kale. I might have to chop the kale monster down a bit. 

It was a very cold and long winter but we're finally deep into spring. And now that Mothers Day is upon us, it is officially safe to get planting. I see a trip to the garden center in my future. The tomato seedings are calling my name.