Easter Sunday 2010

This is the time of the year that makes me glad to be in Arizona. I'd rather be in my backyard than any where else on Earth. It's not too hot yet, the smell of citrus blossoms is intoxicating, and it's probably the best time of the year for roses; snapdragons, petunias, stock, nasturtiums, and alyssum are also in full bloom. Water lilies have emerged from their dormancy; the ponds are covered with lily pads and blooms. Hollyhocks are already five-six feet high and a few have bloomed already. I broadcast several packets of "butterfly and hummingbird mix" in our new raised beds, which are sprouting; it will be interesting to see what comes up.

We're still enjoying oranges, pink grapefruit, and lemons from last year's flowering. The tangerines, although prolific, were disappointing. They were more sour than lemons; apparently the sour orange rootstock surreptitiously took over the tree at some point. We have dozens of walnut-sized peaches and a few marble-sized apricots. Apple, pear, and nectarine are just starting to bloom, and the grapes are starting to bud. This year, as part of the raised bed project, we planted additional fruit trees: different varieties of peach and pear; tangelo, Bears lime, mandarin orange, fig, and almond. We'll have to see how many of them make it through the first year. We also planted a couple of asparagus plants, and a blackberry and blueberry bush.

Yesterday I pulled out the last of the sugar snap peas and most of the lettuce and spinach, which was going to seed. We've put in tomato and pepper plants, but not much else in terms of hot-weather crops. I'm thinking of attempting corn this year. Hopefully the HOA will not object.