So

I know the strawberry crop will be light this year.  You know the strawberry crop will be light this year.  But apparently the memo never made it out to the yard.  The plants have no idea they’re not supposed to be bearing as they are. (Insert eye roll here.)

Not only was it hot as Hades today but it was also muggy and wet from an afternoon shower.  It didn’t make it any more fun when the resident crow came to perch on top of the utility pole behind my house and cackle at me.  I’m certain it was the same one who I entertained when attempting to repair my front steps.  Did I ever show you how they turned out?  No?  Ah.  I’ll have to do that as they are wondrous. 

Anyway I pointed out to Sir Mocking Crow that birds are supposed to snatch up strawberries.  Peck ‘em to bits so they are inedible.  Not a damn one was touched!  Nor has the wandering skunk hasn’t paid a nocturnal visit.  Not even any slug holes or trails.  Damn them!  A little help would be appreciated but no, no such luck.  I guess they’re saving them all for me.  Oh joy.  (Insert sarcasm here.)

I picked over a quart.  Ate a huge handful that wouldn’t balance on top of the container.  Ignore another bunch by pretending they weren’t ripe enough for today’s harvest.  They’ll be there tomorrow.  Or Friday.  Or whenever next I force myself to deal with them again.

I know, I know.  Stop whining over ultra-fresh fruit at my fingertips.  I might if the damn ice cream truck ever showed up once I was finished slicing them.  (Insert dramatic sigh here.)

And So It Begins

Strawberry season in my yard.

I picked the first pint Sunday. I picked a quart Monday. Today, it was half a gallon. It will multiply exponentially from here on out.

Monday and Tuesday, I took the berries to work and offered them to all who wandered by. There were too many for that tonight but fortunately for me, the neighbor poked her head out to say hello as I was picking. Yep, you guessed it. Her family is having strawberries for dessert tonight.

I don’t much like strawberries on any giving day. Sure, a nice plump juicy red berry is yummy as I’m outside picking them. Once I’ve had that however, I’ve pretty much had my fill.

It’s only day three. And I’ve already had more than enough.

Sigh.

I Need Dirt!

It’s Spring. Time to be digging around and growing things.

The problem is that my yard has been overrun by damn strawberries. Yes, I know. Stop complaining. I’ll have 4-6 weeks of fresh fruit, totally organic, which is free. I should be celebrating.

But I’m not. I need to plant things and there’s not an inch of space left. I’ve already dug around, getting the garden in the courtyard at work ready to plant so for now, there’s nothing left to do there. I even planted a few pansies so I have something pretty to look out at and watch grow.

I need more! I’m about the most disorganized gardener you’ll find. When it comes to flowers, I like chaos. Riots of color, mismatched plants, things that shouldn’t grow where I stick them. I’ve learned, over the years, to ask the yard spirits to watch over whatever I plant and not to yank out things that are already growing happily, even if they aren’t where I want them. Leaving things be seems to make the yard spirits happy and then they help with the rest of the plants. Thus the out of control strawberries in my yard. I’ve asked the spirits for space to plant other things too but for now, they want strawberries.

Which leaves me roaming around, looking for space I can claim. Anyone need help in your yard? I’ll be right over!