like chocolate for water

Spring seems to be truly here, and I have moved my potted citrus trees back outside. I may be sorry; the last “freeze date” is actually 10 days away, just about the time we start watching for hummingbirds. But I like living on the edge. And, I’m fairly sure that my babies will be fine even if it does get nippy, as they are all safely tucked up close to the house for the moment.

Once I move them out each spring I give them a good shot of “grow juice”. It makes my neighbors wrinkle their noses, but it makes my trees happy! It’s a combination of seaweed extract and fish emulsion, and my yard does have a certain low-tide-je-ne-sais-quoi for a day or so, but I don’t mind.

chocolaty good if you're a lemon tree...

My trees had a good winter. Most of them spent it in the garage, but I had a solar tube put in a year of so ago so they got good light. It was cool, but not too cold for them and they are either already blooming or darn close. My big Meyer lemon is way ahead of the game and already has a few tiny lemons!

I think that this year I may get a few oranges as well, and this is exciting. I’ve had this orange tree for a few years and while it is green and happy, it hasn’t blossomed for me. This year, though, I’m seeing buds. Mmmm…

itsy bitsy teenie weenie...

And, what makes me even happier is that I’m seeing bees! I’ve had scads of them in my rosemary in the front yard, going bee-happy over the blossoms. Today I saw some in my lemon trees as well. Whew… maybe the bees will be alright after all!

So here’s how my “day off” had gone so far: up early to pull the “sponge” for the sourdough that I started yesterday out. Put the requisite cup back in the fridge for next time, and got the bread going. Ran to the grocery for a few things, came home. Got the citrus “fed. Checked the bread to see how the rising was going.

Got the front yard mowed. Pulled a bunch of cleavers. Checked the bread again, punched it down and divided it. Sat down to write this, with a nice cuppa cleavers tea. Mmmm…

bustin' out all over!

The bread will go into the oven in a bit. If I remember to take pictures when it comes out, I’ll post specifics next week. And, I haven’t forgotten about the “tahini leftovers” request either… honest!

Now I’m off to pull the weeds that have managed to circumvent my weed barrier and come up through the deep mulch in the front walk. I almost hate to do it as they are so determined, but I know that if I don’t they will take over and the entire point of having a front walk is to not track the yard into the house (hahahaha…).

Hope everyone has a good week. We’re expecting more rain (woohoo!!!) mid-week or so and that’s just what I need to finish soaking the fertilizer into the tree’s root systems. Mmmm… happy! I’ll try to remember to post pics as the lemons et al grow… wish you were here to share!

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