The maple sap is rising, and one of our neighbors has attached collection buckets to his trees. I got excited by the prospect of spring and visited the gigantic Humber Nurseries garden center, on the northern edge of Toronto, a 45 minute drive away. I bought one packet of OSS Seeds "Heirloom" Tomato 'Black Cherry', which I plan on growing in a large container on my south-facing deck, and one packet of Gusto Italia Bush Bean 'Borlotto', a haricot variety with attractive red & white streaked pods. The bean packet tells me to "sow directly in soil once danger of frost has passed", but unfortunately the fenced plot that DH once cleared for growing vegetables was unused last year and has completely disappeared under a thick mat of deep-rooted weeds and grasses. I guess I'll have to buy some grow-bags, or a couple more deep containers. While I was at the garden center I somehow wandered into the growing area, and wandered out again with a tray containing three hybrid polyanthus-type outdoor primulas, and three named Fuchsias (rooted cuttings, about 2 inches tall). The Fuchsias, after being sprayed with insecticidal soap, are now on the table next to my laptop. I want to try growing them as standards, but they have already been encouraged to branch from the base - oh well, I can always take cuttings from the lead shoots and start again. The primulas (already in bud) are in the unheated garage, hardening off, and once they flower they will go outside for the bees on mild days.
