The big question mark

I decided to revive the neglected blog to answer some questions I've been asked a lot lately, so here goes:

Q: You have a gardening blog???
A: Yes, a very sad, neglected, little gardening blog.

Q: What can you plant in May in the Tetons?
A: I always start my sunflowers after May 1st, or I find they don't bloom for long (or at all) before the snow flies. Snap peas, chard, and potatoes are cold-tolerant. My brother is also planting Brussels sprouts now and has had good luck planting them in May.

Q: Will you be able to garden this year?
A: Yes, thanks to quite a few generous people.

My Idahoan buddy planting potatoes

(mutt also imported from Idaho)

I had to really get a move on this year, as we leave tomorrow to go to Salt Lake City for surgery. I have avoided spinal fusion (scoliosis) surgery for as long as possible, but am now unable to do many of the things I love, including gardening most days. My spine, that curvy question mark of anatomy, is dictating the answers these days.

Thanks to my husband, some really helpful friends, and a few good days from my spine, I was able to get the winter compost spread, top off the raised beds, plant peas, chard, potatoes, and sunflowers, and get the beds weeded. The tomatoes are also planted (on carts in the garage), and my daughter and mother in law will faithfully roll them in and out, in and out, until I am able to do it myself. My porch may not be the flower-fest it usually is, but I got a very nice hanging basket for Mother's Day.

The plan. (so I can remember what the heck I did, pre-pain pills)

When we first decided it was finally time to have surgery, the thought of not having a garden this year made me incredibly sad. So THANK YOU to everyone who knew how much it meant to me and jumped in (and those of you who have pledged help this summer). It will be a challenging summer, but I look forward to having friends in the garden.