The April seed-starting, early arrival of summer, and recent heatwave have pushed the garden to new heights–literally and figuratively.

The snap peas are five feet tall and blooming enthusiastically. Last year, my snap peas were duds.

The shelling peas and snow peas are 3-4 feet tall and maturing responsibly. Last year, we had a cold summer, and the peas didn’t bloom until August. We had a very short harvest window before frosts killed the plants.

Ellen’s rhubarb start made itself at home and is happy to produce the vast quantity I desire. I’ve promised to make room for a couple of offspring, and she’s looking forward to starting a family.

I’m cutting, blanching, and freezing kale and collards as they grow this year, rather than processing whole plants later in the summer. Will the leaves be less bitter and/or more tender?

How long will the plants produce new leaves? Does a plant have a certain number of leaves in its genetic makeup or will leaves sprout indefinitely?

I’m also processing spinach and chard for winter use. The hot weather makes them bolt more quickly, but multiple plantings should keep us supplied through the summer–now that we have a fence that keeps hares out.

We’ve also had our first two strawberries. Yum! Sorry, we ate them before I clicked the picture. I refuse to trim runners; I’m encouraging the plants to procreate so I can fill several more beds with their offspring next year. I want lots of strawberries.

Visions of the permanent garden are taking shape. I have tons of wonderful work to do. Hey, that’s literal, too, come to think of it.

Get this: I have fifty cubic yards of soil and fill (heavier than the soil) to move (yes, Bev, without a wheelbarrow, though there may be a wheelbarrow in my future). I’m well into the second pile now. According to Internet research and Mike’s miraculous math-mind, one cubic yard of soil weighs 2,000 pounds. That means I have 50 tons of wonderful work to do.

Huh. The task seemed less daunting before.