There is a huge difference between knowing what to do and actually doing it. To wit: last spring just as my apple trees burst into full bloom, the very next day those flowers were completely gone and were hideous brown spots. Some tiny inch worm had eaten every leaf and flower.

Eventually, the leaves grew again and I promptly forgot about it. Then, when I had no fruit in the fall I promised myself to spray dormant oil the following March. You must see where this is going. Once again the worm has won. I am guilty of never following my own advice. My second major disappointment this week was the transplanting of peas. I had started them in large plug trays and was remiss in getting them into the ground in a timely fashion. This past Sunday I finally popped them along the fence. Since I was tired and in a rush I did not douse them with either liquid fish and seaweed fertilizer or Bobbex. The very next day every single one was chewed to ground level by my resident bunny. I think he actually lives in the garden under the shed.

It’s difficult to keep a positive attitude. On the bright side, isn’t it wonderful to come down into Vineyard Haven from the Edgartown Road intersection? The trees are all leafed out. This is not true either up-Island or in Edgartown. Hard to believe the different climates here on our little Island.

My friend Sharlee lives on Chappy. She is a full two weeks behind in her garden. I am surprised that the lilacs are in full bloom. When my children were young they had just begun blooming by Memorial Day. We often picked bunches for them to toss from the dock at Owen Park for the Tisbury School annual Memorial Day celebration.

I had an experience on Tuesday which is not garden related but, hey, that’s never stopped me in the past. In the middle of a yard I almost stepped on a little rock. It moved. It was a turtle no bigger than a quarter. It seemed so unsafe for the little guy with birds all around. I brought him home in a bucket to show Violet. We hatched a plan to release him down at the freshwater pond at the Tisbury Waterworks. Violet let him go while snapping a photo to share with friends. Suddenly the male swan from way across the pond near his mates’ nest came at her at an alarming speed. She ran for her life and when she got into the car she realized she still had the turtle. Now with a makeshift terrarium in the bathroom we are so worried for his safety that some calls need to be made. He seems to be a painted variety with an orange belly.

Honestly, just what I need, another project requiring my attention.

I was pleased to see the lithodoro lived through the winter just up the hill from the Ocean View leaving Oak Bluffs on New York avenue. I have planted it a few times with no success. I have, however, been enjoying my ground phlox and perennial yellow alyssum. They have been on the edge of my perennial bed for decades.

Rusty at Ghost Island Farm has some beautiful kale and lettuce. It’s washed and dried. If you shop there be sure to appreciate the two pastures at Nip ‘n’ Tuck Farm. They are covered with butter cups.

I have boatloads of asparagus. One needs to pay close attention as there are stalks to be picked daily. If neglected they go to fern very quickly. I’ve had the patch for nearly 40 years. Lucky me.

I’m completely done with the presidential race. I fail to understand much of what goes on in the world especially right here at home. The North Carolina bathroom law HB2 is beyond baffling to me. First of all, I would never let a child go into a public bathroom alone. The gender on one’s birth certificate is supposedly the idea, but do we now have to show a birth certificate to enter a facility? Wow! People have way too much time on their hands.