After a very slow start, Spring is catching up to “normal” although we are still a bit behind. It’s been warm and dry for several days, allowing the farmers to get their fields planted after a late start. Yesterday, I noticed the field on the corner has enough seedlings emerged that I could “row” the corn! In my gardens, the first “Old Gold” iris opened today. 
It’s not as showy as some of the newer modern ones, but it was a “pass-along” plant from a good friend, so I value it, plus it never seems to be bothered by iris borers! For comparison, in 2016 it bloomed May 1st and in 2017 on May 2. In the potager, the chamomile just opened with its dainty white daisies. 
I’m not a fan of chamomile tea, but I harvest the flowers to use in a delicious tea bread. These plants self-seeded in the potager’s interior borders, which German chamomile will easily do if it has a sunny, well-drained situation. I let it spread here and there as a filler until other plants fill in, and then pull out excess. I love the Tulip batalinii “Bright Gem” that line the potager’s main path’s edges. They bloomed on March 16, 2016 and on April 19, 2017. 
They are quite long-lasting and have amazingly large flowers for their total size. 
To their left you can see the “Penny Orange”violas. Soon, a “Hot Pak Orange” marigold will be added between each viola. On the right, the first “Green Arrow” peas are beginning to climb the fencing. The “Royal Burgundy” beans planted on April 22 are growing nicely now 
at the left edge of this bed. The newly planted “Strike” beans are just breaking ground on the right in this photo. 
And the second planting of peas are coming through as well. In the front section of the potager, the diagonal and triangle patterns are beginning to emerge, but better in some areas than others. The “showy” triangle is made of “Little Gem” lettuces that began life in the greenhouse. 
In another bed, the radishes are beginning to show color and should be ready to harvest soon. Last year the first radish was harvested April 26.
Although it’s a late start, I’m not unhappy with this season to date. Last year, we had a killing frost on May 8th that ruined many things, so I’ll take a slow, steady warm-up any time! That’s my “Six” for this Saturday. Visit The Propagator for many more contributions to this meme.
herbalblessingsblog 
Would love to learn more about the chamomile bread!
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Just for you…here’s the recipe. I make it all the time. It’s even better the second day…if there is any left! Chamomile Nut Bread
Place 6 chamomile tea bags in ½ c. milk in saucepan over medium high heat. Cover. Heat until milk is hot but not boiling. Allow to cool. Squeeze bags to remove all milk. While milk cools, grease and flour a 4”x 9” baking pan. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
In a small bowl combine: 1 ½ c. four; ½ t. salt; 1 t. baking powder.
In large mixing bowl, cream together until light and fluffy: 1 stick room-temperature butter and 1 c. sugar. Add 2 eggs, mixing very well.
Alternately stir in the milk and flour mixtures, mixing only just until blended. Add ½ c. chopped walnuts. Do not overmix. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 45-50 min, just until a tester in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 20 min. Remove from pan. This stores well, and is even better the second day.
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Most of my iris are also pass alongs too and aren’t bothered by iris borers. The expensive ones I bought all succumbed.
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Same with mine…I keep getting “fancier” ones and they look good the first year but that’s about it, despite my efforts at borer prevention and removal.
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The Iris may not be a show stopper but it is pretty. i love bearded Iris.
I also love Chamomile tea but have never been able to grow any.I have to use tea bags.
Your garden is coming along really well.We are hitting a dry spell. Too early for that.
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Same here…very dry. Ten days ago our forecast showed rains for nine days in a row. We got a much-needed 1/2″ that just disappeared and now all the bits of rain have missed us, and the forecast shows nothing for days and days. Too dry for May, but the race-goers love it.
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Ah, your potager is coming to life again with all those gorgeous and tasty treats!
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What a lot to take care of, but you sound like an avid gardener. Your ground looks as dry as mine here in Ohio. We sure could use some rain. Love seeing your garden and what you have growing. I only have 4 raised beds and keeping it very simple this year. Instead of 24 tomato plants for canning, I only planted 12. Designating the other bed for cut flowers this year. You can’t eat flowers, but they sure do bless the spirit.
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It’s nice to have both. We definitely need rain. The last 1/2″ just disappeared into the cracks. The poor robins are just pecking at “concrete” for naught as the worms have moved deep to find cool moisture.
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Such a lovely and orderly garden! You should be proud!
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Thank you!
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Lovely pictures! I also LOVE the sound of chamomile tea bread! Never heard of it before!
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That bread sounds delicious! My goodness, you are ambitious! I am impressed.
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Your garden is gorgeous, and I’m glad to have been introduced to chamomile bread!
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