The Garden Apprentice- Part 2

I must say the little garden is coming on nicely - particularly the quack grass and the dandilions which seem to be thriving under the hot Alberta sun after last week's rain in spite of constant digging.

Actually other things are finally coming up too.  I'm thrilled to see the potato leaves springing up.  I had to purchase some soil to start hilling them.  The little potato barrel, while not very elegant, looks like it will be quite productive.  The deal with the barrel is, keep adding soil as the plants grow up until things start to flower - then just water it and let it work.

I found this great recipe for roasted potatoes that I'm going to try as soon as I have some baby potatoes.  I normally don't indulge in recipes here, but I figure, since I found this in a gardening magazine, it was fair game. 
So...take up to 24 baby potatoes (or so) - I planted Yukon Golds-, an oz of olive oil and mixed dried Italian herbs - toss the potatoes with the two other ingredients.   Thread said potatoes onto metal skewers and place the skewers on a hot grill for 15 minutes, being sure to turn every 5 minutes so those babies cook evenly. 
Remove the cooked baby spuds from the skewers, place on plates, drizzle with lemon juice, olive oil and salt and pepper and serve them up.  Doesn't that sound good.?  Especially so, I think, if the potatoes are freshly harvested from the little garden. Keep your fingers crossed on this.

We have now had our first hail storm - which did a bit of damage, but not too bad really.  It could have been much worse.  We do live under the threat of hail here.

The hail did shred most of the lovely blossoms off the sour cherry tree, cut holes in the hostas and sort of messed up the tomatoes which still haven't recovered.  I think what saved the garden from more damage was how slow the plants are growing due to the cool spring we are having. 

The lilac bush and most of the tulips survived the hail and the rain...oh, and I mustn't forget the wind storm that womped through here the other day.  You have to be tough.  That's all I can say.
Gardening here is definitely not for the faint of heart but it is fun.

On another small note.  Thank you all for your kind words about the passing of our dear wee Bella.  He was an awsome little guy, and we miss him.  Animals have a way of getting into your heart.  I think it's because they don't put any restrictions on the love they give - they just give it over and over.