garden update

[flea]

Flowers:
last of the iris are still blooming
first two liliesin bloom http://www.flickr.com/photos/casperflea/146177193/
clematis and rose blooming together http://www.flickr.com/photos/casperflea/146177195/
lavendar is in bloom
front yard pansies are holding on; impatiens and torenia in waiting for their demise

Food:
we're eating peas and peas; they have flopped rather seriously though and I am out of sticks
pole beans are up, as yet uneaten by rabbits, have 2 sets of true leaves
beets and carrots looking lovely, need more thinning http://www.flickr.com/photos/casperflea/146177194/in/photostream/
tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant seem to be settling in well
lettuce needs to be eaten
spinach has bolted and been pulled

Comparing the two peas, Premium vs. Caseload

Premium: 52 days. Indeed, earlier by about a week. These are indeed much like the past two years' Dakota; smallish pods, almost always 5 peas or fewer. They plump quickly and you have to keep after them or they get too big and starchy. Good flavor when picked promptly.

Caseload: 57 days. Taller vines; they are what caused the peas to flop everywhere. Well-supported they'd probably be 3 feet. Larger pods, often with 6-8 peas, but the pods get large and puffy fast and then the peas themselves are very slow to develop, so it's a waiting game. This is a positive as you avoid the starchy problem, but a negative for the impatient. Flavor is okay, but I like the others better. A heavier bearer than Premium.

I'll definitely get Premium again, and might try a different second variety next year.