While the seasons may be rather out of whack the various little insects work as diligently as ever. It inspires me to drag myself into the garden. Our winter is all over the place. It affects germination and invites unwanted critters into the confused gardens. Homesteading is already a lot of hard work. When the seasons are inconsistent it makes homesteading life so much more challenging. But our persevering bugs challenge me to keep my nose down and my hands in the dirt. The gardens vibrate with the teeny workers. Bees. Butterflies. Praying mantis. Wasps. They're all over the place. Especially the herbs. Soapwort. Basil. Thyme. Elderberry. Lemon verbena. Wild garlic.
Although I try; I'm not a vegetable gardener by any stretch of the imagination. Now herbs - ah, that is where I thrive. Herbs are an amazing and underestimated part of the homestead. My gardens may be sparse but you will always find a profusion of herbs growing. They need far less attention than veggies and there is always a profusion of flowers - no matter what the season. Herbs are my go-to for kitchen creations as well as medical remedies. The bonus is that the herbs attract our little pollinators. And those pretty creatures are essential to the success of the gardens, which includes veggies and trees.
Although we are fighting against inconsistent weather we still try to keep our end of the bargain. Strictly planting according to the moon cycles I just finished planting a batch of root crop seeds, and a gazillion garlic. The bugs keep me company. From a safe distance. So do the stunning sunbirds. Although from a far safer distance, I constantly hear their frantically beating wings zipping past. Urging me on. Dig. Dig. Plant. Mulch. Water. Water. WATER!!!!!!
How do your winter city gardens grow this May 
