up-potting

 
 
I’ve learned a new word. “Up-potting” is when you transplant into a bigger pot. Hmm. I’ve been spending lots of time up-potting recently as a volunteer at the greenhouses at Elm Bank. We’re getting plants ready for the Boston Flower Show, which is only a couple weeks away now (March 14-18).
 
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newly planted seedlings in winter tunnel

 
 
I planted my seedlings out into my empty winter tunnel last weekend. They look very happy out there. I have a few more to plant out and will set up another smaller tunnel. But I’m waiting until after The Big Storm coming tomorrow.   Everyone is talking about the Storm here. 2 inches of rain and then 5 inches of heavy wet snow are predicted with high winds and power outages. I’m glad I don’t need to worry about the coastal flooding in my area, because that’s supposed to be…
 
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today’s seed planting

 
 
Feb 28, 2018 (indoors under lights)  Cabbage, Red Express and Murdoc Endive, Dubuisson Parsley, Italian Large Flat Leaf Flowers, Stock, Katz Lavender Blue
 
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red-winged blackbirds

 
 
I just looked up when I’ve first heard red-winged blackbirds around here in the spring over the past few years. I think it shows a trend: 2018 February 25 2016 March 5 2015 March 27 2009 April 9
 
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spring red-winged blackbirds

 
 
The red winged blackbirds are a full month early this year!!! I saw a small flock of 4 or so males at a nearby pond a few days ago and have been listening to them (cookalokooo) from my window today. We’re having the warmest February on record here. I don’t see much spring going on with the trees and bushes outside. but the birds are reflecting the warmth. I’m tempted to plant peas now. My soil is workable. The old saying is to plant peas when the female red winged…
 
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crazy February weather

 
 
Yesterday we had record breaking temperatures in the 70’s here! I felt very excited and wanted to plant my gardens all at once. But, back to reality and this is the view this morning. Our typical February weather. Very pretty (but yesterday was really awesome).
 
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hardening off seedlings

 
 
The seedlings for my winter tunnel have grown really fast. Time to start hardening them off. Today is sunny and 65F (!!) so they are outside on the patio sunning. I am enjoying the air and am working by the open door.   My plan is to harden them off for about a week before transplanting these seedlings into the tunnel soil. I’ll leave them outside 3 hours today and then gradually longer until they are OK staying overnight in the tunnel. If it’s not warm enough outside during the…
 
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asparagus seedlings

 
 
My newly sprouted asparagus seedlings look just like tiny asparagus.
 
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2018 variety list

 
 
Artichoke: Tavor Arugula (salad arugula) Asparagus, Mary Washington (green) Beets: Boro and Detroit Dark Red Bok Choi: Mei Qing Choi, Win-Win Broccoli: Bay Meadows, Blue Wind, Happy Rich, Piracicaba, Diplomat, and Raab Bunching onions: Nabechan Cabbage: Alcosa (green savoy), Red Express and Murdoc Cauliflower: Snowball Y and Little Cloud Celeriac: Brilliant Celery: Tango Cucumbers: Max Pack, Salt and Pepper, Boothby’s Blonde, Diva, and Corinto Eggplants: Orient Express, Hansel, and Barbarella Endive: Dubuisson Escarole: Natacha (broad-leaved Batavian) Gourd: Large Swan Neck Herbs: Chamomile, Lemon Mint, Tuscany Basil, Mammoth Sweet Basil, Creeping…
 
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onions and celery seeds are planted!!

 
 
Yeah! This is my first big planting for my summer garden. I planted celery, celeriac, onions, bunching onions (scallions), leeks, and artichokes.  I also sowed some flower seeds: milkweed, aster, and chamomile. Here is the link to my 2018 planting list.
 
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Kathy Martin
This is a journal of my vegetable gardens. Skippy thinks the garden is his, even though I do all the work. We're located near Boston, in USDA zone 6. I have bees, chickens, fruit trees and berry bushes, too. I use all sustainable organic methods and strive to grow all of my family's vegetables myself. -Kathy


weeks and counting until my last spring frost

What I planted recently

Jan 21
thyme, lettuce, escarole

Feb 21
celery, celeriac, parsley, leeks

March 11
cabbage, kale, arugula



What I'm planting soon

April 1
peppers, eggplants, marigolds, beets

April 12
tomatoes, basil, sunflowers

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My garden this week

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17 years of archives!

Check out the food pantry farm I helped to start up:

Aurelia's Garden

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Skippy’s vegetable of the month – Egyptian walking onions!

“I envision a day when every city and town has front and back yards, community gardens and growing spaces, nurtured into life by neighbors who are no longer strangers, but friends who delight in the edible rewards offered from a garden they discovered together.” – Greg Peterson

"What can happen to a seed is a miracle."

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