workable soil

 
 
My soil is workable!! And only 6 days ago we had a foot of snow….. What does it mean when a seed packet says : “Plant as soon as soil is workable?” Well, it’s cause for excitement and celebration!!! It means the soil is thawed and has drained enough so that its not too wet to turn with a shovel. It means your boots didn’t sink in the mud. Your shovel didn’t get stuck in frozen soil. Your garden gate opened without a foot of snow blocking it. It doesn’t…
 
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vegetable garden i phone ap

 
 
I have a new ad I just posted for a vegetable garden Iphone ap. I bought a copy myself to try ($2.99). If anyone else buys one – let me know what you think.
 
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planting seeds

 
 
I spread a towel on the living room floor tonight and planted a tray of seeds. Skippy kept his eye on the project. I planted broccoli, kale, lettuce, endive, radicchio, and eggplant. (I need to order my potatoes too. I’ve decided on just two varieties this year: Russet Burbank and German Butterball from FEDCO Moose Tubers.)
 
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garden aerial view

 
 
I was talking with my brother yesterday. He’s looking forward to planting his garden. We were noticing that St Patrick’s Day is only ONE week away now! That’s when I planted my first pea seeds outside in the garden last year. We are wondering if there’s any chance we can plant that soon this year. I remember last year on a 70*F day in mid March I turned in a load of compost into my parents garden (mostly my son did the spreading and turning) and we planted seeds for…
 
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Our 6 inch snow storm turned into 16 inches! I’ll have to go clear off my cold frame tomorrow. Fortunately it was reinforced very well and is holding good up so far.
 
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one last snow storm

 
 
Six inches of snow falling tonight! I’m thinking it’s probably our last snow storm of the season. Sure has been a snowy winter – too cold and dark and long and snowy. But today’s snow is falling on ground that has started to thaw. Snow drops are blooming, willow catkins are out, geese are paired up, hawks are defending their territories, chickadees are singing their spring songs. Next week temperatures are predicted to go into the 50’s. Maybe I’ll be able to brush the snow off my cold frame and…
 
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I signed up for an automatic alert when late blight is spotted within 200 miles of our Gardens. Here is the website http://usablight.org/alerts. There is no need to spray unless late blight spores are in the area – so this seems like a good system. Once I get a notification, I’m planning to spray with Copper fungicide (Bordeaux) alternating with Oxidate (Johnny’s recommends this) every 7 to 10 days and before and after rains.
 
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I was out gardening today!

 
 
Its a beautiful sunny Sunday. I opened up my cold frame – meaning only to pick a little bok choi – but the air was so nice, I stayed and gardened a while. I weeded, removed dead leaves and plants killed by the week of bitter cold we had. Many plants are still looking good and perking up now. I watered, and just enjoyed the smell and feel of the dirt and springlike air. The thermometer said 35*F outside the frame and 52 inside. Ahhh… The soil in the frame…
 
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reinforced cold frame

 
 
The problem with my cold frame was mostly that the center front wooden support rotted and the weight of the snow crushed it. Once it was gone, the side bowed out and then the covers sunk in. I propped up the covers and used string to pull in the sides. Once my husband saw this, he got out tools and fresh wood and fixed it properly. Now it has a reinforced center post, reinforced sides and a brace running across the middle of the frame.
 
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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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