April 18, 2012

time to plant potatoes

My seed potatoes arrived in the mail today. I will see if I can get time tomorrow to start to prepare their bed. I want to gather a few wheelbarrows full of compost from the piles at the edges of our community garden, then turn these under. Then I will dig two long trenches and plant the tubers in these. I ordered four varieties of potatoes from Fedco and they are waiting in the cool basement now for planting. Other updates, we had a super work day at our community…

April 10, 2012

peas are growing

April 9, 2012

garden gnomes

I have two gnomes in my garden. One in the kale patch and another in the thyme. I’m not sure where my third gnome went, he was fishing by my pond last year and I didn’t realize he was gone until now, hmmmm. I guess it’s time to clean out the pond.

April 9, 2012

April garden view

Not much happening yet, but soon. My gnomes are working hard. And the peas are growing.

April 8, 2012

tomato cages

I have a stack of bright new tomato cages on my patio waiting to be used. I haven’t ever used cage before, but these new colorful ones are hard to resist.

April 7, 2012

2012 garden plan

I’ve cut back on a few things this year, no popcorn, no melons. Only 3 pumpkin plants. Only 12 tomato plants. I’m going to try my tomatoes scattered in different locations in the garden rather than all in one patch hoping this will reduce fungi problems I’ve had the last few years. In the center of my plan is a new feature currently under construction, a new garden arbor. I’m planning to grow squash up one side and flowers up the other. It is a good solid wood arbor that…

March 30, 2012

overwintered kale

It was a great winter for kale, being so mild. We are still harvesting. It looks beautiful in the garden now. My gnome is hiding somewhere under the leaves. He’s been working this patch all winter. I have a great recipe for crispy oven kale, but I am always looking for new recipes.

March 28, 2012

my peas are up!

Such brave little sprouts “the sturdy seedling with arched body comes Shouldering its way and shedding the earth crumbs”. I planted my peas on March 17 – St Patrick’s Day. Today I looked out the window and thought I saw something in the soil. Sure enough, five rows of pea sprouts. I will plant a couple more rows at Easter for a later crop. Peas (leaves and stems but not the pods) are very hardy to the cold and I am sure they will be fine with whatever weather comes…

March 28, 2012

planting and transplanting

On Sunday I turned my dining room table into a planting bench by spreading out an old sheet. I transplanted 12 early tomato plants. And I planted 6 6-packs of seeds (carrots, parsnips and 6 types of chili peppers). The chilis are under my fish tank now, since they like it warm for germination. Its 80*F under there. I just have to remember to water them now and then. (varieties: Amelia’s cayenne, Thai hot, yellow sweet, Joe Parker, Nardello and Ancho) I’ve always direct planted carrots and parsnips before, but…

March 27, 2012

the view out my back window

It is 25*F this morning! After last week was in the 80’s. Amazing weather pattern! New England is famous for this though we remark every year at how impressed we are. The pussy willows in my backyard are bursting and leaves are out. My orchids are fading after a generous 3 months of color on the sill. I am watching with much pleasure as the birds at the backyard feeder and boxes start their spring routines.

weeks and counting until my last spring frost

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