belated update
I haven’t looked at my poor abandoned blog in so long! I am surprised to check now and see snow on my last post. We have had weeks of balmy spring weather in the 80’s since then. Here is part of a note I just wrote to a reader who asked where we are: Dear Pam, Thanks for your note. Fortunately I do not have any bad news to share. My job has preoccupied me. About 2 years ago I started a company to help women with breast cancer. The…
sowing seeds
These are pictures from Saturday when I planted a couple trays of seeds. I also planted 8 new begonia tubers in pots. (A bag of pink dahlia tubers waiting on my shelves for outdoor planting.) My indoor lettuce is doing well. Time to start thinning it soon!
seed sowing
My first big day of planting seeds! The local True Value Hardware store had their planting trays in stock – I got 8 trays and 8 6-packs of seed cells. Also some 4-inch and 3-inch pots. And 50 4-cent wooden labels. I planted 2 full trays of seeds this afternoon. I am a bit late starting my onions. I planted 4 6-packs of white storage onion seeds and one of bunching onions. I started a few seeds of very early tomatoes. Only 3 varieties, 3 seeds each. These will be…
spring is coming – willow catkins and daffodil sprouts
My pussy willows burst open this week. Right on schedule. Last year, they opened on the very same week. Some other plants are early this year with the balmy weather we have had. Snow drops are in full bloom and the daffodils are an inch high already. From looking back at my old photos, these are a full month early this year.
Valentine’s Day
I keep hearing that Valentine’s Day is a made up holiday. As I look around, the birds are pairing off, the squirrels are chasing each other, and coyotes are threatening suburban small pets as they begin their breeding season. And my planting calendar says its 11 weeks before my last frost – time to start planting seeds!!! Of course this celebration of love is based on the season! There are several online sources to look up Valentine’s Day origins and each tells a different story…. In any case, I’ll celebrate…
crop list for 2012
I’m starting to make a list of what to plant this year. Time to cut back on the number of things I grow. I pack too much in and things don’t do as well as they could. So here’s my list: In order of preference:garlicpotatoeslettucesummer squash: zucchini and yellow patty panonionssoybeans*broccoli*beetscarrotstomatoes*butternut squashsweet potatoesparsley, cilantro, dill*cucumbers (max 3 varieties)*bok choypeppers/chiles**eggplant**leeksceleriackale*peas*beans*radicchioescarole and friseepumpkins: maximum 3 plants: Jarrahdale and New England Pie sunflowersnasturtiumszinnias Tomatoes: Try the new color cages (purple?) and grow them with lots of space*does well in my slightly shady home…
lettuce seedlings
Instead of waiting for spring, I planted some lettuce seeds right after I got home from holiday travels – I think it was Jan 5. Little lettuce plants are now growing fast under the lights.
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
My garden this week
Skippy’s vegetable of the month – Egyptian walking onions!
