Category: Progress

Here’s our false spring!

The weather is gorgeous, for a few days. I did a little wander through the garden- things are still happening slowly. I put a balanced fertilizer on the leafy veggies with the hope that it will inspire them to pick up.

The starts are looking amazing since I repotted them. That probably means it’s time to repot again (;

I traded out a few of the smaller ones from the greenhouse to see if they do better inside.

I also moved the greenhouse so it will get more fun. Sometimes I have to sacrifice aesthetics.

The little container tomato is hanging in there.

Remaining apple is starting to get leaves.

Strawberry and parsley baskets showing some growth.

Well, the weeds are happy.

We’ve only had a few days of sun. Enough that the grass has grown taller than the raised beds, but not enough for p to mow it.

The peas are still getting chewed and pulled up by something. I replanted them today- maybe they will be so excited by the weather that they will overcome all obstacles.

I also planted more chard and kale (this time in upper c) Willy nilly I tossed the seeds in the soil. I really want some greens.

I cleared a portion of the back rocks and spread allysum seeds. I just can’t seem to have luck with this plant that is supposed to reseed itself and be happy here!

The tomato, pepper, and okra starts seem to be tolerating the greenhouse, only doing a little worse than the ones inside. The one tomato plant I already have in a container is still alive.

Parsley basket might be getting started, and the strawberry basket is happy. Once it gets a little warmer I’ll hang them on the porch.

Fingers crossed on all of it.

Back from the suncation

We had a nice trip- but it’s back to reality.

I guess there was a little sun here while we were gone. The garlic is looking happy, the onions are hanging in there, the radishes are getting bigger and the beets are starting to show sprouts.

The peas continue to be eaten by a mystery predator. I might just go out at night to see if I can catch them in the act. I’ve always hesitated to put out slug traps- but this might be my turning point.

The inside basil experiment is going well. I’ve had it under the hydroponic light. It’s happy. The others are basically dead outside. The greenhouse one might make it.

While I was gone the sprouts (tomato, okra, pepper) got a little drowned I think, and weren’t looking good. I transplanted then all to larger pots, and put the extra ones in a tray in the greenhouse.

When I was transplanting I noticed that they all seemed to want some deeper roots- especially the okra and peppers that maneuvered out of the bottom of their paper pots. Next year I need to remember that, and plant them in something taller.

Eh.

We have had the joy of living without half of our appliances for a week, because of a lack of 240 voltage and dependable electrician. It’s also been gross outside- including some snow, and lots of rain.

I am not happy.

So let’s start with what’s good in the garden…

The two blue hydrangeas are coming in quick. I fertilized them with the hydrangeas food today.

The two rhody transplants are settling in well.

The hops are coming up- p has been pulling extra shoots.

The rhubarbs all seem very happy.

Some root veggies are sprouting in west E.

NOW for the bad news.

Something has been eating my pea sprouts. I have a feeling it’s the pnw monster slug. I do not feel any warm feelings. I sprinkled Sluggo across the soil with ruthless abandon.

The garlic is not happy about the weather. There’s a lot of yellow showing. I don’t think there is anything I can do- but I put the tomato fertilizer on it while chanting. /:

Onions are also barely hanging in there, and got the same treatment.

The lawn looks like hell- although some of the clover and fleur de lawn seed seems to be catching. All the effort we made trying to smooth it may or may not have helped.

Here are the fertilizers I used.

The blue one went on the hydrangeas, camelia, and blueberries

The red one went on the onions, garlic, and the places I’m putting tomatoes.

In the process of writing this (and waiting for water to boil for my bath), the asparagus and raspberrys have arrived.

I begged P to plant them- since he has access to a shower at work.

Raspberries are going in west A, asparagus in west B.

Seeds inside

It’s quite chilly outside, and we’re without hot water and electric heat, so I decided to work on some inside planting.

P got this really nice plant light for my birthday, and in using it with a heating pad to start some seeds inside (and try some microgreens). I’ve already got tomatoes and peppers going, and some cilantro, so today I started some okra (which is nearly impossible to buy as starts around here) and some peas to try as pea shoots.*

(*Here are a couple of how-tos for harvesting pea shoots – 1, 2 )

To make my little newspaper pots, I folded and wrapped a sheet of seed catalog around a juice glass, and secured the end with a water+flour paste.

Then I folded down the bottom part and glued it as well

Easy peasy.

Here’s what the flat o’seeds looks like now.

I’m watering from the bottom, which is what you’re supposed to do I guess.

When the Rhubarb is Rheady

Let a new plant grow for two years before harvesting any stalks and only take 1/3 of the plant on year three. After that, you can harvest rhubarb heavily, leaving the smaller stalks behind after a solid 6-8 weeks of pulling off stems for yummy pies, compote, and sorbet!

To harvest, solidly grasp the stem, twist to the side and pull to remove. Do not cut the stalks.

https://gardentherapy.ca/harvest-rhubarb/

BRRRRRRR BEETS AND GREENS

We are without electricity today, and I decided not to go downtown because of the SNOW and instead opted for working in the yard a bit… I’m almost able to feel my toes now. /:

Planted chard, kale, and romaine in upper b. (romaine is furthest west)

Put leeks, beets, and carrots in south a.

I really fluffed up the soil there (and found a patch of mycelium), with the hope of better root crops. Let’s hope bunnies don’t like carrots IRL.

Peas are JUST starting to break the surface, and some ejected themselves from the soil (:. Saw a tiny bit of green in West E- beets and radishes.

The onions are looking a tad bit better (the old greenery died off, but new stuff is pushing out). I just need to remember that this is how they roll.

Flowers!

Here’s what’s booming (stone munched by slugs)

Lohyacinthdaffodilios

these are those little “jumping” flowers from buy nothing… And some sort of tagalong.

Sun-day

Did a couple of chores around the yard today.

Chopped up the cover crop in upper b and upper c, and added amendment. I’m ready to get some greens in the ground! I’m hoping the cover crops and such will help with my nutrient deficiencies in there last year.

On Monday I started a bunch of tomato and pepper seedlings in side. I already have a bunch of tomatoes starting!

We set up the greenhouse/shelf outside, and discussed how we’ll use it. I’d like to do some starts out there when it gets a little warmer (okra?) and I’ll likely use it when my tomatoes and peppers are bigger.

More things are starting to come up- the perrenial sunflower has some activity at the root causing us to wonder about sunchokes… The garlic is going good- and the onions look terrible, but I think they always look terrible for a little bit.

Less related to the garden, I evened out the rocks and dirt in the spa-pit and moved the fire pit there (after replacing the rusted bowl.) Vegan s’mores will be had this summer.

treat yourself to perennials

That’s what I say. After the dentist today I decided to stop and look at the nursery, and grabbed some creeping phlox and gold allysum for the upper edge, and some Pekingese hens and chicks for the lower rocks.

Storm is rolling in, and should give everything a good soak.

Phlox and allysum

What things look like now.