And starting seeds
update 4/15: I’ve transplanted a few, and added potting soil to the remainder. Next year use potting soil from the start- I think things struggled with the seed starter.
Tag: tomatoes
Is winter over yet?
It started snowing on Feb 3. We got about 18 inches in the following storms, which finally stopped dumping by Feb. 12. Today is 16 days later. That’s the state of the yard.
It’s practically balmy today at 47degrees, but you can hear chainsaws everywhere because so many trees came down. I’m still waiting on the snow to melt so I can see what survived.
I ordered a bunch of seeds today- unfortunately I can’t find onion sets, so I’ll have to try to find some locally.
I’m tempted to take a blade to the blackberry when the snow melts. It’s all crushed now so I wonder if I can murder it while it’s weak… (;
I’m excited to use the new path and soon to be finished patio out back.
Fairweather
Things have slowed down in the garden. There’s still some activity, but mostly it’s time to hibernate.
The main reason I started this blog was to record what happens month to month- so next year I can look back and recognize the cycles- both mine and nature’s.
Here’s a feeling I recognize- I’m ready to be done. It’s gorgeous this afternoon, but mostly I’ve avoided going out. I’m happy to let things fade away- and the thriving plants are actually a little annoying. (C’mon little tomatoes, your time is past!)
It’s clear that I am a fair weather tender. I wouldn’t do well if I had to do this day in and day out indefinitely. The joy of gardening fades with the nice weather. I’d rather stay inside and work on art.
Tear it out and plant Garlic
I actually think that tearing out the old plants is almost as satisfying as planting int the spring. I still have a couple of things going- kale, chard, Brussels sprouts, carrots, beets, leeks- but I’m ready to retire my gloves for the winter and focus on other projects.
That’s not too say it was easy. My hands hurt after a Saturday of cleaning and pulling.
But I did have some beautiful carrots, and a HUGE beet as my reward.
Cleared west c and d, planted cover crop.
Cleared South D and Upper B- planted garlic
Pulled okra plants, but left the peas carrots and beets in west e.
Pulled the peas support from lower bed.
Geeze. Surely I did more than that.
Rainy
It’s rainy and coldish. The green bean plants are looking bad, and have a collection of slugs and snails upon them, but still….
Starting to wrap up
The tomatoes are still ripening, but have black spots.
There are still a few green beans coming in, and some squash.
Tonight we salsa
That’s about 12 cups of peeled, diced, tomato.
The beginning of the end…
I pulled most of the tomatoes because it’s been raining, and the plants were getting that “last chance” look.
lots of green beans still
And some blueberries
And the winter squash finally have something to show.
Undilly beans
Harvest was good today on green beans and tomatoes.
Beans got pickled (Two harvest days) with some of the peppers, dried pepper from last year, and garlic.
and extra broth fridge pickles (squash)
Canned tomatoes
We pressure canned 10 jars of tomatoes today (citric acid, salt). That was pretty much all the ripe guys. I took the leftovers and the skins, cooked, blended, and stained them into a bowl of thin sauce. The cut ends and remaining skins went into the “trash soup” (broth) bag.
