More seeds started, beds tilled and bushes trimmed

It turned out to be a very busy weekend.  While the weather was relatively cool and windy on both Saturday and Sunday, I did get the chance to trim out a lot of the woody growth from foundation plantings, trim the currants back (yes, I cut them back very hard), tip the red and purple raspberry plants, and trim off some ground hugging limbs on some blue spruce.

On Saturday morning I planted 3 varieties of broccoli, 2 varieties of brussel sprouts, 2 beets, 2 spinach, romaine lettuce, and kale.  In all, I got 108 multi-plant blocks started.  With onions, we are now creeping up to 200 multi-plant blocks started.  I won't be starting  tomato or pepper plants as the selection from the students up at UWGB is always good and offers a more robust selection then I care to.

On Saturday afternoon I also turned over my 2 early beds (potato and greens).  The leaf mulch from the fall has broken down substantially and the earthworm population had taken off.  A week of warm weather as its forecast should lead to optimal conditions to plant some spuds next weekend and get the A-frame set up on bed #11.

On Sunday I tackled the new area, freshly broken for beds 13-16.  I turned the sod over in the fall and it has mellowed nicely over the winter.  The Mantis tiller had its work cut out for it but was definitely up to the task.  I didn't try to tackle all of the tilling in one move but rather attempted to get the tops knocked off and ready for the next tilling.  If time permits, I will be assembling #13-16 beds next weekend and then tilling inside the beds.  First thing that will be planted will be onions.  In and out quick and allowing for some potential double digging.  We'll see how it goes.

As we ran out of time and energy this weekend, I promise to get some picture up and posted next week.  However, I wanted to give you a little taste of our recent trip to Kona, HI.

At 9,600 ft of elevation not much grows.

Monday 3/8 standing at 13,700' elevation on top of Muana Kei.  The hill in the distance is 70 miles away. And yes, the clouds are below us.

Be safe.
Bill

Greetings from Kona

Today we are sitting outside on the lanai soaking up the very nice 73 temperature.  It is a far sight better than the frost we scraped off the cars on Saturday morning on the way to the airport.  Great travel, great house, great weather, and great friends to spend a week in HI.

Just a note on early plantings.  I did get the 72 cells of onions planted on Friday 3.5 and expect them to be germinated by the time we get back to WI.  I will post more info after returning.

Everything is very quiet and tranquil here.  We did get to spend a little time at the farmers market in Kona yesterday.  Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.  Pretty wierd to see ripe mangoes and domestic butter banana hands.  We also saw avocados that were as big around as softballs, brocolli that was sweet and sooooo very fresh.  Fresh tomatoes were the course of action for some really great salsa.  Hard to believe that all of this produce came from such a rocky, ill prepared place like this.

Don't know if I want to come back in a week.  I will at least post pictures.

Be safe and remember that spring is coming.

Bill