Took advantage of the break in the wet / cold weather to tackle the garden tasks at hand. Primarily, we have been waiting on the soil to dry out in order to plant some of the cool season seeds (spinach, swiss chard, and beets). Given that it stayed relatively dry over the past few days and the sun decided to shine, I was able to do a little work on Saturday to break open the soil. On Sunday, I was able to get the Mantis tiller out and work 4 beds into somewhat reasonable shape for planting.
#8, #5, #9, and #13 all got worked. #9 was planted with Sugar Snap peas, after I got up the trellis for the new plants to hang themselves on. I also planted 3 blocks of spinach, beets, and swiss chard along with 3 blocks of Speedy green beans. I know that it is probably a little bit early for the beans, but they do taste good. I also stuck a number of radish rows into the planting.
I did finish weeding the asparagus beds (#1-#4). It seems the work was just in time as I have a meal of asparagus almost ready for picking.
The raspberries are slow due to the wet and cold. I am very concerned about the purple raspberries coming back after a very, very rough wet summer last year. Some of the red raspberries have broken dormancy, but I have not been able to find any signs from the purple. Time will tell.
The inside seedlings continue to make progress. I probably will have a couple of potted candidates to take outside, sometime this week. Kale, broccoli, and brussel sprouts make up the base of most of the plantings.
Hoping we don't get deluged this week. It would be good to get at least another one or two beds ready to go.
Remember, the NAS Heirloom Plant Sale at UWGB is this Saturday at 9 am. They start handing out numbers at 7am.
Have a good week.
Bill
Showing posts with label broccoli. Show all posts
Showing posts with label broccoli. Show all posts
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
OK. It's late, but....
It's tax time and not time to be planting seeds. I know that. I articulate that. I still don't follow my own advice.
Today, I planted the following:
Brussel Sprouts - Long Island Improved, Bubbles
Broccoli - DiCicco, Calabrese
Kale
Cauliflower
Basil - Italian Large Leaf, Genovesse, Thai, Licorice, Sweet
Parsley - Moss Curled, Double Curled, Italian Dark Green
Cilantro
Rosemary
Lettuce / Romaine - Outback, Caeser Blend
Swiss Chard - Lucullus, Bright Lights
They are sitting on top of the boiler so a nice heat source that should help the seed explode.
This year I am going to do a lot more staggered planting of our plants. Think about it. You go to your local garden center and get some plants that most likely have been started at the same time. They might have been slowed up to meet some predetermined delivery window. The way I look at it, one should keep the plants growing very, very fast and not slow the process down. From inside, to deck, to hardening off, to garden.
Time will tell. Consider that the sleet on the windows last night put me to sleep and the flooded back yard welcomed me to light of day. Remember, this is spring.
Be safe.
Today, I planted the following:
Brussel Sprouts - Long Island Improved, Bubbles
Broccoli - DiCicco, Calabrese
Kale
Cauliflower
Basil - Italian Large Leaf, Genovesse, Thai, Licorice, Sweet
Parsley - Moss Curled, Double Curled, Italian Dark Green
Cilantro
Rosemary
Lettuce / Romaine - Outback, Caeser Blend
Swiss Chard - Lucullus, Bright Lights
They are sitting on top of the boiler so a nice heat source that should help the seed explode.
This year I am going to do a lot more staggered planting of our plants. Think about it. You go to your local garden center and get some plants that most likely have been started at the same time. They might have been slowed up to meet some predetermined delivery window. The way I look at it, one should keep the plants growing very, very fast and not slow the process down. From inside, to deck, to hardening off, to garden.
Time will tell. Consider that the sleet on the windows last night put me to sleep and the flooded back yard welcomed me to light of day. Remember, this is spring.
Be safe.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
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.
Be safe.
Bill
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
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Nov1 and the lettuce is still growing!!!
Having spent our anniversary in NC with friends and family I have been gone for almost a week. We had a great time in Asheville, NC see how life happens in Western NC. I find it hard to believe that GB can not even support a whole food / organic market. Asheville is 80,000 people and they have 4 markets doing a booming business as well as 2 food co-ops. FRUSTRATION....
We got home this past Thursday. The rain was just starting on the drive home from the airport. It continued to rain all day Friday and at least until mid Saturday morning. Spent Saturday cleaning out the garage and made great headway to get both vehicles back inside. Let the winter start.
Sunday was spent in the garden. Lots was accomplished.
1. Picking of vegetables
Picked about a point of broccoli side shoots. They are nearly done and will most likely get pulled and sent to the leaf bin next weekend. Great results for late season. Will definitely do this again next year.
Cut swiss chard (bright lights), beet greens, and a big dish of lettuce. Yes, I know it is hard to believe but the greens are still growing. I am making every effort to not cover them but still feel that the fact that we even have greens is a win. A really big win. I will cover as long as we continue to stay above 25. We will get a good killing frost soon, but probably not this week.
Cut a big bowl of collard greens to make dehydrated veggie chips with them. Still have two plans left to trim. The collards were mixed with swiss chard, olive oils, Braggs Amino, and nutritional yeast . 12 hours in the dehydrator and yummy, yummy, yummy.
I still have about 9 brussel sprout plants that are still holding onto their prizes for me. Great place to store these little gems. It will be at least another week until we have to start thinking about what we are going to do with them, other than Thanksgiving.
2. Asparagus cleanup.
Cut the fronds down for all 4 beds. Also took the opportunity to weed and clean up the beds. Actually in pretty good shape. Spread 13 oz of GreenSand and 12 oz of Rock Phosphate in each bed. Had a garbage can of potting soil that I needed to find a home for. Fit nicely as a top dressing for the beds. Will spread some leaf mold after the ground freezes.
3. Storing of the leaves
Mike, my great neighbor is really enjoying that fact that he has a place to empty leaves without making his front yard a mess. He collects the leaves with his JD riding lawn mower and dumps them out of the 3 pt carrying bin right next to my leaf bins. While we were away last week he brought over 3 dumps worth. They had some rain and actually stating fermenting. I cleaned them up and finished filling leaf bin #1.
By the time I had everything cleaned up, he had already dumped another load of fresh leaves. Time from bin #2. This bin is 4w x 6d x 4 h. #1 is 4w x 4d x 5h. Between cutting grass/catching leaves from my lawn and what Mike brought over, #2 is now full. It will settle and will take at least another 2 good fills. Who knows, we might even need to put up #3.
All in all, a really good weekend. Seems that winter is getting closer.
Have a great week
Bill
We got home this past Thursday. The rain was just starting on the drive home from the airport. It continued to rain all day Friday and at least until mid Saturday morning. Spent Saturday cleaning out the garage and made great headway to get both vehicles back inside. Let the winter start.
Sunday was spent in the garden. Lots was accomplished.
1. Picking of vegetables
Picked about a point of broccoli side shoots. They are nearly done and will most likely get pulled and sent to the leaf bin next weekend. Great results for late season. Will definitely do this again next year.
Cut swiss chard (bright lights), beet greens, and a big dish of lettuce. Yes, I know it is hard to believe but the greens are still growing. I am making every effort to not cover them but still feel that the fact that we even have greens is a win. A really big win. I will cover as long as we continue to stay above 25. We will get a good killing frost soon, but probably not this week.
Cut a big bowl of collard greens to make dehydrated veggie chips with them. Still have two plans left to trim. The collards were mixed with swiss chard, olive oils, Braggs Amino, and nutritional yeast . 12 hours in the dehydrator and yummy, yummy, yummy.
I still have about 9 brussel sprout plants that are still holding onto their prizes for me. Great place to store these little gems. It will be at least another week until we have to start thinking about what we are going to do with them, other than Thanksgiving.
2. Asparagus cleanup.
Cut the fronds down for all 4 beds. Also took the opportunity to weed and clean up the beds. Actually in pretty good shape. Spread 13 oz of GreenSand and 12 oz of Rock Phosphate in each bed. Had a garbage can of potting soil that I needed to find a home for. Fit nicely as a top dressing for the beds. Will spread some leaf mold after the ground freezes.
3. Storing of the leaves
Mike, my great neighbor is really enjoying that fact that he has a place to empty leaves without making his front yard a mess. He collects the leaves with his JD riding lawn mower and dumps them out of the 3 pt carrying bin right next to my leaf bins. While we were away last week he brought over 3 dumps worth. They had some rain and actually stating fermenting. I cleaned them up and finished filling leaf bin #1.
By the time I had everything cleaned up, he had already dumped another load of fresh leaves. Time from bin #2. This bin is 4w x 6d x 4 h. #1 is 4w x 4d x 5h. Between cutting grass/catching leaves from my lawn and what Mike brought over, #2 is now full. It will settle and will take at least another 2 good fills. Who knows, we might even need to put up #3.
All in all, a really good weekend. Seems that winter is getting closer.
Have a great week
Bill
Saturday, October 17, 2009
It may be October but we are still gardening
First off, I need to apologize. It has been toooooooo long since I have sat down and took the time to let people know what was going on in the garden. No explanation, just I'm sorry.
The growing season was less than stellar. Cold early, dry in the middle, and then we got rain and warmth. Alas, it was basically too late to salvage a great year. However, the fall broccoli, brussel sprouts, and all the greens did good. The beans were good enough to freeze some.
Today, I planted 70 white garlic, and 35 purple stripe in bed #5. It was double dug, tilled with the mantis, fertilized with rock phosphate and green sand, and then planted. Note: the garlic follows the tomato/pepper beds.
I also double dug bed #12 to get it ready for winter. We had peas in it as a green manure crop. It didn't start out that way but it certainly turned out that way.
We're getting ready to head to North Carolina next week for our anniversary. Will try and see some organic farms / gardens while we are in the Asheville area.
Until later..
Bill
The growing season was less than stellar. Cold early, dry in the middle, and then we got rain and warmth. Alas, it was basically too late to salvage a great year. However, the fall broccoli, brussel sprouts, and all the greens did good. The beans were good enough to freeze some.
Today, I planted 70 white garlic, and 35 purple stripe in bed #5. It was double dug, tilled with the mantis, fertilized with rock phosphate and green sand, and then planted. Note: the garlic follows the tomato/pepper beds.
I also double dug bed #12 to get it ready for winter. We had peas in it as a green manure crop. It didn't start out that way but it certainly turned out that way.
We're getting ready to head to North Carolina next week for our anniversary. Will try and see some organic farms / gardens while we are in the Asheville area.
Until later..
Bill
Saturday, July 25, 2009
All right, it has been quite a while since the last update.
Here's the scoop. The summer has turned out to be a lot more busy than I had originally planned. Work, work, and other stuff. I just got back from North Dakota where I spent a week seeing friends. From everything I see, the garden is just the same, just needing water.
On July 4 we took the last cutting of asparagus. This was a great year as we were able to share with friends and neighbors, put about 10 #'s in the freezer, and still eat more than most people do in a year. The 10 weeks we are able to have fresh asparagus are probably the best time of the year for the garden. We did take 7 #'s to my nephew's wedding over the Memorial Day weekend. It was truely appreciated by all. Right now we are watering and weeding the 4 beds, and will put down lots of compost, probably tomorrow.
On the sugar snap pea front, we have finished 3 of the 4 first plantings. Only thing that I didn't do enough of was to offer good support for the 6' vines. We still have the 4th planting to go and expect to be picking in another week. The 5th planting of Sugar Snap is already up in a 8' row. The 6th planting just went in the row next to it this afternoon between rain showers. Given enough time, we should have some great final pickings. And yes, I did put in cattle panels for the vines to grow on.
I dug the garlic on July 11. It is all tied up in the attic drying. Great crop!. Harvested almost 200 heads. I think everyone that I planted grew. The beds were turned under and 1 went to peas, and the other went to fall broccoli. Probably will cut back next year to only 1 bed. That will be the bed that goes to late peas.
The broccoli has been great. We are harvesting lots of side shoots right now. The Premium Crop was nice, but it is too small for what we really need (and want). Next year I will go back to the more heirloom varieties. The fall broccoli looks great. Transplated 14 plants on 12 July and they are growing to beat the band. Should be some really nice fall produce.
Cauliflower - tried it for the last time. It is too sensitive and I am not willing to invest the time, resources and space to be disappointed.
Brussel Sprouts are great. I just started taking off some of the lower leaves. Now is the time to keep it watered good. Will mulch tomorrow.
Lettuce, beets, and swiss chard continue to be our greens. Eberythng that we like and need. Will harest some beets for cooking in the next few days. They are from the left over thinnings. I will plant some more where #3 peas came out.
Beans are just flowering and will plant the third planting tomorrow. I know it is late, but better late than NOT.
The currants are great this year. Took almost 5#'s of red to the freezer already. Need to pick more tomorrow if time permits.
The raspberries are in full picking right now. Have froze over a gallon and will most likely freeze another gallon tomorrow. Freezer space will be a premium as we have 25#'s of strawberries in there already.
Will try and get some pictures but right now am spending my time keeping the weeds at bay.
Again, I apologize for the lateness, but...
On July 4 we took the last cutting of asparagus. This was a great year as we were able to share with friends and neighbors, put about 10 #'s in the freezer, and still eat more than most people do in a year. The 10 weeks we are able to have fresh asparagus are probably the best time of the year for the garden. We did take 7 #'s to my nephew's wedding over the Memorial Day weekend. It was truely appreciated by all. Right now we are watering and weeding the 4 beds, and will put down lots of compost, probably tomorrow.
On the sugar snap pea front, we have finished 3 of the 4 first plantings. Only thing that I didn't do enough of was to offer good support for the 6' vines. We still have the 4th planting to go and expect to be picking in another week. The 5th planting of Sugar Snap is already up in a 8' row. The 6th planting just went in the row next to it this afternoon between rain showers. Given enough time, we should have some great final pickings. And yes, I did put in cattle panels for the vines to grow on.
I dug the garlic on July 11. It is all tied up in the attic drying. Great crop!. Harvested almost 200 heads. I think everyone that I planted grew. The beds were turned under and 1 went to peas, and the other went to fall broccoli. Probably will cut back next year to only 1 bed. That will be the bed that goes to late peas.
The broccoli has been great. We are harvesting lots of side shoots right now. The Premium Crop was nice, but it is too small for what we really need (and want). Next year I will go back to the more heirloom varieties. The fall broccoli looks great. Transplated 14 plants on 12 July and they are growing to beat the band. Should be some really nice fall produce.
Cauliflower - tried it for the last time. It is too sensitive and I am not willing to invest the time, resources and space to be disappointed.
Brussel Sprouts are great. I just started taking off some of the lower leaves. Now is the time to keep it watered good. Will mulch tomorrow.
Lettuce, beets, and swiss chard continue to be our greens. Eberythng that we like and need. Will harest some beets for cooking in the next few days. They are from the left over thinnings. I will plant some more where #3 peas came out.
Beans are just flowering and will plant the third planting tomorrow. I know it is late, but better late than NOT.
The currants are great this year. Took almost 5#'s of red to the freezer already. Need to pick more tomorrow if time permits.
The raspberries are in full picking right now. Have froze over a gallon and will most likely freeze another gallon tomorrow. Freezer space will be a premium as we have 25#'s of strawberries in there already.
Will try and get some pictures but right now am spending my time keeping the weeds at bay.
Again, I apologize for the lateness, but...
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