Today is Sunday, April 18, 2010. It was cool today, but definitely not the cold of a winter waiting to return. The wind died down today, a calm amidst the last 4 days of a cold wind out of the NW. It hasn't rained since we go and inch or about 8 days ago. I also don't believe that it will snow again, but remember that we are in Wisconsin.
We continue to move forward with the garden. Thanks to my friend from work, Brent Winebar who was good enough to share some All Blue and Carola potatoes from the ones he was planting in his own garden. I was able to get 3 full hills planted when I supplemented them with some Rose Finn Apple potatoes that I purchase this week. I utilized the plant in the fill technique and then encircled the hill with wire mesh and covered with 6" of leaf mulch. All the potatoes had good swollen eyes and were showing the first signs of roots. Potatoes were planted in #14, which is one of the new beds starting this year.
Earlier this week I planted #13 with onion plants that I started on 3/5. Both red and yellow onions planted in multi-plant blocks, similar to the suggestions of Elliot Coleman. We've had 2 frosts since then and they are doing just fine.
#11 was also planted today with transplants of spinach, swiss chard, and beets. I also planted seed of leaf lettuce, spinach, more beets, and carrots. The entire bed is covered in a plastic hoop house as I suspect we are going to have at least one more good hard frost. Maybe not this week, but definitely the potential exists.
The last bed we planted was #15. Super Sugar Snap peas went in. I will put up the metal fence panels that I use for the trellis this week to make sure I don't kill too many plants by waiting.
I still owe people pictures. It is on my list.
Happy Gardening, 2010 is here!
Bill
Sunday, April 18, 2010
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.
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| At 9,600 ft of elevation not much grows. |
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| 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
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