First Plantings of Spring 2012

C and I planted some onions on April 4 in the garden. I am trying 2 squares of red onion bulbs and 6 squares of Candy onions. The candy onions grew great last year. My only complaint was that they didn't keep as long as I hoped. I think it's because I hung them by the dryer in the basement and there was maybe too much heat/moisture.  This year I'll hang them in the sump room, which is uninsulated and dark.

We also planted 2 squares of buttercrunch lettuce. The weather has been beautiful and I think it's alright to see what comes up.

Here's the grand plan:

Today, Doug and I put the final touches on the second raised bed:

You can see the green onions in the left-most square and the candy onions in the 6 squares at the end. The red onions came in bulbs which are "underground" right now. 

I also started some seeds: pumpkin, zucchini, yellow squash and tomato:

I had a zero success-rate with seedlings last year, so my plan this year is to leave them outside in the sun whenever possible and bring them in at night so they don't get too cold. :)

How does your garden grow?

While I wasn't as faithful about posting garden updates last year, it has already been helpful to look back and see what/when I did things. Hopefully this year will be better!

Doug and decided at the end of last year to add a second raised bed this year. I put down some cardboard and covered it with leaves over the winter. Last week, my friend Lisa listened to my plans and helped me get the ball rolling during her visit. (Look for a post on their visit in the near future...)

My compost is looking rich and wonderful! We turned it all over and dug out the oregano, chives and cilantro that have been running rampant for years. Then we dug out all the remaining pavers and stacked them up along the fence for raised-bed-assembly.

Some of the herbs were transplanted into the landscaping areas on the south side of the house. This is where we had an out-of-control mint population that we spent all of last year killing off. Now we have oregano, chives and cilantro and I don't mind so much if that goes out-of-control. Two words, people: "FOOD DEHYDRATOR." Oh yeah.

I have been very concerned about my blueberry bushes. Or rather, blueberry "sticks." They don't appear to have changed much since last year. I don't think they are dead, though, as one does have two teeny-tiny little leaves coming out of it and they are not dry and brittle. But they are far from thriving. The second night of their visit, we all dropped in on a friend of theirs who owns goats. (Again - post on that super-fun visit coming soon!).  Her blueberries looked amazing so I asked for some advice. She told me to dig them up, make a 12 in deep hole and fill it with a peat-moss/water slurry. Then replant, mulch with pine needles and dump coffee grounds on them whenever I could. I took her advice and hope it works!

Here's the garlic I planted in the fall. Looks nice, but I'm not sure what's under there and when to harvest it. I've heard July? But the outer leaves are starting to fall... Will have to research that one.

All-Day Dates

We've continued using our marble jars for dates with the girls. My last two dates have been long dates, or "all-day" dates, as the girls call them.

 To read more click here.