2nd week of March 2010

Mud & Bikes Spring fever has officially hit. The sunshine draws us all outdoors and the kids are coming in with muddy clothes and looking forward to when they can go barefoot. Here are a few kiddos enjoying the muddy bliss (they also got to help with laundry the next day!) Gardening fever has struck also and one day I had four phone calls with gardening questions plus some folks who came to see what was growing in my greenhouse. On sunny days I need to carefully watch the temperature in the greenhouse since it can easily soar over 100 before we open the door. I also need to start watering things when it warms up like that. I have tiny pea, radish and lettuce seedlings poking out of the ground in there plus some of the mature kale and mizuna is already going to seed. My cold frame barrels are starting to peek out from under their blanket of snow. I was curious to see how they fared this winter after being completely buried under snow for weeks. Pictured is one I could lift and I found happy and green spinach and Swiss chard. I cleared away some of the dead outer leaves, pulled a few weeds and with a few more days of warmth these plants should start growing again. I didn't do a good job of recording what I planted under the 20 or so barrels so as the snow melts I'll see what surprises await me.

Cold Frame Spinach I'm waiting for my flats of onions, broccoli, cabbage and lettuce to germinate. They are staying in a warm place and as soon as I see sprouts I need to get them quickly to the light table so they don't become leggy. I have snapdragons ready to transplant into 6 packs and oodles of parsley. This week I need to start peppers and more herbs. Before I plant more things I need to make a run to the greenhouse for more potting mix and pick up a gallon of Bio Seed Boost plus plant food from my Amish friend. His concoction produced such beautiful seedlings for me last year and I won't live without it.

Johnny Jumpups Our daughter also picked the first Johnny jump up and gave it away to a friend. It is always refreshing to have fresh flowers again. We've enjoyed pussy willows in the house for several weeks and now it's nice to have a tiny bit of color. I am also working on several batches of homemade paper embedded with wildflower seeds. Flowers are something that makes everyone happy!