Week 8 of 52 – Mavis’ Backyard Garden Plot
Things are moving right along in our backyard garden. The rock border is gone, and Monkey Boy filled all the garden boxes with soil yesterday.
Yee- Haw! Now we just need some warmer weather and we can start growing some food around here.
I wonder how early I can plant radishes? I’m tempted to toss some seeds down even though I know it’s still too early yet.
We still have plenty of dirt to move, so I’m hoping I’ll have enough to get this area carved out today.
Last year we grew beans up the teepee poles and and started hubbard squash in the mounds. But this year I think I’ll try growing winter Lakota squash in this area instead. It’s a new variety for me and I think it looks really cool.
The old raised garden bed that was surrounded by fallen trees is now being turned into 5 {or maybe 6} garden rows. At first I was just going to have one large growing area, but then decided to break it up a little so we’d be able to walk between the rows.
Future perennial flower garden area.
The artichokes are now in the greenhouse!
This area still needs a little work, and I have yet to start filling the new wood pallet compost bin. I have thought about staining it because it’s so stinkin’ bright and stands out in the garden like a sore thumb. We’ll see.
Holy garden crack!
The Handsome Husband spent the better part of yesterday shoveling dirt. I still can’t decide if I should grow pumpkins or potatoes here. Last year we grew pumpkins in this spot so I should probably plant something else.
The chickens new kale and Swiss chard bed is taking shape.
There will be leafy greens in front of the coop and a mulched walkway. Not sure yet if there will be stepping stones.
Raspberry patch.
And last bu not least, the future herb garden. I noticed 2 more large brown pots in the garage yesterday so I may haul them out there and plant a few more herb pots. We shall see.
All I know is the weather is holding out and we’ve been busy, busy, busy.
Peace Out Girl Scouts,
We’ve got about 5 more yards of dirt to shovel.
Mavis
This years garden is being sponsored by the awesome folks at Botanical Interests Seed Company. You can check out their website HERE, order their new 2013 Garden Seed Catalog HERE, or visit my {online} boyfriend Ryan’s blog HERE.
Danetta Cates says
Everything looks neat,orderly & well manicured…I apologize for accusing you of having a gardener!
Lorri F says
I wouldn’t bother staining the pallets. it’s the northwest and they will look beat up and tattered with just a few rainy days.
Twylla says
Where can Botanical Interests seeds be purchased? I like to purchase seeds in person, not online, and I don’t see anything on their website.
Mavis says
Tell what city you live in and I can tell you what store carries Botanical Interests seeds. 🙂
Kim says
I think if you put a couple hoop houses on your raised beds you could be planting radish, lettuce, spinach and any other cool weather crops right in the ground where you live right now. Talk about getting a good head start on the crops and getting the weight numbers started.
KC says
I suggest planting some radishes (not pre-soaking the seeds); if it’s too cold for them, they just won’t come up yet, no problem. And it’s not like radish seeds are incredibly expensive.
(says she who allowed her radish bed to quietly re-seed itself year after year; my experience has been that the seeds come up as early as they can, but no earlier)
Kale and other “heavy-duty” greens can probably go in now, too, to come up when they’re willing, since they can survive some frost. I’d hold off on lettuces until the frost date is closer unless you cover the beds, though.
Mavis says
I think I’m going to go for it. Thanks for the encouragement.
Charla Echlin says
Mavis, I’ve also been thinking of starting my radishes and peas. It’s not the cold I’m worried about but the rain…but it’s been relatively dry considering the last few growing seasons. I’ve been meaning to check my garden journal for previous planting dates, but I just looked it up in my WSU Ext. Publication EB0422 (which I happen to have right here on my bedside table 🙂 and early spring plantings ( peas,asparagus,lettuce, radishes etc) for Western WA go in around March 10. I honestly think that we’re having such a mild spring that we might be safe with the radishes. Plus we can just do succession plantings, worst case we would lose the first crop-so I think I’m going for it too 🙂 I’m anxious to get started!
jess h says
What about turning the outside of the compost bin into a pallet garden?? I’m so excited it’s time to start broc and peas inside here! And I am going to attempt Kale and Chard because I love them both!! Keep up the great work!!!