Did you plant seedlings this year? I just planted mine about 2 weeks ago and already they’re looking great. Well, all but the peppers that is. Those little stinkers, they’re always the last to emerge. Just when I think I have a bad batch of pepper seeds and I need to start over, the teeny tiny little buggers begin to break through the soil. I have absolutely no idea if I can grow peppers here in New England, but we are going to find out here on the blog. 😉
This year I planted 9 {or was it 10?} varieties of tomato seeds and so far so good. The plan is to grow 4 of each variety in the garden and hopefully can enough salsa and pasta sauce to get us through to next summer. Fingers crossed, everything goes well. The extras? Those I plan on selling at the end of my driveway via an honor system vegetable stand. {Which by the way, I am totally PUMPED about!}
One of my favorite movies about moving to the country is Funny Farm with Chevy Chase. Have you seen it? Well, luckily I haven’t found any bodies or horses in the garden but for a second there I thought maybe I was on to something when the tiller hit a giant root.
Yesterday I started working on my second pass in the {future} vegetable garden to get the grass ground up into tiny bits. I made it about 75% of the way before I needed to go inside for a break. Tilling up sod is hard work, but just ask me how much I am in love with my new Mantis 4 cycle cultivator. C’mon …….. ASK!
Well, to quote Molly Shannon, “I love it, I love it, I love it!” 😉 Would you take a look at this rock. Who wants to dig those suckers out their garden all day long? Not me. That little tiller of mine pretty much just chucks them off to the side for me. What an amazing gadget. It’s marvelous. I can’t recommend it enough.
And this dog! She is having a blast out there supervising and sniffing out treasures. I think I’m going to hide one of her favorite chewy sticks in the garden today for a bit of fun.
Speaking of treasures… Look what I found in the potting shed yesterday hiding behind a shelf. What the heck am I suppose to use these for? Maybe cucumber plants? Or a smaller vegetable that could use a little extra support? Anyone know for sure? What would you use them for?
I kind of want a natural look to the garden you know, lot’s of teepee’s and maybe a woven trellis or two. The INTJ personality trait though, it’s got me thinking I can’t mix bamboo with pruned saplings because the texture and the colors would be off. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME!?
Hey now, my digital thermometer arrived in the mail yesterday and the temps in the kinda sorta greenhouse are looking pretty good. Although what I really want to know is what the temperature is like out there at 2 am. Which means I am going to need to set my alarm to find out, right? I’d love to be able to put my seedlings outside once some true leaves appear {to make room for MORE seedlings in the house}. And of course, I’m going to have to get my seed potatoes going soon too. That should be fun.
Well, that’s what’s new around here, how are YOUR attempts at getting your garden started going? We’d all love to hear about it!
Have a great day everyone,
~Mavis
E in Upstate NY says
It snowed last night, again [huge sigh] so things are still on hold. Believe that in our tiny backyard, there are two separate climates: a zone 4 and definitely a zone 3a! Come total thaw, will be interesting to see what grows on the colder side.
E in Upstate NY says
Should have added that come this weekend, 80 degree temps are predicted! Hopefully that’ll finish off the snow.
Em says
Lucy’s muzzle with soil on it—love that pic. So excited about the chicks arriving.
P.S., thanks to all who recommended the broad fork. I have used it on two plots now and love it.
Julie says
You have got to be sleeping well at night….or NOT! with all you have going on in your head. Enjoying the posts, you surely have come alive!
Heidi says
Zone 5 here in NY and it’s snowing outside. Looks like the only place it’s sticking is in my garden. I hope to plant my peas this weekend though. I will be seed starting today but I’m a bit behind on this task. I love reading your updates on your garden. Spring it’s full of hope!
Cathy says
Love the posts , best wishes
How about find the old farmers almanac and see if your area fits. The time to plant by the moon and all. ( Inever remember after the first week)
Jenny says
I went out this weekend and looked to see if I could do some light tilling and the ground is still frozen rock hard. It snowed yesterday. Started seeds in the house last week and only have basil coming up so far. I am ready for spring to start.
suzanne says
It looks like you have curved bamboo stakes. You can overlap the legs and encircle a plant. Twine the legs together. Do it before growth takes off. I’ve also seen some where the tops of the curves overlap in a crisscross fashion and twined. Hope that makes sense. They work better in groups of three but I have used them singularly for support of leaners. They make attractive and sturdy cages once you get the hang of them.
suzanne says
They are to narrow and tall for a hoop house but could work in a pinch.
Jennifer says
Yep, you’ll have to set an alarm if your thermometer doesn’t record the temps for you. You may want a max/min thermometer. They keep the max and min temps on the screen for a chosen 24hr period at a time.
KC says
There’s an AcuRite one for less than $10 on Amazon, which also comes with a humidity monitor, which could be useful in your house as you figure out what levels of humidity feel comfortable and when you need to be adding a pot of water to the wood stove.
We have one; its 24-hour “reset” is not exactly 24 hours – more like “highest and lowest temps in the last 26-27 hours” – but as long as you keep that in mind, it works great!
SusieQ says
Did you remember to update Lucy’s tags with your new info? Change her chip’s info too? Also locate a recommended vet and the nearest emergency clinic so you don’t have to find them when you are stressed out.
Jackie M says
Hi,
Use it for runner beans! If it needs help, weave some baler twine around it to make some supports cross-wise. They would look so pretty and maybe you will get more hummingbirds.
Stacy says
Funny Farm….this a very underrated movie.
Yes, she found a body in the garden it was Claude Musselman. -and it cost about 4 Grand to bury him (cause when you buy a house you get whatever is in the ground…whether it be gold, oil or poor old Mr Musselman).
, but, it wasn’t a horse…I believe it was a mule that had been buried on the property.
Hopefully your Miss Lucy will enjoy running around the property more than Yellow Dog did! LoL
L. bryant says
Happy Tuesday Mavis.
I saw the bent stakes. We use them with row cover material to help fend off a last minute chill on tender seedlings or to shade crops that are showing signs of sun burn.
My husband decided to surprise me with 12 new chicks this morning. We have 30 chickens already!!! Once they get a bit bigger I will put them in the green house in our “birdie” caging to get more acclimated to our temperatures.
Have a great week!!
Linda says
I get an hourly forecast off of the weather.gov site for my zip code area and figure accordingly for my greenhouse. I find it very helpful for the greenhouse.
I agree with you about the Mantis. I’ve had mine for many, many years and still love it.
Lynda says
You are an inspiration, Mavis, and much needed here! I had over 50 varieties of vegetable and flower seeds saved in the barn, but last week found every envelope chewed through and strewn about the cupboard, the seeds mostly gone or mixed with rat droppings. So, my only garden progress this season is finding new seed. A little late. Rats!! Never had them in this barn before. Lesson learned: rat-proof seed storage. Plastic isn’t good enough.
Em says
Lynda that has happened to me as well. So frustrating.
Karin says
The coldest nighttime temperature is usually right before dawn and that is when the greenhouse should be the coldest also since any heat absorbed the day before will be at it’s lowest point just before the sun comes up again. There are also thermometers which will record the high and low temps for the day, if you want to be sure.
Christie says
What do you do with your chickens after they stop laying eggs? That’s my biggest concern about getting a coop. Let them live out their days? I don’t think I’d have it in me to turn them into dinner. Any idea how long chickens live?
Mavis Butterfield says
Let them live out their days. 3 -5 years typically.
renay says
My chicken is 14 YEARS OLD!!! Hasn’t laid an egg for years. She is the last of four and we love her!
Christie says
Love it! You are an inspiration in all you do!
Carrie says
This was my concern when I started my backyard flock four years ago. I started with 4 chicks that year, lost 2 due to a predator right after they started laying, immediately bought 2 new chicks. Then lost one last year. She was sick, and wouldn’t eat or walk. Now, I have two 4 year olds, one 3 year old and three 6 week old chicks. I guess what I’m trying to say is, you lose some over the years and your flock will always change. JUST DO IT! I have one girl, an easter egger, who doesn’t lay much but she is the sweetest and friendliest bird. I have no plans on eating them, their meat is much too tough now I’m sure. And when my sick bird passed I took her to the vet to be put down. I didn’t have it in me to kill her myself. They are my pets so I treat them that way.
renay says
You are a good soul!
Christie says
This is great to hear! Thank you for sharing your story. We are considering it!
Mable says
On the island of Jersey, they call those honor system food stands Hedge Veg. They sell flowers and eggs, as well as excess vegetables.
Diane says
I was exceptionally jazzed to get my garden going this year. I had my graph paper lay-out all done and I was just twiddling my thumbs waiting for things to warm up and dry out. I still haven’t gotten going. My latest hurdle is that I some how hurt my right wrist! I don’t exactly know how I did it and it hurts like the dickens 🙁
I’m afraid pain is a HUGE demotivator. I just don’t see shoveling one handed. Mavis, can you start and use your Mantis one-handed or primarily with one hand? Maybe I could rent a tiller to get me started.
In the meantime, a wrap and ice are my new best friends. (Patience is not my long suite)
Thanks for all the gardening stories and pictures. I’m living vicariously through your exploits right now until I heal.
Peggy says
Ahhh, your garden, I’m so happy to see it coming to life! Mine as well, it is a great time of year! And yes, you have a great little cultivator there, it’s doing a great job, and your soil looks very rich to start, it looks like you’ve picked a good spot. Peppers take forever it seems, I usually give mine a good three weeks before I start to wonder. This year so far I’m having great luck with most of them and even the super hots! The secret is heat, I have a small space heater on the low setting blowing towards them for a bit during the day (on low sitting on a concrete counter not near anything!) I will invest in a heating mat when I find a good price on a good mat. As far as them growing at your place, that depends on your planting zone. I imagine you’ve already checked that and asked around, I would think it’s a yes. I plant even the super hots here in southwest PA, zone 6, and I get them to harvest usually end of September, early October if the weather is warm, I leave them on the plant until it starts getting consistently cool at night and I start hearing about frost warnings. Those plant supports, I love them! I plant my sugar podded peas in big planters on my front porch planters and they trellis up on a couple of decorative tepees in the pots, yours would work great for that or for nasturtiums. 🙂 Hope you have a great day, again, you are getting that garden in shape, it looks great! 🙂
Peggy says
Also, are those wild berry bushes at the end of the garden? We have a bunch of wild black raspberries, blackberries and some elderberries here, they make the best jellies ever, and my all time favorite dessert as a kid, and now is a small bowl of chilled berries with just a sprinkle of sugar. Heaven. I would totally plant some elderberries at the edge of your woods if you like elderberries, that’s where they grow the best. 🙂
Cindy says
Elderberries are AWESOME! And elderberry jelly makes the BEST pb&j on the planet. Yum! We make tincture with them also, it’ll cure whatever ails ya!
Jenny says
I’ve started my seedlings in recycled containers but I would love to know about your seedling starters – did you make those or purchase those? Would love the details!
Mavis Butterfield says
They are Jiffy pellets. You can find them at any nursery or big box hardware store.
Joyce says
Mavis, I just knew you would love the Mantis…..it is amazing to use in small areas also. I also use mine to till in small amounts of chicken coop “cleanings” to side dress garden plants through out the growing season. small amounts so it doesn’t burn the plants.
I love reading everything you do, and want to add, love the wide plank flooring in your home.
Have you looked for or found a stove top oven? I bought mine at a yard sale, I think they were made for either campfires or made a wood cook stove. I can bake just about anything in it.
I have also baked bread in the actual stove, let the flames burn down, put 2 firebricks in the raked back coals, install the metal pan holding the raised bread and start timing. It bakes fast and is really good.
You are going to have so much fun, investigating and experimenting with your new living arrangements.
Find and read old homemaking books, so much information and wonderful old time recipes using real food.
I could go on and on but you will discover so much for yourself.
Joyce
Sue says
I just laughted out loud when I saw Lucy’s face, l know she’s enjoying this big new yard.
What a big adventure you are having and I am enjoying it a long side of you.
Can’t wait until the next post, I seriously think you should write a novel about this on going saga of your life.
Hope your keeping a journal.
Sallie Borrink says
“Cue the deer!”
That movie hits all the great stereotypes. LOL!
Sue R. says
I know you are the seedling guru but this year I germinated seeds in a damp paper towel before putting them into the peat pellets. That way I knew for sure the seeds were viable–and they seemed to germinate much faster.
Barbara Gantt says
Peppers grow well in most of New England. You will need plants, not seed them direct in the garden. Hope it is going to warm up soon. Your seedlings are looking great.
Shirley Curtis says
here in the wilds of the Canadian Prairies (zone 2/3)- I have had great success with King of the North Peppers. You will find thin fleshed peppers everywhere but one that is like a store bought bell pepper – now that is a different story.
Margo Miller says
Snow is not a problem here, it was around 86 today in East county of San Diego, CA. Trying to harden off my cukes and tomato seedlings for planting in my raised beds later this week. Love my cactus garden most of the time, but had to get in there and weed today. Ouch! Not loving it quite so much right now. Love Maine, enjoy each wonderful season. By the way, the vegie i haven’t been able to successfully raise?. Bell peppers! Can get oodles of jalapenos, but no big juicy sweet bell peppers!
Toni says
Cool stuff lady!
I think those U shaped things might be supports for a small tunnel of plastic or floating fibre material row “greenhouse”. Every foot or so gets a support, then the plastic or material is put over it, and your seedlings/plants underneath get warmer faster/longer in the spring and fall.
Maybe??
Cheers!
Candy C. says
I agree with Toni..it looks like hoop house material…watch some you tube and I bet you will come up with something using what you have to extend the season in either direction.
Michelle says
Peppers grow late for me , via winter sowing, welcome to the east!
Marsha says
Jealous of your Mantis, but so glad you’ve got one.
Diane says
I wanted to suggest that you try winter sowing in a few milk jugs and compare results to seeds under lights. If nothing else it would be a fun experiment! Love your blog!
Mavis Butterfield says
My friend Heather does that. I’ll have to try it next year.
Carrie says
I think spring has finally arrived in NC. I am hoping to plant out my tomatoes in two weeks. My spring seedlings aren’t doing much. The kale, spinach and chard are all still so small, 1-2 inches high. Wonder if I should put some fresh compost around them. I just thinned them over the weekend so maybe they will take off. My wildflower bed is sprouting up. I can’t wait to extend one of my beds this year. I am thinking about getting a greenhouse to start flower seeds and have a driveway sale in the spring next year.
eliz says
Do you have a post on how to make those soil blocks you are using to start your tomatoes?