Planning Your Garden

It is this time of year that most gardeners have their seeds started. The early birds here in the north country may have their soil ready for planting. Others already have their cooler weather crops in.

We have our beds ready quite early for the north country and it is time for us to map out where everything is going. I keep an accurate record each year of where things are planted so I don't repeat plant. Crop rotation is one of the key things to do in order to cut down on disease and depletion of soil nutrients. I have found two great writings that aid in rotation and planning. The first is a pdf file from the Washington State Department of Ecology. It is a "rotation for dummies" type of article full of charts and solid reference material. www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehcsg/pdf/CSG_VegeGarden_sglpg.pdf

The other is an on-going blog site from another north country garden across the border in Vermont. I had the pleasure of hosting the owner of Sweet Grass Farm for a writing sabbatical. She writes for High Mowing Organic Seeds, one of those great blogs that is like opening a personal home garden magazine. You may want to bookmark the link for the step-by-step approach on garden planning. http://www.highmowingseeds.com/blog/garden-planning-a-step-by-step-approach . I am so grateful for the high quality seeds that they develop, test and make available.

REMEMBER ~~ Your garden will only be as good as your soil, the plan, and the seeds you use. All of this preparation is worth its weight in fresh veges!

Spring Warm Up

I have to yell to the mountain tops that I love my husband. He shares my passion for gardening and getting dirty. He spent two days getting the 18 garden beds that were in the "lasagna" areas prepared for the spring. Then he put a black poly down on three of the beds along with hoops that will be covered with a clear greenhouse poly to create mini hoop tunnels to get a jump on our warmer weather crops growing season. This week saw the planting of peas, spinach, broccoli, brussel sprouts, early bunching onions and cauliflower

For those of you not familiar with lasagna gardening or new to my blog, it is the best organic way to grow. I use no additional nutrients for my soil with the exception of an occasional boost for those crops needing it during setting fruit. It is super easy and garners no special tools. I rotate the walkways and planting beds each year. In the walkways being used that year, I continually add layers of brown and green. Layer 1 should be corrugated cardboard or newspaper. Layer 2 should be organic "browns" - ex: fall leaves, shredded newspaper, peat, and pine needles. Layer 3 should be organic "greens" - ex vegetables scraps, garden trimmings, and grass clippings (we do not treat our lawns). Layer 4 should be "browns". Layer 5 should be "greens". Final layer should be compost or manure.

Trust me when I say that when you plant in that walkway next year, it is like planting in black gold. It is the best garden dirt you will ever work with. It is full of nutrients that are just waiting to hold the roots of your tender seedlings and see them all the way through the harvesting of their fruit.

So go grab a piece of dirt and some sun screen. Have fun!

Tilling

We tilled for several hours today and then tilled in a huge pile of leaves we had waiting for the soil also. It still is not complete. Hopefully tomorrow.........

DODGING RAINDROPS

It is sprinkling off and on this morning. The better half ran the grading rake over the completed yard restoration area last night and it looks beautiful. Thanks Dodge Construction for a very professional and neat job.

I was woken to the news that the 300 lb momma bear and her 3 cubs had spent some fun time destroying a bird feeder in our own yard. They also left some trash that must have come from a neighbors’ trash container. She also checked to see if there was anything in my cooler on the deck. They are extremely smart and resourceful.

I’m going out to clean that up. I still have a clump of blackberry runners inching (should I say by the foot) into the yard that need to be cleaned out. If only the heavy rain will hold off I may get that accomplished today also.

The vege garden area is one step closer to being tilled and planted. It is finally warming up and drying out enough here in these parts! Now the side entrance to Kilburn Place is really beginning to show some spring color and life.