It was quite an ordinary spring day. The wind (and Fennel the Cat – she has a very loud meow and wasn’t happy the food she had been served for dinner and let me know about it at 3am) disturbed my sleep. It always sounds so much louder and feels so much stronger when we are this close to the beach.
So, it was a slow start to a sluggish day. I started off with my computer gardening while the weather warmed up a little. Then I decided the garden really did need me. All the things that ran through my head at 3am needed taking care of so they wouldn’t be there again should the cat wake me again – which she probably well. Just slowly and gently I began by transplanting the seedlings that needed it from the seed raising mix into a compost / potting mix blend into slightly bigger pots so they could continue to grow and be nourished.
Next I decided to sow another round of seeds and started off my pumpkins, cucumbers, luffa – to go up my awesome arch, squash, and zucchini. There are 6 weeks until the safe from frost planting out day and so they should be a good size by then – not too big and not too small. Not that we get frosts, but the weather is generally more stable after this date so I try not to risk my seedlings in turbulent stormy weather that early spring can bring. I replaced so many damaged seedlings last season that I almost ran out of spares. The only seeds left to sow are beans and corn and I like to sow them directly into the soil when it is warm enough for them.
Then I got Hubby the Un-Gardener to give me a bit of a hand as there was digging to be done and he is so much faster at it than me. We did a bit of bed repair as it turned out when putting the beds together I completely missed more than a dozen screws across the garden. I have no idea A: how I managed that, and B: how did I not notice this whole time! Then I got him to turn over the compost and other goodies in the yam bed so I could plant them as they had sprouted nicely. I never really get a good harvest of Yams but that doesn’t stop me trying.
And finally, the main point of the day was done – planting the potatoes – there is 100 days until Christmas and Jersey Benne spuds take 100 days and so if I’m to have new potatoes on the festive table then today is the day. I also got Hubby the Un-Gardener to help me plant all the potatoes and it feels good to have them in. One less thing to worry about at 3am!
So for a day that had the potential to be a sluggish go nowhere day, turned out to be very productive in a slow and steady way and I am so grateful for the help – I suggested to Hubby the Un-Gardener that I put a sign on the garden gate that says “Welcome to the Gym.”
Come again soon – This season is coming along nicely.
Sarah the Gardener : o)
It’s remarkable what you can achieve once you get going, isn’t it? I went out to help my husband measure a path, and the next thing I knew I was giving the lawn a much overdue mowing!
But there’s still plenty of work to do clearing the veggie patch-to-be for spring planting. I don’t know who thought it was a good idea to plant apple-mint on this property, but it’s absolutely rife! And creates dense mats of roots that need to be painstakingly dug out. And is horrible to eat, being of a blah flavour and rather hairy.
On the plus side, I think my alyssum is growing. Something is certainly growing where I planted the alyssum, anyway. More than one something. It’s just a matter of waiting to see what they all are!
Some days are really hard to get going into, but once you start you’re away.
I think the people who bought our old house will be thinking the same thing with regard to mint. I planted some at the back door thinking I could contain it. Unfortunately it tried to encircle the house and I was continually knocking it back! At the new place the mint is in a pot! : o)
Sarah, spring is my favorite season with all the warm sunshine, earthy smells, and sprouting seeds. It’s invigorating to see the land come out of dormancy and begin a new life cycle. In some ways I’m envious of you and your garden but then I’m ready for a long winter rest.
The gardens here look sad as there foliage sags and leaves are drying out with bare stems showing. The lush harvest is over and it’s about three weeks until old Jack frost comes through and officially puts an end to the garden season. There are ways to extend the season but by this time of the year I’m ready for a winter season to enjoy the planning, eating the stored bounty, watching those with opposite seasons enjoy their garden. It’s time to start thinking about ramping up my inside the house winter salad garden under the grow lights.
Happy gardening my New Zealand friend.
Nebraska Dave
Urban Farmer
Today in the garden was lovely – one of those perfect blue sky spring days and it was a joy to be productive. But last week was horrible with wind and rain so spring can be the best and worst season at the same time!
I find when the growing season comes to an end I’m generally ready for it. Fortunately we only have to deal with the madness that comes towards the end of the growing season with all the maintenance and the harvest all at the same time for such a short period in the grand scheme of things. Enjoy your rest season. Cheers Sarah : o)
Okay, now to get out into the garden myself. Summer will soon be over . . . or at least on its way there.
Time really does seem to disappear quickly these days, or is it because we are gardeners we notice the passage of time more acutely? : o)
Time is the same for everyone, whether we notice it or not. Maybe we just rely more on seasons than most. I mean, more of our schedule is determined by seasons rather than just what comes next regardless of season.