More Seeds Planted + We Need Some Ideas

Kate, Ashley, Debbie, and I went over to the garden on Tuesday to work on some of the March chores. We cleaned up some of the trash that had accumulated in the garden, mulched the garlic and started peas and spinach. Here are the cultivars, in case you're interested in looking them up:

1) Snow Peas:

• 'Dwarf Gray Sugar"
• 'Oregon Giant'
  

2) Spinach:

• 'Avon Hybrid'

Also, we've been looking at the garden and trying to come up with some clever (and cheap) mulching ideas for pathways, with the hope of eventually eliminating some of the grass on the site. If you have any thoughts, please send them our way!

A Few Snaps From Our Seed Starting Day

Getting supplies set up:
Filling pots with soil mix and making labels:
Planting seeds:
In the seed room and ready for water:

Seed Starting Underway

Clockwise from top left (photo credits): 'Gold Medal' Tomato (Baker Creek), 'Deep Purple' Scallion (Johnny's), 'Japanese Black Trifele' Tomato (Baker Creek), 'Ruby Red' Chard (Fine Gardening), 'Thai Holy Kaprao' Basil (Baker Creek)

Seed starting began at Kate's today, and it feels like the 2011 season is officially underway. What follows is a list of the seeds we planted. Click on the links to learn more about the cultivars we're growing.

1) Tomatoes:

• 'Gold Medal'
• 'Japanese Black Trifele'
• 'Tappy's Heritage'
• 'Malakhitovaya Shkatula'
  

2) Sweet Peppers:

• 'Charleston'
• 'Flavorburst'
• 'Lipstick'
  

3) Hot Peppers:

• 'Joe's Long Cayenne/Drying Ristras'
  

4) Eggplant:

• 'Pingtung Long'
  

5) Basil:

• 'Thai Holy Kaprao'
  
• 'Genovese'

6) Lettuce:

• 'Majestic Red'
• 'Italienisher'
  

7) Scallions:

• 'Deep Purple'
  

8) Greens:

• 'Green Fortune' Pak Choi
  
• 'Ruby Red' Swiss Chard

Thanks to everyone who came out to help, contributed seeds and supplies, and special thanks to Kate for hosting us.

The Garlic Is Up!!!

The garlic we planted with the Public Allies in November is breaking the surface. We'll be mulching it in the next few months, and harvesting scapes and bulbs in the summer. Hard to believe that there was snow on the ground just a few weeks ago!

Yes, That About Sums It Up

Where did the snow come from? I was so busy enjoying our 50 degree days that I forgot it was still February. This illustration by Andre Jordan that appeared on Margaret Roach's blog is just about right. Click here to read her full post.