Big gardening weeekend

Lots of springtime planting action this fine overcast (but not raining!) last Saturday the 28th. Abbreviations: F = Fedco, J = Johnnys, K = Kitazawa, N = Nichols:

Long South Bed
Brussels Sprouts - Oliver (F)
Rhubarb (transplanted from LY)
Borage (F)

In the two NS SE beds (got to get a better naming system for this...)
Chinese Leeks (K)
Bunching Onion - Red Beard (K)
Kale - Tuscan (N), Wild Garden (N)
Mustard - Mispoona (F), Wild Garden (N)
Radish - Korean Tae Baek (K) and Rat-Tail (N)
Swiss Chard - Argentata, Golden, Ruby Red
Beet - Giant Mangold (N)
Spinach - Giant (N)
Forellenschluss lettuce (F)
Chicory - Wild Garden (N)
Mache, Arugula, Purslane, Parsley, Chervil, Dill, Cilantro (mainly F)
Carrot - Tonda Di Parigi (F)

Crows methodically removed all but two of the germinating peas in the pea/fava bed. Rather than re-plant peas this year, I put the Dutch Shallots (F) and All Star Salad Mix (J) on either side of the favas, which are just emerging now. This and the other newly planted beds are now protected from birds by deer netting draped over stakes.

Green Mountain and Rose Finn Apple split the potato bed. (Fedco/Moose Tubers)

And don't forget the whole 4' x 16' garlic bed planted last fall, growing strong since being uncovered weeks ago!

Sunday was misty/rainy, and Kavi helped me hang the deer netting on the fence. Kavi remarked that the activity of stomping around in the mud on a rainy 45 degree day was "very English." Of course the Red Winged Blackbirds and Tree Swallows were out in force, the swale was running high and everything was green and smelled wonderful. Kavi is a very good sport, and I enjoyed myself immensely.

The tomatoes in the cellar were up as of yesterday - only five days to germination. No peppers yet.

We saw a bluebird yesterday and begged him to move into the white house. I hung the hummingbird and oriole feeders, but no sightings yet. The first dandelions are out today, forsythia has been blooming for a couple of days.

Going to MA this WE and will return with some Horse Chestnut trees. Happy hatch day to the chicks tomorrow! Ten survivors out of seventeen...and people ask me why I don't have kids.