Vegetable Gardening

[tulip]

I'm with mudrucker. I have very rocky soil and was not willing to injure my back by digging down. So I built raised beds, put down a thick layer of newspaper, and loaded them up with compost. I add about a wheelbarrow of sifted compost from my bins to a bed a month. Seems to work great.

I also make my lasagne in the crockpot, although a more traditional recipe with lots of spinach. That butternut way sounds delish, though.

I love your garden, mudrucker!

[skhill]

Ok, so it rained 2.3 inches yesterday. And it was 31 F when I stepped out into the garden at dawn today. But it's March, I'm jonesing for fresh veg, so I went ahead and planted a row of peas in the very cold mud. Maybe they'll come up, maybe not... If the rain holds off this weekend, I'm planning on cleaning up the garden and deciding what goes where this year. And planting some more too...

C'mon, spring, we're waiting!

[spokewench]

Lucky you! you can actually see the ground. I'd have to dig down through at least a foot of snow to find my beds right now. I've got a long wait for planting anything.

[NbyNW]

This is what my raised beds look like today. Our high temp today is expected to be about -22℃/-8℉. Around here they say danger of frost lasts through Memorial Day.

I really need to get myself back to Seattle!

[badger]

mudmucker, I LOVE your garden!!!

I'm contemplating a raised bed this year on my concrete patio, but I'm afraid it's going to make a huge mess. I wonder if I'll be able to keep it for years, or if I'll have to take it apart annually at the end of the season? the best thing to do is to move to a house with a yard... *sigh* one day.

[tulip]

Two weeks ago, I planted plants of bok choi, lettuce, arugula, and kale (spring--I've already had kale and collards growing through the winter--and eating them). They are all doing very well, as are my overwintering leeks, which I have to trim and replant to (hopefully) keep them growing and prevent them from blossoming like last year.

I have to plant potatoes, peas, shallots, and onions this weekend, as well as start seeds for summer veggies. I'm a bit behind on that task.

The daffodils and crocus are blooming, and I expect to see some strawberry blossoms in a few weeks.

This year my challenge will be to use my beds wisely in terms of space. Last year I was not very efficient and I could have grown alot more if I had planned better for seasonal plantings.

I am very, very happy to live in a mild climate.

[celticgarden]

What I wouldn't do to see my garden like this again soon....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2417195...7626180964512/

Right now it's still covered in snow. Hoping to start soon (indoors) brassicas, lettuce etc.

Linda

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Finally the snow has melted off the veg garden. I'm amazed to see bunches of baby spinach still alive and green, and some of last year's carrots seem to be still fresh in the ground.... WTHeck???
Can't wait to plant some lettuce and spinach again! Lots of digging and hoeing ahead, but the ground is still mostly frozen yet. The 10 little blueberry bushes look alive too, with red leaf buds on their green stems.