Well hello there dahlings… I am sustaining the nasty habit of writing only once or twice a week, mostly because this is a busy time of year and lots of lots of worthwhile tasks are keeping my attention all day every day. In addition to sewing orders and normal housework and animal stuff, the garden has been a big energy consumer. In a wonderful, happy way, though.
Most days I wake up wondering what has happened while I slept and what the weather will be that day. Will it allow me to dig, or should I sow? Is it a day for weeding, and have those morning glory seeds split open yet so I can plant them? Or will the chickens just eat them? Are moon flowers toxic to horses? And what the heck am I going to do about that weirdly thick rose bush our front? What did those salvia fail? Wait, it’s a waning moon right now… what does that mean again? Is it already too late for cilantro? My gosh I miss the smell of basil. It’s gonna be such a good year for squash. I hope someone will go fishing for me so I can get those fish heads for the corn. These are some of the three and a half million thoughts that swarm my brain every morning on my way downstairs for that first heavenly cup of steaming hot coffee.
The potagerie is on track so far. All four raised beds are sturdy and, dare I say, quite attractive. Three of them have been filled lasagna style with alternating layers of dried leaves, chicken litter, horse manure, and finally some beautiful top soil we had dumped here last week. Two of those filled beds have now been planted. And, unbelievably, the chickens are minding their manners. The only seedlings I have discovered kicked and scratched out of the earth are some zinnias up at the east flower bed, near the front door. Everything else has been left alone. This is reason for cautious celebration!
By the way, you guys, this is the first time in my life I have ever written a check for dirt. DIRT. I mean, we live on nine acres, so you might think I could drum up my own dirt. But most of our property is sandy, which is barely amenable to growing the stuff we really like to eat, with the exception of melons, berries, spinach, and fruit trees. Those thrive in sand. Anyway, the dirt purchase felt weird, but it should yield us some good edibles.
Heather says
Oh I can’t wait to plant the annuals. But we have to wait a few more weeks – usually around the last week of May. In the meantime, I content to watch the asparagus grow.
Marie Wreath says
Heather, how long is your growing season? And tell me more about this asparagus. I thought you just moved to that house, right? Is it an existing asparagus bed? Or did you plant the roots in the fall?
Anyway, can’t wait to see what my favorite Canadian plants in her flower bed this year!!! xoxo
TangledLou says
This just fills me with happy. We aren’t planting much this year because we are planning to move this summer. Every day it feels like something is missing. I will live vicariously through your beautiful garden this year.
Marie Wreath says
Hi there monkey wrangler!! xoxo
I can imagine the missing feeling… those seasons in life when I missed growing something I was just not quite myself. I will try to provide lots of green entertainment for ya. LOL
So what’s the latest on your real estate adventure, anyway??