Sunday, March 28, 2010

happy gumboots!

I'm in my element today transplanting the hardened off brassicas: khol rabi, natalino, and broccoli as well as some endives and Asian greens in between the rows. Planted some calendula to surround them to attract aphids (hopefully). The radishes and snow peas are up! and the garlic is looking good. Building some new mesclun boxes this year: do you know of any non toxic product i can paint them with? I've heard of some that are soy based, but not having any luck finding it. The bed I started last fall has been dug, but will need much more attention before planting time. It is very lumpy and wet, with lots of roots growing up through it. A work in progress. I'm hoping to put the King Tut peas, black soy beans,blue eyed beans and quinoa in there. Saving the 'good' garden, and it's perfect soil, for the finer stuff like salad, carrots, spinach and the like. Pictures, from top to bottom: the new mesclun box; overwintered arugula blooming; grape hyacinth patch; the babies x 3; radish babies; garlic and brassicas; the new bed; garlic in the sun; babies getting ready to head out into the big world of rain, wind and sun; endive roots; freshly transplanted; happy gumboots!!; and last but not least, beautiful first rhubarb of the season!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

nifty idea

Here is a nifty idea to use loo rolls for seedling pots. This idea was found via Miss M's dirt happy blog,http://dirthappy.blogspot.com/ via folia http://myfolia.com/journals/51674-toilet-paper-roll-pots I love it! Thanks, Miss M :-)

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Spring Has Sprung!

Happy Vernal Equinox everyone! today I'm involved with making brown rice salad with parsley from the garden, sowing more seeds ( natalino, spinach, Oriental mix, broccoli, endives) and hardening off others. Oh, and the radishes are up! all these new babies fill me with joy~!

Sunday, March 7, 2010

digging and planting

Planted Snow Peas, 2 types of radish,(Rudi, and Black Spanish Round - heirloom variety) and Sugar Snap peas (Sugar Anne)today - all from West Coast Seeds. Also pulled out the last of the over-wintered beets, which aren't very big, but still good - they are destined to be roasted beet salad.

Monday, March 1, 2010

A natural insect repellant recipe:

Here is a natural insect repellant recipe found online. I have never used this, but plant to whip up a batch to get rid of black aphids, which is the worst garden pest I get. (aside from cut worms, maybe it would work on them, too). Has anyone else used this, or have any other recipes to share? I'm looking at this as a pre-emptive strike- will use it before I actually get the pests in droves. I'm also going to use a metal spray bottle for the repellant. http://www.ehow.com/how_5666556_make-repellent-home-vegetable-garden.html