Answer: the lettuce bed is smoking!
Larry burned the bed off Friday so when I came home there was little to see but the smoky remains of the brushpile. Burning the bed helps in several ways: it kills off weed seeds, warms the soil and adds potash, which the lettuce loves. Saturday afternoon after we returned from town he seeded Green Ice lettuce and Cherry Belle radishes and planted green onions in the bed, then put the plastic cover in place to retain moisture and heat. Of course, before burning the bed he dug it up. Doesn't do any good to burn, then dig. In case you wondered.We spent the evening with our granddaughter Jordan, her baby Cadyn and husband Ethan. It was quiet, restful time to just talk and enjoy each other's company. Perfect.
Sunday saw us both busy. Larry knocked down the snowbanks on the driveway to try to dry it up faster (regular mud bog right now, no lie) and then hitched up the plow and got all the gardens plowed. This is big: the ground has to dry to a certain point to plow and we knew showers were forecast. The soil was just right on Sunday afternoon and he was able to get them all done. Now we just need to wait for them to dry once again, then he can use the toother to break up the ground and plant potatoes. grabbing that window of opportunity on Sunday has made potato planting a likely prospect this week.
I rounded up all my supplies and potting soil and got some of my seeds started. Thirteen kinds of tomatoes, 6 kinds of peppers, eggplant, broccoli and cabbages are in the pots. I will start herbs and flowers later; these guys needed to get going now. My other Sunday task was getting CDs ready for my distributor, WV Book Company.
After planting and prepping CDs, I had a good cup of Earl Grey tea to celebrate, made in this neat Japanese teapot my son Jon and his wife gave me for my birthday one year. It has a strainer basket that fits in the top, so I just have to put the tea in the strainer, pour boiling water, and it's steeped. No waiting around. This pot is called a tetsubin and is used for a special ceremony in Japan, but I'm anglicizing it.
This lovely little planted arrived on Friday. I don't have any idea who sent it, but if it was you, thank you. I can't wait to see it bloom. This was such a neat surprise gift and raises my spirits every time I look at it.So, how was your weekend?
Hey Granny Sue!
ReplyDeleteYou and Larry sure are trying to catch Spring and bring her in where she belongs! We didn't get any gardening done this weekend. My truck didn't pass inspection so Saturday it was getting some new shoes (tires) and Sunday after church it got a front end alignment.
I came home today to find that my neighbors have plowed up their entire hay field. They too are trying to catch Spring!
I bet whoever left that plant was hoping to add a little sunshine to your day.
ReplyDeleteThis weekend was great with all the sunshine. It's still way to wet to get into the garden but I'm anxiously awaiting for the time that we can get started.
Well put, Angela. Exactly what we were doing. We planted our lettuce bed in February last year so you know we're antsy.
ReplyDeleteJessica, we're lucky on this hill because the gardens dry fast. Of course, they dry out in summer too so we have to water a good bit, or mulch.
Cute planter! What will they be when they bloom?
ReplyDeleteI just noticed little sprouts of jonquils in my little back yard -- spring really is coming!!
Spring = Hope.
ReplyDelete(as we have to say anymore . . . "in my opinion")
We have had so much snow there is no way we can plow the gardens yet. And what is a "toother". I don't think we have those in Iowa.