Today I filled my first bed in the new garden (actually the second from the edge, but the first one filled). I had half filled it last week and planted peas, and today completed bringing in topsoil and compost from a local farm. I planted broccoli (9 plants - a mix of early and late varieties), Asian greens, endive (escarole frissee and a broad leaved escarole) and 2 varieties of butterhead lettuce (Skyphos and Prizehead). It was a chilly day (45*F for a high) and rain is predicted all night tonight. I hope the seedlings like their new home.
Good to hear you got started! Best wishes for the new garden and season
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely amazing. It gets me so excited to see what you doing
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for your new garden dear....Seedlings will like their home for sure....xoxoxo...:)
ReplyDeleteI've just found your beautiful blog--I'm also a zone 6 gardener, but in Ohio. I love the amazing detail you provide and can't wait to see your season unfold. I'm still pretty new to gardening and have a question I'm hoping you won't mind answering. I planted my lettuce type (lettuce, arugula, beets, etc) stuff outdoors about 4 weeks ago (our last frost data is 5/10). They are still microscopic-just starting to put out their second leaves. Normal, given the late spring? Or a sign that there will be no greens this year?
ReplyDeleteYour new garden is looking good and sounds wonderful with all those wildlife. It seems your seedlings already like their new home. I think they are determined to thrive as long as they have their loving parents with them. Best wishes to your new garden.
ReplyDeleteCathy
Fey, It's been really chilly so I think that's why the seedlings are small. You planted the perfect early crops, they are hardy. They will grow when they can Today was finally warm and and perfect for growing.
ReplyDeleteI was talking to an old Italian gardener the other day. He planted lots of seeds a month ago. Same types as you. He said the seeds know what to do. if it's moist and warm enough they grow. To cold or too dry, they wait. He says planting seeds directly in the garden is the best way to go.
I like to plant indoors under lights in pots. This way I have more control. One of those preference things
Are you at all concerned about not tilling in the grass before you cover it with soil? Or are you? Grass is such a pain in garden beds, I'd be afraid that it would make it's way up to the top even through 6-8 inches.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I should find my own old Italian gardener...that's such comforting wisdom.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of doing lettuces at least under lights--I am trying head lettuces this year and transplanting seems like a nicer approach. But it's been a enough of a challenge keeping my small children away from the tomato seedlings... Maybe next year. Fey
Fey, have your putdoor lettuce seedlings grown up? I'm curious to know. I was thinking I should have also suggested to plant another row so you have a backup. Anyway good to plant lettuce every 4 weeks or so so you have a good supply. You are lucky your children are interested in the seedings. Not sure my son ever noticed them. But he did like the carrots and broccoli I cooked for him.
ReplyDeleteLiz, I'm not at all concerned about the grass. I think the soil is really poor that it's growing in. I just can't imagine it will grow up through 5 in of soil. I haven't done this before, so I'll see.
ReplyDeleteI have often seeded winter rye grass as a winter cover crop in my garden beds. This is a very heavy vigorous grass. I turn it under in the spring and then plant seedlings in the soil a month later. Sometimes a few tufts of grass grow up, but they aren't a problem to pull out and toss in the compost bin.
The grass 5 to 8 inches down is deeper than I turn my rye cover crop. I think it will just compost on its own down there without bothering my plants.