Sunday, March 28, 2010

Dirt and the Start of Raised Beds 2 and 3

From Gardening

Yesterday we had 2.5 cubic yards of planting mix delivered. Wow, that pile looked like a lot of work. Plus we knew we had rain in the forecast for today, so we knew all of it had to be used or at least moved into the back yard by the end of the day. So... we did.

From Gardening

By the end of the day, we had filled Raised Beds 2&3, and planted everything that could go in before the last frost, which I think is April 15 in region 7. We also put planting mix in Raised Bed #4, which we moved from by the patio, a 4 foot square which will house herbs. We still need to figure out what to do with the rose, which we kept in the dirt that the bed left behind, maybe into the front yard. Raised Bed #5 is ready to go too, but is for flowers, and we don't have a plan at all for that one. It is 8x2.

So please welcome to the family, Raised Bed #2 and Raised Bed #3!

From Gardening

Raised Bed #2 has strawberries, onions, and leeks, and will also have cucumbers, corn, potatoes, and beans. We ran out of strawberry plants and put a few bok choy cabbages that we sprouted indoors, so we'll see if they make it.

From Gardening

Raised Bed #3 is temporarily only the home of some extra broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage, which we expect to be ready for harvest before the other plants are growing tall enough to block out their sun. Later on, it will be the home of tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, squash, and we'll give one big square to a melon, despite the advice given in the Square Foot Gardening books.

5 comments:

  1. Looking good! Thanks for following my blog, I hope to have a post in the next day or two. I need to fill 2 of my beds like you, ASAP!

    A tip on the strawberries: they send out runners and you can easily have as many as you want for next year. My one plant from last year is now 9! If you don't need more plants, then cut off the runners as they show and the plant will put more energy into making fruit.

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  2. Thanks for the sweet comment on my blog. What I would give to be able to grow strawberries. I kill everything lol

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  3. I think you will need to "pot up" to a larger container. It's hard to tell the size of those starters from the picture, but I've learned that when the seedlings get their first "true" leaves (after the seed leaves) they should move to 4" pots. My tomatoes are now potted up to gallon pots which should hold them until May.

    As far as asparagus... I know, the wait sucks. I bought crowns (10 for $10) so this is now technically their "2nd" year, so I think I'll be able to pick lightly next year. It is so darn good though, I think it'll be worth it!

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  4. Thanks, Momma Pajama, that really helps! I'm going to go buy some larger pots today. It is in the 80s here this weekend but I'm not going to be fooled into planting early!

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  5. SO envious of your temperatures and of your garden!

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