We have had a LOT of rain over the last month, but in between, some really great warm weather. I’ve gotten a lot of things done over the last couple of weeks, but still can’t get some things planted, because the ground will not dry out.
My neighbor’s dad has a tractor, and like a lot of elderly gentlemen who have gardened all their life, he is more than willing to plow one more garden. There are deep furrows every four feet, which allows me to have a “raised” bed without the wooden frames The raised beds will dry out faster.
Asparagus crowns look like octopus. I soaked the roots in compost tea before I planted them, and used a framed raised beds for my asparagus. I amended the 4×4 bed with 1 cup alfalfa meal, 1 cup bone meal, and 1 cup blood meal. I planted 5 asparagus crowns in this 4×4 bed. I dug down about 12 inches, filled with about 6 inches of soil, and made a mound. On top of this, I placed the crown on top and draped the roots over, and back filled to cover. Next, I inter-planted 5 strawberry plants. I have another bed and will do the same. A layer of straw was placed on top of that.
Onion sets and carrots were planted together in another bed. I planted the Danvers Half long, and onion sets that will be for green onions. I plant using the intensive method. Everything is planted closer than the package suggests. My carrots were planted about 1/2 inch apart, and the onions about 2 inches.
I cleaned out the herb garden, and transplanted my lemon thyme into this old mop bucket. It had taken over the garden, and this way I can keep it in check. I can also move it around from full sun into the shade if needed.
I was just about ready to cut my Carolina Jasmine vine down this year. It has never bloomed very well, but too be honest, I’ve never fertilized or taken good care of it. Last fall I put compost around it, and look what I found this week. There’s lots of blooms and they smell so good.
And best of all my chicken tractor is finished and I have 6 Rhode Island hens who should be laying soon.
Happy Spring and welcome to a new gardening season!
You are going to have some great veggies! I didn’t know that the root of the asparagus plant looked like that!
Imagine my surprise when I opened the package! I’ve never planted asparagus