Thursday, May 7, 2009

More gardening

Yesterday I finished hauling the last of the garden soil (more than 3 yards) into the raised beds we built. It seems that we'll need another 3 yards (plus more manure) since we added in another 3 beds. But based on the number of tomato & pepper plants we have started, plus all the beans I want to plant, we'll need the space (even after I take into consideration using up space on the deck with containers).
The peas have started shooting up - the "Sugar Snap" from Terra Edibles are doing great, they are at about 2" (with support vines started ) and it's been just under 3 weeks since planting. I also put in "Homesteader" from Terra Edibles, "Oregon Sugar Pod" from Aimers Organics and "Laxton's Progress" also from Aimers Organics. I didn't have 100% germination from any of them, but the Sugar Snap had a 7/8 germination which I thought pretty good.
The radishes are doing well, and the salads starting to show some promise. The beets are taking their time sprouting, but they eventually do.
The shallots that I planted mid-April are also doing well. The onions and leeks that I started in the jiffy pellets aren't doing so well, but the direct seeded green onions show a lot of promise!
With most of the beds done, I'm going to start succession planting more carrots and beets, and put in some parsnips. It's hard not to be overly ambitious when the beds lie there, showing such promise. I am really hoping to be able to have some root vegetables over the winter, although I doubt I'll have much in the way of onions. Oh well, onions and garlic next year.

No comments: