Here we go again.

We started planting the garden today. I didn't count them, but I'm guessing there were 100 onions in the bunch of (walla walla) onions. We planted a pack of (bright lights) swiss chard, two 60' rows of potatoes (one row of kenebec whites, and one row of red that I think are pontiacs). We also planted two 60' rows of peas (one row of sugar snap and one row of wandos). While we were at it, the order came from Miller's orchard so we planted the 10 (super male asparagus) plants in the established row of asparagus that we have, and planted the 12 (taylor) red raspberry canes too. The raspberry plants that wintered over in the garden are looking fantastic! Hopefully in a year or two we'll have more raspberries than we know what to do with.
In the raised beds at the other property - we started planting yesterday. We planted about 25' of spinach (springer), and 2 lbs. of onions that I can't remember the variety. We also transplanted about 20 strawberry plants from that garden area to the larger garden here at the house. Some of the established plants here had died out over the winter, so we just filled in where they were needed. With any luck, we should have plenty of strawberries this year, the majority of the plants look healthy but we'll have to watch for deer.
My seedlings are looking pretty good, the broccoli (super blend) was the first to start, then the cantaloupe (athena) and now most of the tomato seeds (german pink) have germinated. Nothing has it's second set of leaves yet but I'm glad just to see them growing. Hopefully we'll be able to set the broccoli out in a couple of weeks. The peppers (nathalie bell and ancho/poblano hot) are refusing to sprout, but it looks like the watermelon seeds (pony red mini) are starting.

April 27,2009
Been gone for a week to North Carolina, it's amazing how big a change in the weather there's been here. Yesterday was near 90 degrees, and today must have been pretty much the same. All of my seedlings are up now and I should put them outside soon so that they can thrive. The peas, potatoes, onions and spinach are also started in the garden. The daffodils have also started to bloom better and the rhubarb has tripled in size. When I get a chance, I'll cut some and make a pie. Yesterday was the first day that we were able to cut asparagus, and more was cut today. It seems to be coming like crazy and I should be able to stick some in the freezer soon. The fruit trees are starting too. We got home around 2 p.m. yesterday and there were a few cherry blossoms out, but today the cherries are in full bloom with the plum trees on the verge of opening their blooms. Spring is really here, the yard got its first chopping today!

this is a cute video on utube

I found these on utube and thought that they were pretty clever!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOIP0UPiLvA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=445m_ohiWCM

here's some more information on colony collapse disorder.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH9mpHNawSs&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59DlKW0XDM4&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_XnvZAcM0U&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajmqUrJtmOg&feature=related

Happy Easter!

The garden looks pretty sad this time of the year, but hopefully we'll have some spinach, onions and Bright Lights swiss chard planted today or tomorrow.




This will be the first year for rhubarb, Fred and Chris gave us some to plant last year and it seems to be doing very well.



The cool weather hasn't been too encouraging to do much outdoor work, but most of the Daylillies did get a new layer of mulch applied to them. The mulch still has frozen chunks in it though!


Happy Easter to everyone. It seems like my daffodils are usually in full bloom by now, but they seem to be waiting for warmer weather. I do have a few that are starting to volunteer a little of their color, so I thought I'd share a bloom with you.

Disappearing Honeybees

In the past few years, we've noticed large numbers of honeybees vanishing. This phenomena is referred to as colony collapse disorder (CCD). This may not seem like a travesty for most people other than beekeepers, but it actually affects everyone. Many crops depend on pollination, which can be provided by honey bees as well as other insects. With fewer insects to pollinate, the crop production would be limited or nonexistent. One of the best theories to date on the cause of CCD is the overuse of certain pesticides, so please be careful when using any.

april gardening calendar

April 5, 2009
Although it was a cool start to the day, it eventually warmed up and turned into a gorgeous day. We decided to take advantage of the nice weather and started the spring cleaning on the yard. The first day always seems like the most difficult to get motivated, but once we got started it got a little easier. I didn't keep track of all the yard rubbish that we cleaned up but I'm fairly certain that there must have been at least ten heaping cartloads. Each cartload must be the equivalent of at least 100 gallons. Plus we managed to get all of the gravel from the winter's plowing raked off of the yard. While we were at it, we trimmed the last 4 grapevines, cleaned the birdhouses out and even managed to trim back two large ornamental grasses. Whew...I guess I should be tired!

April 6, 2009
Today started out with rain and it stayed gloomy all day. Tonight we're supposed to get a little snow...will winter ever end?
I finally got around to digging out the garden seeds this morning - I needed to at least think about warmer weather! We went to the store, bought some peat pots and I found the potting soil at home. When the seeds, soil and pots were finally all in one spot I managed to get some seeds planted. So far I have broccoli, tomatoes, ancho and bell peppers, cantaloupe and watermelon seeds planted. Now I just have to be patient and keep my fingers crossed that they grow!

RECIPES

this area will be for new recipes that I try, but I'll only enter recipes that I've tried and thought were worth sharing!

rhubarb coffee cake

SERVES 6 -8 (change servings and units)

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Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter or margarine
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups finely chopped rhubarb

Topping

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened

Directions :

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Cream butter and sugar together in mixing bowl.

3. Beat in eggs one at a time.

4. Stir in sour cream and vanilla.

5. Mix flour and baking soda together and fold into batter.

6. Stir in rhubarb.

7. Turn into greased 9x13-inch pan.

8. Topping: Mix all ingredients together until crumbly.

9. Sprinkle over top.

10. Bake 30-40 minutes until done.

new stuff

Every year I try to think of at least one new plant to try in the garden. Most stuff seems to find a place in the garden every year, but there have been a few things that either required too much attention or just wasn't popular. This year I'm going to try some black beans. We'll have to wait until the end of the season to see if they'll be making a repeat appearance in our garden another year!