It’s that time of year .. playing in the dirt time! I had to laugh when we were out in the garden working yesterday. First, the National Guard was doing whatever they do in the woods behind the house. I told Vince . . I wonder how many people get to work in their gardens with the sound of machine guns in the background. And, how many people are dealing with ice and snow on Thursday and then out planting their garden getting sunburned on Saturday. Welcome to my world! 🙂
I know you all think Vince does an amazing amount of work around here, and he does, but sometimes, getting him started takes about all the energy I can muster. This is the 4th year we’ve had a garden here and every year I bug him about setting up a trellis for the peas, beans and cucumbers. I need that set up before I plant. I wait and I beg and I wait and then finally I go out there and rig up something that never seems to work very well but this year, I said . . I am going to hound you til you do it! So Saturday morning, I began hounding. He said “It’s too wet! It’s going to be a mud hole out there!” I convinced him to just go out there and look. We got almost to the garden and he said “See! I told you it was muddy!” Never taking no for an answer, I marched right in and it wasn’t muddy at all so he had to do it.
Wire for Climbing
We got two rows set up. Each row is about 60′ so that will be enough . . for now. 🙂
On the left side of the first wire trellis, I planted snow peas. I’ll wait a couple of weeks and plant down the right side and hopefully, they won’t all get ripe at the same time.
Garden
We’ve finally gotten all the cut down trees and stumps out of the garden addition but it isn’t tilled up and may not get tilled up this year. It’s a slow process around here. 🙁
Garden Addition
This is a new garden area that will be ready to be used this year. Not sure what I’m going to plant back here. It’s definitely more good, rich soil. We’re so lucky to have that here. It’s definitely not what you normally find in this area.
Rabbit Manure
Yesterday we traded eggs for rabbit manure. What a trade, huh? I was happy to get it and can go back and get as much as I want. I’m sure they’ll be seeing lots of us til I get all the manure I think I can use. I know a lot of folks will use rabbit manure before composting it but, I’m not one of those folks so it will go into the compost bin and we’ll add it to the garden and till it all in once the summer garden is done.
Artichokes
Of the nine artichokes I planted last year, five survived. There are two celery plants in there between them. There’s one spot in the new addition that gets a little afternoon shade. I’m thinking I’ll dig up the five artichokes and move them over to that spot. The afternoon sun is really rough on them.
Today I may plant four grapes that we bought at Tractor Supply. I’m not real optimistic that they will ever produce grapes, though there are quite a few orchards in this area, but I need grape leaves to add to my pickles to keep them crunchy so . . we will see if I can keep them alive.
It’s that time of year when all I want to do is play outside! 🙂
Marie Gilkey says
You are so lucky to be able to start now. I can’t see planting here for a While yet. Between MO weather and waiting for dr release gonna wait till next month to plant.
Diana says
We went and bought a small Troy Built Rototiller for the raised beds. Dearest Hubs tried it out today and he was so excited it worked so well.
We had one years ago for about 15 years; then couldn’t get parts for it anymore so it went to the machine graveyard. Poor thing ..
But when we were at Lowe’s we picked it up and are very happy with its 4 stroke motor and well it did in the raised beds.
Now to hopefully (fingers crossed) start planting very soon, then have coffee out on the garden area and watch the garden grow, what better way to enjoy the outdoors, the plants, birds, neighbors screaming at their kids, the ATVs running the ditch road behind our house…ahhhh…… I was dreaming !! . 🙂
Margie says
Judy, I don’t know that I’ve ever left a comment for you before, but I have read and enjoyed your blog for several years. I love your chickens, and all your ventures with canning. I have a question and hope it was on your blog that I read about it or maybe old age is saying I did and I did not!! I am looking to maybe purchase a Magic Cooker but first would like some input as to the pros and cons and maybe you or some of your readers could help. If it wasn’t your blog then I’m sorry for bothering you.
wanda j says
Over the years I’ve found wire doesn’t work well for trellises. It seems to burn the vines when it gets hot around here. I use clothes rope for mine/panty hose if I have some ( I cut them into thin strips and use) Just a thought. Wire and 100+ temp well I don’t know if it will work.
JudyL says
That makes sense but so far, I’ve used the high fence, which is wire, for growing cucumbers, loofa and green beans and it hasn’t been an issue but I’ll watch to see if I see any signs of burning. For the most part, by the time the temps get so hot (late July and onward), my garden is winding down. Most of the things I’m planting now will be done by mid-July.
Betty Woodlee says
Since I live about 60 miles south of Owensboro, Ky, the Don Moore Auto Sales in Owensboro sticker on the tailgate of the pickup in the pic of the rabbit manure caught my eye. You certainly got your money’s worth from that truck.
LisaS says
How do grape leaves keep your pickles crisp? Just curious. I love reading your blog!
molly says
I was just goin to ask that. Inquiring minds want to know, ya know…thanks ahead..molly
JudyL says
I’m not so sure it works that great but it can’t hurt. Supposedly there’s tannin in the grape leaves that does something to help the pickles stay crisp . . the tannin is supposed to inhibit the pectinase enzyme that affects the crispness. Also, leaving the sliced cucumbers in crushed ice for 5 or 6 hours before using them to make pickles, or using a bit of Pickle Crisp should help.
Honestly, I cannot grow cucumbers. I’ve tried ever possible seed and method and I just can’t do it. My friend sent me some heirloom seeds that he promises me will work so we’ll see.
And . . even when I use the same cucumbers as other folks use, my pickles never turn out so well so I’ll try anything to get a good batch of pickles.
LisaS says
Well, I wish you the best of luck with the cucumbers this year. I look forward to reading about them on the blog!