Frost

Yesterday morning we woke to a frosty landscape. Out of curiosity or perhaps just plain laziness, I decided to not cover the gardens the previous evening though the temperature was forecast to drop to 32 degrees F. When I reviewed the garden in the morning I had reason for concern. The parsley was definitely not happy and while the peas, lettuce and kale seemed in decent form, they were still covered with ice crystals. I was therefore happy to see when returning at lunch that everything had recovered very well.

I started more tomatoes and lettuce in micro-blocks and moved the sprouted basil under the lights. Parsley in the tray went out on the back porch this morning to make room for more micro-blocks under the lights.

Harvesting and sprouting

The spinach and beet seeds that I have been experimenting with starting in jars (like when making alfalfa sprouts) are just beginning to put out roots. I will have to get those in soil in the next 24 hours. Some of the seeds that were started in micro blocks April 20 emerged on Saturday (cauliflower, cabbage, poppy). On Sunday, I harvested the remainder of the kale from last year and most of the choi because it was beginning to bolt. That yielded about three gallons of kale leaves and the equivalent of two grocery store heads of chinese cabbage (choi). I also harvested a bunch of asparagus which was delicious steamed.

I am starting a spreadsheet to keep track of garden output this year and will be providing updates as the season progresses. So far, I have harvested the equivalent of 1 bunch of asparagus, 3 bunches of kale, 3 heads of leaf lettuce, and 2 heads of choi. I will be experimenting with making Ann Wigmore's sauerkraut with the choi and the stalks are also a great substitute for celery.

More seed starting

The beet, kale, spinach and pea seedlings were transplanted into the garden yesterday.

I am getting adventurous with seed starting this year. Last night in micro-blocks I started three varieties of cabbage, cauliflower, sweet pepper, basil, marigolds, blue-bonnet, poppies, and lobelia. More beets and spinach were started in glass jars. The tomato and broccoli starts were moved to 2" blocks.

Transplanting

Last Wednesday, I did get the lettuce, tatsoi and kale planted outside. We have not had freezing temperatures since last Tuesday, just one sunny day after another. I expect to transplant the beets and spinach as well as more kale and peas this evening. I made a green smoothie this weekend with the young kale leaves from two of last year's kale. It is time to harvest more lettuce. Also available for harvest are choi, onions and garlic.

Seeds emerging from April 6 planting

All of the seeds that were started on April 6 have been moved under the lights now. Seedlings are moved under the lights as soon as sprouts begin to show above the soil even if all of them are not visible. Tonight, temperatures are forecast to get to 27 degrees F, but everything looks good from that point on. I will hopefully get out tomorrow at lunchtime to plant the kale, lettuce and tatsoi that are getting so big under the lights.

Carrots planted

I was able to plant 150 carrot seeds in three frames on Saturday. It looks like I will be able to transplant the kale, lettuce and tatsoi any day this week as temperatures are warming up. The tatsoi and beets in micro-blocks have already started sprouting and have been placed under lights.

More seed starting

Quick update-- Last night I started more micro-blocks: 20 tomato (beefsteak and cherry), 20 tatsoi, 40 spinach (tyee), 8 broccoli, 20 beets (detroit red), and 12 lettuce (mix). I also started several chard seeds soaking in water. The micro-blocks are set on a tray over some rope-light with a thermostat set to 75 degrees F. Almost all of the second planting of peas have surfaced. The parsley and celery was finally moved to larger blocks. The container peas were rolled out of the garage at noon today for a couple of days in the sun until it gets cold again. I need to get some carrots planted outside as soon as I have time on a decent weather day. Peppers, basil, and marigolds should be started soon.

Winter Returns

Upon waking from a peaceful nap Saturday afternoon, I rose to the scene of snow falling outside my window. I hurried outside to cover the garden frames and when I got back inside, checked the long term weather forecast and noted that the temperature is expected to fall into the low teens. I decided that I had better go back outside to harvest the lettuce which has grown considerably over the past few weeks or it might get freeze burned. I was rewarded with five gallons of greens for salads this week.

I would have liked to transplant the kale, tatsoi and lettuce into the garden also, but decided to wait until the temperatures warm up again. We started another 40 peas this week.

It looks like we will have a couple of mild days Wednesday and Thursday and then it is going to get cold again with maybe another warming trend starting next Sunday.