Does anyone remember the series of letters Carol from May Dreams Gardens and Mary Ann from Gardens of the Wild, Wild West and I wrote to each other last summer profiling our vegetable gardens? We enjoyed our comparisons, and hope you did too, because we’re doing it again this year. If you like, feel free to do something similar with your friends like plant the same variety of a particular vegetable or flower and compare notes. Think of it as a weekly “Dear Friend and Gardener” meme.
Dear Carol and Mary Ann and Gardening Friends Everywhere,
I sit in my cozy kitchen/office typing as I watch the sun rise in all its golden glory. Yesterday, the north wind wasn’t too biting, so I got outside for the second time this year. For me, and many other gardeners across the U.S., winter has stayed way past its welcome. I can’t wait for even milder temperatures and the end of snow before planting, or I might miss the window of opportunity. However, I admit the rain and snow have done my garden good. The soil was nice and damp, but not too wet. Like Goldilocks would say, it was just right.
We haven’t finished building the new, kitchen potager, but hope to by the time it is tomato and pepper planting time (i.e., end of April or early May). The bad economy took some of the oomph our of monetary sails, so we’re taking it slow. We want to use tumbled, concrete pavers (because stone is cost prohibitive for this Oklahoma gardener) to edge the beds. The red, brick walks between won’t cost anything except labor, because we recycled them from a paving job, and that’s where we’ll start first.
The weather hasn’t cooperated either, but the plan is drawn, and we’re doing it in stages. At one end, is a greenhouse facing the garden. A fountain, maybe a blue urn, will be the centerpiece and attract wildlife. I saw one in an ornamental bed in Oklahoma Gardening’s studio garden, and I’d like to do something similar. Here’s a shot which I took in September 2009 of their fountain.
I have room in the back garden for my early spring crops. It doesn’t get crowded until later. Yesterday, I did some clearing and trimmed up a couple of roses. Then, I planted. In honor of my beloved Grandma Nita, I’m growing Alaska shelling peas. Since the weather has been so cool, I’m hoping I’ll have time to reap a nice harvest. Some years, warmth comes too quickly, and the peas don’t fill out their pods. These, I planted along the north fence where I hope they’ll clamber with a bit of help. HH did some fence repairs screwing the rails into some of the posts. We also replaced a broken rail at the end of the garden. I noticed my blueleaf honeysuckle was planted too close to a ‘Belinda’s Dream’ rose, so I moved it before it broke dormancy. I also dug up some old daylilies I no longer want.
The other seeds I planted were Little Finger baby carrots, Lacinato Nero Toscana kale, Early Wonder beets, Petrowski turnips, Tatsoi mustard, Bourdeaux spinach, three kinds of lettuce: Red Sails, De Morges Braun and Marvel of Four Seasons. I still have my potatoes, snow peas, swiss chard, dwarf pak choy, and onions to get in the ground. After today, the weather is supposed to be nice again. I also realized I didn’t plant any Black Seeded Simpson lettuce, so I’ll need to buy some. Weren’t we also going to plant Speckled Troutback (a/k/a Forellenschluss) lettuce together this year to see how it performs across our three zones? I’ll get a packet of it too at TLC Nursery. They have a lot of seed varieties.
Also wanted to let you know the chickens are doing great and eating us out of house and home. They should be laying eggs soon, and I’ll show you the different colors of the brown and rainbow eggs. Remember cute, little Alex? He’s the big, white rooster on the left.
Just getting out in the sun and touching the crumbly soil with my hands did this gardener good. Oh, and I saw the first crocus of the season. How are things in your neck of the woods?
Dee
Dear Abby (I mean Dee,)
Who knew Paniculata Clematis was the dreaded Sweet Autumn Clematis that the MG’s advised this newbie to avoid. When I saw them at TLC I picked two up.
Just like yours, they thrived last year in their maiden season — looked really pretty framing my half-circle window — but having read this post, I’m now afraid.
The foliage is all dead due to our hard freezes — but I noticed some greening up at the top of the arch — rather than at the bottom — so I’m not sure (if I continue with my plan to let it go another year) how best to trim this.
Should I cut it back to the 6-12″ above ground as recommended for other Type 3’s — if I want to make your same mistakes — and give this lovely girl another year of life?
Afraid in Mesta Park
.-= Janell West´s last blog ..What Would Jesus Drive? =-.
I love your plan for the Potager. A couple of years ago, I put in some raised beds in a classic, four square design. They have proven to be the most useful thing I have ever done. Need a holding area for a gift plant, there it is, bought a plant on impulse, plant it in the Kitchen Garden beside all the others until you figure out a space. It looks lovely every time of the year, thanks to its strong design. I had grass between my beds, which I finally got rid off last fall. I would like to use stone or brick between the beds as well, but I think that project is a bit further down the (ever growing) list.
Still looks like winter here, but definitely feels like Spring! Your plan looks lovely; I think getting it down on paper is often the most difficult part because you have to abandon some ideas and commit to others. So even that much is a big first step. When we began our garden we said it was a 10 year plan, knowing we would do most of the work ourselves and also try to find recycled and scavenged materials to lower the costs. We are beginning year 13 (!) because we keep coming up with ideas for new features and now some parts are mature enough to need a lot of maintenance. But it’s really all about the process; the flowers and food are just an added bonus as is the beauty!
You have a wonderful variety in your winter garden. I always think of planting a winter vegetable garden but never actually do it. A blue urn will be beautiful in the center of your potager.
Well, dang, Dee, we haven’t had even the hint of a decent day to get out into our gardens here in Indiana. The snow is still melting and the ground is saturated. But I’m still hopeful to be sowing peas on March 17th. Oh, and I have to redo some of my raised beds. How high up will the sides of your beds be? Using some kind of stone or tumbled concrete pavers might be better than the cedar boards I used originally. Some of them need to be replaced!
Ah, things are not well in my neck of the woods. Just when I thought winter’s death grip was loosening, we get another four inches of snow and temps in the teens. Yuck.
Christine in Alaska
So glad you will be doing the garden report again this year. I found it to be very informative, interesting, and entertaining. I am very impressed with the plans you have drawn for the potager garden–beautiful! I look forward watching it’s progress too. I have seen the daffs in bloom around town, as well as the Bradford Pears budding. But not in my garden yet. So much to look forward to!
Dee —
I love the chickens!
I wish we could have them where we live.
Dumb country neighborhood association rules! Oh well….
We are getting started outside- it is a slow go however. Lots of things to clear off.
Love to read what is going on in your garden!
Dana
Wow, Dee, that’s some kind of wonderful potager garden! Love the rcecyled brick idea. Also, the chickens are very cute. We still have snow. But this is MI not OK! 🙂
Dee,
Loved your graden report.
On a much smaller scale, I’ve been noticing a little garden activity as well. My roses are coming out of hibernation, the dafffodils are springing up (looks like the Civil War Daffodils survived my Scottie dog’s ditch-witchy ways — though with only one crocus, I fear its partners weren’t so lucky..
My lettuce seed is in and I’m trying to grow tomatos and a few anuuals in the house. My kitchen counter has become a makeshift indoor garden — if I can grow my own annuals, it will keep down the cost of two neighbor gardens that I care for — bedding plants can be costlly.
Like you, I amxious to get my hands dirty.
Janell
They grow up so fast…and before you know it they have eggs of their own~ What a handsome flock you have. Dee, what a charming potager you’re creating…Once winter takes a hike we can all begin to allow our dreams to take flight into reality. gail
I love your plans – and your garden correspondence. I can’t wait for our 3 FEET of snow to melt and the resurrection of my Monday Report. I am planning an Early Garden right in front of the east end of the house which is dry and protected. I think I can get a big head start on cold hardy crops.
Your potager will be so beautiful! I can just imagine it from seeing your drawing plan. Nothing ever seems to go exactly as planned, but you seem to be plugging along as best you can. Those chickens sure grew quickly. What a treat it will be for you to have freshly laid eggs.
I really enjoyed reading these last year. So glad you are still doing it.
My, what exciting plans, Dee. Besides more blooming crocus, you have much to look forward to. After seeing your handsome chickens, I have a yen for fresh eggs … they must taste amazing! Happy March Monday 🙂
I love the plans for your veg. garden. Will look forward to seeing the final job. Chickens, I would give anything for some chickens. We have always lived in suburbia where chickens weren’t allowed but if I had my time again I would look for a place in the countryside where I could have them. Lucky you. I can just imagine how yummy those eggs will be.
What fun. You get to play in the garden. Oops, of course I meant work in the garden. This post makes me want to get out there to see what I might be able to do. Your sketch of the potager looks very energetic. I can’t wait to see it completed. The fountain will be a great center piece.