TLC Gardens
May 2010
Here we go! The growing season is up an running. No
more turning back and changing minds (don’t worry, it was never a
consideration.) Things are moving quickly now and I hope to keep up.
The biggest hurdle I have had to overcome this
past month is the breakdown of my tiller. I only till at the beginning of the
growing season but it is vital to the success of the crop, especially in the
north garden where I plant the corn because the soil compacts from the winter
flooding. Long story short … my buddy, tiller, could only be repaired with a
$350 investment with no near 100% probability of future breakdowns from the
same gear issue. To get the ground turned at the necessary time, I hired a
person to till for a reasonable price. He did an excellent job and I am
delighted with the outcome. My cost? He tilled all three sites at no charge; he
offered instead his labor in exchange for my broken tiller. Hopefully he can
repair it (tough) and resell it. I wish him the best. This is truly out of my
expertise so I am glad with the outcome to a negative situation.
With the soil prepared for planting, I spent most
of Monday planting seeds in all of the sites. Corn, sunflowers, Scarlett Runner
beans, and squash (including some pumpkins) are in the north garden; other squashes
(delicata, acorn, butternut, spaghetti) and pickling cucumbers are in the side
garden; absolutely everything else is in the main garden. I have chosen to hold
off on transplanting the tomatoes and peppers to the main garden until next
week because they are doing well in the cold frames.
Kent and I will be in California from May 19th-24th
so Tara will be house and garden “sitting” for me. She has promised to be
diligent in caring for the crops and the animals. I know she will! When I
return, I will put the tomatoes and peppers out and then everything will be
officially planted. Whew!
Are you ready for your delicious delights? I plan
to include lettuce, rhubarb, herbs, mint and eggs in your basket. I believe
there should be peas also because they are flowering now, but it will all be
weather contingent. Plan for your first basket delivery on Wednesday, May 26th.
Filled baskets will be delivered by 4 pm to both the Carpenter’s and the
Massey’s homes. I have your actual baskets in hand and you just need to make
certain that you bring back your empty baskets when you pick up your next
delivery the following week. Thank you for assisting with the basket
acquisition.
Anytime you would like to come out and visit the
gardens, just let me know.
With love,
Tarri
