Garden Diary: Nov 03

We've finally had a hard frost this week, so the growing season is done. Good thing - I've got a backlog of photos and notes from this summer still to post! But a quick summary is:

GROW MORE NEXT YEAR:
- carrots
- garlic
- onions
- kale
- parsnips
- arugula
- spinach
- melons
- bush beans
- purple pole beans
- peas

GROW LESS (OR NONE) NEXT YEAR:
- quinoa
- komatsuna
- purple orach
- parsley
- mizuna

GROW IN A DIFFERENT SPACE (OR WITH MORE SPACE) NEXT YEAR:
- hubbard squash
- tomatoes

Garden Diary - Jul 22

Thanks to Denise we have photos from the garden, keeping us up to date on its growth. Looks like the Hubbard squash is even more of a monster - the one in the back dropped its one fruit, and is now a casualty of (presumably) racoon bites. But the Hubbard in the front is doing better, getting nice and orange. And it looks like the chard has finally taken off, and should be good eating for the rest of the summer.

As we stroll about the farmer's markets of Washington we keep wondering how the season compares to our own garden. Peaches have been in season since we got here mid-July, as have tomatoes, summer squash and green beans. We've had corn a few times, but the variety isn't as nice as the peaches and cream which is so popular in Ontario - not as sweet and juicy.

One interesting thing I learned at one of the Mexican restaurants is that Hubbard squash flowers are especially good for eating - they're a bit bigger and more robust. So we'll have to try eating the male flowers in the future - only the female flowers bear fruit.

Garden Diary - Jul 05

Well, I have to admit that I should have heeded the warnings to give enough space to squash and tomatoes. The Hubbard squash turns out to be a monster, filling essentially the entire trellis. And with the other squash/melons and tomatoes directly in front, there isn't enough access to get in to pollinate the female flowers during their brief intervals of opening. So we've got a lot of leaf, but not much fruit.

And the tomatoes themselves are far larger plants than any we've grown before - perhaps a combination of happy conditions and the new varieties we're trying. So they're also a bit out of control - not enough rooms to get in to corral the plants. There are a number of green tomatoes by now - if we're lucky this week's heat wave will give us the chance to eat at least one delicious tomato before we head out of the city.

But the one thing we have done right in the garden was planning for height - we've got a good gradient of short to tall going across the main bed that matches the direction of sunlight. We've had a few early golden beets (barbecued on a skewer - delicious), the chard is finally big enough to eat, our kale is coming along, there's been tons of parsley and basil for pasta salads, and the single eggplant and pepper plant look like they'll get somewhere this summer since they've had a good start and lots of sun.

Garden Diary - Jun 24

A time-lapse recording of our vegetable - 1 photo every hour for 4 days!

Garden Diary - May 31

Looking back on past photos it's obvious that the garden has sprung into action - it looks so lush and full compared with a few weeks ago. The poppy has bloomed for the first time, irises just finished blooming, peonies are all out, sage is flowering (which means I can cut it back soon) and chives are almost done.

We just purchased a motion-activated sprinkler scarecrow, in the hopes that it will deter whatever critter has been eating veggies in the raised planter beds. I know it works on me (after Mark tricked me into walking through it's line of sight)!

Garden Diary - May 24

Last weekend we planted seeds and transplanted seedlings in the two new raised vegetable beds in the back. The plan that I'd drawn up in February is more or less what we went with, although there were some substitutions (new plan seen here; orientation is changed from before, so now it is standard with north at the top). Within a week we already have germination for many seeds, and almost no seedlings have died off (one of the peppers didn't make it).

Yesterday still more seeds and seedlings were planted - in the containers in the front, and in a bed at the side in the backyard. I've gone through our collection of seeds, and I think everything has gone in, except for the alpine strawberries (which will be taking the place of the radishes as soon as they vacate their container). The iffiest of the tomato seedlings have gone into the edges of the front beds. If they improve they can either stay put to battle it out with the squash, or get transplanted if they're being crowded out.

We definitely have a groundhog problem - he keeps digging out from under the side of the large bed (which is where he used to have a great set-up, living under the shed), disturbing dirt and up-ending the seeds we've planted. Luckily it's along the shadiest side, where I've got the 'experimental' row of wacky new plants. The precious tomatoes, squash and melons are furthest from the groundhog hole, so hopefully there won't be any losses there.

I've done a round of hedge trimming in front and forsythia pruning. The forsythia is incredibly fantastic when it's the first big, bright yellow thing in the garden early in spring, but the rest of the season it's a green monster (kind of a hydra, where every branch trimmed means four more sprouting up where it's been cut). I'm starting to worry that I'm creating some sort of abnormal situation by trimming it every year, but it seems to be the only way of keeping its size under control.

All of my transplants in the front seem to have taken, and things are filling out nicely. Chives are in bloom (I've been sprinkling their edible flowers on our meals regularly), and the sage looks like it will bloom soon (at which point I'll prune it back, since it's already overshadowing its neighbours). For the first year the irises which came from my mother's garden are also in bloom.

Today I gave Mark his birthday gift (a bit early) - a Plant Cam! It's designed for time lapse photography outside in the garden. I can't wait to watch our plants unfold in 'real' time!

We also wrapped our beds today in copper tape (to keep out the slugs) and put up pea netting and a trellis for the squash and melons. We bought some marigolds yesterday to put up around the perimeter of the large bed. Now we just sit back, water, and wait for the harvest...

Garden Diary - May 05

On Saturday we had 5 cubic yards of triple mix soil delivered. This makes a LARGE pile of soil! It filled our driveway from side to side (only slightly spilling over to our neighbour) and was maybe almost as tall as me. We've managed to move it, wheelbarrow by wheelbarrow load, into the back to our two new raised beds, as well as replacing some of the poor soil in the front yard bed. But we've still got about 1 cubic yard left, with nowhere yet to go. Must buy more containers!

Last night we moved out the first of our seedlings - a Hubbard squash (which so far is the biggest plant we've got) and some kale, into the front bed where it's sunniest. Here's hoping we're past all frost!

Garden Diary - April 25

The grape hyacinths are lasting well and look fantastic. I'm quite sure they've multiplied since last year. A few other plants that didn't do well last year are looking considerably better - my poppy and the dragon arum. I guess they just needed their first year to get established, and now they're well underway.

I did a lot of work weeding and mulching in the back - now I can really see how much the strawberries have spread. I still need to find more spots for the onion sets that I purchased recently - they've been squeezed in between most of the plants in the front.

Garden Diary - April 18

We have germination! Several varieties of tomato, squash and basil. Still waiting on other seeds, but it's only been a week so far.

And I've forged ahead with lots of dividing and transplanting of perennials and re-mulching in an effort to head off the yellow menace from the bed under the window in the front. Or at least to have more variety when it sneaks it's way in again - it doesn't seem to be deterred by shade - just sends new creepers right underneath.

Mark mowed the lawn, so I sprinkled clover seed in everywhere - with luck the grass will get phased right out...

Several of last year's kale plants survived the winter, and new leaves are coming out. We're not sure if the fact that I cut the stems short mean it will flower, or just produce leaves. One thing's for sure - we're going to be eating kale sooner than we did last year!

Garden Diary - April 11

All of our earliest seeds have finally been started in flats and self-watering planters inside - I'm using my new heating mat which was a birthday gift from mom to get them to germinate quickly.

We built a new surround for self-watering planters on the front porch. Mark's attempt to cut down the rim in order to create a cloche to fit over top may have been ill-advised, but it will do.

And I had a mad burst of edging, weeding and transplanting - lots of perennials divided up and dispersed throughout the bed directly in front of the house in an attempt to hold back the invasive plant that grows there (which I still haven't identified). Within the bed I'm putting in other aggressive plants to battle it out (the striped grass from the back that my mother has warned me about, some lamb's ears, and the pink flowering plant from the small square perennial bed in the front lawn. Directly in front of the bed, where it keeps making incursions, I'm aiming for a mat of thyme and various succulents.

We've been looking into getting a load of triple mix delivered, so that we can fill the new vegetable beds. It seems like we need half a truckload, all of which will have to be shoveled into our tiny wheelbarrow and toted to the back...

Garden Diary - April 4

We've had record-breaking summer-like weather for the last few days. When I left the house Thursday morning there were only the crocuses in bloom, but when I returned Saturday evening, the hyacinths were fully out, the forsythia in front is all yellow, and one daffodil has bloomed. Spring is here!

Over the course of the weekend Mark built a new raised bed for the back, encompassing the area where we had the concrete sink/planter and the two beds to either side with the bamboo pole teepees.

Garden Diary - Mar 21

We've gone from a beautiful 18 degrees celsius on Friday, to light snow flakes drifting through the air this morning. But spring is definitely on the way. Friday evening I got to work in the front garden, clearing out dead leaves and pruning the rose bush down - now I can see the yellow crocuses (in full bloom) and purple crocuses (just getting started), plus the green tips of the other bulbs pushing through. It's interesting to see how many of the bulbs I planted two years ago are now being hidden by some of the other perennials - everything really is filling in.

I organized the seeds this morning into those that will be started indoors (hopefully next weekend), those that will be planted outside early (also possibly next weekend), and those that will be planted outside once the weather is consistently warm in May.

Garden Diary - Mar 16

First sighting of crocuses today! The yellow ones in the front are blooming, although they're practically buried under the masses of dead mint. Hopefully it won't rain this upcoming weekend, so that I can spend some time cleaning up in the garden.

And I've found another source for sorrel seeds, since Botanical Interests doesn't ship to Canada. From West Coast Seeds http://www.westcoastseeds.com/ I've ordered:

- Rainbow tuscan kale: A cheerful cross of beloved Lacinato with the super cold hardy Redbor produces these CERTIFIED ORGANIC, multicoloured plants with mostly the strap-like leaves of the Lacinato and the colouring of the Redbor. It is slower to bolt and more productive than Lacinato. Gathered in bunches, you will get some with blue green leaves, some purple leaves, some curly edges, some with red veins - enjoy cooking this colourful bouquet all winter long.
Matures in 65 days.

- Touchstone gold beets: The beautiful bright colours of Touchstone gold are a table delight! This new variety replaces the Burpee's Golden with a more vibrant yellow interior and red skin. The strong tops are green with green stems and pale golden petioles, while roots are a vibrant orange, uniformly globe-shaped, and very smooth; making a stunning display on the market table.
Matures in 53 days.

- White dutch clover: Trifolium repens. This low-growing perennial clover is for paths and will also add diversity to lawns. Flowers attract and nourish beneficial insects.

- Adagio: This new variety of Arugula has all the same flavour and nutrients, but is slow to bolt in summer heat. Ideal for market gardeners because of its extended harvest potential! Matures in 30-40 days.

- Large leaf sorrel: This vigorous perennial plant provides huge pickings of delicious, lemony, dark-green leaves from March to November. Sow May to June 1cm (1/2") deep in rows 45cm (18") apart. Grow plants 30cm (12") apart. Use in salads or soup. Cut off seed stalks. Matures in 60 days.

- Wild arugula: Diplotaxis tenufolia. Imagine - an argula that does not bolt all summer long, whose leaves are held up off the ground and are easy to pick for salads and sandwiches. This open, lacy-leaved plant has a bit more of the well-loved arugula "bite" and is great for snacking. Gather leaves all summer, watch for self-sown plants around the big one, and gather those leaves in winter. Slow germination rates and very tiny seeds mean that it is best started in the house or greenhouse for transplanting to the garden when it is big enough to handle. Set them where they are to grow as they have deep roots. Matures in 30-40 days.

- Gladiator parsnips: We like Gladiator for its quick germination and early growth; it is bigger and more vigorous right from the beginning. Gladiator is wide at the top with a short body. It is tender and delicious even to the largest sizes, with no core. Canker resistant. Matures in 110 days.

- Little fingers carrots: The ultimate in baby carrots, this HEIRLOOM is a fast-maturing Nantes type with smooth, golden orange skins, crisp texture, and a tender core. Short at 10cm (3 1/2"), Little Fingers is well suited to container growing and may succeed in heavier soils. For best results, plant these gourmet carrots in well-cultivated soil from March to July for continuous harvests right into early winter. The sweet flavoured, uniform roots are perfect for pickling, or eating fresh out of the garden. Matures in 60 days.

More seeds?

I've discovered a new seed company, www.botanicalinterests.com, and have yet more seeds I'd like to buy. However, their website says that they currently accept US orders only, so maybe this list is just for daydreaming:

- sorrel (a perennial green, which I've had little luck finding as seedlings in stores - I only have one plant currently)
- watercress (which I've harvested wild, but have never seen this for sale before; it says I can grow it indoors in water!)
- amaranth edible red leaf seed (which I think will be similar to the aztec spinach we grew this past year)
- wild arugula (who knew there was a wild variety?!)
- yard-long bean pole asparagus (apparently not a true bean, but grows like one, and the unique flavor reminds some people of asparagus)
- bean pole trionfo violetto (a purple pole bean with a more sweet and nutty flavour than other purple beans)
- beet gourmet blend (a variety of types: bull's blood, chioggia, golden)
- carrot tonda di parigi (cute round carrots)
- strawberry popcorn (red kernels, but pop white!)
- edamame soybean (an earlier ripening variety)
- red winter kale (more tender and sweet than red russian kale)
- mustard ruby streaks (a mustard green, looks kind of like mizuna with narrow leaves)
- onion red amposta (why haven't I grown onions yet? this one is sweet and stores well)
- parsnip all American (because I've finally fallen in love with parsnips)

Garden Plan

Here's the garden plan for 2010! I've broken down the new raised bed into a 10 x 10 foot grid, leaving room for two pathways into the center, and planning for trellises to add more room for climbing plants up along the fence and the shed. The house and fence cast some shade, so the plants that need the most sun are grouped in the front corner. Some of the newer plants are a bit of an experiment, so they're getting less ideal places along the shady edges.

And this isn't all of it - there will still be lots of plants going into the pots out front along the porch and driveway.

Still to figure out: spacing of seeds (I'll be looking up square-foot gardening info) and succession planning (some of these squares will be able to grow more than one plant over the season).

Only a month until I can start germinating the earliest of the seeds...