The idea of renting a 4' x 8' plot at a local community garden seemed like a good idea...in February. Touring the gardens in preparation for choosing a plot was interesting as it looked not so much like a garden, but a cemetary in New Orleans.
A water source for the gardens was to be installed in April, hopefully near one of my plots. I carried in bags of cotton compost to amend the dense, sandy soil while pondering how much food could I actually get from a 4' x 8' plot? Quite a lot!
First come radishes and lettuce, then the first planting of beets. The cilantro I didn't use as leaves is now a delicate rangy plant loaded with green coriander seeds. Haricot vert need to be picked every other day or two. A few tomatoes and several seedlings of the Spanish Tapas pepper 'Padron' fit very nicely.
People stop by to chat and ask advice. There is even a comunity garden potluck at 6:00 p.m. Fridays. Though, unfortunately, I haven't made it to one of those yet. It's an interesting place to stroll and unwind after a day at work and, yes, a nice place for community. |
We all realize that this is a busy time of year for most everyone, but if you haven't watered in the past four weeks you really need to! We have just ended one of the driest autumn on record and our landscapes are looking parched and dusty.
Pay special attention to newly installed perennials, shrubs and the bulbs planted this past fall. Vigilent watering now will help insure a beautiful, blooming Spring.
Remember, a good rule of thumb for winter watering is at LEAST once a month, any day above 50 degrees for 15-20 min in each location. Set your sprinkler on a low sprinkle so you don't lose to much water to the wind and it willl give the frozen ground more time to absorb the water.
From all the staff at Good Earth, we hope you have a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season! |
As I hurry up my own front walk, I'm disappointed. Brown Yarrow, weedy grass, spent flowerheads, clearly not enough time in my garden. I've been tending the gardens of others, and consequently mine needs attention!
There is no time or place for complacency in the garden, there is still plenty of season remaining.
Maintenence is a must, deadheading should happen weekly for maximum re-blooming. Perennials that have passed their bloom time should be tidied up.
Lettuce and Arugula seeds were sown last week in the newly cleaned vegetable bed, I hope to see them by Friday.
Weeding, of course, the never ending duty! All of this takes place during the lovely , somewhat cooler evenings. Even 1/2 hour an evening can make a great difference. I have several perennials to plant, so I'll need some compost, the same rules apply now as in the Spring.
It's also time to scout out places for some bulbs, as we have several new varieties that I would like to try this year...
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The days are slightly longer now, it's actually light out at 5p.m. This week would be a good time to take my pruners and loppers for the first sharpening of the year. The few seeds I can't find locally will be ordered, I hope everything is available...
Though May is a fair amount of time away, I'm giving some thought to my self-composed hanging baskets. I'll probably add one more to the southern exposure on our back patio. For me these baskets must multi-task. (Yes, I'm a big fan of Alton Brown) They must be attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, and should be fragrant. The winning combination of Heliotrope (a heavenly vanilla, almond-cherry scent) and lantana (grapefruit scented) works great, you only need to add something to trail, I'm thinking lotus vine.
The hanging baskets on the N.E. corner had gone from being strictly ornamental (violas, fushia, and creeping jenny) to a melange of herbs, parsley, marjoram, chervil, and when it's warm enough, basil. And a few violas (still edible by the way). It's attractive, but oh so functional! Only about 8 feet from our kitchen door, also very handy.
At any rate, January is a good time for planning, list making, and just a little fantasy. Gardeners are patient. |
Since June 21st our days have been getting shorter, but in a few days they will begin, again, to lengthen. I always enjoy these shortest days as a time to reflect and ponder the coming gardening season. I also enjoy the extra festivities associated with this time of year, and a chance to re-connect with people I don't see often.
Gift giving has been made much easier for me this year, with the addition of a gourmet food selection here at Good Earth. Much of my gift list is composed of difficult-to-buy-for people, and this works out quite nicely. After all, everyone eats. Need a quick hostess gift under $10.00--we have that! The products are Colorado made, not available just everywhere, and ... delicious!
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Beware the Ides of March! A timely warning for Colorado gardeners; if ever there was one. March is indeed the month of seduction, but care must be taken not to get ahead of yourself. Soil may be amended now, soil tests taken, and seeds for long-season warm crops started indoors. The few sparse snows have not provided adequate moisture, so supplemental watering should continue. Watering now will ensure that not only will your perennials and shrubs remain in good shape, but your spring bulbs will bloom longer and remain strong. |
I attended the PPUG (Pikes Peak Urban Garden) fall vegetable gardening 'Year in Review' class. As usual the class was informative and timely.
I am making notes for next year while the 2010 gardening season is still fresh in my mind, possibly a good idea for many of my fellow gardeners.
I did have the best tomato year ever. Several improvments were made in the way I normally garden.
The first improvment was not skimping on soil amendments. I used the Happy Frog Soil Conditioner for all my food crops. Tomatoes in pots also recieved a little Happy Frog in addition to the Fertilome Potting Soil I would regularly use.
Fertilizing and watering done on a timely basis workded wonders to provide tomatoes earlier than usual, even with our much cooler Spring weather.
NO CROWDING! I planted fewer tomatoes than ever before, but gave them adequate room. No dieases, good air circulation, and no delay in ripening where my rewards.
I planted a few determinate varieties on pots, Earli Annie, Lime Green Salad and Prange Paruche preformed exceptionally well. Mr. Stripey was also planted in a pot. A mistake I will not make next year as the large, robust, indeterminate threated to take over our BBQ grill. Belii Naliv was a very welcome new addition to my tomato garden, one that I will repeat next year.
Thank you to Larry Stebbins for recommending Big Beef, absolutly fabulous for two years now! |
More people are interested in backyard vegetable gardening than ever before. The most economical way to get a vegetable garden started is with seed, the old-fashioned way. For the proce of 4-6 plants, a whole packet of the vegetable-of-choice can be purchased. It's not too early to consult last year's notes (you did make notes, didn't you?) or compile a list for this year. Are your seed starting supplies in order?--clean, serviceable flats and pots, seed starting mix, domes for germination, and most importantly seed. It's certainly not too early to shop for those desirable varieties for both vegetables and flowers. I placed an order for the few things I was not able to find locally last week. I have already heard that there may be limited quantities of certain seeds, and that people who wait to shop at the last minute may have to substitute a lesser known variety for their first choice. (On the bright side, this can also introduce you to your new favorite!)
So start shopping early, and make sure you get your favorites! |
Hi folks!
Amanda K and Amanda V. say hello and would like to invite you on behalf of Good Earth to our blog. In this space we willl be offering comments, observations and suggestions. Please feel free to respond to us at your leisure. |
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