Last week was a mad rush to finish planting up all the vegetable gardens. Both seeds and transplants from the greenhouse finally went into the soil.
I have discovered that little is gained by planting early and much can be lost in stunted or killed plants effected by a late early-morning cold snap. In fact, we have just turned off the heat in the house as mornings in the 40s F have only just left us.
One of our lower beds in the upper vegetable garden is in transition as we finish consuming the miner’s lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata) that we planted in the Fall. Next to it are ready to harvest radishes (Raphanus sativus) we planted last month; the carrots (Daucus carota ssp sativus) have just been thinned. A second set of radishes has been placed next to them as well as a few dozen bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris).
Next to these plants come some warm weather favorites: Peppers (Capsicum annuum), eggplant (Solanum melongena), and cutting celery (Apium graveolens). Last year’s garlic (Allium sativum) plantings and the perennial sorrel (Rumex acetosa) flank the sides.
Across is is our herb garden with a combination of annuals and perennials, though this year all needed to be replaced except the chives (Allium schoenoprasum).
Finally, the other spaces in this garden are filled with four different variety of tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) and greens. The greens are second and third plantings for the season, with the third being placed below the tomatoes to partially shade them and slow bolting once the hot weather begins to hit. Marigolds (Tagetes erects) surround the tomatoes in an attempt to attract some of the less friendly insects.
And tomorrow to the lower vegetable garden.
