Another garden update

I haven't posted about the garden lately—not because I haven't been doing anything with it!

About 3 weeks ago, I borrowed a pick-up truck (thanks Jim!) and got four loads of wood chips. That's a lot of wood chips! A little over two loads worth went on the walkways of the garden. Last fall I had expanded the fenced-in section to include the raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and asparagus. It almost doubled the size of the garden. It also required significant amounts of wood chips for the paths—hence the 2 plus loads. The rest went around the house, replenishing the ones already there, and on a path that we have in the woods going to the creek. Right now the creek is over its banks and part of the path is flooded, but the rest got a fresh load of wood chips.

I have also been busy planting and transplanting stuff. I transplanted 15 San Marzano paste tomato plants in the hoop house about 2 weeks ago. They are doing marvelously. About the same time, I planted some turnips and kohlrabi in a cold frame; the first planting (mid-March) of kohlrabi didn't make it, although the rutabaga did. In the hoop house, I planted some filet green beans for fresh eating—they don't freeze well—and some carrots. Outside, in the garden itself, I planted about 5 pounds of onion sets and put row cover over them—did I mention that we like onions?

Meanwhile, in the hoop house, the stuff that overwintered has been doing great. I'm giving away spinach; the overwintered is still producing and the stuff I planted at the end of January is also producing, and some that I planted in November (most of it didn't come up) is also giving me spinach. I didn't plant a lot in each planting, but... Oh, if you are looking for a long-time producing spinach, try "Space;" I planted it last fall and it produced all winter (January and February only once every week or so) and is still producing. I do cut-and-come-again to extend the season, but this is unbelievable. It is starting to get a bit tough, but, still.

We've been eating radishes, carrots, and green onions for a while now, probably 3 or more weeks. I brought some green onions in to share with Michael. They overwintered and are huge. They stuck out of the top of my pack; I'm sure people thought I was a bit strange :) They're about as big as leeks. Take a look:



Here they are lying on the desk: