Harvest Monday 04/23/12

Boy have I been MIA.  Just seems to be no time to get here anymore as gardening season approaches the North Country.  However will warmer weather the ground finally thawed and what did appear but horseradish. So I have had one harvest for the season.

2 1/4 pounds.

The seedlings are doing quite well this year.  After years of growing I learned something new this year.  I have never used a shade cloth on my greenhouses even when in business as our spring sun isn't that intense.  However when I was ready to move them from the lights inside to the greenhouse I didn't have any overcast days to do it so put the shade cloth on one greenhouse.  I can't believe the difference in the strength and quality of the plants this year.

I still have another 6 weeks before anything will go in the ground except maybe the brassica.  The brassica are a bit small but I am sure will be ready.  They were just transplanted.

Our weather here is still very spring like without many warm days and night are still around or below freezing many nights.

Be sure to visit our host, Daphne's Dandelions, to see what others are growing and harvesting.

Harvest Monday 03/26/12

I guess I have MIA for couple of weeks blogging.  It just seems this time of year is so busy and the weather has been so great there hasn't been a lot of time for the computer.

I did get 2 greenhouse up a week ago and everything moved in including the heaters.  So much for nice weather.  We are to be down in the teens this coming week and very little sun for 10 days.  I started the last of my seed this week all of  the brassica.  Everything else will be direct planted.

I bought some onion sets since I am not real happy with my onion plants so far and was able to get them planted in the plot at the Community Garden.

Have all the lumber to build a 4x12 raised asparagus bed and 50 roots are on order.  Also lumber to build another 4x8 raised bed.  Now to figure how the top soil for these beds is going to fit into the gardening budget.

I do have my first harvest of 2012 however.  I was out working what was my potato box last year getting it ready for the 40 strawberry plants that are sitting in the shop waiting to be planted. (bought a little premature but the late spring weather we had made me do it) and what did I discover but this.  Maybe the best potato that came out of that box.

Don't forget to visit our host, Daphne's Dandelions , and see what others have harvested this week.

Harvest Monday 03/12/12

Not much happening here.  Gardens are still all buried under snow.  Still working on the layout of the big garden.  That may take until the time I start planting.  Weather is suppose to be great all week with way above normal temperatures.  Would love to get a greenhouse up but I just know there will be another cold snap and heavy wet snow storm.

Did get some transplanting done however.  Same plants I showed last week but in their new homes.

I have updated my garden profit and loss sheet and looks like I should make out real good by fall.  I do hope to buy a load of topsoil for the new raised beds I am building and need to buy manure yet so that will I am sure increase the expense quite a bit.

Don't forget to visit Daphne at,Daphne's Dandelions , and see what others are harvesting and planning for their spring planting.

Harvest Monday 02/05/12

Certainly didn't harvest anything this week but did get more snow.  Another set back to Spring.  Thought I would share what seedlings I have going at this time.

Buds on the tomato.  Sure hope they are going their thing in there are are getting pollinated.  Have been giving them a good shake every day.  It seems like for ever and they should be opening but it has only been a week.  No sign of anymore buds however.

King of the North green peppers on the left and Paprika peppers on the right.  Hoping for more germination on the KON.

Bush beefsteak tomatoes and one King of the North Pepper.

I help do the Garden for our Local ARC every year so grow their plants for them.  The residents help to plant the seed.  I think they have a magic touch as they get much better germination than I do with the same seed.  They have 3 flats like this.  Next week we will be doing their tomatoes.

OK, I have never done celery before so planted in cell packs rather than an open flat.  Didn't know if they can be transplanted before they go in the garden.  Put 3 seeds in each cell and I think almost all germinated and I have 6 of these 6 packs.  Think I will have enough celery?

And last Asile Onions.  This is the second attempt.  Still not good germination.  Most of the first planting didn't make it.  May still start a few more.  Also restarted the Stuttgarter.  May end up buying sets but am determined to make these things grow.

Please visit our host at,Daphne's Dandelions, and see what other vegetable gardeners are planting in anticipation of Spring and what some are harvesting now.

Harvest Monday 02/20/12

Sure isn't anything to harvest here this week but lots growing and many seed being planted.  Went to ARC Day Hab this past week so they could get their pepper seeds going.  We did 2 dozen each of Revolution, Ace and Colossal green bell peppers.

Also did my own peppers in the aero garden.  3 dozen King of the North and 1 dozen Paprika (thanks Robin).  Have 18 each of Crisptender  and Ventura Celery in cell packs.  This is a first so have my fingers crossed.

I am very disappointed with the germination and behavior of the Alisa Onions.  They aren't doing anything.  I have replanted about 25 as a second try.  The Stuttgarter are doing OK.  As thinking of giving them a shot of high nitrogen fertilizer to see it it helps as all.

The Bush Beeftsteak tomatoes were transplanted from the Aero Garden to pots and have outgrown their lights already.  Have to adjust that situation today.  These were planted January 28th.

 The tomato that is living in the Aero Garden was planted on January 19th.  If you look closely there is a 12" ruler propped up against the light.  No blossoms yet but just increased the length of time it will get light today so hoping for blossoms soon.

That's all folks from the frozen North for today.

Don't forget to stop by our host of Harvest Monday Daphne's Dandelions  and see what others are harvesting or preparing for their spring garden.

Harvest Monday 02/13/12

This the season to start thinking about planting my vegetable garden.  Yesterday I finally got my 5 raised beds plotted out.

These are the 2 boxes that I at the community garden.  I should be able to plant them a couple of weeks earlier than my boxes and gardens at home.

Planting Map & Guide for Box 5

king of north  (2) king of north,(2) king of north,(2) king of north,(2) Detroit beets, (9) Detroit beets, (9) Detroit beets, (9) Paprika Pepper, (2) king of north,(2) king of north,(2) king of north,(2) king of north,(2) Detroit beets, (9) Detroit beets, (9) Detroit beets, (9) Paprika Pepper, (2) king of north,(2) king of north,(2) king of north,(2) king of north,(2) Detroit beets, (9) Detroit beets, (9) Detroit beets, (9) Paprika Pepper, (2) king of north,(2) king of north,(2) king of north,(2) king of north,(2) Detroit beets, (9) Detroit beets, (9) Detroit beets, (9) Paprika Pepper, (2)

Planting Map & Guide for Box 4

Stuttgarter onions, (9) Stuttgarter onions, (9) Stuttgarter onions, (9) Stuttgarter onions, (9) Stuttgarter onions, (9) Mung beans, (4) Mung beans, (4) Mung beans, (4) Aisle onions, (9) Aisle onions, (9) Aisle onions, (9) Aisle onions, (9) Aisle onions, (9) Mung beans, (4) Mung beans, (4) Mung beans, (4) Muscade carrot, (16) Muscade carrot, (16) Muscade carrot, (16) Muscade carrot, (16) Muscade carrot, (16) Mung beans, (4) Mung beans, (4) Mung beans, (4) Muscade carrot, (16) Muscade carrot, (16) Muscade carrot, (16) Muscade carrot, (16) Muscade carrot, (16) Mung beans, (4) Mung beans, (4) Mung beans, (4)

This is the new box I will be building in the spring.
       Box 3

Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)
Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)
Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)
Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)	Cannellini beans, (4)

This was my potato box last year where I planted potatoes in hay as an experiment.  Have since added compost to it and will now be a permanent strawberry bed.

Planting Map & Guide for Box 2

strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1) Not Planted Not Planted Not Planted Not Planted Not Planted Not Planted Not Planted Not Planted Not Planted strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1) Not Planted Not Planted Not Planted Not Planted Not Planted Not Planted Not Planted Not Planted Not Planted strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1) strawberries, (1)

This is the first box I built and it has been used for a number of things but is now the home of my perennial onions and garlic.  Will put a little celery in there to see what it will do.

Planting Map & Guide for Box 2

Egyptian Walking Onions, (9) Egyptian Walking Onions, (9) Egyptian Walking Onions, (9) Egyptian Walking Onions, (9) Egyptian Walking Onions, (9) Egyptian Walking Onions, (9) Egyptian Walking Onions, (9) Egyptian Walking Onions, (9) garlic, (4) garlic, (4) garlic, (4) garlic, (4) garlic, (4) garlic, (4) garlic, (4) garlic, (4) Venture celery, (2) Venture celery, (2) Venture celery, (2) Crispy Tender celery, (2) Venture celery, (2) Venture celery, (2) garlic, (4) garlic, (4) Venture celery, (2) Venture celery, (2) Venture celery, (2) Venture celery, (2) Venture celery, (2) Venture celery, (2) garlic, (4) garlic, (4)

I am growing celery for the first time this year and would appreciate any advice I could get.  Especially when to start in inside.  How cold hardy is it?  I can cover it if need be with a framing with plastic.

I did have a small harvest this week of 13 3/8 oz. of bean sprouts.  More about these on Thursday.

I am extremely glad that this post is done.  Sometimes this blogging just doesn't work the way you expect it to.  I think I could write it easier as an HTML.

Don't forget to stop by our host of Harvest Monday at Daphne's Dandelions  and see what others are harvesting or what they are preparing for their up coming gardens.