The Thaw Begins
The experiment to plant early and extend the season outside through covers has had mixed results. I have run out of room for anymore plants indoors, and the cold frame outside is packed. I have been too busy with work to closely monitor the temperatures under the cloches for the frisee, cabbage, kale, parsley and broccoli. I baked them one unseasonably hot day, and then planted them in the garden without covers and they froze solid overnight. These set backs always leave me feeling disillusioned, but I know this presents an opportunity to learn, and adapt my gardening to my actual schedule. The temperatures in this zone can vary wildly over the course of a single day, and I often do not have time to check on the plants in advance of them being damaged.
March 12th
I potted up all of the tomatoes, kale, parsley, endive and broccoli.
I separated and potted up 12 Aster.
The weather is in the 60s. I placed netting around all of the seedlings to attempt to keep the cats off.
March 13th
With my back aching from repotting the seedlings, I completed an initial sweep of the front year, cutting dead foliage back and trimming dead canes off the roses. There is still a lot to do out there.
March 14th
I seeded 4 each of the following:
- Celosia – Chinese Wool Flower
- Celosia – Flamingo
- Celosia – Chief Red Flame
- Forget-Me-Not – Victoria Pink
- Linaria – Fairy Bouquet
- Scabiosa – Starflower
March 20th
Today I plant, undercover, the onions, leeks, cilantro, chives, beets, chard and carrots. One of the Napa cabbages overwintered and is coming up again.
I also cleaned the side yard.
The Hellebores single bulb (will there ever be more than one) continues its vertical trajectory. No sign of any crocus, but a Snowdrop is visible.
I potted up the Indian Blanket (so many seedlings to separate!) and the Coreopsis.
I started soaking the three different colors of Morning Glory for panting. I am running out of room.