Notes for June 10, 2010

Last weekend I picked the last of my spinach since it was producing more pollen than leaves (that and I needed the room to prevent shading of other plants).  I also staked all of my tomato and pepper plants.  None are tied yet but at least the stakes are there so I won't damage the roots if I were to put the stakes in later when each plant needs a stake.   Then I started mulching.  I mulched again on Tuesday night since it was pleasant outside and I wouldn't sweat to death.  I got all of the vegetable mulching done that I could.  I have to mulch the rest when the plants are big enough that they won't get buried after mulching.   Yesterday we got some rain and this morning I emptied 0.45" from the rain gauge.

Notes for June 1, 2010

Saturday I finally got out to the garden.  I planted tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers.  I also planted a second planting of beans.  The cucumbers I started from seed and I think I lost only one plant while transplanting the cardboard pots (I heard the stem go snap as I planted it).  I planted about 32 of my own tomato plants and I planted about 24 more of the volunteer plants.  I really had to, the volunteers were about 3x larger than my plants.  I had only one pepper plant germinate so I ordered some online to get the shorter season variety.  I had to do alot of weeding before I could get any planting done.  I ended up working about 4 hours after my body said stop.   I picked some more spinach too.  I finished picking the radishes last week.   Now I have lots of mulching to do.

Notes for May 5, 2010

Yes I know I have been delinquent.  But I have a new hobby and it isn't weather dependent.  I have gotten the genealogy bug and have been researching my family tree.  But I have been doing things outside too.   Last week during the week I did cut the grass (or lower the weeds) after I replaced the lawn mower blade, air filter and the spark plug (my annual maintenance).  On Saturday I did start some additional seeds.  I planted a row of string beans and started the following seeds in peat pots: Sunflower, cucumber, marigolds (three varitities, yellow fo the vegetable garden, small mixed and large mixed for the yard), and zinnias.  The zinnias and marigolds are outside and the cukes and sunflowers are inside.   I forgot to start some purple Morning Glory seeds that some one gave me so I will probably start them this weekend.  On my list for this weekend I will probably also set up my cucumber fences (although I won't be planting for a couple of more weeks, I have the time now).   In bloom right now are the azaleas, rhododendrons and the iris have started.  I even noticed that the two new iris I planted last fall are going to bloom!   The family has adopted another dog and now we have a beagle puppy.  Sunday evening when I went to water the garden, he was helping himself to a drink.  The wife said I definitely have an outside companion.  The golden retriever doesn't like to stay out side too long unless you are just sitting on the porch and he'll sit beside you.

Notes for April 28, 2010

I emptied 1.5" from the rain gauge yesterday.   Last night I did the annual tune up of the lawn mower (if you could call it a tune up).  I changed the blade, the air filter and the spark plug.   Then I thinned the spinach and thinned the radishes a second time.   Then I started digging up the free lancing marigolds and cosmos in my veggie garden for later trans planting.    I plan on cutting the grass tonight.   Satuday I am planning to start some annual seeds, plant a row of beans and start sunflowers and cukes in peat pots.

Notes for April 12, 2010

Friday I emptied 0.5" from the rain gauge.   Saturday morning I made a trip to a local garden center and purchased two small bags of bulb tone and a small bag of holly tone. When I got home, the first thing I did was to pick up the piles of branches that I reaked up earlier this week.  Then I mulched the onions since the stems were on average about 5" long.  Then I planted the Easter tulips and hyacinths and the two azaleas, mixing in the fertilizers and a healthy handful of ground up leaves.  After planting, I actually had to cut the grass in the back yard or as I like to say, I lowered the weeds.   My radishes have germinated nicely and will have to be thinned one night this week.  The spinach has also started to sprout.  Indoors the tomatoes have started to sprout.

Noted for April 8, 2010

Well, on a night that felt more like August than April with the sound of peepers instead of crickets, I raked my back yard last night of the branches/sticks that fell throughout the winter.  Now I have about 15 to 20 little piles of debris all over the yard to pick up the next time I get to the yard (probably Saturday).  I needed to get them raked because my backyard will probably need mowing by Saturday.   The plan on Saturday will be to pick up the piles of debris, and plant the Easter flowers we picked up (tulips and hyacinths) and the two azaleas I bought to decorate the church.  Then depending on the time and how much energy I have left I am thinking of mowing the back yard.  After the yards first mowing I usually change the mower blade and air filter and spark plug to be set for cutting grass for the rest of the summer.  The first mowing always mulches up any debris left in the yard which I think is better with an old blade.

Notes for April 7, 2010

Last night I watered my veggies.  My onions are now 4" to 5" tall and the radishes I planted on Saturday have started to sprout.  Its been warm the last few days and is expected to be in the 80's again today and tomorrow.   After I finished watering I came in the house and started some more seeds on the windowsill (under my grow lights).  Now alongside the tomatoes and peppers are some perennials.  I started Johnny Jump Ups, Yarrow, Painted Daisies, James Kelway daisy and some Butterfly Plants.  They are all in peat pots in aluminum baking trays.  The peppers are also sitting on a heating mat.