Dandesparabarb

A Good Spring Day

I like manual labour. I like to see immediate results of my efforts.

Weeding dandelions is a perfect example. I’ve been pulling them almost daily. It’s very satisfying work. I already have a fridge full of leaves, so today’s harvest went straight to the compost pile.

My first planting of beets did not germinate. Have to replant.

Asparagus has arrived full force. Last night, we had asparagus pizza, with red pepper, chives and goat cheese. Three nights ago, roasted asparagus. Tomorrow, asparagus quiche. On Mother’s Day, probably steamed. Beyond that, soup. Lots and lots of soup.

Help me. I’m supposed to stop cooking.

Odd jobs the last few days:

Planted marigolds at the four corners of most beds.
Prepped and applied compost to a few beds.
Bought two kinds of pole beans – Blue Lake and Rattlesnake (not in the original plan, but plans change).
Potted up tomato seedlings into larger cans.
Started hardening off all plants (last week).

I generally transplant the tomatoes into the garden during the second or third week of May. That’s about two weeks earlier than recommended for my zone, but I like to get the longest season possible. It’s easier to cover small transplants at the start of the season, if needed, than to try to cover an entire trellis of large plants at the end of the season. I usually use row covers and hot caps. There is still time to build cold frames, and that’s always been the plan, but I doubt it will happen this year.

The next sunny day we get, regardless of temperature, I’m transplanting the parsley to the garden. They are desperate to get out of their pots.

Oh, and the rhubarb is rising.