Potatoes

Today I planted a bed of Yukon Gold potatoes.  I amended the bed with 1 1/2 c. of bone meal and 1/2 c. of ground eggshells.  I dug a trench, then used the bulb planter.

I got the seed potatoes from Territorial, 2 lbs. for $15.95.  Earlier this week, when I was at the hardware store in Mt. Angel, I noticed I could have gotten them (not organic) for $.89 per lb.

I also started more pepper plants.  None of the seeds from the first planting germinated.  I think they may have been too wet. 

Cold Frame

The aubergines and onions are up, so I figured it was time to put up the cold frame.  It went together nicely.  I think we've finally made enough alterations to make it useable.

I also started the tomatoes.  I have Debarao, Cherokee Purple, Aunt Ruby's German Green, Stupice, and Sungold.

First Asparagus!

Tonight we ate our first asparagus.  The stalks were huge but very tasty.

Veggie Starts

Today I started the onions, peppers, and aubergines, all in six packs, except for the onions.  They are planted very close together in a 4-inch pot.  All are cozily resting on a heating pad. 

Yesterday I bought some natives at the Deepwood plant sale.  I got more dodecatheons, several more erythroniums, including some hybrids, three trilliums, and three aquilegias. 

Off and Running

Yesterday and today were sunny and warm, so I got lots done in the vegetable garden.

I sowed peas, carrots, kale, chard, lettuce, and beets.  I also started some parsley in a six pack.

I did some weeding as well, although things don't look bad. 

I decided to try a new way of growing the raspberries.  I split each plant into two sets of canes and tied half on each side of the wire.  My hope is that this will make them easier to pick.

I learned an expensive lesson about seed storage.  When I dug the gloriosa and sweet potato tubers last fall, I thought they were dry after a short time and put them in paper bags in the bucket with all my seeds.  Today I opened the bucket and found that not only had the tubers molded ( I think I can save the gloriosas) but all my new seeds, in just their paper packets instead of in ziploc bags, were also moldy.  So I had to reorder nine or ten new seed packets.  Fortunately, nothing needs to be planted right away, so I have time to wait for the replacements to come.  Rats!!

Back from Tucson

After being away for two and a half weeks, things have changed.  We've had some record temperatures.

The red-flowering currant is blooming.  The blueberries are in full bloom.

So are the pear, nectarine and apples.

I pruned the new peach hard.  I should have done it for the nectarine as well, so I may have to do some remedial pruning.

 I've spotted a few early flowers on the strawberries and the asparagus has started to come up.

The fawn lily is blooming.

So are the pulmonarias and brunneras.

Feels Like Spring

Even though it's only the middle of February, it feels very much like spring.  Yesterday it was 66.  Out in the garden things are starting to wake up.

The blueberries have fat buds.

The nectarine blossoms are showing pink.

And the rhubarb is just poking up.