The Backyard

The Backyard

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Thanks Spammers

I'm limiting my posts to this blog from now on due to SPAM comments.  After several years, there's plenty of information to review from season to season if you use the search feature.  You can type in the month and get the latest info on what's happening right now.  Best Wishes.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Getty Antsy to Plant

The warm days and ready-earth is testing my patience.  A fistful of dirt passed the planting test and I nearly started planting some kale and spinach seeds this weekend.  I learned the hard way a couple years ago to always, always check the long-range forecast to see the two-week prediction.  And seeing a drop in the teens on Monday made my decision easy.  The planting will begin with daylight savings time - March 11.  That entire week will be mid-40's to mid-60's and sunny - perfect planting weather.  And what's going in?  Shell peas, snap peas, sugar peas, kale, spinach, beets, radishes, parsley, lettuces and Swiss chard.  Possibly some dandelion and Asian greens also.  The rule of thumb for Central PA is planting on St. Patrick's day but with our warm winter, I'm sure planting a week early will be just fine.  The broccoli sprouts are growing up beautifully and my flat of 72 has grown to over 100.  The frugal side of me can't kill the second sprout in a cell, so I've been replanting them.  We're going to have a LOT of broccoli and brussel sprouts this year... but we're ok with that!  Broccoli itself doesn't freeze or store long-term very well, but we discovered cooked into broccoli soup freezes beautifully.  Busy, busy days and summer ahead.