helwen

Between one thing and another, I'm behind on planting. Actually, there always seems to be something that goes in late, all that changes is what! This year it's carrots, parsnips, and some other root stuff. And ginger.

Helped with hay again this morning. 200 bales needed to be loaded for delivery. L and W started then I joined in down below, then I got sent up because of all the dust. Mary showed up and helped W down in the mow (a young lady who lives down the road and is learning about farming). Between us four it got done pretty quickly, all things considered. Was too tired to garden right away so I came back in and had lunch.

Then, I transplanted a second pot of ginger and cleared some more space for the two smaller pots. Started work on a row of parsnips and it started to sprinkle lightly (had been sunny). Well, soil being rained on isn't good to work in, either for the gardener or the soil, but I was behind so.... I planted 1-1/2 rows. By the time I'd finished covering them I was half-soaked -- back half of course. Got myself into the house, changed clothes, sat down to take a break -- sunshine. Argh.

L was kind enough to come out and help me sort some things out with the part of the garden I'm working in, rather than continue with the oats. Leveled and cleaned things up a bit, helped set a couple of hops stakes, etc. I got more carrots and parsnips before it looked threatening again. Hasn't rained again of course :P So I went out and put in my loofah seeds, which aren't really late as I had to wait on the cold weather we had just last week.

So, still need to put in one more type of parsnip, sugar beets, and rutabaga. I like to try a variety of carrots and parsnips because you never know what will do well, especially in a newish garden. The rutas I kind of forgot about last year and so I got one giant one -- this year I'll try to pay more attention.

The hops I transplanted are mostly looking pretty sad but are still alive, and some are even putting out new growth, so I need a few more stakes and then they should be set for the summer. All the already planted squash and pumpkin mounds have at least one plant that's come up. We do have a volunteer from last year in the old area, and I'm inclined to leave it up there in case there are eggs or something in the soil up there that might contaminate the west garden.

Strawberries are starting to ripen and boy are they better than anything from the store! Intense, concentrated flavor, like a little bit of sunshine in your mouth. L picked out a nice one for Marian and that was a nice bit of entertainment -- I don't think I've ever seen anyone enjoy a strawberry so much! We have a few up here that will likely go on some yogurt for a treat, and I think there might be some more ready tomorrow, in which case I can leave a small bowl of them downstairs :)

Peas are flourishing and yesterday we put up a fence for them. Wax beans -- those that didn't get eaten -- are growing, and the soldier beans are coming along too. Hm, one of next week's projects should probably be to start building the teepees for the Roma tomatoes...

The big Golden Nugget hops vine is doing splendidly and is already halfway up the teepee trellis L built for it.

The sun's out again.... sigh. I'm tired.