Onions

We were out in the garden this evening prepping some of the beds and planting onions.  It was a lovely evening, without the wind this time (something different).  Slow progress is being made.

And a view from the other end of the gardens (taken on Monday afternoon):

More planting coming soon...

After the deluge...

Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration.  We have had a full week of intermittent rain, but hardly a deluge.  But the rain did kind of put a crimp in our gardening plans.  We were hoping to get to planting this weekend, and it didn't rain constantly, but after 8 days of measurable rain - totaling over 3 1/2 inches, the ground in the garden is quite muddy and definitely not suitable for working and planting.

So today we went over in the evening and did our garden task: Perimeter Staking to mark the paths and borders in the garden.  We also trained the next Perimeter Staker as we will be passing the job on next year.  The sun had come out by the time we headed over to do the work and the wind had picked up.  We often get strong winds blowing from the northwest after a front passes through, which means the winds blow at us straight across the open meadow with no obstructions.  It can be chilly and it was this evening.  It really felt like an autumn day today.  There were plenty of lenticular clouds and the light was beautiful after all the clouds and rain.

 

 The task went quickly, and the wind and sun were invigorating.  Tomorrow I will be doing some planting - got to get the onions and carrots in soon.  We have ordered more fencing and will be adding chicken wire to the outside of the fence to help prevent holes being cut into the plastic fencing.  Hopefully next weekend that job will be done and we can concentrate on the rest of the planting.

Updating the fencing

We spent a few hours this afternoon in the garden.
 

Replaced fence stakes all around, but found we need twice as much fencing for the back plot than we have, so now we needed to go shopping.

  Stopped at Home Depot and Lowes on the way home and had no luck.

M also worked on removing the ornamental grass that we foolishly planted in our perennial corner.  It had begun to spread in all directions.  The roots were deep and very extensive, so it required much digging and pulling.  We probably didn't get all of it, but hopefully it won't continue to spread.  Time will tell.

It was a cool cloudy afternoon with a strong sea breeze making it feel even cooler.  Rain was a possibility according to the forecast, but none materialized.  I did see the Osprey again (have seen at least one every time we've been in the garden this year so far - there is a nesting platform across the meadow and we know there are nesting pairs in numerous locations in the area).

Next weekend will be planting time with new fencing and great hopes for a good season and a good harvest.

Opening Day 2013

Though we have been out to visit the garden several times this spring to harvest a bit of rhubarb and to pull out some old fencing (our big project this year was to install all new fencing - we've scaled that back a big), yesterday was our first really intensive gardening day of the season.  We spent a couple of hours last weekend cutting the grass around our plots and doing some weeding, but yesterday we finished the weeding.  We also bought our onions and sun gold tomato plant at the Farmer's Market.  It just felt like opening day.  Here is a bit of an update on "Spring Training":

 Mid-Winter

 Early Spring - Rhubarb just starting.  We dug some out and passed it on to friends.

Garlic coming up.  We always plant too much, but it's worth it for the garlicscapes!

 Last weekend before cutting the grass in the paths and doing a bit of weeding.  Note the Osprey.

Last weekend, after...

Yesterday, Saturday, before...

...and after.

Our new Poppies...and blueberry bush blossoming.