As much as I love warmer weather, I was in no rush for winter to be over. As long as it was too cold to grow anything outside I didn’t have to feel guilty staying in the house working on art stuff. Now as late May approaches there is an overwhelming sense to work outside getting those early vegetable seeds in the ground.
So far we’ve had a very wet and cool spring in west-central Wisconsin, which has kept me from getting into the garden as much as I would like. There were a few warm days in a row during which I barely managed to plant several rows of beets, carrots, and peas. I rushed to finish seeding a row of parsnips as the dark clouds and rain started to roll in over the hill. (Being down in a valley I don’t get much of a warning when a storm is coming). This was over a week ago now and I haven’t been able to get back in the garden since then due to the constant rainfall. I have 100 strawberry plants that have been waiting for a month now to get planted! The field is tilled and ready to go, except that it’s now mud.
The New Garden Shed
This year I have a new potting shed/garden storage/greenhouse to work in. It’s only 8‘x10’ but it holds basically all of my garden related stuff. Sage built it mostly from wood he milled himself. There are lots of shelves, large salvaged windows, and a work bench with a counter top section we found at the Habitat Restore. I have lots of seeds started in there but with the cool weather they’re not growing too fast.
Things in my outdoor cold frame stay a bit warmer than in the shed. The angle of the window on top is better at catching the sun (when it shines occasionally).
Weed Control
I am determined to stay ahead of the weeds this year. I just spent way too many precious hours last summer hoeing and pulling weeds over and over again, especially under the electric fence. To alleviate that problem I sliced off everything under it with a shovel and then laid down cardboard which I then topped with wood chips. I really hope this works. It looks good, and so far has withstood the torrential rains.
For weed control in the garden the plan is to lay down a thick layer of old hay over the entire planting area as soon as the ground is tilled, and then push it aside just enough to get my seeds and plants in the ground. I’m thinking this will be faster and easier than mulching around small plants. Last year the weeds had plenty of time to grow between tilling, planting, and mulching. They won’t have that chance this time around!
Now if the sun would just come out to dry and warm things up I could get busy…..Until then I guess I will be doing more indoor work…..hopefully some painting.