With the raised beds still sitting dormant from last year. It's now time again to get them in shape for this coming growing season. First to go, was the remains from last season that made it through the long cold winter. Several hours later and lots of lawn bags filled with old leaves and plants. With lots of root base left in the beds this too would also have to be removed. Easier said then done. I had to head to the local home improvement store and get some new tools for the tasks at hand. I picked up two new tools, one a tiller the other a circular cultivator.
Spending my weekends as of late to remove roots and rocks and grubs from the soil. Adding new healthy soil to the old and working it into the raised beds, as well as all the clean up work was a tough day. But it had to be done.
Tomato plants, pepper plants, potato plants, and cucumbers are all what are in the works for now. With more to come as the weather gets a bit nicer. Some of the plants are now in the ground with some small covers over them to protect them from the cold. I have lost some of the smaller plants. But with the amount of seeds that I started with, the loss should be minimal.
On deck for this season will be storage of the veggies and canning of them as well to preserve them for the winter time. A small garden should produce enough produce to last an entire year if stored properly. So I will be collecting veggies, cooking them, and then freezing them in food saver bags.
The water catch that I installed is working fantastic as well. I filled not only the main 57 gallon bucket. But also with the rain tonight I was able to fill up an additional 20 gallons of storage as well. Which is huge. We haven't been getting all that much rain as of late. So the additional water storage should be fantastic. It will help to cut down on the city water that I have used in the past. As well as cut down on added chemicals in the city water as well as costs of the water to the garden project. Watering has been an added cost to this project every year. So an investment of 100 bucks on the rain catch. I am sure it will make up for it in no time.
In addition to the veggies, I will be growing several variates of flowers both perennials as well as annuals. The perennials will grow back from year to year. Where as the annuals are one year and then done. But my favorite flowers I have to say are Sunflowers. I will again this year have a massive sunflower garden with various sizes. Some as little as just about a foot to some as tall as 12 feet tall if they should indeed grow to full size.
The last but far from least of the growing items. My tree garden. I know have over 50 seedling trees. The long term project that this is turning into, I now am going to need find a home for these trees at sometime. My yard is not that big to have this many trees in it. So in the event that anyone out there is in need of some small trees contact me. I ll be sure to get you one or two. I now have a few different kinds. Cherry, Maple, and Oak. I have a feeling its going to be an interesting growing season. Only time will tell.
Till next time.
Mike
