The Vegetable Garden {what to plant and being realistic}

Does this sound familiar?  Spring rolls around, you get anxious and plant handfuls and handfuls of seedlings, seeds, veggie plants, and then harvest time rolls around and you catch yourself saying "What the H#^^??...What is that? What am I going to use this for? Why did I plant half this stuff!?"  Yup! Guilty as charged.  Over the years I've learned my lesson.  It took me a couple seasons, but it finally sunk in to plant with realistic expectations.  Plant what we're going to use throughout the season.  Here a few questions to ask yourself and tips to keep your spring planting in check.

HOW TO KEEP IT REALISTIC!

1. WHAT KIND OF VEGGIES DO I WANT?

 Think about the types of veggies you really like and start making a list.  We choose our veggies by thinking about those that we would use for cooking or to make a quick meal or two.  I call our veggie garden the 'kitchen garden'.  It contains onions, peppers, celery, tomatoes, basil, dill, beans, peas, potatoes, cucumbers, and other what ever other veggies we try out just for fun.

2.  HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE?
If your like me, my time is limited.  I try to keep things as simple as possible. That translates to don't plant beyond what you can handle!  We have two raised beds and that is perfect for us to manage throughout the season.  We can handle the weeds and keep up with the harvests so as nothing goes to waste.

3.  DO I PLAN ON SAVING ANY OF THE HARVEST FOR LATER?
If you have a desire to extend your fresh veggie intake beyond the harvest period then you can consider planting a few extra rows or plants to utilize in canning or freezing practices.  This will mean more space and more time you dedicate to your garden.

Happy Planning!

Tulips {should I cover them?}

I got the question... "Should I cover my tulips?"  This was a timely question just as the winter snow storm warning was bearing down on us yesterday.  The spring weather has been unpredictable giving us some warm days mixed with spring snowfalls that remind us that mother nature isn't ready to jump into spring just yet.  With the few warm days we have had, it's been just enough to have some tulips pop through the soil.  So...

...the answer is "YES"
Even though tulips are fairly adapted to the cold weather in zone 4, cover the emerged growth before the snow hits to ensure the tender tips don't get damaged.  Covering with a layer of mulch works, or even a turned over bucket can ward off frost damage. 

Seeds {choosing the right ones}

Took advantage of a day off and went seed shopping to cure the spring fever up here in zone 4.  Snow is still covering the ground but we can still prep for planting! This year I bought 'organic' seed packets to alleviate some of the worry about chemical treatments with seeds.  However, buying 'organic' seeds does not guarantee they are non-GMO.  I will be planting some of the flower packets, but might reconsider some of the other veggie packets and search for non-GMO companies to purchase seeds from as I move forward.  The seed packets I have this year will be started outdoors when the last worry of frost has past, May 10 in zone 4.  Any seeds I directly sow outside, I usually aim for the harvest dates on the packets to state approx 50-60 days (i.e. snow peas, beans, carrots...)  Any seeds that state 75+ days or more until harvest, usually have to be started indoors due to our season not being long enough to bear the best harvest (i.e. tomatoes).

While the snow is still on the ground, my homework will be checking into the following sites that have been recommended by gardening colleagues and cross reference sources for non-GMO seed companies and companies that are far removed from the Monsanto connections;

seedsnow.com 

seed savers exchange

Wish me luck!

Add a Splash of Spring {planting amaryllis bulbs}

First full day of spring and we still have a blanket of snow on the awaiting green grasses.  Time to take spring into our own hands before we take a trip to the...well, what ever your crazy side is!  One way to add some spring interest is planting amaryllis bulbs.  Easy, easy, EASY!

Tips for planting your bulb;
1.  CHOOSE YOUR BULB:
Choose a bloom style that resonates with you.  The bulb should be free of decay and firm.  I chose to experiment with the Belladonna Amaryllis. Bulbs are avail now at local nurseries or online sources.

2.  CHOOSE YOUR POT:
A pot with drainage is best and should leave 1" around your bulb to the edge of the pot.

3.  CHOOSE YOUR SOIL:
Pick a soil with a high organic matter that drains well.  The bulb doesn't like soggy soil as it will rot over time.

4.  PLANT IT:
Place the bulb in the soil 'tip' up with half of the bulb above the soil line.  Lightly firm the soil around the bulb, water it, and place in a warm, sunny location.

5.  WATCH IT GROW AND BLOOM:
Weeks later leaves will emerge and blooms will soon follow.


What do I do with it once it's done blooming? Prep it for next season and enjoy again and again!


Tips for prepping to bloom next spring:
1.  LET IT GROW:
Remove the spent blooms and let the plant grow all summer long.  The leaves will continue to provide energy to the bulb and make it strong for next season.  You may even fertilize it.  Don't forget to water it as needed. 

2.  PREP FOR SPRING:
By fall, the leaves may start to yellow a bit, and may even die back. This is your sign that the bulb is going into dormancy.  In zone 4, the safest way to over winter the bulb is to place it a cool, dark location for 8-12 weeks.  I stick mine in the corner of our garage on my garden shelf around the middle of October and forget about it until February or March.

3.  WAIT FOR SPRING:
When spring fever starts to hit me about mid February, I go searching in my garage.  I bring the pot indoors, place it in a warm sunny location, give it some water, and wait.  Weeks later you have some green to support your spring fever needs!

Welcome to 111th Street

Welcome to the journey of creating, designing, planting, growing, learning, inspiring, and enjoying the many gardens on 111th Street.  We live in zone 4, and with zone 4 comes many challenges in the world of gardening.  The seasons can be drastic and at times too short to fully enjoy the bounty they can bring.  Therefore we take advantage of every day during the growing season.  If you are a gardener like myself, you know the passion!

Spring is at our heels and we are patiently waiting for the melting of the snow to uncover our playgrounds we call...gardens. Until then, there is plenty to do get ready for the season.

Join me for the journey as we tend to our gardens on 111th Street.  Glad you could make it!

Brigett