First Planting of the Season...

[Tracy]

We began planting in the cold frame a few days ago. A cold frame acts like a green house by using solar heat to warm the soil so the seeds can germinate. You can get a head start on the season this way; the temperature in the cold frame rises higher than the temperature outside.

This cold frame has a plexiglass top. Here is it before we cleaned out the growth from last year:



Here is my daughter hoeing it for me:



The bed is seeded with Arugula, Green Curled Endive, Red Russian Kale, Red Romaine Lettuc, Parris Island Lettuce, Salad Bowl Lettuce, and Lolla Rossa Lettuce:



Finally, we close it and wait!



Here are a couple of pictures of a different kind of cold frame--it is larger than the other one. The plastic on it has winter damage, so we will recover it (hopefully this evening) and set it out (it is in the basement right now). It usually takes about 2 weeks to warm the soil sufficently:





In the picture below, the girls are helping me clean out raised beds a few days ago. They earn their keep around here!



Just thought I would share some pictures

[RuSKY]

Tracy,

I have had green peas planted for two weeks. Today, I looked in on them and they are sprouted and ready to come through the soil.

A few days after I planted the peas, I planted a short row of Red Pontiac potatos. I sorted through and bought small ones,
so I could have whole potatos to plant. Whole ones doesn't risk rottening in the ground as easily, when planted so early.
Hopefully, I will have new peas and new potatos by the 30th of May.

Some of the Daffodils and Crocus are begining to bloom.
Tulips and are coming through the ground.
Blue birds are visiting the boxes I have up.

I am getting anxious to get started gardening.
I have three garden plots.

I pray that God gives us a bountiful crop this year.

RuSKY

[JanB]

I love your pictures that you share. I was raised on a farm and this brings back precious memories of being with my Mama and Daddy. They are both gone to be with the Lord, but I still have the memories of life on the farm.

[Tracy]

Tracy,

I have had green peas planted for two weeks. Today, I looked in on them and they are sprouted and ready to come through the soil.

A few days after I planted the peas, I planted a short row of Red Pontiac potatos. I sorted through and bought small ones,
so I could have whole potatos to plant. Whole ones doesn't risk rottening in the ground as easily, when planted so early.
Hopefully, I will have new peas and new potatos by the 30th of May.


I pray that God gives us a bountiful crop this year.

RuSKY

Where are you in Ky? We can plant peas in our part of Ky in February, but it was so wet and cold, I was afraid they would not come up. Do you think it is okay for me to plant them tomorrow? We are forcast to be in the 50's and 60's for the rest of the week.

I pray for my gardens too!

[Tracy]

I love your pictures that you share. I was raised on a farm and this brings back precious memories of being with my Mama and Daddy. They are both gone to be with the Lord, but I still have the memories of life on the farm.

I'm glad you like the pictures, Jan. I love farm life. We just have a little farmette, but it is lots of fun.

[MacUser]

Last week early in the a.m. we awoke to over 6+ deers in our front yard eating all our plants. We have two nice sized dogs yet they were in the back of the house sleeping.

Do you have a problem with animals?

[RuSKY]

[
Where are you in Ky? We can plant peas in our part of Ky in February, but it was so wet and cold, I was afraid they would not come up. Do you think it is okay for me to plant them tomorrow? We are forcast to be in the 50's and 60's for the rest of the week.

I pray for my gardens too!

I thought you lived in Indiana.
Yes, I am sure you could plant peas and potatos any time now, when
you can get the soil prepared.
You seem to use raised beds, so you shouldn't have a problem
getting the soil ready.

I had dry soil in buckets stored from last fall to cover my peas.
I live in south central kentucky, just north of Lake Cumberland.

I will put out brocolli and cabbage later this month.
Also, this month, you can sow spring greens. Kale, Mustard, raddishes.

RuSKY

[Tracy]

Last week early in the a.m. we awoke to over 6+ deers in our front yard eating all our plants. We have two nice sized dogs yet they were in the back of the house sleeping.

Do you have a problem with animals?

We don't have too much of a problem, but we have dogs also. When the garden is in danger from animals, we stake one of our dogs out by it; that works very well!

[Pastor Bill]

RuSKy, I didn't know you were that close to us, I'm just north of Somerset, can't be too far.

[Susie Hamilton]

I have to get out back and clean my garden up and get it tilled. Tracey. I envy you with all your fresh foods. They taste so much better and are better than processed foods. Yum Yum.