Tragically seedlings must be thinned. I had to have moral support to do this, because it just seems so wrong. I put about two seeds in each cup to prevent duds. Today I had to snip off the weaker ones to give the most vigorous one in each cup room to thrive. Waaah!
We’ll have to see if the chosen ones take off this week.
When we moved in there was already a hole in the side of the house where the PVC pipe is coming out. The previous tenants must have done this as well. The washer is right on the other side of the wall, making this a much easier project. On the inside behind the washer the pipe “Ls” up and the regular drain hose is easily clamped to the “L” outside in the spring. The it pours out the pipe end into the bucket. I’m bummed now I didn’t get an action shot!
Then the water flows out the bucket into the hose treadled into place in a hole we cut in the bucket.
We have two 30 ft. lengths of 1.5-2 inch hose tied together with a hose connector to go the distance, but its easily disconnected for closer watering. Oh, and its got to flow downhill somewhat.
And now with the biocompatible laundry soap…
Super flashy shade set up for the transplants from the hoop house outside.
We stake with what we can find…no kitchen utensil is safe.
Tiny bit droopy but hanging in!
But its better than the heat of a greenhouse for these brassicas.
Not too shabby for the chard either.
Onions and parsley!
Shade…
pig out on peas!
saving the dandelion and mallow root for medicinal teas and tinctures.
Proof that the weed whacking was done 🙂
Well, I did pretty good with the list considering I hosted out of town friends and in-town friends excited to see them. I also played Legos, played on the playground and held a brand new baby. I have pics of the work in the garden to come!
Had a little licorice and mint tea to close a wonderful weekend of commotion.
Right now, I’m working on an experiment to try transplanting the more cool season plants out of the hoop house into the garden outside. Several weeks ago I did the red Russian kale and it seems to have finally adjusted and is growing more new leaves. It got totally buried in a freak snow storm, so I am quite proud of its progress. Today I transplanted the parsley outside and harvested a lot to dry. This weekend I plan to take the broccoli and Brussels sprouts out too as its getting pretty hot in the hoop house. We have it vented all day and night now.
Today I took out the cauliflower plants since I read they don’t often form side shoots once the main flower head is harvested like broccoli does. I picked the leaves off the plants and will be making them into ‘kale’ chips for our upcoming 5 day backpacking trip. We’re planning to juice the stems as well.
We harvested and ate all the beets over the last week or so. (pink number one and number two!!!) And, the carrots have been tested and seem totally ready to go as well.
The baby seedlings are growing well and some slow chile germinators are still joining in. We are ready to put some of them in the ground in the hoop house along with squashes, fennel and dill. We also have a second crop of chard coming up in the hoop house and planted malabar spinach. Yum! Now if I can only relax enough to let my friends take care of them while I’m gone!
I can’t wait to share more updates!
stigmastylepistil 