APRIL 26, 2021
Updates
Container Garden
The container gardens are looking good! They all survived last week’s frost with minimal damage-- largely because they’re cool-weather tolerant but whev, IT’S A WIN.
I did have to move some smaller seedlings inside. They did… okay. The green onions are taking off (they’ve grown a couple inches since last week), but my cilantro is looking pretty sad.
Po-Tay-Toes
I’m trying a couple new things this year with potatoes; I have five 15-pound grow bags of potatoes that I started a little over two weeks ago, as I posted before. Several of them are sprouting up now and I’ve had to add additional dirt and straw to two of the bags. Soon I’ll need to unroll the bags to add even more. (For those who are new to potato growing, more info here: https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/potato-grow-bag-instructions/7099.html)
ew seed potatoes
In addition to the grow bags, I’m also trying potatoes ‘in ground’. I added a layer of cardboard next to my blueberries, cut up my seed potatoes, and dumped straw on them:
Because I’m a bad scientist, I’m actually testing two variables in this bed: first time growing potatoes outside of a container, and first time growing potatoes entirely in straw. This bed is all Russet potatoes, so that’s consistent at least.
The Woods
Realized I didn’t talk about some of the other things on the back part of the property in the woods last time, so some pics!
The trail that goes through the back. Likely an old ATV trail.
Tiny clearing that I’ve built a ring of stones in for a camping firepit
Trees! Mostly maples [I think], but also some white pines, eastern red cedar, and oaks
Blackberries
There is a small trail that runs through the back acre of woods. When we moved in, it was COVERED in brambles. One of the first home purchases I made was a pair of shears, and I’ve slowly been knocking them back. I only recently realized they were blackberries after they got their leaves for the season! Extremely excited for these but also worried about keeping them from taking over the entire woods haha.
Mayapples
Those of you who watch our stream will probably remember me talking about this lol. After a big rain, I noticed several tiny plants growing along the forest floor throughout the woods. I just assumed they were weeds, and left them alone-- a later, unrelated internet search showed these to be Mayapple, a technically edible plant. They will eventually produce a fruit that can be eaten IF RIPE. I will probably try one if they produce a ripe fruit later in the season, because I like to live dangerously.
More info: How to Grow and Care for Mayapple
A Puddle? Or A Seep?
This photo just looks like a mud puddle. It probably is just a mud puddle. But I also wonder if this might be a small seep? This particular image was taken after a rain, but even if we have no rains for well over a week, this little ditch stays full of water. No idea how to tell; I will keep my eye on it over the summer though.
And some cool footprints lol
What it says on the tin. Racoon prints??? Anyone good at identifying tracks?
Upcoming Projects
I have some rhubarb that I need to get in the ground soon; I’m thinking about planting some up front for the pretty foliage + some around the rest of the garden. I also want to prepare for the #ReturnofLtDangle now that our risk for frost is almost over; but that will likely take a couple more weeks.