Planting Garlic In October

Well finally got out and turned the soil over in a spent string bean bed to prepare for planting some garlic. I recently bought some beautiful stif neck garlic grown locally in Shelton from Guy Beardsley.

I scattered a small amount of 10 10 10 over the soil and raked it in. Then I made three furrows about 3-4" deep. The garlic was placed about 6" apart with rows about the same, 6 inches. The base of the garlic sits about 3" down.

Early Fall

Where did the time go. Where did the rain go? Finally got the rain though to little to late. Time? Well still can't figure where that goes.

The garden season was a good one for us. Investing in the fence was the best thing I could of done. I actually got enough tomatoes to do some canning along with making fresh sauce throughout late summer along with topping a bunch of wood fired pizzas and focaccia's with fresh tomatoes (made in the backyard brick oven of course!) gregkaraspizza.blogspot.com 

This year also gave us a bumper crop of basil, cucumbers, beans, squash, eggplant, and even some small pumpkins. Tomatillos and peppers are still going and I hope to make some salsa verde soon.

Now I have to get in gear and turn over the bed where the string beans were and plant some garlic. Jamie and I made a quick stop to the Farmer's Market in Shelton and I picked up some beautiful locally grown stiff neck organic garlic from Guy Beardsley. I like growing the stiff neck varieties for the early spring treats of garlic scapes. Just snip them off and saute them up. Similar to scallions but with a mild garlic flavor.

June Yard and Garden

June roses came in two weeks earlier this year.

Our apple trees look like they'll produce some apples this season. Last year was a bust. Completely organic at this point.

With the fence up,  the vegetable garden is finally off to a pretty good start. A late start I might add.

The greenhouse bed still has swiss chard in it but that's about it. I'll be starting some roses from cuttings in their soon.

Memorial Day Party

Well on this beautiful Memorial Day weekend we had our 1st backyard party which included grill food near the pool and pizza down further in the back. For the folks who ventured all the way into the back they were greeted by over sized marshmallows and Hershey chocolate bar yielding friends at the campfire pit.

It was the first fire in the new pit and it was great. I cant wait to start utilizing it more often. The "woodchuck proof" fence is up around the garden and so far so good. Hopefully we'll be able to once again garden freely without  disappointment like the past ravaged gardens.

New Campfire Pit in the Works

When I replaced the old fire pit with the sugar shack which you can see on my sugarin' blog  www.gregkarasmaple.blogspot.com my girls were not terribly pleased. They love (as most of us do) sitting around a campfire toasting marshmallows on a summer night. So I set out to find yet another spot in our yard to build a new firepit.

A best of mine and I bartered hosta's for used patio block last night. Immediately I starting laying the blocks out.

Early May

 May is here already. Still have to get the main garden fenced in. The blooms of Wisteria, Tulips, May Pinks (phlox), Cherry blossoms are all on the way out. Butterscotch and Tiny enjoying some Swiss Chard from the greenhouse.

In the greenhouse, I sowed a mix of romaine which has just come up, moved around some swiss chard that was sowed in early/mid April.

Plenty of plants loading up with buds getting ready for their show coming up. Below are a some photos of some of my favorites.

Peony's are budding up nicely with the ants marching along on them. New Dawn, a heirloom rose which booms heavily with  pale pink blossoms and an Iris

               

Grunt Work Continues

We went away for part of the weekend and as you know the garden chores don't go away when we do. Prior to leaving, I turned some partially composted leaves into the soil. So far I've amended the soil with lime and some rabbit manure. Upon returning I planted some grass seed in the yard, sowed more seeds of tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, bedding dahlias, and cucumbers. Think thats it. Still have to get some peppers started. In the past I planted only seeds  that I sowed and raised to maturity myself. Now being late with my seed sowing, I'm supplementing with a few store bought plants that are further along. I'll have a more staggered harvest this season.

As far as perennials  go, the daffodils have seen better days with only a few later varieties still blooming. Tulips are in their prime as with Wisteria. Hosta's  are in various stages of emergence. Some being well leafed out while some are just popping up. We have a beautiful flowering cherry that's in full bloom now.

Finally Getting Started

Well late April is here and the reality of "I better get going" if I want a garden this season. I don't quite have the passion that I've had in the past but still cant resist starting seeds, taking cuttings and rooting roses, wisteria, hostas ect.

I've got some broccoli raab, lettuce, and swiss chard in the greenhouse bed in various stages of growth.


The Swiss Chard wintered over and we were feeding the rabbits it but now with new growth happening, the rabbits will now have to share it with me.

I have some nice Romaine lettuce growing inside cement block openings.

In the beginning of April I started basil and tomato seeds indoors on the heat mat and under fluorescent lighting like usual to get them started in a controlled environment.

I just stepped them up into cell packs this morning.