It is pretty exciting to see a ‘normal’ Spring coming up before us – this next week 6 trays of start get to venture outside the greenhouse! The ten day forecast, the climate prediction three month forecast, all point to a PNW Spring – cool at night, 50s going on up over time during the days.
These inside the greenhouse cabbage will be joined by some of the green season brassicas such as Kale, Broccoli and Cauliflower – and new seeding of early root crops are heading out as well. It was a sure sign when the second delivery of Potato seed stock showed up this week!
The tray in the lower right above is filled with Chard starts. The runty little plants in the upper end of the right hand bed are Wasabi mustard, the rest are the Bok Choi, more cabbage and winter density lettuce. Meanwhile the poor bedraggled outdoor carrots and the parsnips are hanging in there – there will be a gap coming up here in a week or so as the over-wintered come to a close.
Hopefully you have been roasting those carrots and parsnips, or perhaps putting them into soup. The radishes and salad turnips are also in great shape – although the Voles are determined to put in a condo amongst the radishes. The voles seem to like the greens, of course. There is some concern that the voles will be a problem for crop delivery if a means of control doesn’t present itself.
This is the time of year when Membership Anxiety (MA) strikes. The Facebook group site tells how many ‘views’ are happening, but the number of members in the green season hasn’t changed since you all signed up. There is a bit of fear that the garden will end up feeding the horses and cows!
here’s what to expect this week:
| Lettuce | Winter Density are still a bit smaller than desirable. The Red Iceberg is great though, and the Cegolaine is recovering from the last Quail Attack and should be ready in a couple more weeks. Spinach is kicking into gear, and will be more available this week and continuing. |
| Brassicas | Bok Choi. Kale is three weeks out. Cabbage is still thinking about making heads – 4 weeks is a good guess. |
| Roots | Salad (Japanese small white) Turnips, three different types of radishes, over wintered Parsnip, and Carrots. By the way, carrots are getting to the end of the row – a race with the rot, rodents and us. |
| Greens | Arugula is getting bigger fast, Wasabi mustard is 3-4″ and also growing fast. |
| Herbs | Chives are great; celery is putting on new leaf but is under attack by rodents. Three traps set as well as Vole ‘bait.’ |
| Misc | Chard is set out and about 3″ tall. Cilantro and Basil will get set out next week. |
Loving the weather, and the beds are looking great! Starting Potatoes next week…
