herveus

(for it does -Colette O'Neal, Bealtaine Cottage)

I planted red cabbage today, inside. I still don't trust the weather. The snow peas have been planted outside. I have 8 ft along the new fence line. I splurged and bought more fencing since that company already declared bankruptcy. Whatever they have left is it. If I could afford it, I'd buy more. For once, it was delivered very quickly. It works well on my hill and it looks nice, plus it's easy to install. It's portable so I can move it somewhere else if I change my mind. Next year, I'm thinking of putting in a wattle fence and using the new fence elsewhere.



We lost power twice today. Once overnight and then again after I'd already turned on the plant lights. I got a text from my internet provider telling me that the issue was fixed between 10:30 and 1:30, so did someone hit a post? I did plenty of work on my seedlings this morning. There was no trouble. I reset set the stove clock at 11:12 because it read 12:57. I was out running errands all afternoon. So when did the plant lights go off? The computers got messed up too. (Or was it hackers?)

I located trays for the next batch of plants. Seeds have been pulled to plant. I just need to use the soil blocker tomorrow. Today was all about harvesting the last of the spinach and planting the new baby lettuce. With luck, I'll have enough spots for everything on the basement grow racks.

Not the best of germination, but there is basil, artichokes, statice, and feverfew for sure. Some of the others may take longer.

One of the channels I watch is a politically neutral channel called What's Going On With Shipping? For business as well as global trends, I find it a good source on the pulse of business. I started watching when the crazy tariffs started to impact ports. As a business, I need to know the impacts on the import business. A lot of my yarn comes from Peru. I invite you to check it out so you can follow what is going on in the Strait of Hormuz. https://youtu.be/wck_88OaQX8?si=ix2_-qGd64HISP5z

One of my many concerns is how this will impact gas prices and thus food prices. It appears that it impacts Europe more than it will impact us. I still think oil companies will raise prices just because they can. I am, at heart, a pessimist. I am working real hard to not try to plant the entire garden too early. I am worried sick. Over the years I have worked with Israelis as well as Persians (and Palestinians). I fear for many things, including their children and grand-children. I worry about US Soldiers in Iraq, who are not surrounded by friends/allies. I pray for the families of those killed at the consulate in Pakistan. My cousin used to work in an embassy. They are merely public servants.

This is rapidly expanding into a religious conflict that impacts the globe. Right or wrong, the genie is out of the bottle. You are not going to trick it into going back in. I am profoundly sad today.

I worked outside despite the colder temperatures today. I needed the physical exertion. More branches have been rendered into tiny twigs. I am looking at planting peas a little early. Normally, peas and onions go into the ground mid-March. Tuesday and onward, we get rain with 70 degree temps. The soak of a week of rain may be good for germinating. I have a lot of seed so even if they die, at least I will feel better. Beets got planted today in my soil blocks. Generally I plant beets indoors around Feb 25th.

I am also working on some organic store-bought potatoes. I have them in a tray in the sun to start them chitting (growing eyes). I need to check on the seed potatoes I stored in the basement. I am sure those have grown vines, going everywhere. Next week I'll work on freshening up my soil in grow bags to get those started. They might live in the garage for a little bit until the weather settles. Then I need to check with the hardware store for raised bed soil. It's stupid early to be doing this but if we want to eat this year, it's gotta be done. Last year the hardware store ran out of soil before the end of March. I have a feeling that lack of affordability is about to get even worse. Mostly though, it just feels good to be doing something useful.

MI Gardener says that bare root plants will ship next week. I ordered 10 strawberry plants - June bearing, and another blueberry bush. As long as the pine tree in the front yard is doing well, the blueberries should too. They will all go in the SW Mandala bed. It'll be a good start to the season. Another thing I ordered was onion starts. Those are coming from The Maine Potato Lady. They could come anytime in March. It adds additional urgency to making new garden beds.

Last year's onions arrived March 18th.


Last night I took my list and started trying to do a plant layout for each bed. Since I haven't finished making the beds yet, it was hard. I think I'll find more motivation if I start clearing weeds in the back. Once I have the lay of the land, I'll have more confidence. This year's plant list includes peas, beans, lettuce, zucchini, onions, leeks, sweet potatoes, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes (4 kinds), pumpkin, beets, cucumbers, spinach, celery, and a couple of chard plants. If things work out, I also have sorghum and corn. There will also be various herbs and flowers throughout the garden. Those always depend on what actually germinates.