How Does Your Garden Grow?

I have to admit, though I don't really want to, that we haven't been pushing very hard to get things planted this season.  Days just go by faster than we can manage to do our jobs, live our lives, AND plant our gardens.

Well, that and the fact that the weather hasn't been particularly friendly to growing things just yet.  The outdoor fields are just now at the point where we could work them.  We do have some things, like the lettuce shown above, in Valhalla (one of our high tunnels).

We planted peas, just like we did last year and the germination has been off.  This is pretty frustrating for us, of course.  But it's what happens sometimes.  We've got a few plants that came up, now we have to decide if it is enough to go with or if we need to start over.  Either way, we'll have to decide soon because delay will do nothing to help the problem.

On the other hand, the potatoes we put into Valhalla are emerging AND looking really good.  It is possible they look better than last year's group we started in the building.  The time is coming soon where we'll need to move the building off of these plants so we can get the late season crops planted.  Hopefully we can get that done in a timely fashion!

The picture above is a Adirondack Red potato plant and the one below is Adirondack Blue.

The germination of the green beans has been scattered, but the row fills out a bit more each day.  So, I am feeling like there isn't anything, other than a quick cultivation that we need to worry about there.  This is why I hesitate a bit with the peas - maybe they'll fill in a bit more?  

But, I know better, we've got what we're going to get in that row and I just have to make a decision.  But, the beans?  They'll be just fine thank you!

I was telling you about the need for our fields to dry out a bit so we could work them and the photo below shows us how we have to hold certain plants UNTIL the ground is ready for them.  The onions shown below are in tubs and we'll do our best to keep them happy until we can transplant them.  Maybe that will happen soon?  I guess we'll just have to see.

On the other hand, we planted the garlic last November and mulched them with straw so they could survive Winter.  It looks like things are good for them this year so far!  Now, we have to find the time to clean up the beds nearby so we can put in our broccoli and cauliflower.  

The bees are pretty happy right now because everything that flowers seems to have decided to flower at once.  Talk about a smorgasbord of choice for the bees!

We are, of course, happy about this.  But we are also looking to do our best to provide them with food for as long during the year as we can.  We've got a few trays of annuals that are going to go into the ground soon and we'll be planting some of their favorites, like borage, soon.

Both hives are looking pretty good so far and I'm starting to see my little friends around the flowering plants.  I have also noticed more bumble bees this year than we have the past few.  I hope this is a trend for our farm, but I know better than to get my hopes up too far.  We have even acknowledged a few butterflies as they flutter by.

The wild bird contingent looks to be close to full force now with the first hummingbird sighting.  So far we haven't seen or heard a Dickcissel - and it is possible we won't this year as it seems they do not consistently go back to the same places every season.  Mr Bunting has been heard and not seen, as have the Common Yellowthroats and their "wichitee whichitee whichitee" song.  Chirpa Chirpa bird has been sighted but heard less than we notice some seasons (Brown Thrasher).  And yes, the chorus of frogs sings a little each evening.  

I know, this last part doesn't sound like I'm answering the title's question (how does your garden grow), but these critters are an important part of how we grow.  If they are doing well, then something is going well enough.

Have a good week everyone!