The Modern Victory Garden

I was fortunate in that I enjoyed a few really beautiful days during the past week while I was taking time off from work.   The weather dramatically shifted by the end of the week though and we have had some substantial rain and windstorms ever since.   Despite that the early season garden crops of lettuce, kale, mache, chinese cabbages, green onions, pac choi, asparagus, rhubarb and peas are all growing rapidly.   The fresh season harvests have been slowly increasing and while the total harvest poundage year-to-date through March 31st is only 16.75 lbs - the trend is on a steep curve upwards.         

I did manage to get the entire potato patch planting completed before the weather turned foul on me.                                                          

I wrapped it up last Wednesday while it was sunny and warmer and the next two days it just poured rain, which really watered it all in well for me.          

The pea patch has sprouted and is coming along well despite the fact that the bed and plants are looking a little soggy from all the rain.   They could use a return of some sunshine soon.   The tomato seedlings are all piling up in the greenhouse where they are protected from the winds and occasional hail and are keeping warm enough to keep growing.   The super early Siletz plants are still being given the red carpet treatment and are carted into the house each night to protect them from the colder night time temps.   They are thriving on the TLC.                    

Meanwhile, the other tomatoes are trying to catch up.   Last week during the warmer and more sunshine filled days, I put many of the tomatoes outside to get direct sun and begin the slow hardening off process.   They are definitely “happy campers” when they are outside in the bright sun.                            

Things are progressing along nicely in the garden and it is good to have the fresh harvests increasing again.