Shallots and Potatoes. 3:6.19

Grocery Store Shallots.  Planted 3.6.19

Last week I planted more shallots, and some grocery store potatoes that had sprouted in the garage and were no longer usable.  I planted the shallots in the fenced bed, next to the garlics.  I planted the potatoes in an "overflow bed", which last year had annual flowers, the previous year was weeds, and the year before that was corn.  This is my overflow bed, because it's in an easement and could wind up getting paved without notice.  Also, I don't want to plant things in that bed that will need a lot of watering in mid to late summer, due to distance from spigot, so potatoes are a good option.

Sprouted Red Potatoes Planted 

More Multiplier Onions, Planted 3.6.19

One set of shallots came from the produce section at the grocery store.  The others were another bag of multiplier onions, which looked so nice I bought this second bag.

For the following 3 nights, the temp dropped into the low 20s.  We'll see if that killed any of the early plantings.

Signs of Spring On the Way. 3.1.19

The First Dandelions of Spring.  3.1.19

 Today was in  the high 50s.  The soil was crumbly, moist but by no means sodden or muddy.

Bearded Iris Bed.  3.1.19

I made use of the nice weather by planting the first 2 rows of potatoes.  Then I cultivated around all of the irises.  Then I did cleanup of another bed, which is on sn easement.  Since I never know what may happen there, that willbe used for extras.  I found another bad of sprouted potatoes in the garage.  The will go there, among other things,

I think those irises are looking promising, so far.

Planting Potatoes. 3.1.19

Left Over Russet Potatoes, Planted 3.1.19

Today I planted the first batch of potatoes.  These were some Russets that didn't get eaten last summer and sat in tbe garage. I had removed tbe tall sprouts and let them chit in a window for 2 weeks. The other row was Russian Banana potatoes that I chitted for 2weeks, in the same window.

These are planted at tbe unused end of the bearded iris bed.  The plan is to grow and harvest these potatoes, then use that area to give the irises more room. There is room for 2 more rowsof potatoes there.

Russian Banana Potatoes, Planted 3.1.19

A Light Exists in Spring

A light exists in spring
Not present on the year
At any other period.
When March is scarcely here

A color stands abroad
On solitary hills
That science cannot overtake,
But human naturefeels.

It waits upon the lawn;
It shows the furthest tree
Upon the furthest slope we know;
It almost speaks to me.

Then, as horizons step,
Or noons report away,
Without the formula of sound,
It passes, and we stay:

A quality of loss
Affecting our content,
As trade had suddenly encroached
Upon a sacrament. 

A Light Exists In Spring

Emily Dickinson

Images from vintage image collection, Yokohama nursery, 1911-1912

Starting Amaranth, Swiss Chard, and Chive Seeds. 2.25.19

 I've never grown Amaranth before.  Today planted some seeds in 6-packs.  They will go into the sunroom for a while before planting outside.  I'm hoping the leaves are tasty. 

I also planted Swiss Chard and Chive seeds.  The chives will go into the border where deer hang out.  Deer don't eat chives.  They make a good bee plant, when in bloom.