Cleaning Up Some Flower Seeds. 1.13.22

During late summer / early fall I picked flower heads that appeared to be drying out. I stored them in paper lunch bags. Today I got them out, cleaned them up, and stored each type in their own paper envelopes. French Marigold. This strain must be pure, because they are all descended from a volunteer plant from three years ago. They have all grow out with identical plants and flowers.

Then grasp the flower base and pinch to hold the seeds in place, then pull off the petals. Then pull out the seeds. They come out nice and clean, ready to plant in Spring.

These dried marigold flowers are nice and perfumey. They remind me of my great aunts. I also cleaned up seeds from cosmos, and four o'clocks in two shades of pink - not sure if I will grow those.

What's Blooming? Helleborus. 1.13.22

 This is the sole outdoor flower in bloom right now.  

Planting Multiplier Onions or Shallots. 1.13.22

 These are either potato onions - a very old heirloom variety that multiplies in the ground, like a shallot - or shallots.  I messed up the labeling.  I'm hoping for potato onions but some have a red color that is probably shallot.  

I had them in a paper bag in the pantry so they would stay dry.  I decoded to plant them now.  It's mild.  They should even overwinter OK.

I planted then in a row near the end of what will be the chili pepper bed.  They wont take much room there and won't interfere with the peppers.  Even with rain and mud, it's not bad planting in a raised bed with a nice foot path. :-)

Footpaths in Kitchen Garden. 1.13.22

 I've been laying soil barrier and covering that with woodchips for a (if it works) mole-minimized and weed-reduced if not weeds-eliminated kitchen garden area.  Closer to completing this job.  The wood chips make a nice walking surface.  I'll deal with the drip irrigation lines later.

I couldn't be happier with the kitchen garden.  It's only mid January and the hardest work is completed.  

Aerial Views. 1.13.22

 Ning took aerial photos using his drone.

The garden acre.  About 1/3 to 1/2 acre is usable once easements and wetland/woodlot are accounted for.  

Most of the "brown" areas are leaf-covered beds for crops not bothered by "our" deer (sweetcorn, potatoes, and squashes that will be protected) and annuals for the soul and for pollinating insects.  Fruit and nut trees don't show well in the photo.  There are lots of those.  This week I added wood chips around the raised beds in the fenced kitchen garden.  The other half of that is miniature and espalier fruit trees.

The house is on the other side of the road.  Photo doesn't include the front orchard and small vineyard.  Hens and duck get the run of the fenced area behind the house, which is planted with roses, rhododendrons and other shrubs and small trees.