Garden Stories
Garden.True.North is about gardening in Zone 4,
sharing thoughts, ideas and tips for all northern gardeners.
sharing thoughts, ideas and tips for all northern gardeners.
I know it doesn't look like much but the first leaf of the lilac indicates that it is time to plant beets, cole crops (broccoli, kale, cabbage, turnips, etc.), lettuce, and spinach. This is not just folklore but backed up phenology, the study of the timing of natural events. Lilacs are most commonly used for observation and to time gardening activity. I checked the soil temperature in my garden, it is 55-60 degrees. That is well in the range for these crops.
Here are some other indicators for planting:
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Read more to discover the Winter Sown method of seed starting. The pictures are of a milk jug seed container cut in half, then taped shut until the weather was warm enough to expose the seedlings to the elements.
It seems each year there are lessons that nature provides if I’m paying attention and this year was no different. I gained new knowledge in five areas this year.
Activities for September
This story is about an ending, the harvest of garlic. I’ve waited nine months to extract bulbs from the soil. It’s the middle of August and my garlic is ready to be moved out of the garden to be dried. The garlic leaves are half green and half brown. The ground has dried out from the moisture received a few days ago making digging easier. I’ve received advice from a commercial garlic grower. I am ready to dig. There is a buzz in the air. Yes, that’s a good thing. It means that our pollinators are doing their thing. But the buzz is questions being asked: Why are the tomatoes taking so long to ripen? When will the green beans be ready? I know that green beans will be ready 1-2 weeks after they flower. I don’t have a clue for the other vegetables in my garden. I just know the wait seems longer each year. For northern gardeners it can take a big chunk of the summer for a small green tomato to become lush, large, juicy and red. Why?
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Classes*Gardening in Small Spaces, April 30 at 5:00 pm Spooner Library, Spooner Archives
March 2024
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