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Thursday, May 1, 2008

Have We Hit the Frost Free Day Yet?


I've heard that April 22nd is our magic "frost free day." We can plant anything we like after that day. I finally got my "direct to soil" seeds in the ground yesterday, as well as my "start indoors" varieties.

Here's the 2008 list:
Flowers:
Poppies (red, naturalizing)
Nasturtium, Alaska Mix
Wildflower mix (in a pot, to limit spreading, weedy tendencies!)
Sunflower, Mammoth Grey

Direct to Garden Veggies:
Bush Beans, tri-color
Carrots, rainbow variety
Chard, Bright Lights (comes up yellow, red, pink...)

In Pots Outside:
Mint
Cilantro
Radish, Sparkler

Started Indoors:
Climbing Black-Eyed Susan Vine
Basil
Onion, Walla-Walla
Bell Pepper, Northern King?
Tomato, yellow pear
Tomato, heirloom mix


I don't have my beet seeds sown yet (Bull's Blood variety), Ernie and I ran out of steam yesterday and had to make a grocery run before the bread needed to go in the oven.

We also got our Desert King fig tree in the ground, in the front yard and in the garden picture you can see our Triple Crown thornless blackberries in the background. I hope everything comes up this year! The fig tree is just a stick with roots. I KNOW figs are the last to leaf out, but I'm a little nervous about that stick.

I seem to have misplaced my squash seeds, so I'll grab some more at the store and plant 2 or 3 plants on the house side of the shed. Yeah, it's shady. Yeah, it's neglected. But you know what, I think zucchini will do just FINE there! We'll plant our "potato pot" when it warms up outside, maybe the end of May. It occured to me as I said my evening prayers last night that I can now start to understand what was meant in the scriptures "Cry unto the Lord over your fields." I want so much for these little plants to grow and flourish, and to be able in some small measure to make our family more self-sufficient.

4 comments:

Casey said...

Ooh, I'm so jealous. I'd love to do some gardening this year but I'm just not ready. We need to build some raised beds first. Maybe I can get everything ready for next year. It is so wonderful to be able to feed your family from your own garden.

Rae said...

I have to admit I cheated a little and planted some sweet peas in the ground even though it's not May 15 yet. That's our frost free date, and I'm in MI, so you must be south of us a bit. Lucky you!!

Also, I love that you're trying to grow so much of your own food! It saves so much money and also is good for the earth. I am trying to be a good steward because I think (as a Christian and as a human) that is one of my main responsibilities. I'm sure your prayers and work will pay off!!

Franzine Kafka said...

i am inspired to grow some vegetables for the first time ever!

Mama Papaya said...

You have a spare fig tree with your name on it if your little guy doesn't make it. Or if you just want two of course.

Love your veggies. We have a ton in trays, but as I once again did not label them, it will be a surprise what grows where come summer. Happy planting!