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Sunday, April 2, 2017

Making Do in the Garden

It's almost spring!  Yay!!!
I enjoy all the seasons, but we've had such a harsh winter
that spring is impatiently awaited around here.
Last weekend, Mr. LB was able to run the rototiller through the garden
(with only minimal mug-bogging:)
We spread the previous year's compost over the garden in fall 
then till it in spring.
It's been a pretty wet spring so far.
This early in the season, 
there are a couple of "tools" that are indispensable to me.
The 'Old Farmer's Almanac," a blank calendar page, and a pen or pencil
for making notes all over the page.
This is how my weekly "to-do" list is formed.
With my seeds handy, I jot down dates for planting each item in my seed box.
We are right on the border of two zones.
This year I am going with the earlier planting schedule 
and will see what happens.  I can always replant these few items as I have plenty of seeds.  If I was scarce on seeds, I wouldn't be so risky.
I plant by the moon signs figuring I need all the help I can get.
So far I've planted spuds, Brussels sprouts, celery, kale, and spinach.
You can see what I use as garden markers and how to make them here.
The next couple of weekends are now all planned out.
Since we can finally begin to get outside a bit, 
there are a couple of repairs I'd like to share
just for the sake of putting ideas in your head.
Just because an item breaks, which newer tools in particular seem to do,
doesn't mean it needs to go to the dump.
Both of our spring rakes had broken handles.
Rather than purchasing new handles, Mr. LB used some PVC
that we already had on hand along with a couple of screws
and made the rakes usable again.
(Obviously, I should practice using it.)
The other is my little hand fork that I purchased about 25-30 years ago.
The plastic handle finally gave out.
I had the leg of a broken foot-stool so drilled a hole in the end,
added some gorilla glue, then the metal fork, 
and now have my favorite garden fork again.
I probably use it more than any other one tool, especially come weeding time.
The frogs have began croaking in the last couple weeks which is the first sign of spring around here.
I love listening to them as I close my eyes at night.
I figure they know better that we do when it's safe to hatch.
If they hadn't started croaking, 
I probably wouldn't have been quite so antsy to get out in the garden
since it is still pretty chilly out there and I am a wimp in the cold.

Have you began planting where you are?
I'd love to hear what tips/tricks or signs you use.

                                      

13 comments:

  1. You are so well organised. I started learning about gardening and growing veggies a year ago so lots to learn. Amazing how much the garden teaches you though. I was planting by the book, planting schedules etc. however am getting better at going with the seasons and the current weather conditions etc. Working with nature is so soothing and really has made me much more aware of my surroundings.

    I also love the sounds of frogs. We don't hear so many these days unfortunately however I remember as kids they were everywhere. We could see tadpoles, hear frogs and were always out there amongst it all.

    I look forward to seeing how your seeds progress.

    Kylie

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    1. Today is cold, but it still feels good to play in the dirt. I too learn something new every year - even if it's something not to do:)

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  2. I adore the planning part of gardening! It's so exciting to dream of your garden and of course in my plans everything is going to grow and produce as planned. I also planted seeds a little bit earlier than normal. We tend to have a small window for spring crops and they have a better chance of growing before it gets hot if I can get them planted early.

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  3. Isn't it funny how you can almost taste the green beans and tomatoes when you're planting them? Wishing you a bumper crop:)

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  4. Just this morning I was using the rake and the handle came off. I need to find new screws and attach it, without buying a new rake. Thanks for the timely tip Lady Locust. :)

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  5. good to know spring has sprung for you. Here is is nice too tulips in flower but afraid I have not planted anything for the last 3 years garden could do with some loving care and the lawn is more moss than grass but dare not rake it out as it would be bald!

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  6. Alas, planting is a long way off here. We don't garden any more so it doesn't affect us overly much, but I am looking forward to picking up a couple of tomato plants to put on the balcony and perhaps some herbs too.

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  7. I wish we could plant here, but we have to wait until Mother's Day has passed. I'm ready to get out there though!

    I've learned that planting for zone 6 instead of 7 seems to work better, especially for my perennials. I wish you luck!

    xo,
    rue

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  8. I'm sure you've heard the little verse -
    "Use it up, wear it out; Make it do or do without."

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  9. How I long to hear the frogs. They aren't chirping yet, so I'm not leaving the seedlings out overnight yet. Glad you are in the garden. That is my goal this weekend.

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  10. I honestly wouldn't have ever thought to replace a broken handle with a table leg - how ingenious! I'm getting the gardening urge these days too, but it's still too cold here.
    I came to visit from Chicken Chick's bloghop; I hope you'll have time one day to visit the 4Shoes & let me know that you've been by.

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  11. Gardening is one of those things I just don't understand. It seems so complicated. ~grin~ Maybe I just haven't had the passion to do it.

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  12. I somehow missed your post this week, so I had to come find you and see how things were going. I love your fork with the repaired handle! That looks a lot like some of my 'mended and making do' tools. Best wishes in the garden!

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