Still waiting for summer.

Saturday was sunny and warm so I gave my strawberry plants a dressing of compost and got to thinking about gardening again.

Today Monday this ,wet snow, that'll dampen your spirits just a little.

Strawberries

I planted these strawberry plants about three weeks ago. I got them from a friend and I'm excited about starting my own strawberry patch.

I prepared the ground by adding compost, wood ash, and fertilizer. 

Here they are snug in their beds.

I took this picture today. I'm pleased with the way the plants look nice and green. They all survived the transplanting. Also, I added some kelp compost to give them an extra boost before the frost.

 

seaweed compost

This is how I make my seaweed (kelp) compost.. . .

Harry Dodson English Gardener

Harry recalls his younger years..

Harry Dodson

Gardening Mentors-Roger Swain

The "dreaded "cutworm I dug up while weeding a row of carrots..

Planting Cabbages

I've been delaying planting my cabbage plants outside because i've been trying to grow without using pesticides and i'm afraid they'll be eaten by the insects but it's time for them to do some serious growing.

I planted them in tires that I turned inside out and painted my favorite outdoor color, Battleship Grey. I hope they don't go into transplant shock like my turnips did.

Now begins the battle with the bugs. Grrr. 

  

 

Rhubarb and turnip greens

I hadn't been paying attention to my rhubarb and they became over grown. The leaves were getting so big that a few of the stalks were breaking at the base so today i decided to cut the bigger stalks and let the smaller ones grow. My wife makes a delicious jam from our rhubarb.

The greens are coming along fairly well. I think I should have started them earlier but I was afraid of the frost.  

They are usually the first produce from the garden and I usually plant them two or three times in the season. We love them with our traditional Newfoundland jiggs dinner. 

Planting Rutabaga

 I'm finally planting my Rutabaga plants I started from seed.

 

    

       

  

Rhubarb Patch

My rhubarb is ready to cut. My wife will be able to make lots of jam.