Overview
Gardening zones were updated last year and I find myself in Zone 4 now.
Plot descriptions
We have the large 20x20’ hay covered plot with 4 rows of plants.
- Row 1, the southernmost, is full of daffodil bulbs and has been planted with edible chrysanthemums and stock flowers. There is an onion set somewhere in there.
- Row 2 is garlic interplanted with a few Asian greens. It needs weeding and mulching.
- Row 3 is full of kale, chijimisai, bok choy, lettuce, and other leafy treats.
- Row 4 has the mammoth sunflowers and hopefully some snap peas. There are also some fiddlerkrauts there. I intend on planting more flowers.
There is a mystery squash or cucumber at the west end of all of the rows.
The fenced garden area, maybe 10x15’, which has the apple tree, is largely untended and needs an overhaul. All around the apple tree are whole heads of garlic that are sprouting after being lost in the raspberry thicket last year. The raspberries, even after being moved, have returned to the area.
On the south edge of our plot is an 8’ row of raspberry plants supported by a trellis. Nearby is a zucchini mound and a cucumber mound, which I hope will help suppress weeds.
Updates
The apple tree has flower buds for the first time in its life. Very exciting! We need to learn how to properly prune fruit trees so it doesn’t rip itself in half in the future.
I’ve started seeds indoors for the first time ever and I’m happy I did rather than relying on the available transplants at growing centres. I am most excited for the chijimisai and my Buzz-button flowers (AKA the Electric Daisy).
Lukas is invested in the garden’s success now and has thrown himself into learning about making hot compost piles.
Slugs remain as my greatest nemesis, with deer as a close second, but at least the deer are deterred by the insect netting I’ve set up.
The netting is supported by garden hoops I made from young branches from the few Manitoba maple saplings that remain after the great extermination last year. At least they’re good for something finally.
They’re also good for wood chip mulch.
As I write this, quail eggs are in transit and my egg incubator is warmed up for their arrival.
Goals
Our goals include
- Privacy landscaping
- Remove the chicken wire under the old raised bed
- Cover the fenced area with new soil
- A gravel patio
- A greenhouse
- More rain collection
- More fruit trees
- Finish the shanty shed.
Because of how often small children are around, I feel a responsibility to create an outdoor space that nurtures them in various ways, whether by producing nutritious snacks, having a space to run and climb, or by creating opportunities to learn hands on about natural sciences. Ideally all of the above and more, for the children as they are now and for the young adults they’ll become, so I’ve been reading books on forest school pedagogy and making intentionally curated outdoor spaces for mixed ages.
Ideas
I’d love to grow a bunch of lavender, and the fenced area has the perfect soil for it.
Next Steps
- Finish building the compost bin
- Hatch the quail eggs
- Build the quail pen
- Direct sow more carrots and beets
- Order topsoil to plant the bushes between our driveway and the neighbors’
- Plant the bushes
- Try propagating some lavender
- Transplant tomatoes