Lettuce garden

Here's my lettuce garden (actually, this section of the garden belongs to my eight-year-old daughter, Annabelle). I have a mesclun mix in the back, then a row of bibb lettuce, some lovely spinach, and some arugula that we've already sampled. I like to let my salad greens grow a little more before I thin them--then I can eat the ones I thin out as baby greens--yum!

This romaine head is a volunteer in the location where I planted it last year. I didn't plant any this year and now I'm regretting it because this one looks so lovely (and lonely). Oh well, it's almost never too late to plant more lettuce...

Out with the old...

Yesterday morning was spent removing last summer's old, dead weeds from my strawberry patch. There is more work to do. I am looking forward to not doing this next year.

Today I have some time off to begin planning my garden plot. A few weeks ago, I created a spreadsheet in Excel that I can reprint any time I need it and draw out my plan to scale. I need to decide what to plant, where to plant it, and what to start early. I've been saving the plastic boxes from berries and salads to start my seeds. I think it will work well because the clear plastic covers will help to keep heat and moisture inside and get the germination process going. I have a lot of research saved about companion plantings, so I will use that information to decide what goes where in the garden. Last year, I planted potatoes for the first time and wasn't bothered at all by potato bugs, because I planted a marigold between all of the potato plants.

I also need to do some calling around to find a good hay source...

Garden Variety Spring Fever

It is officially Spring and I have serious spring fever of the "garden variety". Earlier this spring, I ordered a used copy (it is out of print), of Ruth Stout's No-Work Garden Book. I was inspired. Every year I start out excited about the garden and I can't wait to get my hands dirty, but the weeds start to get me down by about mid-June. I know people who claim to love weeding...I think they are mentally ill.

Ms. Stout claimed she never weeded--just threw down a little more mulch on top of the few weeds that would come up threw her (initially) 8 inch thick barrier of hay mulch. What's more, she said she never had to water! That essentially means I can take a vacation without having to hire someone to come and weed and water. It also means it's more ecologically responsible. Planting an organic garden is great anyway, because there's nothing more local than your own yard, but not having to water would make it even better. I'm excited to see how it works. My husband and father are doubtful, but I have a lot of hope for this year's garden. I will report the results of my experiment here.

Right now, I'm searching for the best source for inexpensive hay. Until then...