Hardening off

The sugar snap peas are finally growing, after nearly a month of not doing much. The ones in the back still aren't up to much though.

And it's almost time to plant out the tomatoes! Below from left to right, the fig tree which has been moved outside and finally sporting some fresh growth; tomatoes in the green bin; thyme, rosemary, and another tomato in front of the bin; and some marigolds and another rosemary plant.

Of course it's hard to take hardening off that seriously when it's been so warm that one of the spinach plants bolted already.

Front left plant, sporting a flowering stem.

Prepping the garden beds, the lazy way

There’re countless resources on the web for folks who want to get their gardens ready for spring planting in a sensible, efficient way, with an eye towards healthy and productive vegetables all season long. But for those of us who have the best intentions but inevitably half-ass anything involving long-term planning, there’s this.

First you need to pull all of the dog and cat shit from the beds you left totally uncovered all winter. Although you were going to lay down cardboard, compost, and mulch last fall and then cover/fence the beds so various animals wouldn’t dig them up, or, y'know, shit all over them, that obviously never happened. So. Clean them up and finally piece together whatever bits of fencing are rusting away back there so at least the dog can’t get in. Then it’s time for a break, maybe another week or so.

Go back and get disappointed by the fresh cat shit, even though you’ve done nothing so far to prevent it so why wouldn’t it be there? Toss out the fresh shit and hope you got it all because it’s time to plant out the brassicas and lettuce.

A side note: the broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cabbage should all be planted at the same time because even though you looked it up and they have different timing, you never wrote it down and forgot. Another side note: marvel at the garlic that missed pulling up last summer.

Volunteer garlic.

This is especially nice since you never got around to planting any for this year.

Even though you see and hear the cats and squirrels back there every day, don’t do anything to protect your newly transplanted seedlings.

Naked seedlings. Bad idea.

There’ll be time enough later, after you discover more cat shit and the squirrels pull up all six kale seedlings. Replant the three that look like they might live and put some netting over the whole bed, from the roll that’s been sitting there the whole time.

Wildlife netting held in place with bricks. Until the bricks get knocked into the bed and crush some poor, defenseless lettuce.

You're done! Have a beer, or maybe something stronger. You’ll notice there’s no mention of compost or fertilizer. That’s because you haven’t got any, but you’re going to buy some any day now.