Saturday, In the Rain

Just documenting a disjointed day.

First of all, made a new friend today.

The rhubarb is doing pretty well.












We're going to get some kale seeds. Soon.

Looks like we're going to have squash, too.

These are Zukes, German Pumpkins, and one last golden nugget (far right). These are a week or two old. I've already had to transplant two more of the golden nuggets: they've grown too big for their starter pots that fast.






Transplanted some more broccoli.

Peas are finally coming up. I planted them around Valentines day. I think guess Saint Patrick's is a better choice.

Same story on the radishes: planted in February; should have been March.







Potatoes haven't done real well. I suspect I planted them too early as well.

So I'm kind of rebooting. I have some extra seed potatoes, and they've sprouted in their storage bags. So rather than just plop 'em in the Tater Towers, I figured I'd get 'em started a little better. Four purple, three red, a handful of white ones.

And I pruned the mint pot. Now my hands smell like mint. That was the plan, of course.

Trees!

One of the best things about having a greenhouse is that all the rules change. My favorite rule to change is "You can't grow those in Washington."

So let's do this. 

Left to right:

• Bay Laurel (source of bay leaves for soups and curries), 
• Manzanillo Olive ("Manzanillo is ranked as the world's number one table olive"),
• "Wonderful" Pomegranate (Punicia granatum: an "upright, fountain shaped variety, developed for increased fruiting").

Let it be known that I've never grown any of these. So I'm kind of excited.

Now here's the weird part: I bought these on eBay. (May I recommend John Gray of Gray Gardens? Good folks!)

I should have my fig tree by the end of the month. Then I'm done. For a while, anyway. 

EggStarters

Found a new way to start the seedlings on the cheap.









This is the more traditional way to use egg cartons:

Dry Soup Mix

I've really enjoyed a batch of dry veggies which came from the bulk foods section of the food coop. I mix them into bread with a little chicken bouillon (amazing bread!), and I make a mixed rice blend that's really good that has them.

I decided I should dry my own. Thin sliced some carrots, bell peppers, leeks, and celery leaves and tossed them in the dehydrator. Looks like it'll take less than 24 hours in the active dehydrator.

I'll add some dried tomatoes from previously, and probably some dried onion chunks too. It'll be wonderful!

The Most Important Accessory

I still think this may be the most important accessory in the greenhouse.

How does it work? Wonderfully!

Strawberries Among the Lettuce

I guess I planted lettuce here, and forgot it. Then I transplanted some strawberries.

What an interesting contrast.

Big Dog Tomatos Planted

I have a whole lot of cherry tomatoes planted, including my very favorites (alright, my wife's
favorites): sunsugar.

But I wanted some tomatoes that would be big enough to slice and put on a hamburger, so I got me some seeds.

On the right, the traditional Beefsteak tomatoes.

But on the left, a tomato called Garden Leader's Monster hybrid. They promise tomatoes over a pound each! How could I pass that up?