spring soon, please?

I was hoping that when I returned from a week away from the east coast, that all the snow would be gone.  No such luck, although we are getting there.  I had grandiose visions of starting hearty greens and peas in the next few weeks, and that's looking pretty unlikely.  Seed starting however is just a few short weeks away, and I've got to get seriously organized.  Every year, I come up with a (let's call it a spreadsheet, even though it's really a hastily scribbled list) of all the seeds I need to start, and when they need to be started. With seed starting, as with many other things, timing is everything.  In the past however, my vegetable garden was a fraction of the size it's going to be this year.  I've been putting off the task of making this "spreadsheet" because I knew it would be time consuming.  And then, thanks to a little googling, behold the tool that will make your life far more efficient if you are starting seeds.

Plug in your frost free date - and voila the work is done for you!  Now if I can just get all my grow lights set up, and the snow will be melt I'll be all set.

Oh Martha!

You've done it again... no matter how much I love to hate you - you've won me over with your spring gardening issue.

Experienced gardener, get it - you'll be inspired.  Photos and reminders of how beautiful a vegetable garden can be abound. Brand new at trying to grow your own, get it, there is tons of information you need.  What to start from seed, what to start from plants, when to plant etc.  An all around good start, although if you are serious about growing a lot of vegetables for the first time you must have this book - Martha recommends it too!

know your farmer, know your food

Happy monday - lots of melting going on the last two days, it's getting me excited for spring.  Love this video, and thought I'd share.  I feel so fortunate to live in a community where local, direct from the farm food is readily available!


Hug Your Farmer! from lovetomorrowtoday on Vimeo.

no shadow = early spring?

We've had record snowfalls here in the northeast.  It's awful.  I keep trying to console myself with the fact that snow is a really good insulator for plants, better than any winter mulch.

Before - My "assistant" and I putting in the raspberry bushes in October

And after - nothing like 4 feet of "insulation" with an icy crust on top!

My plans for a very early sowing (using row covers) of cool weather plants is not looking too likely at this point.