Madness! Spring Garden 2010

I am tempting fate. When I was a kid, I remember going ice fishing on my birthday (mid-April). But, a few nice days and many videos watched of people planting their gardens got the better of me. And I did it. I planted my raised beds. We'll see if I was, indeed, an April fool!

All my seeds are from the Jung company out of Wisconsin who carries many open-pollinated variety of seeds, or Victory Seed Company which specializes in heirloom and hard-to-find seed out of Oregon. I've been very happy with both companies and can recommend them if you are having trouble locating non-hybrid seed.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Lasagna gardening
• raised beds
• square foot gardening
• homesteading
• hobby farming
• Spring planting
• self-sufficiency
• preparedness
• economic collapse

[michiganmadmax]

OOPS!! I guess it took it the first time (or three) Sorry guys!!

[Michigansnowpony]

@michiganmadmax -- Thanks for padding up my comments for me. hahaha

[Michigansnowpony]

@michiganmadmax -- Thanks for padding up my comments for me. hahaha

[n2wds]

You brat!!! You now have us drooling to get our garden planted.  LOL Nice job on the garden. It won't be until late May before we can get our garden in, here in western NY state. Hope the frost stays away from your location. Enjoy this beautiful weather

[Michigansnowpony]

@n2wds -- Well, usually I'm not seriously planting in the garden until late April at the earliest. So, when there's 5" of snow on my beds, you can have the last laugh. I just couldn't stand it this year. As the video title says, "Madness!"

[looseal22]

If you get a light snow will anything outside die? I'm very green when it comes to gardening.

I'm trying some experiments with hydroponic gardening in my sunroom. My first batch lettuce is 3 inches tall already. I am using both electric pumps to circulate the water and non-circulating method without electicity. So far both methods are working equally.

I'm also trying to germinate tomato, cucumber, summer squash seeds for transplant.

[Michigansnowpony]

@looseal22 -- Everything I planted is a cool weather crop -- beets, Swiss Chard, Mesclun greens mix, carrots, spinach, Arugula, and green onions. So, they're hardier than many other vegetables. Depending on the duration and temps involved, a light snow probably wouldn't kill them, but certainly would set them back, especially if I didn't get the row covers on everything beforehand. This year IS different though -- my apricot tree is nearly in full bloom -- way early.

[LetsCook2gether]

if you plant to much ...you can harvest seeds

so you can try doing that yourself

just an idea :) you can transplant the squashplants to bigger pots

[LetsCook2gether]

if you plant to much ...you can harvest seeds

so you can try doing that yourself

just an idea :)

[ivankinsman]

Not sure which zone we are in - maybe it is 5 - but in Poland the rule of thumb is not to plant until after the 15th May since the last three days before this are normally frost prone. I sometimes wonder if you can use seed from two years back - we have planted some runner beans from 2008 this year and they are coming up OK.

[saltycreefer]

Good luck with the garden. I'll be working on mine tomorrow.

[Winesathome]

Thanks michigansnowpony!

I used to live in Cleveland, moved to a place that's only slightly milder, and I totally get what you're saying about watching other gardener's videos! I did the same this year, but believe it or not, so far my zucchini's and pumpkins are doing well. I planted peanuts, carrots, tommys, cukes, peppers already. But you've just given me inspiration to do much more! Thanks! M

[austinsimpleliving]

Hey, I have the same little greenhouse. It rocks. Anxious to see the "three sisters" method. Don't forget where you put the pad? lol. It happens every year for us. I have about 10 notebooks hiding around here somewhere. Looks great!

[lesacotto]

@Michigansnowpony Dairy animals will be out until hubby comes around to the idea of milking. I am a teacher, so I do need him to be on board for dairy. Knitting is my passion, and I pretty much do it all the time. Spinning is just an extension of that. There are some good books and videos out there to learn to spin. I have yet to take a class, but I have spun some lovely yarn. I gave up on the drop spindle though and bought a wheel.

[lesacotto]

@Michigansnowpony Dairy animals will be out until hubby comes around to the idea of milking. I am a teacher, so I do need him to be on board for dairy. Knitting is my passion, and I pretty much do it all the time. Spinning is just an extension of that. There are some good books and videos out there to learn to spin. I have yet to take a class, but I have spun some lovely yarn. I gave up on the drop spindle though and bought a wheel.

[MrsDilligaf]

@Michigansnowpony Your butternuts look great. As long as you are really gentle they should transplant fine. If they don't then you still have plenty of time to try again as its so early in the season. My grandpa always said that the '3 sisters' do best sown directly. I think its because all three have very brittle root systems. I have the opposite problem to you as I live in a sub-tropical climate. I have to wait until the heat and humidity subside before planting.