The remaining soaker hoses plus 5ft length connection hoses should arrive later this week. The plan is that, Friday, the full experiment in irrigation will be laid and tested, then square-foot lines of twine laid in all raised beds and on much of the ground beds. In the late afternoon, cold weather starter plants will be planted. Yeah!

The soil and the night temperatures are more than adequate for crops such as Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Japanese Cabbages and greens, as well as to direct sow Peas, Sweet Onions, a variety of Carrots, plus more lettuce, kale, chard, and collards. Most of these had first seeding with the new moon a week or so ago. All beds will be freshly leaf mulched and watered upon completion. (pictured: brussels sprout and broccoli started inside under lights)

Using square-foot lines and gardening method provides for easier recognition of where to sow second rounds of seeds (2-3 weeks apart) for lettuces and Asian greens. Also, where to leave planned space for summer crops and flowers such as Tomatoes, Basil, Peppers, Marigolds, Tomatillos, Summer Squashes and Winter Squashes.

Five varieties of summer squash are germinating (3 green, 1 gold, 1 yellow). All plants started for my garden are grown organically and most are heirloom. I usually harvest my own tomato seeds and winter squash seeds, with a new, fun variety or two each season.

Typically 7-9 varieties of winter squash are grown. My favorites are Kabocha (orange and green), Jarrahdale, Sweet Meat Gray, Blue Hubbard, and Sugar Pumpkin. All of these make excellent Squash Soup with coconut milk after being roasted. All but the Sugar Pumpkin store well in cool storage until Jan/Feb. The soups freeze impeccably well also. Sweet winter squash meat is a favorite in vegetarian or chicken tacos, added to any pot of lentils, diced into a dahl, included in a Great Northern Bean or Butter Bean stew, or served as a Masala. Summer and Winter Squashes/Pumpkins are given away as well. — Can you tell, I love winter squash!

Garlic is coming up. We planted about 20 cloves last Fall (been increasing the number each year plus using a different raised bed). At least 15 have put up shoots.

The naturally seeding Cilantro should start showing soon. Dill, a week after. Can’t seed Beans until late May, which is when Tomatillos, Peppers, and Tomatoes -hopefully- will go in the ground. Seven varieties this season. Lots of color will be on the vines!

Summer and Winter Squash plants all need nights and ground soil to be adequately and consistently warm. Late May or first week of June for that – which is why I start them indoors. Our growing season is typically short. First snow or hard frost can come by mid-September; or, like last year, wait until early October. Climate disruption declares to bet on nothing. So, plants that need 90+ days for full mature produce need to have the jump of indoor starting. Cucumbers also so that a rich and ongoing harvest can be produced. Not to mention, be available when Cherry or Grape Tomatoes are coming in!

Most of the Tomato plants are are second potted, really beautiful, and healthy. I love gardening! Love starting plants indoors, too. It’s work, to be sure; but it makes me so happy, is good exercise (standing to water, set trays with soil or re-pot, bending to lift the trays, and bring them outside and back in again when the weather provides). Friends, spend the money on Sturdy Trays if you haven’t already. It’s a bummer that such things are plastic, but the cheap trays are plastic too. The Sturdy ones will last the rest of my life and will never buckle and drop hard-won cherished plants.