They Grew

I prayed over my tomato plants yesterday and when I went to tuck them into bed I couldn't believe how much they had grown. There was perfect growing temps yesterday and I didn't let anyone open the greenhouse door and let our heat out. The growth is amazing.

Behind?

I'm a tad concerned that my tomatoes are behind. What I have to go on is last year's photos and dates on this blog. I know I planted a week later, but I'm wondering if my potting soil is not as good as the soil I used last year? The plants don't look as vigorous.

BUT then,

last year I was keeping the plants in the house.

This year they are in the greenhouse even with no heat. I watch the temps like a hawk. The last few nights have been in the 40's at night. The plants are covered with a frost free blanket and protected by the greenhouse. There were a few nights that it was in the thirties, which is very cold for tomatoes.

The cucumbers look right on target, though and there is nothing being done differently for them.

The tomatoes have a purple tinge... which I had last year, but a bit later than this year.

On the other hand, we have seedlings up in the garden sooner than last year :-)

April's Offerings

 

 

The Progression of Things

 

Told Christina to get set to sell tomato plants for her fund raiser.

I planted a few too many seeds. 

Like maybe over 300 tomatoes....

Those tiny little seeds don't seem like much when you are planting.

Greenhouse Improvement Day!!

 So thankful Steve could help me out and solve our 

river-in-the-middle-of-the-greenhouse 

problem.

Tomatoes and Cucumbers

 The greenhouse is great during the day, but I can't trust it to be warm enough at night for my tomatoes and cucumbers, so all the seedlings are in our bedroom. 

We obviously struggle to get enough light. 

Last year at this time I had the seedlings in little pots,

 but I think we are not behind much.

The dining room has better lighting but we have a thirteen month old on the prowl

and nothing is safe without a door or gate to keep him out.

Russian Kale

 

Simple Pleasures....

Pea Shoots on Fresh Pea Soup

Nothing like Fresh Greens from the Greenhouse

in March!

February Garden

What it looks like outside today:

February is turning out to be an excellent month 

for growing salads in the cold greenhouse.

There's more light

and 

warmer days to promote growth.

We have a good dump of snow, but it's about 24 degree F,

so we are good.

I'm in awe of the beauty seen in these varied leaves and I couldn't stop taking pictures!

What it looks like inside the greenhouse:

Radishes growing like snowmen....

parsley

Frost patterns on the greenhouse plastic

Spinach

Onion seedlings

What it looks like In the HOUSE! Micro-greens.

 

Leggy looking lettuce

 Pea Shoots at the second stage

 The garden mascot wasn't into braving the elements today.
He was feeling mean, anyway.

January Garden

The absolute beautiful, warm sunny day inspired me to go work down 

in the greenhouse. The temps inside the plastic was a 

balmy 60 degrees

and on the outside a tolerable 36 degrees.

The sun is amazing. This winter is amazing!!

I could live here if every winter is this nice. . .

but considering I don't have any choice,

I'll take the lovely weather.

We are over the hump and everything is encouraging us towards spring.

I cleaned out some old plants to make rooms for early plantings

to be seeded in a couple weeks.

The cold hardy crops;

mizuna,

kale,

cilantro,

arugula, 

choi

have outdone the lettuces by far.

NO! Goosey! We don't plant for your benefit.

Mr. Gander has developed a misguided romantic attachment towards me.

Silly goose!