First Asparagus Bed

Asparagus is one of the first fresh vegetables that I see available locally each spring. There are a lot of leafy greens that could be ready earlier but lettuce does not have the same spring appeal as fresh asparagus. I spent a good part of the morning preparing and planting an asparagus bed that should last for twenty years or more. When I think of that amount of time and the vision of the farm layout, I wanted to be careful about where I placed the bed. I chose a site that stayed dry all winter and is far enough out of the way that it would not become a building site or driveway.

That bed is on the hillside beside the garden area. I want to make it as level as possible across the slope. I used stakes and line level because I do not trust my eye.


I dug an 8 to 10 inch trench and made in 12 inches wide.


Then I placed some partially decomposed manure and straw in the bottom of the trench(not quite broken down far enough to be considered compost). A spade fork worked the bottom of the trench loose and combined the organic matter with the subsoil.



The roots will enjoy a pile of compost, fertilizer and greensand, for each asparagus crown placed every eighteen inches.



The trench was back filled with about 3 inches of soil and as the first shoots grow I will cover them with another 3 inches of soil and compost.

That is one sixty foot row. Now I just need to do 3 more rows for this year.

Cabbage Patch

The greenhouse that I started the seeds in stays 55 degrees all night and in the 70's during the day. If I were to transplant the cabbages without giving them some shelter for a few days it would be a shock to the plant. Earlier this week I put the plants in the cold frame to reduce the shock and to harden them off.
Yesterday I transplanted a few cabbages under some floating row cover. I decided to suspend the floating row cover over the transplants with a frame work of small metal hoops and bailing twine. I thought this would help keep the beating rains from smothering the plants under the weight of wet fabric. I have a supply of compost this spring so I have been able to top dress each bed as I plant them.

Another Coop

This latest chicken coop is going to be more of a chicken sedan. I am planning on 4 doors instead of the typical 2 door coupe. Sure this model will not be as sporty, but it will be good for the chicks we get this spring.

Cold Frame Construction

My previous neighbor had her windows replaced and I asked her for the old windows which are now going to serve as the glazing for cold frames this year. I used some scrap lumber and put together some frames from 2x6's. I tried to angle the boxes to the south to collect as much light and heat as possible. I will use these frames to harden off the plants from the greenhouse and start some lettuce this week.

Favorite Days

I have a few favorite days in the calendar year. There are the obvious holidays and birthdays that everyone looks forward to each year but some of my favorite days do not have a special meal to go with the date. Daylight savings started this weekend and that means I can enjoy the daylight even after my 8:00 to 5:00 job is finished.
The other day I look foward to each year is December 21, winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, this gives me new hope of the longer days to come. I can remember my Dad looking forward to winter solstice, but it never bothered me as a kid. That could be because I was home after school at 3:00 and could enjoy some daylight.
Now as a working adult I understand his angst. I think it has something to do with the feeling of wasting the best hours of the day at a job and the idea of being held hostage indoors without natural daylight when I am on my time.
I shouldn't be so depressing on the celebration of such a great day. I can enjoy some time outside after work without a headlamp.