I think I'm going to need a lot more ben-gay. I don't mind the labor of shoveling or the pain, but I hate the thought of having to wait till spring to plant. It's like an empty canvas and I want to paint it. The dark soil on the first bed is mushroom compost. I will work that in after soil settles. Hopefully I will have lots of veggies next year. Next is the fencing. Critters are not going to get into my gardens again. ( photo / image / picture from Donna S's Garden )
What a nice load of soil. That is really good stuff, Donna. It is really going to be bad to have to just look at it and not be able to plant...but by the spring the layers of micro-organisms will be established and you will be all ready to go. Of course, if you wanted just do a little something you could perhaps just plant a couple of Swiss Chards in one corner. You know--just for the heck of it. I usually have some that I harvest during the winter.
It sure would be hard to not have something planted. I like the idea of Swiss Chard. There's a variety... I can't think of the name right now... that's VERY pretty.
Donna, You don't have to wait until spring...there are "cold" crops that don't mind the cooler temperatures. A row cover helps extend the growing season, too. Broccoli, cabbage maybe, beets, lettuce, radishes and I am sure there are more. Just toss some seeds for the lettuce and they will grow if the ground temp is warm enough. The broccoli you may want to try starting inside if the ground is really cool and plant out small plants. I put broccoli starts in in Sept, hoping for a late fall crop for my winter farmers market. Mine is in the high tunnel, but there is no heat there, only the cover to keep the frost off and moderate the cool nights. You may be able to do more than me. Where you are is a little warmer, I think and more temperate, near the ocean. We don't live close enough to Lake Erie for it to help here. I am envious of that mushroom compost. I think that will be my big investment come spring, but I need a couple dump trucks full for my garden. Your new beds look fantastic, too.
I have a question for you Donna. When do you find the time to sleep? That mushroom compost is great stuff and I'm sure any veggies you plant will thrive in their bed. I look forward to seeing what you decide to put in there.
Wow Donna, I'd come help shovel just to see what the beds look like when finished! I think the Swiss Chard Cheryl is referring to is "Bright Lights" with varied color stems. Very tender and tasty, too.
