Making my way down from the high tunnel on this cold rainy spring day, navigating the mud, to fetch a hot cup of tea. Lugging my seeds, seedlings and cold tea down ito keep the chaos somewhat organized.

Around the yard, the garlic, chives and rhubarb are coming up, and the raspberries and currants are starting to leaf out. I’m on the lookout for any asparagus shoots so I can beat the rabbit to them and put upside down glass punch bowls over them.I want to expand my asparagus patch this year. I’m mulching all my pathways but I can’t plant outside until the ground can be worked. It is still too wet and cold here in Sou’west Nova Scotia.

The small greenhouse is planted out with spring peas, spinach, kale, lettuces, parsley, Swiss chard onion and broccoli starts. The floor is filled with sweet pea, onion, and leek seedlings hardening off and awaiting some warmer weather. I could warm everything up with row cover. But then I would have to water more and frankly I’m not into that quite yet.

The high tunnel is my nemesis right now. It’s a bit soppy awaiting a drainage ditch that can’t go in till May. A mouse is determined to tip over seedlings each and every day. I have managed to plant in drained beds some Fava beans, beets, white turnips, and spring peas to try to see how far I can push the seasons. Most everything is up. But I also have a rack full of cabbage, cauliflower, celery, lettuce, spinach, kale, fava bean, flowers and onion starts waiting for their space. It’s a dance this time of year.
I also did an experiment of grow bags of early potatoes-Norland. We shall see.

Inside, the mini hothouse keeps the grow lights and seedlings organized and the puppy and the kitten out. Sometimes. It is filled with sweet potato slips, sweet and hot peppers, and more cauliflower/ celery starts. Monday I will need to make room as I start alllllll the tomatoes I want to grow. I’m excited to finally get to them.

Finally the cold frame is planted out with seaside spinach, marvel of 4 season lettuce and kale starts. I’ve also put some radish in there half heartedly. We don’t like them though and that certainly is no way to grow things.
Grow with love or not at all.

Love,

Jenn xx