Our day began with a visit from the tile-man, who made a repair in the shower downstairs. After that, Mike kept up with his professional work, while I washed clothes and worked downstairs. I set the mint bundles to dry in the downstairs porch. In the afternoon, Mike gardened, while I cleaned a storage cupboard downstairs. Favorites were on the menu for dinner– bangers and mash, baked beans, and for me, the ever-present Swiss chard. –MJH.
We’re putting in a small patch in hopes of raising a few veggies before we head north.
South veggie patch chemical soil test results:
| Test |
Value |
Meaning |
Element for 32 sq ft |
Fertilizer for 32 sq ft |
| pH |
6.5 |
good |
– |
– |
| N |
0 |
depleted |
1.4ozs |
4 ozs 15-30-15, plus 4ozs 22-3-4, plus 14ozs Wood Ash 0-1-5 (est.), plus a cubic foot of pH5.5 Compost. Pre-mix Wood Ash and Compost. |
| P |
0.5 |
v. deficient |
1.2ozs |
| K |
0.5 |
v. deficient |
1.3ozs |
Soil tests pH7.5 indicated by soil meter, confirming that the soil meter reads one pH too high.
It was a day filled with small wonders– a walk on main street, planting seeds for the new garden, a quick trip to Blackberry Cottage for wood ash for the new potting soil. While Mike scooped the ash from the fire-place, I cut bundles of mint from beside the creek. Later we carefully planted vegetable seeds in one of our new trays. –MJH.
Fordbook Giant
Expected germination: 4-10 days
Expected harvest: 55 days
9 cells of 2 seeds each.
Started 05/04 in potting soil.
Increased moisture 05/13.
Germinated 05/16-05/20, 10 of 18 (56%).
None survived the earwig attack.
Harvest: None
Purple Top, White Globe
Expected germination: 7-10 days
Expected harvest: 55 days
9 cells of 2 seeds each.
Started 05/04 in potting soil.
Increased moisture 05/13.
None germinated due in part to insufficient moisture and possibly also due to pH.
Harvest: None
Bibb / Limestone
Expected germination: 7-10 days
Expected harvest: 57 days
9 cells of 2 seeds each.
Started 05/04 in potting soil.
Increased moisture 05/13.
None germinated due in part to insufficient moisture and possibly also due to pH.
Harvest: None
Early Snowball A
Expected germination: 8-10 days
Expected harvest: 55 days
9 cells of 1 seed each.
Started 05/04 in potting soil.
Increased moisture 05/13.
None germinated due in part to insufficient moisture and possibly also due to pH.
Harvest: None
Gourmet Green Mixture
Arugula, endive, red kale, red and green romaine, Salad Bowl and Lolla Rossa lettuce.
Expected germination: 7-10 days
Expected harvest: 40-60 days
9 cells of 2 seeds each.
Started 05/04 in potting soil.
Increased moisture 05/13.
None germinated due in part to insufficient moisture and possibly also due to pH.
Harvest: None
French Breakfast
Expected germination: 5-7 days
Expected harvest: 23 days
9 cells of 2 seeds each.
Started 05/04 in potting soil.
Increased moisture 05/13.
None germinated due in part to insufficient moisture and possibly also due to pH.
Harvest: None
Added 1/2 cup of fine white hardwood ash and 1/4 cup Miracle-Gro 15-30-15 to approx 20 qts potting soil.
pH now up from 5.5 to 6. May add more ash later but we’ll wait a while to see if there’s any delayed effect.
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