It's a dreary dull day at the farmette. Not too cold. Big wind. Will be tucked up with a book, probably, most of the day.
The world has gone crazy, again. Russia - or rather Putin - invaded Ukraine. Residents are streaming out of the country, becoming refugees who don't know when they can return. All men 18-60 are being conscripted. People are talking about World War III. Soooo distressing. Makes me want to curl up in a ball. Hoping (really hard) that this is over soon - the Ukrainians are so brave in the face of the aggressor.
Anyhow, life goes on in Canada and at the farmette. Plotting and planning for the gardens continues. I've done my seed order for the year, and am looking forward to receiving that lovely Vesey's box full of goodies soon.
I go completely old-school with pencil and paper for my plan. It's a bit messy, but I can read it, and that's the main thing.
I've had this pad of paper for eons - I only use it for planning the vegetable garden - and I just love the Mark Twain quote at the top. Appropriate for current times, gotta say.
We're paring down on the tomatoes again this year - just a dozen plants. Rob's potatoes will all go in the small bed on the western side of the property.
The south side of the big bed will be tomatoes, peppers, peas and lettuce. I'm putting my gigantic sunflowers on the north side. One year, I made the mistake of planting the tomatoes butt up against the towering beauties, and wound up with a crappy crop - pinched wee romas that didn't get enough sunlight. Won't be making that blunder again.
The north portion of the big bed will be all the other root veggies - radishes, carrots, onions and beets. I always put in lots and lots of beets, because we pickle them and have yummy treats - and gifts for friends and family - all winter.
Last year, we made a bunch of raised beds, and this year, I'll be putting a mix of smaller, multi-coloured sunflowers - called Razzmatazz - in one that's adjacent to the western fence. We're moving the strawberry plants from behind the garage - where they didn't get enough sun - to the second bed on the western fence. Hoping the transplants work out, and we have a lovely crop of the heart berries.
One of the raised beds behind the garage will be home to my herb garden - already have perennials oregano, thyme and rosemary in there. I'll add in some basil and maybe lavender.
It's started to blizzard - again - at the farmette. Sometimes, it's hard to believe that we'll be sweltering in August a mere six months from now. We'll also be harvesting the fruits - and mostly vegetables - of our labour. Can't wait. Until next week.
Gratuitous photo of a cute cat. I give you Fred.
Komen