It is wonderful to be planting seedlings out in the spring garden and watching them take off. Here are some of the vegetables that have been planted out recently:
*Carrots, Scarlet Nantes and Nutri-Red (a red carrot variety). I finally gave up trying to direct-seed carrots in the garden as the tiny seedlings were all being annihilated by pests. I’ve started these last two batches in flats and transplanted them — fiddly work, but it’s very satisfying to see how well they are growing now.
*Burdock We’ve not tried growing burdock before, and I’ve only ever eaten it in Japanese restaurants, so this is a bit of an adventure for us.
*Kohlrabi, a variety called “Early Purple Vienna.”
*Salsify
*Scorzonera (Black Salsify) — Planted with the carrots as it is reputed to help repel carrot fly. We’ve also sprinkled coffee grounds around the carrot beds to help repel slugs and carrot fly.
Dalmatian Climbing Beans — Our favourite green bean variety from last year, with lovely purple streaks on it. We are going to try succession planting the green beans this year, in an effort to get a more staggered harvest. We’ll see how this works out.
Black Beauty Zucchini — Cropped well last year over a very long season, so we saved seed to keep growing it
Bull’s Blood Beet, Jerusalem Artichoke, Yacon, Chinese Yam, Woodland Strawberries, Onions (Pukekohe Long Keeper and Stuttgart Long Keeper), lettuces, peas and heirloom potatoes. The whole garden is filling up and taking off!
In planters by the living room window sit lots of little tomato and pepper plants, along with the first cucumbers, squash and okra. We’ll be transplanting them into the garden as they get big enough.
The vegetable seedlings are not the only things growing on the farmlet. Herman Beefsteak and Henrietta Hamburger seem to be getting bigger, fatter, and cheekier by the day. Coco’s milk supply is increasing as the grass gets sweeter and greener. Grapes vines are greening up and beginning to cover the garden fence. And of course my belly is getting bigger and wrigglier all the time. The baby has been stuck head down for over a month now. Exciting to think that in just over a month a new little person will be here with us!
Becky observing the realm
Coverlet
I’ve been keeping up with sewing and general baby preparations as the belly continues to grow, making more muslins and some baby wraps out of cotton flannel with crochet edging. All but the very last of them are now sewn up, washed, and folded, ready for the baby to arrive. As well as preparing for our own baby, I finished a gift for a cousin’s baby who was born recently — a big, healthy baby girl. I have to confess that I started making that little coverlet for the birth of their first baby (now 3 years old), and have only just finished it in time for the second. Just as well they decided to have another baby!
beautiful coverlet and beautiful soon-to-be mom! it’s great to see the progress of the gardens, while across the world our leaves are beginning to change. thanks for all the updates!
Congrats again. You both look very healthy.
How about another Herman picture?
Becky, you look terrific! Just a few weeks now, no?
I second Michelle’s request for More Herman, too. 🙂
kermujin
Love your site. I am just starting a Fall garden, and am dreaming about Spring. Congratulations!
Hi All,
We’ll work on getting some more photos of that Herman Beefsteak! The weather has been very blustery, squally and changeable — hardly ideal conditions for taking animal photos, though I’ve been managing to slip outside for some chores between showers and gusts. We’ve had a lot of fun out of those Herman photos and are looking forward to his next photo shoot!
Also, thanks for the interest and kind comments about garden and belly. Yes, only a few more weeks (less than 5) until the baby’s due date. Very exciting!
Cheers,
Rebecca
I’ve been following your blog off and on for a while now. We’re nearing the end of our first season of growing our own food, and I can’t wait to watch your summer garden as the weather gets colder here! It will be a nice window into the future…
I’m a daily reader of cryptogon but this is the first time I’ve visited farmlet. Your photos of the goats reminded me of my rather eccentric childhood during which my crazy father brought home 4 goats in hopes they would produce milk (they never did). But Peter and Eleanor [Rigby] and Evel and Knievel were great fun (though occasional nuisances).
During these sad and warmongering times it’s such a pleasure to read about your experiences and hopefulness and simple life.
Thank you.
PS I made a contrib. to cryptogon once before, I must do so again. Good luck with the weeks/months ahead!
Hi Paolo,
It’s nice that you’ve found Farmlet now, as well as Cryptogon. Thanks for your positive feedback, and for sharing your goat anecdote. I hope we are luckier than your family were when it comes to getting some milk. We’ll have to wait and see what happens next spring.
Cheers,
Rebecca