Gardening With The BeesWatch our garden (and knowledge) grow!

I love this vibrant color!

I’ve been wanting a new mailbox post since the first day we looked at this property in 2007. The task finally reached the priority list today, and we picked up a pre-made post (saving us lots of time, not to mention it was on sale) and made it happen.

Thankfully, the old mailbox milk jug thing was not anchored in cement, so this made removal easier. Using a measuring tape, the hole was dug deeper, deeper, deeper, until the mailbox height was in compliance with USPS mailbox guidelines.

In standard fashion, I removed a layer of grass and brought in compost in preparation for a flower bed to cheer things up. I have morning glories sprouting, which will soon be ready to climb that new pole.

Today we placed the bean and pea fencing in the garden in a fresh position for a new year. We chose the northeast corner.

I planted one row of peas, as part of a staggered planting schedule. I also managed to plant 200 onions – half yellow, half red. Very good progress!

As a final preparation for tilling, Ryan finished loading the garden with compost over the weekend while I was away.

Today we rented a small tiller and tilled the entire garden. You’ll see in the photo that we also picked up another truckload of compost and added it to the new garden section/addition. (Along with picking up a few bonfire logs, which Ryan can’t resist.)

We are now tracking almost three weeks ahead of last year! It’s fun to watch the robins swarm the freshly turned garden dirt for bugs and worms.

Today I planted the herb seeds indoors: Basil, Cilantro, Dill, Lavender, and Parsley. I also planted Moonflower seeds and started the Morning Glory seeds soaking.

Turned over enough garden space today to plant the lettuce, spinach, and radishes for the early season. Can’t wait to see the first green sprouts!

Here are a few links I’d like to share that I found today.

The first one is about saving your own vegetable seeds from year to year, for so many good reasons: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/save-seeds-garden.html

And this one, how to make your own seed pots, which I learned can be made from old phone books (which we never use anyway). I’m going to give this a try and return the seed-starting tray I just bought while it’s still in the wrapper! http://herbgardens.about.com/od/herbalcraftsandgifts/ht/MYOSeedpot.htm