With the first warm weather I start dreaming of fresh salads and fruit desserts bursting with berries......
I have already been spending silly amounts of time at the seed racks picking out this years crops. Why do they sell all these seeds that don't have a prayer here unless you start them 2 months early and have a green house, cold frames, and a green thumb? I am going to be much more realistic this year.
I don't want to do all kinds of crazy seeds for plants that will never ripen in our short growing season here in Maine. I am going to concentrate on the basics this year. The stress of tiny pumpkins, green beefsteak tomatos and stunted melons is too much for me. I found a fabulous pick your own nearby for all kinds of berries so I am giving up on my rabbit ravaged strawberries too.
Spinach, lettuces, peppers, herbs I actually use, cucumbers, and grape tomatoes will be the largest crops I think. I want to do an entire small raised bed of carrots this year. Last years were sweet and crunchy and I got 2 crops even here. I've never done potatoes but I think I want to try them this year, if for no other reason than a learning lesson or the kids. I've heard they are very easy and hard to kill.
Coriander, dill, and cilantro are out, while double plantings of basil. thyme, rosemary and oregano will be fragrant and grace many of my dishes. I dont know why I always think I will start suddenly canning vast amounts of dill pickles but plantings of dill were always part of my routine. Why? Probably because of those fabulous pictures in gourmet and gardening magazines of beautiful feathery plants.
I saved my plastic milk jugs all winter and this weekend will poke small drainage holes and cut an opening from the top of each one, leaving the handle intact. These improvised pots will then grace my back deck hung with twine. Three times the space, much cheaper than pots, recycled, and easy care, what's not to love!? The kids are already thinking up what they will decorate the pots with too, so fab art projects as well.
If you aren't already doing it, rethink composting. It's really easy. The rich organic material you get is a great way to save money on fertilizers and in my opinion your veggies will be that much stronger and delicious. At our house its just a pile out behind the garage that I dump all our kitchen refuse and turn once in a blue moon. I'm sure there are much better ways but it works for me.
Revisit the roasted veggies and soup recipes before it gets too hot for these favorites. Salad days are almost here!
