Just as I cooked up the last of the frozen tomatoes into a scorched pasta sauce, (I was Kitchen Mama yesterday) Ellie and Alex began to plant the first of the tomatoes for this winters batch of sauce. Any extras we will sell at the farmers market or to the restaurants.
The best time to plant anything is late in the afternoon, after the last of the heat of the day. The wind was our problem but so far so good.
Tima came in to supervise. We are planting all the tomatoes first, then the zucchini and pickling cucumbers. The cucumber will have a large tunnel-like trellis to save space. Around the outside of the tomato beds (to keep the weeds down and the moisture in) will be borage. Nasturtiums will be the zucchini companions. (Nasturtiums for eating, selling (blooms) and pollinating and borage is a big pollinator favourite, so a must in any vegetable garden). Pumpkins and watermelons and melons will be planted last. (Pumpkins will be on their own along the fence lines as not much wants to grow with pumpkins). I will be digging up young raspberry plants today and these will go along the fence line by the car park/John’s Junk Yard area.
“No feet in the garden, Tima!” Both the kunes and the volunteers went to bed early last night. They all had a big day. And Tane is so much better, still cannot walk but when he breaks into a trot he gets around just fine. I am so happy for him.
Probably a good thing I am not milking this summer. The gardens are going to keep us very busy.
Each to his own.
Everything else will be planted today no matter the time as there might be rain coming overnight and we want to take advantage of the good dousing should it arrive. Our last Frost Date is April 24 so if the weather holds, and who knows, we are officially in the gardening business busy-ness.
The piglet’s heating light went off last night and I did the same for the chicks. The overnights are warm enough. No heating lights for anyone anymore, though the chicks kept their Mama Tables.
I also have to divide the middle sized plonkers today. Four go to the barn for the night they will be sold tomorrow and three go down the back to the root cellar field.
I had better get cracking. Ellie is Kitchen Mama today which means I can work outside without interruption until dinner is served. What a joy.
I hope you have a lovely day.
Love celi
Weather Forecast
Tuesday 04/25 10% / 0 inMostly sunny. High 78F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph.
Tuesday Night 04/25 20% / 0 inCloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 61F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.
The Kitchen's Garden 
34 responses to “The North Garden”
Yes, I agree with other comments here, that’s a huge garden! Is this Farmers’ Market to be a new thing for you? I don’t recall you mentioning it in the past. Of course, if the restaurant does go forward you should have loads of stuff to supply it with.
I recall from years ago that marigolds should be planted with tomatoes to keep some sort of pest away. And now, of course, I can’t remember what that pest is… but I always planted marigolds with my tomatoes. Ha! apparently you can also purchase ladybugs by the lot, too… but I have no idea how expensive that would be. Hope your weather is holding out and you’re having a lovely day! ~ Mame 🙂
I love flowers in vege gardens. We have nasturtiums and marigolds which the bees love, some comfrey which went to tiny purple flowers, and borage which hasn’t flowered yet… I’m adding calendulas for good measure. We have a rogue late season pumpkin vine which isn’t going to do anything… you’ve reminded me I must just pull it out.
Lovely garden! Do you have much deer activity? We do here. I may have to put up the electric sheep net fencing this year. Love the Tina and Tane photos!
I have never had any problems from deer – pretty lucky that way. c
That is a huge garden and your soil is so dark and rich, I see great tomato harvests in the not too distance future. it will be weeks before we can put out tomatoes and squash.
I had another mind-clearing laugh today, although at Tima and Tane’s expense. (Don’t tell them.) And your captions are so good. I’m going back for a 3rd and 4th look.
I managed to get some butterfly bushes in the ground as shade and shelter for tiny tortoises, and I helped the kids at my church make new starts of 64 new baby ficus trees to give as gifts. We’re going to plant herbs and flowers next. growing things is such a satisfying endeavor!
Nasturtium is perfect for encouraging bumble bees which are great for pollinating zucchini. Glad to hear Tane is getting about. 😄