Well, the weather here hasn't been really condusive to planting. We got 6 inches of snow and 2 major frosts this past week. But it was time to seed the broccoli and cauliflower and parsnips if you got the chance. I will have to play catch up here next week when the weather is supposed to be warmer.

Gardening Tip of The Day

Plant your fruit trees today and tomorrow.

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Kale benefits from an extra dose of nitrogen.  Forget the chemical sources and look for what nature has put together already for you. Alfalfa meal, blood meal, soybean meal, and cottonseed meal are all great nitrogen sources. 

The best time to apply is in the spring at planting time. Work into the top 3-4 inches of soil, then put your transplants or seeds and water thoroughly.

My favorite variety is Winterbor Kale. It's a Dutch hybrid that is tolerant of frost and snow.  It also lends itself to successive cuttings. 

Gardening Tip Of The Day
Plant beet and kale seeds outdoors today.
(If you can get it through the snow - like we have here!)

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Gardening Tip Of The Day:
Plant your potatoes and raspberries today.

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Legend has it that Attila the Hun introduced Kohlrabi to the general world.

Kohlrabi is just loaded with nutrients (even calcium).
It has virtually no calories and tastes much like a cross between a radish and very crunchy cucumber.  I like to crunch into a bite and then follow up with a bite of bread and butter.  It's a great treat.

Sow Kohlrabi now or in the late summer for a fall harvest. 
It's best harvested while still on the small side as it is quite sweet then.  Use the leaves for stir-fries.  No need to waste any of the plant!

You can eat it raw like I do or steam it lightly.  Make sure to plant enough to store away some for comfort food in the winter.

Gardening Tip Of The Day:
Plant your cabbage and, of course, lots of kohlrabi!

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Last night was quite an exciting night around here.  There was a local meeting of chefs and farmers talking about the need for local food growers.  They practically had money in their hands begging to give it away!

We have dreamed for years about affecting our community locally and this seems like an answer.  So if you are into gardening or raising of animals give your extension agent a call. They may be having a meeting in your area with people just waiting to buy your homegrown veggies!



Gardening Tip Of The Day:

Today's the day to plant your seed onions and radishes outdoors.

I'm planting red onions as they are great in the winter to use in making an expectorant.

I plant white icicle and daikon radishes. These are homesteading radishes and my personal favorite.

Feel free to leave me comments about your favorite onion or radish types.

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If you are like me you think a ramp is something a wheelchair climbs up!  But here in West Virginia it is a favored edible plant!

Ramps announce the arrival of spring in the woods around here and I have learned to eagerly anticipate their presence.  Herbally speaking, ramps make a great spring tonic to help get rid of the winter blues.  And they have the wonderful attribute of being what I like to call a FREE food!

Ramps are a wild leek and belong to to the lily family.  If you enjoy the flavor of ramps as much as I do and you can spare some, add them to your woodland garden (you do have one, don't you?).  Just take a few plants and insert the bulb about 2 inches into the soil.  Ramps thrive on moist, shady hillsides.  In about 5-10 years you will have enough to harvest a few.

I'd suggest you add a West Virginia ramp dinner to your spring "to-do" list!

Gardening Tip of the Day:
Plant your swiss chard and carrot seed outside today!

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Well, spring has arrived and here are some of my ideas for things to do to welcome it in!

Clear your garden area of leaves and sticks.

Feed spring bulbs as tops die down to encourage next  year's blooms.

Divide bearded iris after flowering is over.  With a strong knife, cut about 2 inches of the new growth back.  Remove any diseased parts and dust the rest with sulphur. 

Remove Mulch from your roses and perennials.

Divide and transplant perennials that are overcrowded.

Deadhead any spent flowers on bulbs but leave foliage until it yellows to nourish bulbs.

This month we are going to plant cool weather crops so have your seed packets ready!  Broccoli, cabbage, beets, carrots, Swiss chard, garlic, lettuce, onions, parsnips, peas, spinach, and turnips are good ones to have around.

Plant any small fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.

And don't forget it's time to start mowing again!  Mow grass with mower set to leave grass 3 inches high.

April's Gardening Tip
Bone meal, an organic fertilizer breaks down slowly.  This means it releases nutrients over a long period of time.  Its high phosphorous content contributes to root growth (making it perfect for fertilizing any bulbs you may have).
Mix in  a heaping teaspoon of bone meal into the soil in each bulb's planting hole.

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How Does YOUR Garden Grow?

You'll never ever truly know until these seeds you sow!

First - Plant
Perseverance
Patience
Presence
Preparation
Promptness

Next plant three rows of Squash
Squash gossip
Squash criticism
Squash indifference

Then add four rows of Lettuce
Let us be faithful to duty
Let us be unselfish and loyal
Let us be true to our obligations
Let us love one another

No garden is complete without Turnips
*Turn up for church
Turn up with a smile
*Turn up with determination to make everything count for God.
(Author unknown with a few of my own *suggestions thrown in!)

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