Edging up and out

Exploring the edges of time and tempeatures...

Well, the first lettuce seedlings are outside. Will they survive the cold nights predicted for this week? Your guess is as good as mine. I have the black tarp seen here ready to cover them at night. If I remember...

Luckily, I have another batch of lettuce seedlings growing in the house for replacement if disaster strikes or the next round if these make it. I can't imagine the stress real farmers feel every season as they put crops out, crops whose success have real consequences.

The letteus have hops, garlic and tulips to keep them company out there. The hops will be transplanted outside, the weeds are almost as big as the garlic, and the tulips look to maybe be on target for Easter. Spinch will be going out later this week and I am wondering if it is too early to start some peas? Maybe in a couple weeks?

I am definitely exploring the edges of time and temperature. As a native New Hampshire girl I am used to this in March, but the high tunnel is changing all the rules in the best possible way! Gardening is a partnership for sure, but with partners who speak different languages and don't share their plans. Gardening is cooperative improve at best and the act turns out different every year.

More than a place to grow things

I have other hobbies, and they have space needs too. Who knew a high tunnel could make a decent wax room? But it does! With a too-small garage, the tunnel made a great place to wax my cross-country skis this winter. Out of the wind, music going, and a chicken to keep me company, what more could a girl ask for! (Red the chicken could have been judging my technique, remember she is mean, but luckily I don't understand her. As you can see, there is also shoveling involved in keeping a high tunnel in winter... which is a whole other post. I don't consider shoveling a hobby but maybe some people do?

Delayed gratification

I like delayed gratification.

That is a good thing if you are a gardener.

It is of course fun to buy fully grown plants and have them instantly brighten a room, landscape a walkway, or jumpstart your vegetable garden, but growing things from seed or bulb is magical. It takes time, care, and optimism. It seems impossible and it does not always work. Each seed planted is like spinning the roulette wheel.

For a long time, I would simply buy a lot of seeds, scatter them and hope for the best. But this season, I am taking the time to carefully follow the directions, track germination, and experiment with light and moisture. It brings me back to my days in the lab. It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes, "The only difference between screwing around and science is science is writing it down"...stay tuned.