Another rather dreary, rainy day in Virginia Beach. Our ground is thoroughly soaked, puddles abound. It's a perfect day for staying well inside, happily reading the growing pile of garden catalogs scattered over the coffee table.
The good news is that we have moved out of "Drought" status, according to the US Weather Service and compliments of the recurring mild, wet weather that has moved weekly up the coast. Last year we "lost" the month of June here to terrible, choking smoke from the burning peat of the Dismal Swamp and scattered North Carolina fires. Peat from the swamps has a distinct stench - none of the familiar aroma of wood smoke - and it makes me wonder what on earth Irish homes smelled like if dried peat is the primary fuel.
Despite my best conservative intentions, I am seduced by seed catalogs into plotting (literally - my graph paper spreads beside me) more varieties than I swore at the end of last season I would wedge into the garden this year. We have moved all the vegetables to 6 raised beds and having that space constraint really helps me focus my garden plan. I am the Rotation Planting Queen.
I continually review my resolutions:
Garden Resolutions 2009
(1) I will not plant vegetables that we don't really like to eat. (Eggplant stands out here. I adore the color and the fruit but just can't get it onto the family plates. I know, everyone has a recipe they swear we will adore. I'm sold - work on my husband.)
(2) I will not plant vegetables that are better grown by the surrounding farmers. Sweet corn will be from the nearby farm stands this year, ditto potatoes and standard melons. These folks are our friends, supporting their families with their stands and CSAs. We want to keep those little farms alive, so I allow them to provide for us what they do best.
(3) I will water and feed long before my suffering plants remind me that it is critically necessary.
(4) I will label perennials with labels that will stay on, remain legible and withstand hurricanes. (Any suggestions very welcome!!!) I have an entire daylily collection that has become anonymous and abeautiful, mixed Iris bed labelled simply I. dunno. And where ARE all those fall bulbs planted, anyway????
(5) I will manage a timely harvest of the beans, summer squashes and cucumbers before they are wa-ay past due.
(6) I will turn my compost. More often. At least twice.
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