A quick look at the Weatherbug yesterday morning planned my evening. It was calling for rain yet again this weekend and if I didn’t get some tilling done it would probably be too late by the time the garden dried out again. So… in the ground went some direct seeded lettuce, radishes, spinach and beets along with a row of peas from my Great Aunt Mallie. The lettuce, radishes, spinach and beets were broadcast in 3′ wide rows about 15′ long, radishes, spinach and a little lettuce in one and beets and lettuce in the other. When the radishes and lettuce come out it should be time for the green beans to go in. I also tilled some ground for 6 more Heritage raspberries and everbearing strawberries I have on order.

As daylight was leaving I decided to start digging the hole for my inground composter. I got the idea from a Mother Earth News article I found on the web. A large metal trash can is buried almost completely and composting materials are added as you have them. The article talked about a 2 can setup. I decided to start with one can now and the other can wait. I was able to get the can in the ground and get the holes punched in the sides and bottom. I scattered some broken cement block pieces in the bottom of the hole for drainage. My only concern is that the hole will fill with water during a good rain. I may be able to find out soon as we had some rain today. It was much easier punching the holes in the can (using an old screwdriver and hammer) when the can was in place than before it was set in the hole and soil packed around the outside. I purchased some flat black paint to give it a good coat once it dries off, that should help keep the temps up. I am hoping that since the top will be black and the bulk of it is buried the soil temps will help keep the biological processes going during the winter. All in all it was a VERY productive day.

This morning before the rains came I was able to get the rest of the garden tilled. I also planted the rest of the leeks for a total of 264. Not bad for an order of 60 leeks. Many are very small and may not make it but we should have leeks to spare for pretty much everyone we know