I've been spending a good deal of my time in the garden. Here are the potato pots I posted about last time. I've already added soil 3 times and I think the next time will bring the soil line right up to the rim of the pots. The amazing rain fall has been a huge benefit and though we've had almost 7 inches of rain in the last 4 to 5 weeks, we are still down about 5 inches for the year to date.
These are the "self-watering" containers that I'm experimenting with. We have spinach, Swiss chard, mustard greens, sweet potatoes, beets, carrots and lettuces all doing wonderfully and giving me extra time and space to get the in-ground garden going with tomatoes, cukes, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. I've still got lots more to put in. So far these containers are working out well. There is a reservoir in the bottom of the pots which you fill with water from time to time. The water is absorbed upwards into the pot and the plants are thriving. I have used a 50/50 mix of organic potting soil and compost to fill the pots. We've been eating the greens and they are as tasty as any I've had that have been grown in the ground. I'm using much less water and it seems a great way to get the early spring garden going before the ground is ready.
While visiting my grand kids in North Carolina this past weekend, I discovered the Western North Carolina Herb Festival and had a lovely hour or so to wander through rows and rows of potted herbs and vegetables and of course came home with more herbs to tuck in here and there. I added Sweet Annie, Meadow sweet, Lobelia, Angelica and more. There were lots of friendly folks with all sorts of growing tips and such.
I've also been doing some tincturing and tonight put together some lemon balm tincture and also plantain. Tomorrow I'll do the cleavers that are covering the ground in the orchard.
The season is just beginning and I'm having a wonderful time! Hope you are too!!
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