Bulb Planter

I use a bulb planter to move or transplant small plants like cabbage, broccoli, tomatoes, dill, ground cherries, lettuce, beans, etc. You have to have the kind with an adjustable release.

First squeeze the handle till the blades open a little bit.

Then center the selected plant in the opening and push down about 3 inches and release. Make one half turn and pull out your plant.

Place the plant in a previously dug hole.

Bury the whole thing. Then squeeze the bulb planter all the way out and gently remove it from the soil.

Add a little water and cover. Practice makes perfect.

Asparagus

I planted an asparagus bed form seed in 1970 and it served me well for 32 years until I built a new garage and had to destroy the bed. I started a new bed from 24 one year old root in 2003. Both were the Mary Washington variety. I hoe around the edge to keep the grass out and pull any weeds I see when I pick the spears every day. I quit picking the last week of June and shortly there is too much shade for weeds to grow.

Cabbage

Four cabbage plants started under a board. A lot more to come.

Peas and spinach

Peas are up and growing






Spinach will need to be thinned soon.
No weeds yet.

Rhubarb

I was told that the previous owner of my property had planted this rhubarb and had never gotten enough to make a pie. Just a little sauce. I did not harvest any stalks that first year but I've had endless amounts in the 40 years since. Eugenia is my wife and pie maker for the last 42 years.

Critters

This is one of the 8 broccoli plants I transplanted yesterday. I use half of a yogurt container for cut worm protection and chicken wire for birds. In about 3 weeks the protection is know longer needed and can be reused on other transplants.

Mole

We Got Him!

Mole

I have a blind mole first in my yard and now in the garden. At least he is in an area that is not yet planted.

Hoed

Everything that is planted is now hoed and ready for the next rain. No weeds yet.

Rain

Last night I got 2 inches of rain and my beets and carrots are high and dry. Peas, spinach, and lettuce seeds also experienced no damage.

Planting potatoes

I planted my potatoes today. 86 hills of Kennebec and 48 hills of Red Norland. I only have about 50 pounds of Kennebec left from last year so I have to get them in the ground or we'll be eating pasta. This picture is of the garden plot known as the south 80. It is 80 feet square and south of the house.