And So Gardening Season Begins

It seems like gardening season, 2023, got underway almost a month ago. In the last week with the rain barrels getting set up and tomato plants in the ground it’s like we finally got serious! I was able to get my raised planters going early this year thanks to the nice weather. I’ve enjoyed the first picking of radishes and lettuce.

I was able to plant the bag of small red potatoes that were sprouting on the kitchen counter and they have begun to pop.

Potatoes

I had a sweet potato that was determined to grow before I could eat it. We put it in a big pot just for fun.

Sweet Potato

Yesterday, it actually felt like gardening season had begun because Bert transferred the small amount of rain water in the rain barrels into the larger tank in the garden on the hill. He then used the hose to fill the tank the rest of the way. We’ve had very little rain and not much is predicted, but now that we have plants in the garden, we’ll need to be able to water the new plants without having to haul water up the hill.

You can read about how Bert sets up the rain barrels at: https://marykisner.com/setting-up-the-rain-barrels/

and how he transfers the water up to the garden tank at: https://marykisner.com/pumping-the-rain-barrels/

One of two rain barrels by the corners of the shop

The large water tank by the upper garden

We’ve planted 8 lavender plants, 10 tomato plants, carrot seeds and green and yellow beans. The echinacea has come back from last year!

Echinacea coming back from last year!

It does feel like gardening season has begun! We’ll cross our fingers for no more really cold nights!