Garden Almanac Late May/Early June

All Planted!

There are a few replantings (I used old cuke and summer squash seed - poor germination.), a few bean towers and tipis, and the beans and pumpkins in the three sister's patch, but for the most part - I'm done!

Far Left Bed -Under Row Cover - Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Kale, Mustard
In back left - last year's Parsnips going to seed
Middle Bed - Radishes and Carrots, Red Norland Potatoes
Right Bed - Kenebec and Yukon Gold Potatoes
Behind the fence - Blackberries

My garden is not going to win any awards for being pretty, or tidy.  I try to let Nature help me out  when she's willing.  I try to grow only open pollinated plants, then when I'm done with them, I let a few of them go to seed.  These self plantings are some of my favorites.  They almost always do better than seed I plant myself, and I don't have to do any work. I haven't planted Red Mustard for years, and yet I always have a fantastic spring and fall crop. 



Garlic, Onions, Tomatoes and Greens Seed Propagation in Action
Seed Producers:  Giant Red Indian Mustard, Swiss Chard, Beets, Kale, Collards, Lettuce
Catnip and more garlic at the back.

I do practice crop rotation, but I don't worry too much about ripping something out because it's "not supposed" to be there.  I have garlic and onions growing in my tomato beds this year because last year the garlic and onion tops withered in the heat while we were on vacation.  When I returned I couldn't find them.  So, I left them in the ground and I didn't plant much garlic this year.  I knew they would come back to the garden party with friends this spring.


Sweet Potatoes

I love planting in our new beds.  


Winter Squash

Apologies here for the pictures being sideways.  Help!  How do you rotate pictures?  If you can turn your head like an owl you should see that this is an intensely planted bed. There are peas (don't you love my artsy, and free, branch pea trellis), beans, garlic and onions here. When the peas are done I'll take them and the branches out, then the beans will have plenty of room. When the garlic is ready to pull, I'll replant the space with fall greens and Cole crops.


I had great help with the corn patch this year.  Soccer Boy gets a quarter for each fine, straight row he hoes.  


Early Sweet Corn, Pop Corn and Late Sweet Corn
Rhubarb in back
Asparagus to the Right

I love this time of year.  I take a walk in the garden every evening.  I want to see what's growing and what's ready to pick.  It's very meditative  - the garden is my own labyrinth.  I find peace (and peas) there.