Gardening!

I just received 2 seed catalogues in the mail!! That must mean that spring is almost here, right? After all the days are getting longer, which means the sun is getting higher in the sky, so it's getting warmer? Can't tell in Manitoba! Today's high is -5C or 23F. But getting my seed catalogues makes me think of spring and planting. That means warm sunshine, green grass, blooming flowers, birds singing, mosquitos (we won't go there), sitting on the deck relaxing in the evening with a cold drink. I feel warmer already!

But first I have to decide what to plant. Hmmmm. We'll start with the usual:

*Cucumbers - I make my own pickles and relish

*Carrots - the garden grows them like weeks and we usually "grow a row" for the food bank.

*Squash - Brad's favorite

*Corn - corn on the cob - yummy. Found out how to do it in the microwave

*Pumpkins - for pie, muffins, cake etc.

*Peppers - bell and spicey

*Onions - Sweet spanish

*Tomatos - the bigger the better.

Might have to try to grow asparagus this year. I bought some at the grocery store last summer and put it in a stirfry I did on the BBQ - worked and tasted great. If anyone grows asparagus please leave a comment for me with any tips. I know nothing about growing asparagus.

We don't grow beans of any kind now. One year we grew dry beans - still have piles left. And the garden grows green & yellow beans like weeds. We don't eat them. We ended up taking them to the food bank too, but you have to pick them so often - lots of work. We've grown melons, lettuce, birdhouse gourds, garlic, watermelon, broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts over the years. Sometime with good luck - sometimes not.

The only flowers I grow are in boxes on our new deck. Last summer I tried to start flowers myself with mixed results. Ended up getting a few at the greenhouse to fill holes, then wouldn't remember to water regularily. Will have to try harder this year.

What I really need is something to kill all the weeds in the garden!! I really do not enjoy weeding, just ask Brad! My garden is big enough that we can leave 7 ft. between the rows so we can use the 6 ft tiller with the tractor. I do have a small tiller too, that we use between the rows that are closer together. We plant the 2 corn rows quite close together so they hold each other up if we get strong winds (learned this tip from SIL's fatheer). Last summer I tried to get out to the garden early before the heat (really don't like heat either). So if anyone has tips for getting rid of weeds withough the need of a hoe - let me know!!

So I went looking for gardening blogs etc. Didn't really find anything - if you know of some let me know and I will add them to the post. The pictures I "borrowed" from the company where I buy my seeds. Vesey's.

UPDATE: UX Critter a shop on Etsy, just gave me this link. Here we can find links to gardening blogs!! Off to check them out!

Dig In Dirt: a garden blogs directory!!