Root Crops

Today was somewhat underwhelming after the extensive activity of yesterday – however, this was fine, since I was pretty tired from moving all the soil around.

The most exciting event of today was planting the first rows of beets and carrots, one row of each. These crops are planted in succession, about one batch per week, because each plant only produces one crop, the root. If we planted them all at once, the entire crop would also be ready at once, which would mean we’d be trying to eat a whole lot of carrots and beets at the same time! Thus, we plant in succession.

I had drawn up a sketch of a garden plan, the main purpose of which was to outline where each crop would go. That pretty much went out the window, partly because the beds weren’t quite as I expected, partly because it’s easier to plant near the existing netting row cover so that I can simply stretch the same piece to include the newcomers, and partly because I’m not sure where the garden plan sketch is. But no big deal; if I find it, I can edit it so it’s a more accurate representation.

Anyway, the beet and carrot planting today occurred next to the peas, up on the north side of the garden - I chose here because there was already netting in place over the peas and onions, so I could just unwind the big roll of netting some more and continue what was there. The planting itself was easy enough, in spite of Katara’s persistent desire to be the center of attention and/or play with my hands. But after the seeds were in the soil, the anti-cat netting was more than a little reluctant to stretch over the newly planted section of the garden. After much adjustment, I finally got it over the carrots and beets and the hoop I'd added and secured the whole contraption. I hope the cats will be effectively kept out.

The broccoli is still looking good, as are the kale, the one remaining fennel, the more recent pepper transplants, and the raspberries. The tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers I seeded last weekend still aren’t up, probably because it’s been too chilly for them. Even in the coldframe, the temperatures get fairly low at night and don’t get all that warm during the day – it’ll be at least a week, I think, before they start stirring. However, once they do emerge, they’ll be worth the wait! As always, thanks for reading.

WOG out.