Spring has Sprung!

Well, it's been a very cold and snowy winter, leaving all of the gardeners itching to get back to planting and soaking up some sunshine (although we haven't had much of that as yet).  It is still too early to uncover the garlic, asparagus, rhubarb and over-wintered carrots, as overnight temperatures in the teens and 20s are expected over the next week.  Soil won't reach the critical temperature (50℉) for planting hardy plants for another three weeks, but there is lots of prep to be done.

A peach and an apple tree were lost last year.  These will be replaced with two peach trees, so soil prep is underway to plant the new trees once they ship.  Gardener Steve is continuing to generously contribute his time, and will help install two additional rain collection barrels (donated by one of his friends), giving us six in total in the garden.  Since the only water source is rain and a small hand pump, having these water collection barrels ensures we can keep the garden watered.  And not having to pump and carry gallon watering cans to the plots is a major time and back saver!

We're also planning on making a few raised beds in the orchard using non-chemically treated pallets, in which pie pumpkins and small seedless watermelons will be grown.  The orchard will eventually be converted from an old hay field to a wild flower meadow.  Some of the bulbs planted earlier are popping up, hopefully providing some nectar for pollinators.

As well as flower bulbs, chives are growing, and savory surprisingly made it through a tough winter. 

We're all looking forward to another productive growing season, with lots of produce being provided to local food programs.  Stay tuned for new postings and updates, and happy gardening to you all!