Of Peas and Spinach and Umbrellas

Tiny Sun Disc daffodils

Muscari

John with Jade the Dog contemplating the wind challenged umbrella 

 

Tom was here this afternoon and confessed that after the middle of June he is no longer interested in his garden. Is this a crime? No. Is it unfortunate? No. Does it make him a ‘bad’ person? No. It’s his garden and he gets out of it what he wants and that ceases to work the middle of June. Simple. Keep this in mind as the season progresses: this is your garden, no one else’s, just get out of it what you want. 

That said I have managed to get my garden simplified to the point of ease. Really, I mean it. With a damaged knee I have discovered that help from Cecilia, Leah and John has been all it takes to get the job done. Does that sound simplified? That it took three people to get the job done? At least the maintenance will be minimal, especially since I can’t really get around for the next few weeks. The dandelions will thrive and the pollinators will be grateful. There you have it. Laissez faire will be the new dictum. Wish me luck. 

So, the potatoes have been planted. I bought four Yukon Gold, quartered them, let them dry for a couple of days, asked John to dig a trench about 10 inches deep and he then dropped the pieces in. There are four three foot squares each getting four pieces. As they show signs of life I’ll hill them with the soil piled to the side of the trench. Hilling will increase the yield and also prevent the tubers from turning green which can make you a bit ill if you eat them. I’ll keep adding soil to the plants as they continue to show signs of life until there isn’t any extra soil left. Speaking of potatoes showing signs of life I really believe they think they have something better to do. It takes forever for any foliage to show. Potatoes take patience. Once they get going (and that could be three weeks) they rampage. 

You may wonder at my tiny crop but be thinking about where you are going to put your harvest. Mine has nowhere to go, thus the need to not have a ton of potatoes. 

Another thought: because they take forever to show up for the dance, you might think about planting spinach in the same bed. I like to put a couple of rows along the edge of the bed, out of the way of the soil that will be used to hill the tubers. Spinach is so fast you will have it harvested before the potato plant takes over. Think about this. It isn’t often that we here in the Far North can get more than one crop out of our space. Double up. 

As our climate warms (to put it mildly) our deck is becoming uncomfortable because of the heat. We like to enjoy our lunch out there and afternoon tea but those deeply pleasant experiences are being avoided. So, I bought an umbrella with a weighted stand. Its 10 feet by six feet wide, you would think the problem would be solved. No. I didn’t take into consideration the steady, relentless day breeze - over she goes. Rats. It lasted a New York minute. It isn’t damaged and I’m counting John’s ingenuity to solve this because it really is a good idea. 

In the meantime I’m waiting for my knee to once again become operative before I address all that hasn’t been addressed, fussing about this should keep me busy …