Spring Means Garden Planning

In February we got a new dog, Buster. I’m really hoping that he is the ticket to deer control! He certainly pays attention to them, but so far it looks like he’s a deer chaser. I don’t want that, I just want him to bark them out of the yard. So far he is absolutely perfect. He’s a rescue pit bull, and has had a hard life up to now. He’s 2 years old and loves us and the cat. He’s wonderful to walk on a leash and very friendly to other dogs. He’s a great companion for our daughter and she’s being very responsible about his care. I think she’s pretty happy with him!

It is spring in Duluth, and my thoughts have turned to the gardens. My husband has been very busy with plant starts. We have tomatoes, basil, peppers and tomatillos started. We started everything a bit earlier this year, the beginning of March. In the past we would start plants on St. Patrick’s Day. Last year we found that things just didn’t mature in time. We had to bring in most of the tomatoes and didn’t really get many hot peppers at all. One can get very discouraged when you’ve put in so much time!
We are still eating from last years’ harvest. We have pickles, relish, and jam, rhubarb, strawberries, salsa, pickled beets, and a couple jars of pickled green beans. In the freezer are bags of zucchini and peas. Our squash was getting soft, so I cooked and froze the few that were left. We will be making butternut squash ravioli with that…yum. Our potatoes are sprouting and will become seed for the 2010 crop.
I plan on uncovering the strawberries this weekend. We may be on the last year of these everbearing plants. I’ll have to devise a way to let some of the plants sprout so that we can regenerate more plants. This would be a good way to save money by not having to buy more plants.
I have to go take a peek at my currant bushes, hopefully they have survived the winter. The raspberries need to be moved, they are in a shady spot and not doing so well.
Our cell tower battle is not over yet. Richard planned on filing the injunction against AT&T yesterday. This will begin a new chapter in this process. He really has put an incredible amount of time into building our justification for asking that this tower be placed elsewhere or lowered to treetop level. Not only are we arguing danger to birds in an extraordinary migration area, but also the aesthetic detriment to the north shore area and the scenic drive. I will keep you posted!