Mandie survived her first week! Okay, not a major feat at this point but it is encouraging. Cold temps, good rain, it’s been easy. See? I told you there was nothing to it. Literally.
Though she did install this nice trellis. When her conch peas shoot from the ground, they’re going to need something to grab a hold of and this is an easy, portable and reusable way to go.
Unfortunately, there’s not much excitement in an empty garden box. But it’s only the first week. Most plants don’t sprout until at 7 – 10 days. So what do you do for a little pick me up thrill? 
Buy sprouts! Mandie picked up a few tomatoes, broccoli, lettuce and transplanted them this weekend. If nothing else, it does wonders for the overall appeal. Now, when she looks out her back window, there’s life out there!
Watering them in, she will maintain moisture by checking her soil with a dip of her finger. For a busy woman like her, she needs to make her time count. Watering deeply once a week as opposed to a spray every day will satisfy her plants needs and accommodate her schedule.
Then there’s the cold. We’re forecast for another spell of near freezing temps which is enough to send shivers of fear right up the stems of her tomatoes. Broccoli likes it cold and with most of her other kids still beneath the surface — and protected — she’ll only have to concern herself with the few in danger above ground and cover them the night before.
Covering your plants is simple. Using frost blankets made specifically for the garden or creating your own plant “castle” of your own, the goal is to keep them insulated from the cold, keep the frost off the plant. Otherwise, you’ll be headed back to the seed and feed, pronto. The peppers she bought will hold. These boys like it warm and won’t do well in these conditions.
Last freeze I lost a bundle of potatoes due to the persistent cold temps. My efforts worked for a few days, but hours spent near twenty degrees killed my gals, but good. However, didn’t your mother teach you there is always a silver lining?
She was RIGHT! Tilling the same bed this weekend to prepare for a new crop of onions, I discovered potato babies in the soil! Combined with the carrots I pulled it makes for great motivation. Nothing like giving her a taste of things to come to keep her working, right? And while nothing is growing wild and crazy today, she knows this is what she has to look forward. Fresh from the garden produce!
Stay tuned!
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