Monday, March 21, 2011

Welcome Spring

Hello Gardeners!
Happy first full day of Spring! The vernal equinox occurred last evening (Sunday, March 20) at 7:21 p.m., marking the time when day and night are nearly identical in length—12 hours each—at the equatorial plane because the Earth is tilted neither toward nor away from the Sun. And was it not just the loveliest weekend for it? Being awakened by a bit of thunder and the accompanying rain this morning was also nice, although I hope not too many toads and salamanders begin their treks to vernal ponds just yet: it sounds like we’re to get some more cold before the final warm-up.
[Update: the spring peepers were peeping when I got home from work!]
My deep apologies for the blog silence. I’ve had a number of things keeping me occupied in my life, as well as being very busy at work (not something I would ever complain about in this economy!). But plans for the Learning Garden have been ongoing even though I have neglected to faithfully report on them.
A small group of gardeners have been meeting regularly to figure out what we’ll be planting and where so as to get the best effects of crop rotation and companion planting. We’ve figured out where we’ll get the seeds or seedlings, and when they need to be planted (roughly). We’ve ordered some large plant markers that will make a tour of the garden more informational to visitors. The plastic film has been ordered to cover our season extension bed, and the first work party date has been set: Saturday, April 2 at 9:00, when we will be installing that cover after applying compost. I’ll be sending out a notice via email to anyone who expressed an interest in playing in the dirt with us, but don’t wait for an invitation if you’re interested in helping.
With any luck, this covered bed will accelerate our harvest of greens and radishes and other spring plants enough that we’ll have produce for the first Millheim Market, which will be May 14. I promise to keep you posted so that you can…
Buy it locally grown
  or Raise your own!
Julie