Today started out overcast and little cooler.
I did get the hollyhocks transplanted and a few of the extra iris rhizomes (yes, I know it is the wrong season!) that were in the potager. I then topped of the bark mulch in the paths. The only planting done was few 'Unwin's Striped Mix' sweet peas that I had pre- sprouted.
The spinach patch is now covered with bird netting. Last year was a double whammy for spinach. Germination was very sparse and as soon as the few came up, they were snipped off by birds. This year will be different! There are now 42 spinach transplants covered with netting.
Speaking of sweet peas, while going through the stash I found I had quite a collection of heirloom varieties. I'm starting to pre- sprout them now and hope that I can some of the more interesting ones to germinate. The seed is between 6 and 4 years old.
I must get my spinach and peas protected immediately! It has turned sooooo cold again, and my second planting of spinach isn't quite large enough to set out yet, so I procrastinate. I've seen birds and squirrels in the garden the past two days. If I don't get a move on, the spinach will be toast.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't gping to cover them as yesterday I did not see one Junco in the yard. Yesteday evening I happened to catch a pair of them in the spinach. I got my butt in gear after that. I must have looked like a crazy person running outside in my boxer shorts, screaming and yelling with arms waving and netting traling!
DeleteOh, please tell me the new one here - what else should be protected with netting? all greens? I just transplanted my komatsuna mustard....
ReplyDeleteDina, for some reason birds seem to love greens. If you have a large bird population I would put down some sort of protection. This can be many things, last year I used those plastic mesh trays that nurseries sem to have an undeing supply of. This year I am using plasitc bird netting. I just draped it loosely over the area, and secured it with sticks around the edges. As soon as the Junco's head back north, I'll remove it.
DeleteMy spinach is not cooperating very well this year so will have to try it again.
ReplyDeleteJenny, try pre-sprouting it and then planted the sporuted seeds dorectly in the ground. Just make sure that when the roots start to form that you sow them very carefully. Cover the seed with a small bit of soilless potting mix and you should get good germination.
DeleteI had to cover my beds last night with bird netting again. I think the squirrels were in the one bed and ripped up a newly planted kale plant. I have a horrible time with squirrels. They get in to everything!
ReplyDeleteI have been pre-sprouting my oldest spinach seeds and starting them inside. Of course, now my overwintered spinach bed is starting to grow pretty well. One can never have too much spinach though!
I don't usually have that much of a problem with squirrels in the ground. They love to drive me crazy digging in my pots!
DeleteThis is the first year I'll have a decent amount of spinach. I won't feel successful until the transplants settle in and start to grow.