Friday, February 19, 2016

February Garden Prep

The garden is really muddy right now from all the snow and ice melting that happened over the past few weeks.  But I got out anyhow, with mud boots.  Because I'm really excited about Spring next month.

I did a layer of ashes from our woodstove.  I read an article a few months ago in a Hobby Farms magazine about the benefits of ashes in the garden.

After the ashes (which went over a layer of compost added in January), Paul brought in a second layer of rabbit poop.  I had done a first layer in December.  Then I spread some mulch hay and some horse manure.  And Paul and I worked together to dump a bit of topsoil. 

I want to build up a couple of new garden spots this year.  I always get so garden-bitious this time of year.  I can barely stand it.  So much potential, so few weeds!  I love the fresh start that Spring brings. 

21 comments:

The Cranky said...

I'm ready for garden season myself!

Nancy Chan said...

Ashes is good for the garden. Not easy for us to get ashes because we can't do open burning in my area in this hot weather. I am looking to Spring through your postings.

Steve Surratt said...

Nice, you should get some amazing growth out of that prep. One of these years I'll turn one of my terraces into a garden...if the city will let me.

Heather said...

Looks awesome! We still have a bit of snow - and the potential for a lot more, we live in Maine afterall! Last year I let the garden rest, and I am itching to get back into it. Hoping for an early spring so I can get out there and see what I am up against! I'm hoping to try your radish trick for my squash this year - hopefully that will keep some of the bugs at bay.

Out on the prairie said...

I bought some flower seeds yesterday while picking up a load of hay. The rabbit manure is a slow release and can be used around your plants.We have been letting ours run loose, they seem happier and fatter.

M.E. Masterson said...

Oh the air is changing...not ready to start that project yet...soon enuf!

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

We are determined to have a garden again this year. We are still very muddy too. It won't be too long before we can start planting a few things! :-)

Sally said...

Good job there Lisa and Paul.

I love spring also; I guess I'm flower-ish-es. :)

xoxo

Sunnybrook Farm said...

I have been putting ashes on the garden for years, but usually skip a year and put them on the pasture so as not to get too much of them. Too wet to get any manure over to the garden, if it would just dry for a few weeks.

Michelle said...

I use ashes in the garden and a bit in the flower beds. Along with compost, manure, etc.... I am so looking forward to spring.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

We use ashes too.
Our mud looks gooier that your mud!
love
tweedles

Linda said...

Ash = potash = potassium, right?

Vera said...

Starting to feel the need to get outside myself!

Annette said...

It sounds like you're counting the days until spring! I never knew ashes would have benefits for a garden, but now that I stop to think about it, the idea certainly makes sense. Good luck; I'm anticipating some fun garden posts coming up in a few months...

Alica said...

Ok, you've got me motivated! Sounds like your soil will be amazing! I put a heavy layer of leaves on my garden last winter, and I'm hoping to continue the method of planting right into the soil without tilling it up! Last year was the first, and I was please at the amount of weeds that I had compared to other years. I'll have to keep piling on the compost, etc as the season goes along, but all those layers are supposed to be great for the soil!

Lynn said...

My Uncle Grant had a Huuuuge garden and always used ashes, he once did a section without ashes and was convinced that the veggies didn't grow as well in that patch-happy preparation time I love this part of any project;

Lin said...

It's coming....SPRING is coming!! :)

Unknown said...

Yes, another reminder of my Grandma. She has the most impressive garden and used compost. I haven't seen a garden like hers since I was a kid. It was magical! :)

Small Kucing said...

I like gardening too but controlling the weed is pretty hard to do. I can see the growing as i pull them out. Wish we can have a fresh start every year but then again it is also a blessing to have sun all year round.

jp@A Green Ridge said...

We used ashes all the time in our gardens...both in CT and VA!...:)JP

mail4rosey said...

ah that's true there are not a lot of weeds this time of year. :) I never thought of it that way! :)