Gathering Resources for another Garden season

After two very difficult gardening seasons in a row I am preparing for another one. Some seeds already have arrived and the paper is starting to get drawn on for the placement of the crops this year. I am figuring out strategies that will deal better with the high amount of rain that has assaulted NH these last two years. I plan more raised beds and several mini greenhouse shelters with raised tables to try to thwart the monsoons. At the same time they need to be configured so that if we experience a drought getting water to them will be easy. Playing checkers with mother nature

Where does the time go?

Here we are in Sept. The summer late spring started well and then the rains came. We had more or less 6 weeks of rain here in nh. then a small dry period and then more rain. I am sitting here reviewing and watching the green blob of Hanna tearing up the coast. It should deliver intense downpours of rain this evening and tonight. Sort of like a baseball game, but this rainout has been several months long. Last winter we had record snow and this summer we have had way above average rain. certainly the pattern fits well with the predictions of climate change. I wonder what this sort of pattern does for the amount of food that can be produced here in NH. The temps are certainly higher, but if the violence of the storms continues like this it will be hard to have a highly productive garden.

Still snow but more shallow

Still snow in the yard, but less of it. There are actually some patches of ground showing. The daffodils are fighting up from under the snow. Red winged black birds were in the front yard this morning. Sunny in the 40's. Still way below the average for this time of year. Saw a great blue heron cruising over the other day. South of us in nashua the ground is bare. I have spring fever supreme. Started some tomatos. They are up in their warm trays in the basement. Who knows when they will be able to go outside. I dream of a late spring day with soft air and a light breeze and the smell of newly turned earth.

Garden Fever

So as we have 3+ feet of snow on the ground and a pouring rainstorm in progress I ahve come down with a radical case of garden fever. The books and the catalogues are out. I have moved inside plants around. ALTHOUGH IT CERTAINLY DOES NOT FEEL LIKE IT IT IS TIME TO start some seeds indoors. I have a good glassed in pourch which will serve me well for the next two months. If the last 5 years are any preview we will be frost free as of the first of May. happy gardening

Feb Thoughts

I find it entertaining that the superbowl and super tuesday come just two days apart. One of the contests is pure show biz, the other is about the future of our nation. Wouldn't it be great if as many people as watched the superbowl spent a like amount of time contemplating the future of our nation. I have always been a dreamer.
On anothe note I had an operation to replacemy left hip. I am just about three weeks post surgery and am amazed at how well I am able to get about. DSome modern medical magic. Except for the first several days post op I am almost pain free.
Hope groundhog day is treating you well

Stef

December 16

The ground is covered with lots of "Poor Man's Fertilizer". Have again been shoveling for a good long time today to clear the drive. Last year the ground was clear and the temps warm. This year we certainly are going to have a white christmas. Already planning next springs garden. Want to plant more onions this spring. Had great luck this past year and want to add more. I will double dig more space in the garden. Turns out very productive. I have two large totes that are filled with worms that are eating my garbage. Great food for the plants. A number of Amarylis bulbs are starting to show some growth. I am up to about 28 or so. Each year they put on a wonderful sghow when february is at its coldest and darkest.

Time Flies

The summer has flown by with some garden successes and some not so good. The weather here in NH has stayed very warm. Yet another year with in excess of 150 days frost free. We are supposed to be a zone 4 here but have been more like a 5 for the last 5 years. Great sucess with onions this year. Lots of them and wonderful sweet juicy ones. So far they have kept well about 60 days so far. I made 3 braids which look very nice hanging on our three season porch.
We have worked very hard to save enrgy in our house. We have cut the total energy usage by more than 30 % in the last 5 years. We are also are eating as much local food as possible. I believe we need to take a whole different approach to using resources. An easy way to start is support your local businesses. I would love to here other folks ideas and experiences about resource usage.