MG-SEEDS GARDEN UPDATE

The weather was quite nice on the morning of Saturday 7/13/13, and we accomplished a good bit.  We unloaded and spread the last of a total of 2.5 (cubic) yards of compost, about 2.5 inches deep on the 11 beds.  We added 4 lb of kelp meal and a little leftover greensand to each of the larger beds, a little less to the smaller ones, corresponding closely to the recommended 1/2 lb of potassium per 100 sq ft.  We've decided not to add more nitrogen (1/4 lb per 100 sq ft recommended)--we'll  just rely on the high-quality compost to provide that.  We further loosened the compacted soil as deep as we could get our digging forks and smoothed out the soil.  On Monday the 15th, we planted Sienna peas in one bed and a row each of Lutz Green Leaf, Detroit Dark Red, and Red Ace F1 beets in another.

Then on Wednesday the 17th, we planted 30 Golden Acre cabbage plants, gifts from Harbor View Farm & Nursery. Golden Acre is a good, early-maturing heirloom variety that usually produces heads up to 3 lb in early spring plantings...which this clearly isn't. Naturally, this late in the year, the plants were somewhat rootbound, but their condition was remarkably good considering their age. Whether they can thrive in this heat remains to be seen. Temperature is now 89 and rising at 11:30 AM.

We're continuing to water every morning, as we've still had only one good rain since June 16. We're planning another work bee this coming Saturday morning, July 20, at 9-11 AM, weather permitting.  There's still a lot of work to be done, but I for one would not be terribly disappointed if we were to be rained out!