Spring chores (even though it is still winter)

The official first day of spring is still 3 weeks away, but here in Northwest we have had a very mild winter and are thus about 1 month ahead of our normal gardening schedule.  This is a challenge for me as now I find myself more than a month behind here in my garden!  I am right on schedule with the gardens I manage though. 

Garden Chores

Late winter is a great time to topdress your mixed border beds with a quality compost.  I recommend Bailey's Compost (a small family run busines) out of Snohomish for veggie gardens or Cedar Grove Compost  (the largest composting facility of its kind in the world) for mixed (perennial, annuals, shrubs and trees) borders.  Pictured above is a garden post spring clean up with 1" of compost.  I recommend applying 1" to 2" of compost per year.  Buying compost in bulk is by far less expensive than buying bags (plus why use all those plastic bags). One yard of compost is about $25.00.  Bulk compost can be purchased at Sky Nursery in Shoreline or at one of Cedar Groves facilities.  If you need 5 yards or more you can have it delivered to your home.  If this sounds like too much work, you know who to call, me!

I usually wait till mid March to prune my roses, not this year.  They were done a few weeks ago.  Apple trees are also done, if you haven't done yours yet do not put it off any longer.  As always, if you need a hand, send me an email at gabbysgardening@gmail.com and I will squeeze you into my schedule.

Edibles 

The interest in growing edibles continues to climb.  Just check out your favorite gardening magazine and you will find an article on growing fruits and veggies.  I spotted this trend in both Fine Gardening and Horticulture whereas a little over a year ago these magazines focused only on ornamental plants. So if you want to get with the trend, it is not too late to get started  by planting a fruit tree in your yard this month.  Asian Pears (which are actually also quite ornamental) and Italian Prunes produce well in the Northwest and both of these types of fruit trees have very few pest or disease problems.  Your local nursery should still have a great selection to choose from.  I prefer to shop at a specialty nursery over chain marts such as Wal Mart, Lowes or Home Depot as the care plants receive at the latter is abysmal.

Gabby's Garden 

At home I focus on growing lots of interesting edibles.  I have many trays of seeds already started (artichoke starts pictured above) and today I planted some varieties of turnip, beet, lettuce and radish in my 8' x 4' raised bed we installed last fall.  The soil in raised beds warms more quickly than in my other garden areas so that is the first place I direct sow seed.

I also keep a few ducks and chickens which provide me with fresh eggs, and fertilizer.  They also are my main defense against insect pests.  Pictured below is an omelet with fresh duck and chicken eggs (note the bright yellow color) with spinach and garlic from the garden.  I can't wait to start harvesting lettuce. 

Comments

[Gavin]

Gabrielle - Beautiful post..Wow, I didn't know you had a blog! Now I know where to go to ask all my gardening questions..

And chickens..we have to come visit them at sometime!

[Abby]

Gabrielle, I love your blog and all the great gardening advice. What a smart sister I have