Fresh greens

[altivo]

First of the garden today. We have spinach, mustard greens, and arugula that were started in a hot frame. The arugula is getting flower buds, so time to eat it. Fresh salad tonight.

Tess has started her spring acclimation to the new grass. Just 30 minutes a day for now. She's already getting used to the idea that she has to walk out there like a lady and not try to drag me by the lead rope. The first three times, she came right in even though it had only been a half hour. Today we entered the next phase, where she doesn't want to come back in. Unfortunately for her stubborn streak, though, I've learned her weakness. Twirl the loose end of the lead rope in the air a couple of times so it starts to hum and somehow she decides maybe to come along after all. I think she knows I wouldn't hit her with it after all these years, but it's a game we have to play for a few days.

Still battling the cold that started a week ago today. Thought it was weakening yesterday, then last night I was sure it was headed into bronchitis. However, at the moment it feels OK, so maybe that was a false alarm. *crosses hooves*

I'm usually bad about remembering birthdays, but because I got a couple of private messages today I was on the right page and saw these, two really good friends. So...

HAPPY BURFDAY to AEROFOX and AVON_DEER!

Comments

[chibiabos.livejournal.com]

*morphs into a rabbit who stealz your fresh greenz, gets away to his sekrit boiling kettle over a fire-pit and puts 'em into a stew!*

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Hah. No self-respecting rabbit would boil these. They're beautiful and crispy fresh. Made to be eaten alive, I tell you.

[chibiabos.livejournal.com]

Oh I admit they are great fresh, each of 'em, but ... they also help out a stew handsomely and stew's becoming more of a turn-on for me. :P

[goldenstallion.livejournal.com]

Derider.

I am going to begin planting tomorrow. Still below freezing at night but have a few things to get going. Running late on most things since not doing any indoor planting or hot boxing. Have Swiss Giant Snow Peas, Calabrese Sprouting Broccoli, Yellow Sweet Spanish Onions, Brussels Sprouts Long Island Heirloom, Danvers Carrots, Golden Bantam Yellow Sweet Corn, Jalapeno Peppers, Oregano, Ice Queen Heirloom Lettuce for tomorrow. I also bought 10 Quinault and 10 Allstar Strawberry roots but think we need no frost for those and several others that need to wait until it stops being below freezing at night.

The frost-after stuff is Tiny Tim Tomatos, Brandwinde Tomatos, Blue Lake Bush Green Beans and California Wonder Bell Peppers.

Do you think it is too late for any of these we can always wait until next year when I plan to do some indoor starting earlier than now?

Bear ordered all but the strawberries from a nearby seed company named Orchard House Heirlooms and I bought the strawberries from Wally World. Yes, I realize it usually takes several years on the strawberries but we have a slightly raised area surrounding the powerline pole where I planted corn four years ago and it is rototilled just needs some hooking and hoeing (my mother used to tell me, when she was working in the garden, that she is a good hooker but a lousy hoer - gigglegrin).

Impers

[altivo.livejournal.com]

It is not too late for any of your seeds. You should start the tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, and brussels sprouts indoors right away. Use paper cups or tin cans or whatever you have handy, but get them going now. That gives you a four week head start before it actually is safe for them outdoors.

Everything else except the beans and corn can go into the ground outdoors now, any time. I'm putting my strawberry plants out today. You probably have dormant bare root plants, so soak them in water for 30 minutes before planting, and then set them into the ground with the little crown just above the surface. Mulch them with a couple inches of straw or hay if you're worried about frost, but really, they're perennials and can take some cold. A raised bed is good for strawberries, and if you have some old horse manure (that's been aging since last fall, maybe) then work it into the soil well below the surface.

Beans and corn really do have to wait until all frost danger is past, which means about mid-May where you are I think. A former neighbor down the road here used to start individual corn plants indoors and set them out in May to get a little earlier crop but I'm not that ambitious. They do say you will do better with corn if you plant it in a square rather than a long row. Several short rows next to each other gives better pollination I guess.

[cats-haven.livejournal.com]

Raw, steamed, or boiled, I love those greens! Save some for me, I'll steal mom's car and get going tonight. ;) *waves* Long time in seeing, dude. :D

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Hiya. Raw is the only way for these. They're much too pretty and crisp to cook.

[cats-haven.livejournal.com]

You bet. Growing any endive this year? That is the best with collards and mustard greens in a simple salad.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

I'm not much of a fan of endive or escarole. Mustard I like, but only raw. The variety we're growing is not fuzzy, which is a plus.

[cats-haven.livejournal.com]

Aww, either is good to me. I do agree, the non-fuzzy is better.

[felder.livejournal.com]

Really hope you get to feeling better soon hon. I hate when you get these 'spring' bugs.

*snuggles you all up and smooches*

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Mmm, snuggles. :)
Yeah, it would be nice to be over this stupid thing. Viruses and mosquitos are among the most obnoxious products of evolution, I guess.

[soanos.livejournal.com]

*trots over and noses*

Someone said salad? :)

Glad to hear Tess is well. I hope the spring will be pleasant and that the summer will be comfy for all of you. :)

Get well soon my horsie friend, the spring bugs are a pain in the rump sometimes.

And happy birghday to Avon too. ^)^

*hugs both you and Avon tight*

[soanos.livejournal.com]

...and birthday too :D

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Yep, the salad was good. Come by today, we'll have more.

[soanos.livejournal.com]

*looks into his wallet and sees a moth come out of it*

I am too far away. I'd love to tho. :´(

[altivo.livejournal.com]

I'd offer to mail you some but we know what would happen to that. ;p Should have made more today but I got pinched for time so we had just asparagus. (With apples, sweet potatoes, and baked ham.)

[soanos.livejournal.com]

Whimpers and slobbers all over the place.

AAwww... Sounds Yummy. :(

[avon-deer.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the birthday wishes.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. Hope you had a nice day of it. *hugs*

[aerofox.livejournal.com]

Thank you tivo!
*hugs*

[altivo.livejournal.com]

*hugs back* Sorry I was a little late. Hope you had a nice day and don't get into trouble for taking it off.

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

*Looks at the fresh greens with a miserable expression with a jaw icepack tied around his head*

[altivo.livejournal.com]

They'll still be growing when you've healed up. I didn't know cats ate fresh greens.

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

Oh they do, they need the folic acid :)