Planting Hope

The weather has been gorgeous the last couple of weeks.  So when I saw my stash of seeds on the shelf I realized I could likely get a garden in this year.  It's been a few years, so this was a nice revelation.

Hubba mowed the overgrowth when he cleaned up our pasture last week and I spent Saturday with the tiller.

I'm so happy with this soil.  What was only clay when we moved in has become a nice soil with lots of humus.  Amazing what manure and spent hay can do over a few years.

Sunday, I pulled out the early-season seeds and put together a rough plan for planting.

A few hours later, one third of the garden had been planted.

• Onion, Cortland F1
• Onion, Redwing
• Leek, Scotland
• Onion, Long Red Florence
• Shallot, Ambition F-1
• Parsnip, Cobham Improved
• Carrot, Red Cored Chantenay
• Beet, Colorful Mix
• Beet, Bull's Blood
• Beet, Shiraz Tall Top
• Greens, Spicy Mix
• Greens, Elegance Mix
• Cress, Upland
• Lettuce, Lettony
• Lettuce, Nevada
• Spinach, Renegade F1
• Arugula
• Lettuce, Encore Mix
• Lettuce, Seed Savers Mix
• Radish
• Brussels Sprouts, Long Island Improved

I've had all of these seeds for a while, so I'm hoping for a reasonable germination rate.

I have more early-season seeds, so I am considering a second planting in a couple of weeks.  Then I plan to plant the warmer-season seeds closer to Mother's Day.

I think gardening is the epitome of risk-taking and optimism.

I am looking forward to weekends of weeding,  as well as rain (but not too much), sun (but not too much), and an abundant harvest this year.

So here it is.  Nearly 600 square feet of hope, one third planted.