April review of the Potager

Although it was slow-going early in the month due to continual rain, seeding and planting is caught up for the moment.  The potager has really changed since April began.  Several beds have seeded crops growing, like this one with peas and radishes.  As usual, the radishes are a nurse crop for slower germinating seeds like carrots.

In fact, I’ve already been harvesting a few tender, delicious radishes, and I’ll need to put some support sticks in the peas soon.   I am also beginning to harvest spinach, lettuce, green onions, and several herbs.  To the left, you can see how nicely the shallots are growing, and these are the ones I planted last fall as a test to see if they would winter over.   Not shown, are the first beans (Royal Burgundy that can tolerate cool soils) which have pushed through,  the second and third planting of peas, and the newly emerging carrots, kale, kohlrabi, beets, chard, cipollini, etc.  The little “Bright Gem” tulips edging the center path have emerged.  And I’ve added orange violas closer to the edges, hoping they will bloom before it turns too hot.  The “Salmon Gem” tulips edging the E-W path were no-shows, and since they were more expensive, I’ll use “Bright Gem ” on both paths next year.    Notice that the arches have been moved to this North-South path this year for vine crop rotation.  Last year they were on the East-West path, which I think I like visually better, but we’ll see as the season progresses.  You can see lots of garlic (9 kinds) and more shallots if you look closely.  There are lots of tiny onion seedlings in ground, but you really can’t see them. And here’s a view from the NW corner  showing strawberry beds in bloom.  I hope I don’t have the problem with raccoons again this year.  You can also see some flats sitting on the raised beds.  That’s because all the benches are full, and the greenhouse is packed.  I’m trying to get all the flats out of the basement.    And even though I’m planting everything that can go in before our last frost date (May 5-10, depending upon who you believe) like the pretty Blue Wind Broccoli shown above left, there are still lots of flats waiting.  I’ve transplanted over 3800 plants already into individual pots, and there are still seedling flats that need doing.  In total, there are 41 crops newly planted in the potager, plus all the perennial crops (rhubarb, strawberries, edible flowers, and lots of herbs.)  Right now, I’m in a holding pattern, just waiting for warmer temperatures.  Until then, I guess I’ll be forced to just sip Hugo’s and rest in these cheerful green chairs….. …whenever it stops raining.  Enough with these April showers!  I’m ready for May!  Are you?

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