It is our 8th spring in Canada and by far the earliest. There are flowers that bloom and trees that are green. We are spending many hours working in the garden. The soil is warm and the weather forecast good. Maybe global warming (if it is true!) is not so bad after all ;).
Garden Design
We are working on the garden design. After having lived a whole year here we can see better what we like and what we would like to change. We moved the sitting area from the back door (see palette deck) into the garden. Inspiration for this design was the illustration from the How to Create an Eco Garden
Perennial garden
Our property has lots and lots of perennials, edible, medicinal and just beautiful ones. We love it and want to make it as efficient as possible. Some of the plants however are still a mystery to us. Some need to find a new spot because we are redesigning the garden. And some we think would do better in a different location. We are busy transplanting. Since spring is so early, we have more time to do so. Very thankful for these extra weeks of great early spring weather.
Annual garden
I started lots of tomatoes in soil. They are already in the greenhouse enjoying some sunshine. This year I planted only bush type tomatoes, I want to try to grow more outdoors in the new sunny garden beds.
We also are enjoying the spinach, arugula and micro greens from the greenhouse, partly planted last year, partly early in March. With the warm weather we are having, the spinach and arugula are starting to bolt. I planted some more spinach in the greenhouse and in the garden as well.
I already transplanted the cabbage and broccoli plants into the garden and planted some seeds. I know, I am early, but I do not follow to the general rule anyways. To cover the seedlings with bottles looked really good, but the wind kept knocking them over, so I replaced it with Plant Protection Blanket
The temporary greenhouse in our driveway is this year a bit bigger. Lots of plants to harden off and keep away from wind. Old windows are very useful in spring.
Hydroponic garden
I did not have to buy any salad since the Tower Garden started producing. For now, we grow mainly greens on the Tower Garden, and we love it. The garden is still indoors on blue LED lights. It looks kind of futuristic, doesn’t it? 😉 Come summer, we want to move the Tower Garden outside with yummy summer crops. I started lots of summer crops for the hydroponic garden.
The Kratky method hydroponic tomatoes do very well. Even though they had to endure a life threatening challenge with our still ongoing greenhouse renovation. Look at those little fruits! We are very pleased with the Hydroponic growing so far, and plan to do more in the greenhouse. Since we do not have soil in there anyways, it seems that it will improve our greenhouse production even more. We will keep you posted.
As you see, there is lots growing here. How is your garden doing? Hope spring has come to your area as well.
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Looks great! I’m amazed at how much you have growing. I’m in OK, but am behind this year due to tons of rain. I can barely walk into our garden without sinking to my knees!
We go with the weather, don’t we. Hope the rain stops for you soon. Happy gardening!
I don’t have a greenhouse so wait until the weather warms and plant my seeds directly in the soil. I only have a small kitchen garden in four raised beds, but it produces a nice addition to our summer meals. I admire you much larger garden. – Margy
I love your little unique garden. Sometimes I think ours is still small, we all do what we can.
Your garden updates are always inspiring!
Thank you, that is what we strive to be, an inspiration!
You’re way ahead of me Anna, and everything is looking great!
Do you heat your greenhouse at all at this time of year? Or do you have a big heat sink or something? I have to haul in most of my plants at night because it is still getting to below freezing in mine.
No, we have not used any heat for a very long time. Good insulation and thermal mass (we use water) are the keys. Even in a plastic covered greenhouse, like yours, thermal mass would helps a lot.
I have some five gallon buckets and some pop bottles in there left over from my little winter garden, but they aren’t helping. Though I have been wanting to get a large barrel or two before the end of this year. I think I will try to up the timeline on those, since it should help with cooling this summer as well.
Really been enjoying your blog here, found it looking for DIY grow bags and appreciate the cold weather theme. We’re working a fairly decent sized container garden and community garden plot down here in Montana, it’s our biggest year yet. Like you, we’ve been aggressive this year due to the warm spring and it’s been great! Just wanted to say thanks, have you bookmarked and I’ll come back for more!
Thank you for your kind words. The cold weather theme is what we live with. Happy gardening to you!