spring – Growing in Gardner

It works, until it doesn’t.

Posted on June 3, 2023June 3, 2023 by Lily

I was so excited because we managed to get the rain barrel out before the heavy rains set in here, and when I checked it this morning it was full. Time to pat myself on the back, right?

Photo of a plastic rain barrel next to a dusky blue porch. There are a few concrete stepping stones and edgers scattered about. A few plants are also in view, most early spring growers like hostas there there are also shrubs behind the barrel and a tree can be seen across the street at another house.

Alas, what I didn’t yet know… Continue reading “It works, until it doesn’t.” →

The view from a window showing a backyard during No Mow May located in Central Massachusetts that is full of many other plants of various sizes. The shaded trees in the distance mark the southern border of the property.

May 30th, 2023–Office Window View

Image• Posted on May 30, 2023May 30, 2023 by Lily

Seeds Started 20230529

An old vinyl window being used as a cold frame. — Sooooo many saved yogurt cups.

mid sized cold frame
saved rain barrel water

9 beans, scarlet runner pole (Heirloom, 2018)
15 beans, black turtle dry (Heirloom, 2018)
15 corn, Dakota black (Botanical Interests, 2020)
15 corn, sweet Golden Bantam (Territorial, 2021)
15 corn, sweet Hopi blue (Territorial, 2021)
15 corn, pencil cob (Heirloom, 2018)
15 melon, Lilly (Territorial, 2021)
15 melon, honeydew (saved from grocery, 2018)
15 squash, acorn (saved from grocery, 2018)
15 squash, butternut (saved from grocery, 2018)
15 squash, butternut (saved from grown above, 2019)
17 sunflower, evening colors (High Mowing, 2021)
29 sunflower, enchanted garden mix (Heirloom, 2019)

Continue reading “Seeds Started 20230529” →

Status• Posted on May 29, 2023May 29, 2023 by Lily

Seed Progress 20230527

Forgot to post this! My apologies.

Old window lying on some scrap lumber to act as a cheap and dirty cold frame for gardening. The window is half open, and that half is screened. Planting plugs can be seen behind the screen. — Kludgey, but works!

I took the small sized cold frame out of the garage so I could move the plugs into it. I also hauled out some rain barrel water from our stash in the cellar, and made sure nothing was “resting” in the watering can that was closest to the door. (One year, I had left water in a can over winter and a small rodent tried to get a drink and drowned in it. Not the most fun thing to find months later.) I’ve mentioned it before, but when we empty our rain barrel to take it in at the end of season, I always fill up old vinegar jugs we have so I can use them over winter on house plants, and in spring for inside started seedlings and later outside as well. Given how little rain we’ve had the last week, I am so glad I have some left over. As of writing this, there is no rain forecast any time soon.
Continue reading “Seed Progress 20230527” →

Status• Posted on May 27, 2023August 3, 2023 by Lily