Potager Palaver

Life is sure getting busy around here so am a day late in posting. Hoping to get this renovation finished so that at least the house stuff is semi-organized and done. 

The asparagus is coming up! We'll be enjoying it for many weeks yet as it is just starting out. We have had a very cool spring this year. I have both green and purple asparagus varieties in the same bed, the Purple Passion turns green upon cooking, oddly enough, does not stay purple. It is my favourite one. Very prolific, sweet, and the perfect size spears. 

 

Had my last how-to tutorial type workshops on the weekend. I have had so much fun with you all, chatting about how to grow great organic foods in our eco-friendly yards. Thank you all so much for attending these workshops, not just this year but everyone over the years. We start in our own yards, hoping that the neighbours take note, making the planet better one yard at a time. 

I'm going to start with the best article of them all, this week. Or, I think it is maybe the bestest one this week, since I am a food grower, after all. This article will tell you when and how to plant your spuds. 

Hint... anytime now : ) growing potatoes organically: when and how to plant, hill and harvest - A Way To Garden. Not to worry though, you have until early June to do it if you are busy with other things or just prefer to not to muck about in the cold. 

If you want to read more about growing potatoes, here is a post I wrote a few years back. How To Grow New Potatoes aka Baby Spuds (thenittygrittypotager.blogspot.com)

Best tulips for cutting from Erin at Floret. Check out all the gorgeous varieties.  8P5D6lnRP6c9sRC3tQD6_Floret-Favorite-Specialty-Tulips-Guide.pdf

Ready to make a (big) change in the way you garden? Check out this article that was posted on Earth Day, the 22nd of April. With the west coast getting drier and hotter each summer, something has to change. Could this be the way to go?  The Future of Gardening: A Plan From Terremoto - Gardenista

This is a great idea for adding additional warmth for your wee seedlings in an unheated greenhouse. It is in Swedish but you can either just enjoy the pics or press the translate button. Ett växthus i växthuset - Lovely Life Bubbelplastväxthus till alla små plantor. You can also use those clear tote bins in the greenhouse to add 2 or 3 degrees of additional warmth. 

Check out all of those bees that visit your garden. The timing could not be better as this is companion planting week at my wee greenhouse. I hold workshops and sell bee friendly flats of flowers that are designed to feed the bees and attract beneficial insects. Identify The Types of Bees Visiting Your Garden - Garden Therapy

More along this same line... here is an article with ideas to consider when redoing your yard. I just pinned several of them myself, ideas to incorporate for making the yard even more eco-friendly than it already is. 12 Sustainable Gardening Ideas From Landscape Design Pros (houzz.com) 

Looking for easy care perennial bed ideas? I have most all of these in my south facing, super hot and dry front yard... they really are easy to care for and best of all, most of them are super drought tolerant once they are established. This is so important as our summers seem to get hotter and drier. 10 Perfectly Wonderful Perennials Plants For a Low-Maintenance Garden - Shiplap and Shells

Have a wonderful week, see you all very soon ~ Tanja