Time to Begin Again

Walking this morning in the crisp fresh air with a hint of warmth from the sun, we noticed the bulbs  protruding, the cherry trees blossoming, the trees starting to leaf and other signs of Spring.  The garden stores have started advertising availability of herbs and vegetable plants and outdoor garden furniture.  My garden is still overgrown and untended from the Winter.  So, I took the first step toward the new beginning and dug up the old dead veggies, dug up the dirt and turned it over to prepare for the new plantings.  The soil is a bit clay-like, very wet but a deep rich dark brown.  Not much will need to be done to prepare for the new crops.  My artichoke plant has already blazed into leaf and is spreading its wings broadly; a very nice way to start the season.

I decided to better ensure success this year by tossing out all my old seeds.  Now I need to plan for the new season.  I will increase my beet plantings this year, with last years wildly successful and tasty beets, I am hoping for a redux but with more space committed to these wonderful veggies.  I will plant carrots, lettuces, tomatoes, onions, cilantro and eggplant.  I would like to find some flat leaf parsley and sweet basil.  I think I will try larger areas of snap peas and cucumbers and see if I can't get enough going to actually have something to harvest.  I am not sure what else I will plant, but I look forward to the challenge.