Avoiding Transplant Shock

The threat of frost is past, which means it’s time for planting out tomatoes, peppers, and all manner of warm-weather crops here in Virginia. While planting out is certainly not rocket science, and plants can recover from much rough treatment, there are some ways to ease the transition for them, keeping them happier and healthier and ultimately leading…

Asparagus, Part 4: More Seeds

The Great Asparagus Experiment has now become two experiments. Of the thirty seeds I started between two wet paper towels on Feb. 10, twelve have become healthy plants, growing multiple stems and reaching up to 8″ high. (They are getting a little floppy, though, which means they’re ready for some outdoor weather: sun and wind…

The Rush of Spring Planting

As you may have gathered from my “Digging in the Rain” post, I’m the sort of gardener who thrives under pressure. I love to feel that it’s do or die time, that things absolutely must get done today, or there’ll be no hope of a gardening tomorrow. Maybe this is partly because gardening is overall…

Seedling Salad

It’s been a rainy weekend here in Virginia. We’ve had thunderstorms two days in a row and even a tornado warning on Friday. I’m itching to get out in the garden and plant spinach, mustard, onions, and breadseed poppies (new this year!). But the soil is too damp (I’m crossing my fingers that the already-planted…