I wrote part of this blog entry in January and didn't get it published... the info is still relevant so I will publish it now!
You know that song... "Baby it's cold outside..."? Well, I have been singing it to Jack all day long today (January 11 - Happy Birthday Chris)! Jack was required to take a road trip to Eldorado Arkansas today for work and I decided to ride shotgun. With temps down in the 20's last night and wind gusts hitting 40 mph during the day, I got a taste of what I left behind in MN. And I didn't like it! But there is so much more that I do like about Arkansas. So that means - yes, I am still happy to be living in the south!
After we got home, I took a very quick tour of my gardens. I do this when I am cold, to remind myself how fortunate I am to live in the south! I had to tie down the plastic on my cold frames and check to see that the veggies were still snug in their beds! Yes, in Arkansas, I have gardens growing all winter. Carrots, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, kale, spinach, onions and garlic to be exact, all cool weather crops! I didn't grow enough to eat every day, but about once a week I am able to harvest something to add to our dinner. Tonight it was cabbage. I have two heads left in the garden but I was told if I didn't pull up the root of the cabbage plant, smaller cabbages would grow on the sides. I am testing that theory. I have harvested 6 cabbages so far and it looks like one of the plants may be trying to grow side shoots. I continue to harvest flowerettes off the broccoli. I hope to be able to continue doing this until May as I don't have any seeds started right now for new plants. The carrots are small but the beets are looking good!
Our winter this year has been on the warm side when you make a comparison to say, Minnesota! Our days typically top out in the 50's - nice weather for working outside. We actually spent last Saturday at our favorite crystal mine! And what a good day it was! Jack hit a sweet spot on one of the piles and for about an hour pulled crystal after crystal out of the earth! We were very pleased with our take when we got home and were able to clean off the mud and clay!
Now for the more current blog...
The Master Gardeners have geared up at the green house in Fountain Lake. (That is the little township we actually live in.) Our spring plant sale is the end of April so we have lots of plants to grow between now and then. I volunteered to be a mentor this year for incoming interns. I am now mentoring a woman from Royal, AR. She couldn't live farther from me if we tried! She is over an hour's drive from our place; she lives south of Hot Springs. We have hit it off and I am enjoying spending time and sharing my gardening knowledge with her! And, I even made the trek out to her place once all ready! She lives on a beautiful piece of land with views of fields and mountains... I can only see trees from my house so it was a nice change. We have the entire year to learn and play together! I am excited!
I know you are all dying to hear about the progress on our outdoor projects. Well, not only was it cold outside, it's been wet. Arkansas is very wet in the winter and spring, and that is good for gardens, bad for projects. When ever Jack takes off work or has a weekend off, it's typically raining! (or we are at the mine...lol) The storm shelter sits as we left it last August but the carport does have walls on all four sides. Ok, one of the walls is temporary, but it blocks the wind and rain for Sadie, our dog. We will probably get back to the storm shelter this spring, during tornado season!
Our big push right now is to get the gardens fenced in, again. Sadie has a difficult time doing her job when we keep her locked up during the night. The rabbits have taken over my gardens! Jack and I are working diligently to get the garden fenced so I can plant my cool weather crops. Actually I have planted them once all ready, but the rabbits were kind enough to mow them to the ground! They had help. I see evidence of the deer (they pushed down the soft plastic fences we installed last year)and an armadillo (she/he/it is aerating the beds all along the log borders.) Our new fence will be made from chicken wire, so we hope this will be strong enough.
We continue to plug away on our land. Each spring brings a new adventure and another round of weeds for me to battle. Jack has been bringing home truck loads of used carpeting for me this winter. I will use the carpeting as a weed barrier. Wish me luck... spring is here in Arkansas and I all ready hear the weeds plotting their next takeover! I'll of course, keep you posted!
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