Today I moved everything back outside because nights are forcasted to be much warmer. The poly tunnel is now completely filling with things I have sown from seed, mostly veggies and some annuals. Starting to think I may need to build a second one..... 
The first bed I planted out is doing well. It comprises of Broccoli, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Tatsoi, Pac Choi, Romaine, Mixed Lettuce & Radishes. Please don't judge the weedy upper bed :-)
Here is a close up of the Broccoli. My transplants were rather small this year so I am happy to see they have bulked up. Technically they should have been this size before transplant at about 6" high.
However, Not all the brassica's have came through unscaved. Something has been chewing on them and wiped out two cabbages & defoliated a couple kale, cabbage & brussels sprout plants. My first thought was birds but I am starting to think it is an evil chipmunk. I have placed TP rolls over the most affected plants to hopefully give them some protection.
The overwintered spinach is still going bonkers. I think I will harvest it all next time. The weedy plants surround the spinach is flowering Mache. Maybe I will save some seed if time allows.
The onions are off the a really good start. The thicker ones to the left are sets and the thinner ones are seed grown.
The tatsoi is bolting even though its been cold. I will use it anyway, bolting doesn't seem to affect the taste.
Peas are taking hold but growing slowly still.
I have been chitting my potatoes for the last couple weeks, doesn't that sound vulgar? The place I ordered from calls it green sprouting, seems more civilized. I was going to plant these last week but it has been so wet I have held off. Hopefully they will go in the ground soon.To wraps things up I will end with a few spring flowers. They certainly flourish in this cold, wet spring weather:
Foam Flower & Ostrich Fern
Wow, your Veg is really looking great. Hopefull your weather evens out and your able to plant soon.
ReplyDeleteI think that mache is what I had mixed in with some mesclun? Can you eat it? I hope so as I've picked a bit. Here's hoping the weather warms up nicely for you soon!
ReplyDeleteLaura - Thanks. I hope it warms up soon, they keep saying it will....
ReplyDeleteTina - Mache is kind of a spoon shaped leaf and it taste really good. Not sure if it is any good in warmer weather though or after it bolts. I think it is more a fall & winter green.
Warmer nights are most welcome. 7C is expected tonight. Nice change !
ReplyDeleteEverything is looking great, Dan ! Speaking of nibbling, after losing my first batch of celeriac to Lord knows what, 3/4 of the seedlings in the second batch were gobbled up by the resident woodchuck. (Although my fault for hardening them off in a non-protected area). Grrrr... (all the same) !
ps. How did the toma verde germinate for you ? I got nothing.
ReplyDeleteStriking photos!! I especially love the shot of the foam flower and ostrich fern.
ReplyDeleteHopefully things will warm up for us this week.
Miss M - I had almost 100% germination on the green tomatillo but none of the purple ones came up. Kind of strange we had opposite results :-)
ReplyDeleteGrafixMuse - Thanks. I am hoping too, this chilly weather is not welcome!
You are so amazingly talented. And when you said you were Chitting potatoes I almost spit on my computer. I COULD HAVE GOTTEN ELECTROCUTED MYSELF!!
ReplyDeleteYou take incredible photos as well. I relax just looking at them. You are really amazing.
The weather has definitely not been cooperating lately. Glad to see that you are making progress again.
ReplyDeleteSquirrels and chipmunks are the worst (the reason I had no broccoli last fall). Trap and ship them away I say.
Dan, our weather finally picked up too...looks like at least 70s for the next week or so... yay! Hopefully yours improves too : ) Your plants look amazing btw....
ReplyDeleteAll we need is a bit of warm weather!
ReplyDeleteI have lots of pulmonaria. I also know it as Soldiers and Sailors. The flowers vary from deep pink to blue - I think it's a reference to their historic uniforms.
This weather has been frustrating to say the least, too hot, too cold, too windy!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Thomas...trap those varmits!! I trapped 20 squirrels, 3 skunks and 1 feral cat (who attacked my one cat twice!) this spring.
I think you and I have the same weather even though we don't live that close. This last week was colder for us too and I had all my plants inside. They weren't nearly as happy as when they were out. But now it is starting to warm up again. I have to get their tunnel up and get them in it.
ReplyDeleteTake heart Dan! We just went through the same thing with a cold snap that was very late in the season and lasted several days - but it did break and the weather did warm up and I expect yours will soon too. The plants all look healthy and happy and when the weather does break for you they will really take off.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely use that spinach!
I envy you living in your part of the world with glorious amounts of rain; but moving you garden in and out has got to be a drag. I suppose I will put up with my hellish summers to be able to grow outdoors year round.
ReplyDeleteLovely chronicling.
All my seedlings are wearing Tim Horton coffee cup rings to stop the cut worms, and they look so cute under the poly tunnel. I live a little north of you in Barrie and sure hope the weather turns warmer too. We had a torrential downpour last nite with high wind. All your seedlings look great by the by.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are getting off to a good start, Dan. It is still frosty here at nights and I have suffered badly this week. I think warmer weather should be on its way soon.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful dark, dark green your plants are!
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog-it's great!I garden in Nova Scotia so a bit cooler than you. When did you plant your spinach to overwinter? Did you make or buy your polytunnel?
ReplyDeleteSuch yummy looking greens. I am amazed at what you can grow in your garden and for such an extended period. I must admit I used to grow pak choi and bok choi and both bolted in the Australian weather, but I ate them before the flowers opened and they tasted/looked like a wierd form of broccolini.
ReplyDeleteWow!! Everything looks great! How exciting!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that chitting was a bad word lol I say it all the time! lol
ReplyDeleteI have a pile of seeds waiting to be planted on my balcony but the non-stop rain spring puts them on hold for 2 weeks now:(
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