We debated and debated on whether to start planting in the garden. Nearly every year previous, we have had a killing frost around the first week in June. Sometimes even later. But we looked at the 10-day forecast, and the low is pretty high for here in northern Minnesota, about 50’s, with highs in the 70’s and 80’s F. Okay, we took a big breath, and I started planting in earnest. So far, I’ve got about half of our beans and two rows of carrots planted. I planted three stock panels with a common bean, then another two with Folsom Indian Ruin, which is a runner bean, a different species, so they won’t cross. Then I planted 5 rows of bush beans and another trellis of pole beans. This morning, I planted two rows of carrots, both Kuroda and Scarlet Nantes, and four more rows of bush beans. Will had a bad day yesterday, suddenly feeling very tired. He took a good nap and felt better. However, today is an “easy” day for him or Mama will clobber him good!
This morning, I tilled the patch where the potatoes will be planted soon, as well as re-tilling the south side of the Wolf Garden for the third time, as I was seeing green again (weeds). I also tilled the Main Garden for the second time. This afternoon, I’m going to plant Gete Okosomin, the ancient Native squash, in the Main Garden, from seeds, leaving enough room to tractor-till all around it as that garden had gotten very weedy and most of it will lay fallow, getting periodically tilled all summer. Yes, we’re transferring the seed business to our friends, Lynn and Jesse, in August, but we want to grow lots of seeds for them to ensure the transition is smooth and there are enough seeds for everyone. The plants in the greenhouse are getting huge so I’m hoping that in a week, the 10-day forecast will still look good so I can set them out.
We’re really enjoying seeing the orioles and other birds on the bird feeders in the front yard. When we take a break, we sit on the porch and admire them as they come for a snack. I added a new hummingbird feeder and another oriole feeder as Walmart had them on sale for $5 each.
Just a note, I had run out of grape jelly over the holiday weekend and substituted some of my pincherry jelly. They loved it! We have lots of grapes, so this fall I plan on making my own oriole jelly. It’s getting hard to find it without high fructose corn syrup! Besides, it’s one step closer to self-reliance!
— Jackie
