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Surveying the Land

March 14th, 2013

During the 6 months we’ve been living here, I’ve been keeping a close watch on the garden.  The way the sun moves across the sky and the shadows it casts on the various part of the garden is something I watch.  Also of interest to me, is where the wind blows strongest and the snow drifts.   Of most importance though, is how the snow melts and the water runs.
surveying the garden 1
surveying the garden 2
Where the snow melts first is important, because it’s a good place to plant things like hellebores, snowdrops and crocuses.  They can take the cold and won’t mind at all if a heavy frost blankets them after a thaw.  They’ll be able to bloom beautifully without worry about a blanket of snow.  These spots would not be good places to plant things those things that might be lured into budding out early, only to be frozen out when the frosty air blows again
surveying the garden 3
At this time, I’m particularly interested in the snow melt and how it moves across the land.  How quickly the soil dries out is important because I want to know where I can plant my first sowing of cold hardy greens for early spring salads.  I’ve also taken particular notice of the areas in the garden where the water collects, while some plants enjoy wet feet, many do not.   There are a few areas that will be in need of a little excavating in order to allow the water to drain more freely, or perhaps a few small seasonal ponds will be installed to encourage toads and frogs to multiply in the garden.
surveying the garden 4
Yesterday I spent a half hour out walking about looking at the edible spaces in the garden.  Now that the snow is gone it won’t be long until I can start sowing spinach and onion seeds.  Depending on the weather, I might be able to plant some spinach seeds next week.

Do you have any trouble spots in your garden?  

4 Comments to “Surveying the Land”
  1. Julia Reed on March 14, 2013 at 8:47 am

    do you think you will use a row cover after you direct seed the spinach….I was thinking of planting some next week also, but have never done it this early before…it was going to be a big test ;)

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  2. Misti on March 14, 2013 at 8:47 am

    We have a couple of low spots and in one of those areas we planted irises. Definitely trying to work with the land, putting plants in places they would thrive.

    Reply to Misti's comment

  3. kristin @ going country on March 14, 2013 at 9:18 am

    We’ve got trouble spots all over the place, what with the cold wind from the lake, low areas, weird drainage (EVERYTHING is on a slope here, since we’re by the lake), a little gully on one side of the property . . . Seems like we’ve got nothing but trouble spots sometimes.

    Reply to kristin @ going country's comment

  4. Jessica on March 14, 2013 at 10:29 am

    Unfortunately I live in a development with a homeowner’s association that severely restricts where you can put a garden. Luckily, our house is positioned that we’re still able to put it in a spot where it gets lots of southern exposure. Our biggest problem is wind. Even in the summer, it can get very windy where we are, and my garden really has no protection against it.

    (Six months already! Am I the only one who feels like time is just flying this winter?)

    Reply to Jessica's comment

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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