Time to Plant Potatoes

The old tradition is to plant potatoes on Good Friday, which is April 10th. April 10th is a big day for me, since I'll be reading poetry at Village Books in Bellingham. But that is neither here nor there when it comes to spuds. Spuds can be planted earlier than this, but this is a good time for us here in the Pacific Northwest as it has finally warmed up. We are expecting 70 degree weather in places. Here in Bellingham, maybe 62--I'm hoping for higher. It'll be a lovely day to cut the spuds so there are a couple of eyes on each piece and mound them in rows.

Some of the varieties you might try, yellow fin, russet, red potatoes. Buy them from you seed and feed store or do like I do and cut up the spuds that are going to seed in the cupboard or the fridge. The sprouts and the plant parts are poisonous, so don't eat them. I once thought the sprouts would be good to eat, so was ready to when I had a inner sense that it wasn't a good idea. I'm good at listening to my intuition, thank goodness.

Right now the grandbaby is banking on the brass bowl that I use for meditation and rituals. Perhaps a ritual in the garden is a good idea and we are close to the full moon. A ritual for the garden so it will grow well and the garden spirits will come and help the garden to thrive.

Spring Spirits,
Flower

Orange/White Narcissus

Here is a pretty spring flower and aren't we happy the bulbs are coming up, finally. And the flowering cherries are starting to bloom and even the wild cherries. The herons are nesting down by Post Point and everyone is out--because the sun is out. Now it is time to get to work, to turn the soil. I read once that it is better to not till too deep, you don't want to go beyond topsoil. If you have bad soil, like I do, just keep working on it. It will build with layers of leaves and food scraps, newpaper and manure. Be sure to bury the food scraps as the racoons and the rats will get in there and dig stuff up. I had a rat problem in the house I used to live in. And the racoons were out there every night trying to get in to the compost bucket.

Anyway, if you have crocuses and daffodils up, you'll be gardening soon. I have heard it is late for bulbs this year--still are having frost here in Bellingham. I haven't been to the garden lately, but will soon--with rubber boots so my feet dont' get too muddy. The soil is cold and wet still, not good for planting yet--but soon.

Have fun, Flower Power

Potatoes

So Many Potatoes
Originally uploaded by Alexander Yates

Well, it's almost time to plant the potatoes. Every spring I've gone out and cut the potatoes sprouting in my cupboard and set them a foot apart on the newly warming soil. I was 19 when I first asked a woman who'd grown up on a farm, how do you grow potatoes. She said, cut the spud in pieces. Make sure there are one or two eyes per piece. Plant them and watch them grow. And be sure to continue to mound the dirt around the plants, as the ones exposed to the light will turn green. That green stuff is toxic you know, as is the plant itself. But the spud, oh my, so delicious. And when the plant gets it's pretty flowers, either white or purple, you can reach into the soil and feel around at the base of the plant for a sizable new potato. I like to cook these with the new peas that are on--so springy and wonderful.

If you want to follow tradition, plant your potatoes on Good Friday. It's a blessing.

Sweet Flower

Square Foot Gardening

My friend just built some boxes in her new back yard to do square foot gardening. The box is divided into 9 square feet and in each you plant something different. It is convenient to weed, since you can reach everything, you don't walk on the soil, so it never compresses, and you can manage it anywhere. The soil is a combination of peat and organic material and topsoil, so it is good and light and ready for healthy plants to grow. So much different than trying to improve hardpan or clayish soil. Look up the book, Square Foot Gardening All for now, running as usual.

Flower Power

PS Time to get out there--unless you plot is covered with snow and ice.