"As Soon As The Soil Can Be Worked..."

Plans are in the works for this coming years garden and work needs to be done to get it on track. I spent a good deal of time this AM sorting my seed packets, both new and old (*cough* *cough* yes, I bought even more seeds *cough* *cough*) and placing them in order of what needs to be planted when. I am setting up reminders in my online calendar so I get a poke when a new set of seeds needs to get started...because I forget otherwise...*sigh*

Reviewing past information gathered here, it seems my sorting is on track for what we should be putting in for our Spring/Summer starts. It also seems we should start looking into old tires and potatoes if we want to get those going this year...

Yesterday saw me securing more potting soil to begin my 'as soon as the soil can be worked' seed starts; this looks to include turnips, parsnips, carrots and peas. There are also some onions and leeks in there for good measure as well as the 'early starting' leafy greens. I can't believe they already have so many 'late starting' plants in as seedlings at the local Home Depot. I was sorely tempted by some of them, but I am going to wait on the heirloom varieties to show up at the farmers market instead.

Speaking of heirloom, I have a number of squash varieties that I saved seeds from last year (my sister went NUTS and had 15 heirloom types in her garden last year, so I am reaping the benefits). I am looking forward to those, and will be enjoying some of the squash dumplings/gnocchi from last years harvest soon as well.

Today the soil the the garden needs a good turning and then a layer of hay to start warming/breaking down. The raised beds will get turned and will have compost added. The 'squash annex' at the back of the garden will be de-ivy-ed and cleaned up for it's new plants - TOMATOES.