Spring prep. What are you doing?

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I don't know about anyone else but I'm really jealous hearing about all the signs of spring, lambing, kidding, gardening. Here I'm sitting here loving my wildlife but completely unable to get dirty in my garden. Grrrrr! While the rest of you seem to be putting together and using greenhouses I haven't even begun to plant seeds to start yet. It is still too early for us. I can't count on getting into my garden until the end of May. No point in starting seeds yet, they would get too leggy. Those of us who live in the northern states are still having very short days. Our house plants get leggy in the winter even when they are put in a southern window. I chose to live here so I'm not really complaining, just frustrated that I can't be out playing in the mud and dirt.

What are you all doing to get ready for the warm summer months? Gardens, what are you going to plant? Animals, what do you have, and what do you do with them? Crops, what do you harvest and what do you do with it? Anything, else you are planning, trips, events?

Susan the other one who lives up north

-- Susan in Minnesota (nanaboo@paulbunyan.net), February 19, 2002

Answers

My sons and I are tackling the leaky part of our mobile home roof even as we speak. That has helped my desire to be out playing in the dirt. But, as soon as that is done, I do hope to start tomato and pepper plants in the house. And, I need to actually make some beds, both vegetable and flower here, so that will keep me busy for a little while. We are going to haul in some rock to use for the outline of the flower beds, so it will take some time, both hauling and then making a short wall. I sure do miss having my critters this time of year though--doesn't seem quite right not having two hungry calves to bottle feed! You have cold still there Susan--and we have rain here in the northwest, tends to make one a little antsy this time of year!! :)

-- Lynn in Wa. (crabbyfiddler@earthlink.net), February 19, 2002.

I'm waiting for everything to dry out so I can go play in the dirt. I've ordered all my plants, rasperries, blackberries and blueberries and seeds for the upcoming year, but it's to early to start plants inside, so I've been working on building a cold frame, and finishing up work on the inside of the house.

-- Sherry (tlnifty@ecenet.com), February 19, 2002.

I'm turning my sfg, starting seedlings, erecting greenhouses and cold frames and helping a friend refit her privy (I think she is just being nice, she really doesn't need any help).

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), February 19, 2002.

Hi Everyone! My first post here, been lurky loner for a week or so, love reading all the posts! I have to make everyone jealous - I live in N Central Fla, and already have veggies growing outside...sno peas, greens, broccoli, kale, cilantro, lettuce. Haven't harvested any of it yet, but will start in another 30-45 days. Have starts of yellow pear tomatos. Come summertime, though, its too hot here and the tomatos crack and give up the ghost, the cilantro and the lettuce bolt in MAY. Right about the time ya'll start harvesting all your garden, I am preparing to plant for fall! Susan, it looks like LOTS of people who are getting "antsy" are spending time on the forum! Is this forum dead in the summertime when it's perfect weather up north? I mean on the cs forum. Well, enjoy your winter rest! And thanks for the singles forum! Been looking high and low for like- minded homesteadin singles!

-- juana (juanamustang@yahoo.com), February 19, 2002.

OOPS! I said Susan, I meant Lynn, sorry for the blunder there! Am not trying to frustrate you about my diggin in the dirt...like I said, you guys'll be harvesting and I'll be missing those fresh tomatoes coz they bit the dust in the heat! Now, if I was a snow bird...

-- janet (studbean@yahoo.com), February 19, 2002.


Dang am I tired! I swear, yup it was Susan I was talkin to. Geez. New at this. I even used my old email... and don't wanna hear no wise cracks! HA! Ain't it great to not be perfect? Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused. juana

-- (juanamustang@yahoo.com), February 19, 2002.

Juana, And now for the BIG contrast; The weather man is saying 6 to 12 inches of smow coming in tommorrow [wed.]

Ho hum- just another little winter *storm*?

-- Jim-mi (hartalteng@voyager.net), February 19, 2002.


smow..........hehe

Sherry was that one??

-- Jim-mi (hartalteng@voyager.net), February 19, 2002.


jim-mi ~ And THAT'S why I live in Florida. Brrr.

-- juana (juanamustang@yahoo.com), February 19, 2002.

Waiting

-- Susan in Northern LP Michigan (cobwoman@yahoo.com), February 20, 2002.


Jim mi, that counts as one. Sherry

-- Sherry (tlnifty@ecenet.com), February 20, 2002.

Hi Everybody! I live in southeast Kansas and it is still too cold to plant anything outside but getting pretty close. I do have my twin kids, Bonnie and Clyde, they are 2 weeks old now and have moved to a pen outside. I bought a packet of rattlesnake pole beans and amish squash from the seed savers exchange and am ready to figure out where to plant them. There was a terrible ice storm just a few weeks ago and there was tremendous loss of trees. I am a cerified tree hugger so it was quite a blow. My entire back 2 1/2 acres has limbs and tops of trees everywhere. The blessing is my redbuds are okay and my fruit trees are okay except for the old pear tree. I am ready for flowers and green leaves and the hummingbirds to come back. Happy Spring Y'all

-- Karen Mauk (kansashobbit@yahoo.com), February 20, 2002.

I am in same situation as Susan in MN,,(hi Susan,),am new to this site,,

Can't do anything about garden til around end of May,,,here in Montana,,,the last Frost is sooo unpredictable..Some folks just plant in May and hope for the best,,I wait til June for veggies...,I like to get some started plants in early May and keep indoors til time to plant,,but yes,,it is frustrating,,waiting, waiting, waiting,,haha,,,,

Meantime can do Spring housecleaning and volunteer work in community,,,I raise AKC Poms and Poodles,,so that keeps me busy,,,Also have a part/time office job,,,but my heart and soul wants to be outside working the veggie and flower gardens,,,Til than,,,Take care,,,

-- Patsy, MT (cozyhollow-gal@care2.com), March 09, 2002.


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