March 8, 2015

Well it looks like the 'winter' rains are just about done in these parts. There's a couple of systems poised to brush the area over the next week but nothing that will be measurable in tenths of an inch, more like in hundredths. However we still received 18" since October so it's much better than it might have been. Maybe things will change over the next few years in terms of rain but I think overall we're going to be in a much warmer climate.

Things are growing very well thanks to the persistent warm temperatures we've had this 'winter'. The cole crops in Box 3 are making do without much cool so not sure how much we'll see before I turn it over to the tomato planting next month.

The soil level in all of the boxes has settled a bit, so much so in Box 4 that I added quite a bit to the east side and raised the plants to account for it. I also reconfigured the irrigation layout as the first attempt was a stab in the dark, as it were. I think the standard I've settled on now is the most efficient and feasible one to use going forward.

Box 1:

We've cleaned out the Raab, picked a couple of the radicchio and several of the lettuces. I've been snipping the mesclun almost every night for dinner and pulling the larger radishes. Box 5 will be replacing the salad greens and radishes soon.

Box 2:

I've picked a couple of the chicories and chard, about to start on the kale as well. The first planting of peas seem to be ready to produce flowers but again something seems to be picking out the seeds before they sprout, my guess is birds but not sure.

Beets are still coming along, may be ready to start pulling some leaves for salad, a couple of weeks at least until the roots grow large enough to use.

Box 3:

I used a couple of each of the chicories, clipped a couple sprouts from the broccolini. With the warm temps, still not sure about the cauliflower. They're going to have to get going soon though as the plan is to entirely redo the bed for tomatoes no more than 4 weeks from now. That will also involve a new layout for the irrigation.

Box 4:

The second seeding of dill and cilantro have sprouted pretty well and I'm now able to use the first seeding as plants. I should get a better idea of the seeding schedule for these once I become familiar with their lifetimes. I had to pull one of the Italian oreganos as it simply k'foo'd. The other one is still growing so not sure what happened there. The parsley has grown quite a bit but one of them appears to be in its second year. I may have to seed some to have reliable plants through the summer and fall.

Box 5:

The seeds have come up pretty well and the peas are really growing now. At some point the peas will need some support, unlike the variety in Box 2. Still have a couple of fallow rows as this box will hold the summer vegetables like eggplant, peppers, and perhaps a couple of squashes.

Containers: 

Citrus trees:

The lime tree seems to have survived the planting and the 'winter'. Though I've yet to see any real growth, it has a lot of flowers popping up and ready to bloom. I should probably fertilize it again in the next week or so.