On Sketching, Planning and Building—the Winter Work That Pays Off in Spring.
On Sketching, Planning and Building—the Winter Work That Pays Off in Spring.
No. 4 | Spring Gardening in Greenville, SC
The winter newsletter didn’t happen. But let me sum up what I did over the winter—it’s not that I think you care exactly—but I won’t be able to move on unless I do. Thank you for humoring me ;)
I rough sketched, sketched and re-sketched my new veggie garden area.
TJ cut down that pesky half-dead tree that was in the way.
I ordered seeds, and organized (generous verb) the ones I already had.
I stopped starting seeds indoors a few years ago after Raleigh gardener Brie the Plant Lady sold me on the idea. So, I started them outside. Then we moved them back into the garage because it got crazy cold. And then back outside again. They’re outside now.
I staked out said new veggie garden area.
I had raised beds built and ordered the trellis.
I waited and waited and waited for the daffodil bulbs I planted last fall to bloom. (They finally did this last week!)
I pruned trees and shrubs, and I moved a bunch of azaleas and baby forsythias.
And that brings us to now—early Spring.
Winter is a break from gardening only if you’re dissuaded by not immediately seeing the fruits of your labor.
The truth is, what you do in the winter mostly pays off once the Spring comes. And to have anything to celebrate in early Spring, you pretty much had to plan for it during the winter.
P.S. I'm working on two fun plant projects with Lib Ramos that I can't WAIT to share with you. And we're working fast—so I'll have an update by the next time I email out this newsletter.
Spring 2023
What I’m Reading & Listening To
Kitchen Garden Revival: a modern guide to creating a stylish, small-scale, low maintenance, edible garden by Nicole Johnsey Burke
I’d be lying if I said this is a favorite garden book of mine. I like to read garden books with a bit more poetry to them, before bed, like they’re novels. (Am I the only one?)
That being said, I picked it up again when I was starting to dream up my new raised beds, and I’m glad I did. It’s a very practical book, and if you’re planning to add a kitchen garden to your property, I wouldn’t recommend any other book as a starting point.
What I’m Growing
I shared this photo on Instagram last week of the long-awaited daffodils that finally bloomed, and it was one of my most popular posts.
Several people asked what variety they are. These are ‘Golden Pearl’ and I got them from Baker Creek. They’re out of stock now, but you can sign up to be notified when they’re back in stock, which I would guess will be late summer/early fall.
I have to get my new garden finished up next week to stay on track for spring planting (eek!). That will include leveling the site, getting drip hoses set up with help from Stephanie at Southern Garden Solutions, spreading gravel, putting in the beds, setting the trellis, and filling them.
So you see… I’m not really ready at all. Ha!
Seed-Starting
I started spring veggies and flowers back in mid-February (herbs, peas, flowers, edamame, etc.)
I just started my tomatoes and peppers last week. I’m trying Shishitos for the first time this year!
The garlic is growing nicely, and I expect to be harvesting mid- to late-May.
I’ll start poking radish seeds in everywhere now through mid-Spring. Succession-planting is the name of the game with radishes. You don’t want a ton of those at once, and then none at all. That would be sad!
Featured Recipe: Asparagus Fritters
from Lidia Bastinich
We made these asparagus fritters a couple of weeks ago, and they were a hit. Something different to try while asparagus is abundant and cheap.
Instagram
Last month I partnered with a Simpsonville friend Melanie Hall (@yeahthatcraftymama) to do a spring giveaway on Instagram. THANK YOU to everyone who participated.
A few of you wanted to know how to get one of these hats. Melanie will make one for you for $25. You can just DM her on Instagram to get the details.
Spring Plant Sales
Spartanburg Community College Horticulture Program - March 31 and April 1
Samantha Wagner also made me aware that many of our Upstate area high schools have chapters of the Future Farmers of America club and host plant sales each spring with really affordable prices. I couldn’t find any details for 2023 online, but check with your local high school!