Spinach

Spinach, May 8, 2009

The spinach is looking great.  We’re at about week 3 with the spinach above.  It’s not yet considered “baby” spinach — maybe a week to 10 days more.  It’s about 2 inches high.  There are about 3 sets of 8 plants growing at different stages.  With about a week in between.  Spinach will continue to grow really big, so I just cut each week the amount that I’ll need.  These 24 plants will likely last me through to July.  In late June, I’ll replant for a fall crop.

Radish

Radish, May 8, 2009

The radish plants really came into their own this week.  These are also about a two inches high and all but one sprouted.

Radish Sets, May 8, 2009

As you can tell from above, only one seed didn’t sprout (bottom left).  They are spaced about 2 to 3 inches apart and should grow a nice 2 inch bulb.  The radish leaves will grow about 6 inches high when the radishes themselves are ready to pick.

Lettuce

Rocky Top Lettuce, May 9, 2009

The lettuce finally sprouted!  Above is the Rocky Top lettuce… not even an inch high so far.  You barely cover the seeds in the dirt when you plant them.  Two things generally happen.  1) They blow away.  2) Birds get to them.  As you can see above by the scattered growth, one of the two happened.  It’s ok.  You prune back (baby lettuce) as you go to let a few grow out big.  So it will all work out in the end.

Peas

Peas, May 8, 2009

Single Pea Sprout, April 24, 2009

Look how far we’ve come in 3 weeks.  The top was taken this morning and the bottom three weeks ago.  The peas are on their way to the sky!

Shallots

Shallots, May 8, 2009

The shallots are growing nicely.  I’m excited to cut those shallot scapes in the next few weeks to throw into a stir fry.  They are strong.

Tomatoes

Tomato Plant, May 8, 2009

The tomato plants have a long way to go before they grow a tomato.  These plants were 5 inches high when they were transplanted in the ground.  At transplant, you plant them really deep so only two inches showed above the direct.  Now they’re back up to 6 inches high.  Eventually they will reach about 4 feet.

More from the garden tomorrow!

Related articles:

1. Peas, Spinach, Radishes and More…Growing
2. On the Farm, June 6, 2009
3. A Growing Farm, May 27, 2009

Garlic

Garlic Growing, April 24, 2009

The garlic continues to look good.  Again, garlic is so easy to grow, I’d be embarrassed if it wasn’t looking this good.  It’s about 6 inches tall.  In another 3 to 5 weeks, we can trim the garlic scapes to through in a salad or stir-fry (but they are potent!).

Shallots

Shallots growing April 24, 2009

The shallots are looking great as well.  They are in the same family as garlic but you can tell they are shallots by the multiple stalks all shooting up from the same bulb.  This is my first year growing shallots, so I’m not sure what to expect from them.

Peas

Single Pea Sprout, April 24, 2009

The peas are looking great.  Above is a single pea sprout — there are about 10 pea sprouts growing.  They have a long way to go until we see peas.  They have to climb about 3 or 4 feet up the trellis before we’ll see a pea sprout.   Regardless, I’m happy to see them growing.

Spinach

Spinach Sprout growing April 24, 2009

The spinach is going slow and I’m not sure why.  This is week three for the spinach and it’s about an inch tall.  I had hoped the spinach would be two or three inches.  It was a dry start three weeks ago, so I’m hoping the rain over the weekend and over the next few days will help these guys along.

Salad Greens: The salad green sprouts are so small that the pictures I have don’t do them justice.  You’ll have to wait a week or two for better salad green pictures.

Radishes: Need more time to sprout.  They are fast growers so I’m hoping to have a picture or two next weekend.

Also this weekend, I transplanted green peppers and tomatoes into the ground.  This is very early to transplant, but I’m taking a gamble this year and we’ll see how it pays off.  My next post will outline the peppers and tomatoes.

Related articles:

1. Friday Growing
2. Peas, Spinach, Radishes and More…Growing
3. Scenes from an Early Spring Farm

Until then, enjoy an April spring day on the farm.

Peas breaking through the ground, April 2009

Garlic off to a great start, April 2009

Shallots popping up, April 2009

Related articles:

1. It’s Growing Season!
2. A Growing Farm, May 27, 2009
3. In The Ground: Garlic