Soil Temperature

By Stephen:

Who’s to know what weather to expect? It makes the instructions on seed packets almost useless: ‘plant indoors three weeks before last frost’ etc.  A much better method is to measure the soil temperature. I came across this technique here.

The garden possesses a soil thermometer, which was unearthed during the last shed clear out. It is designed for composting measurements but no reason why regular soil cannot be measured. It looks like one of those tools for checking whether the meat is done, but with a very long spike (is your dinosaur haunch ready?)

The photograph shows Christine M measuring the temperature at her plot, which was 58 F for the record.

The thermometer is currently in a bucket at the back of the shed, behind the left-hand door.

Rhubarb Resurgens

By Stephen:

You might remember the somewhat patchy and scrawny rhubarb we had in the old plot near the shed (where the strawberries were once). In the fall of 2016, Christine M and I split many of them at the crown (aka dividing) and replanted them in the North Garden. We did this in preparation for the construction work.

At the 2 April 2017 work party, Brenda enthusiastically dug in some composted manure. The results are remarkable and it looks as though we will have a good crop very soon. Thanks to Christine M and Brenda for this.

Is the liking for rhubarb a generational thing? Or do you only appreciate rhubarb when you mature? I enjoy that tantalizing combination of sweetness and the hint of tartness in a well-cooked pie. The younger members of my household not so much. One group that certainly enjoys the rhubarb we give them is the Seniors’ Centre at Kerrisdale Community Centre.

What to Grow Now – April 2017

By Stephen:

Looks like the start to spring this year is wobbly to say the least. What to plant? The soil temperature is still load and the ground is soaking wet. The seeds will just rot in the ground. However, if you insist on beans, broad beans (fava) are possible. They mature in 4 to 5 months, with the unfortunate outcome of taking up a fair bit of space for only a modest outcome.

You can get better use of space with peas which can go in now, right through to the end of May.

Salads are perhaps the best option. Quick to germinate, easy to grow, and highly productive, the salads do well in the low light levels and cool temperatures that we are currently experiencing.

Arugula seedlings

Arugula (rocket) has an appealing slightly peppery taste while the so-called ‘oriental’ salads, pac choi and choi sum are highly reliable.  And there’s always last year’s fad favorite: kale!