Spring? Is that you?

The weather this week has been stunning. Sunny and low-40s during the day; crisp, clear nights. Beautiful. Makes me think spring just might be on her way. And, of course, it gets my mind buzzing about all of the projects I need to start researching and obsessing over. Lots of projects. Fun, dirty, sun-filled projects that make things beautiful and edible around here.

Composting
This is tops on my list. And I know this is something I should have been doing all along, but… ok, I’ll spare you the long list of excuses. Bottom line is that I’m late to the game on this and need to fix that ASAP. I figure if I get going now, there’s hope I’ll have some usable, nutrient-rich compost for this year’s garden. I’ve got the perfect spot picked out and the Christmas tree is all chopped up and ready to go to work, now I just need someone to build me a nice, strong bin. Dave, are you reading this?

Gardening
If I’m going to compost, I must have a garden. This should be interesting with the short growing season around here, but I’m going to do my best. Fortunately, our yard gets great sun and, being in “the Valley,” temps run a bit warmer around here. There are just a few key questions to answer: Raised bed or container garden? Start from seed or not? Just what kind of soil am I dealing with around here, anyway? I’ve got my research cut out for me.

I had a decent amount of success the past couple of seasons with the square-foot gardening method. Dave built me a nice raised bed that, unfortunately, didn’t make the journey north with us. But it’s just as well because I’m struggling with where to put a raised bed in our new space. And now I find myself considering a container garden. Lots of pretty containers of various sizes strategically placed around our property – on the deck, the porch, etc. I like the visual in my head. My only hesitation, which Dave so kindly pointed out, is that I’d really like to GROW some food – lots and lots of food – and try to eat mostly from the garden this summer. Having a nice, big, fresh-from-the-garden salad once a week is nice, but I want MORE, dammit. A few big raised beds is the way to accomplish this. Hmm. More thought is definitely required on this one.

Anyhow, here are a few pics of gardens past. The pole bean tee-pee is always my favorite.

Why, hello, you delicious little red pepper.

And you big, gorgeous clematis. I won’t eat you.

Shed Building
We’ve GOT to build a better storage solution for our wood piles. The end.

Dave, this is all you. I stacked it, now you get to move it!

General Beautification
After the snow melts and I get to know my new yard on a more intimate level, it will be fun to make it my own. Annuals here, a new perennial bed there… And I can’t tell you how excited I am to see how (if) our yard comes to life over the next couple of months. We’ve never seen our yard in spring or summer, so I’m looking forward to seeing what pops up. I like surprises.

Now I’m excited all over again.

Ok, gotta go. I’ve got some obsessing to do. Please think good thoughts for a better tomato season this year.