Sunday, April 3, 2011

Getting ready to plant

I'm getting ready to use my new cold frame and 12" planting beds!  No, they aren't ready to be planted in yet... need to prep the inside of the cold frame to accept the seedlings I'm starting in the bathroom, and I have to trench the foundation of the beds... I plan to create a base of cinder blocks, then put hardware cloth on top, then the wood-sided raised beds, then posts at each corner so I can surround it with screen to keep out the Elk, prairie dogs and other critters.  But I have the seeds started, as well as some herbs:

I planted the herbs (a Chia Herb Garden!) about the beginning of February, and recently divided them to put them into larger pots.
In the seed beds, I have Delphiniums, Hollyhocks, Chives, Dill, Cherry Tomatoes, Bell Peppers and Cucumbers.  I will be planting salad bowl lettuce and carrots directly into the raised beds so they won't need to be transplanted.
I should mention that this is a project I have had in mind for quite awhile... I actually had a little garden in a raised bed when we were in California, but here I have a large lot with great sunlight... just a limited planting season due to our elevation and weather, so the cold frame is going to go a long way toward extending my growing season... I'm really excited about finally getting this started, and look forward to being able to grow some of my veggies and herbs!  Progress reports will be forthcoming... 

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