Fenton Friday: Spring Has Sprung

We are back at the Fenton Street Community Garden for another growing season!

This winter has been so frigid and wet, that I didn't step into the plot until last week. I was happily surprsed to see that under a covercloth the cut-and-come again Lettuce and Cilantro had survived (pictured above and below respectively). Also returning were agressive (and not entirely welcome) patches of garlic chives and yarrow. 

The Garlic we planted in the fall is up and the Blackberries are starting to leaf out too. The Brussels Sprouts were mush, so I yanked those out and composted them. I have not seen any sign yet of the Asparagus, but I'm sure it will pop up soon.

The interns planted rows of Oakleaf Lettuce, Crisphead Lettuce 'Queen of Crunch', Deer Tongue Lettuce, and Signature Salads Lettuce 'Monet's Garden Mesclun' -- along with Kale 'Dwarf Blue Curled Vates' and 'Rubybor'. I planted two types of Peas -- 'Mammoth Melting' Podded Pea and 'Sugar Ann' Sugar Snap Pea as well as a 'Knee-Hi Mix' of ornamental Sweet Pea. I've only had luck with Sweet Peas once before,m but figured, "what the hey" might as well try them again.

In coming weeks, I plan to plant Radish and Carrots along with some cool-season herb and flowers.

In the pollinator strip, we planted California Poppies and a Wildflower Mix. I see some of the perennials, such as Mountain Mint, are starting to emerge. I will give them a few weeks to come up and see where we might need to replace or fill things in.

About Fenton Friday: Every Friday during the growing season, I'll be giving you an update on my community garden plot at the Fenton Street Community Garden just across the street from my house in zone 7 Mid-Atlantic MD/DC border. I'm plot #16. It is a 10 ft x 20 ft space and this is our 15th year in the garden. (It opened in May 2011.) See past posts about our edible garden by putting "Fenton"  into the Search box above (at the top, left on this blog).