Clint and Barnacle

Preparing For Spring Planting

Greetings from the island everyone. Hope all of you are doing well and had a nice Valentines Day with your sweetie. I turned the big 52 the day prior, so Barnacle and I went in and had a little birthday celebration with mom, with Mr. Dog getting his pancake of course.

I honestly do not feel the age that the calendar claims I should be. Heck, I think that I look, and feel, pretty dang good for being just north of 50. Especially when I come across others of the same age and I’m thinking, “dang, they look rough”. Problem is, they are probably thinking the same about me! Oh well, I feel good, so I guess that’s all that matters.

I’m starting to think that this winter is gonna last for about six months! The third week of February calls for warmer weather, I just hope it sticks around for awhile. I think that we were spoiled by last years very mild winter, and kinda expected this year to be the same. Mother Nature can be a real prankster, and occasionally reinforces the fact that she calls the shots with weather, and we are merely pawns in her game. Bad Mother Nature.

Well I just started my tomato seeds for Spring planting. Once started, the plants will be re-potted several times before being placed in the ground 5-6 weeks later, when the chance for frost is gone. I’m gonna scale back somewhat on the number of tomato plants, allowing me to devote more time to growing quality plants. Of course I’ll plant at least five of the Big Zac variety, in my attempt to grow a 3 pounder. One day it’s gonna happen, one day.

I’ll also plant a few seed potatoes, peppers and squash. Early next month I’ll start the watermelon and cantaloupe seeds, hoping for some mid-summer sweetness to enjoy.

I’ve got about 60 gallons of finished compost ready, made up of seaweed, chicken manure, coffee grounds and egg shells from last summers batch. I’ll mix this in with my raised bed soil as my organic fertilizer, and supplement it with a concentrated liquid fish and seaweed foliar spray fertilizer. I also only use rain water for the little seedlings until they are old and strong enough to be planted. I believe that the more care and attention given to seedlings, the better they will thrive and flourish into healthy and productive plants. Just call me the plant whisperer.

Well that’s it from the island for now, everyone take care and have a great day.