A winter that just won’t give up.

Part of my massive Gurney’s purchase included an order of Red Zeppelin onions.  And yes, if you’re wondering, Led Zeppelin weighed heavily on my decision to select this specific species of onion.  Yesterday was a decent Minnesota Spring day, so I forged ahead and decided to plant these bad boys in Raised Garden Bed #1 (#2 still needs to be completed, but that’s for another post). Now, mind you, I planted outside…in a t-shirt.  Comfortably.

And, the thing is, I knew there was a snowstorm approaching.  I know…WTH, right?  My thoughts exactly.  It’s May now.  MAY!  So, the weather forecast was calling for much lower temperatures and measurable amounts of snow, but the Red Zeppelins were sure to die if their roots didn’t contact soil sometime soon.  That being said, I made my decision to give these blessed onions a fighting chance.  I planted them.  On April 30.  One day before a snowstorm predictably hit.

Red Zeppelins in all their glory.  

And then the sun set and rose again.  And this happened:

Um…yeah.  

If you look closely, to the right of the photo you will see a single row of Red Zeppelins bursting beyond the pesky snow cover.  Two reasons for this: 1) It’s kind of a science experiment.  Will the snow act like enough of an insulator to keep these babies alive? And 2) The blanket wasn’t big enough to cover that last row.

After surveying what may very well be the nail in the coffin for my Zepps, I did what any normal person would do.

Why, eat and drink of course!

And this wasn’t just any sort of eating.  Oh, no!  I found the lone remaining frozen bag of carrots from last year’s harvest.  After sautéing those babies up in a touch of olive oil, then gently tossing with a bit of brown sugar and balsamic vinegar, they were good to go!

Seriously, so good.  

Cooking up a bit of tasty goodness using homegrown produce turned out to be just what I needed to restore my zest for backyard gardening.  Even if I’m watching the snowflakes fall in May.

And so it continues.

My seedlings are taking off, people.  I can hardly wait to get home at night and check on their progress.  It’s quite sad, really.

My broccoli babies and two tomato trays on the right.

I’m ridiculously proud of them.  The tomatoes?  Mehh…they could be better, but they could also be more disappointing.  So whatevs.  Maybe the tomatoes know how proud I am of the broccoli and therefore feel like they can’t even begin to compete, so why bother?

Herb-alicious!

I love looking at the herbs growing on the windowsill.  It feels magical or something.  I’m helping these herbs to grow by channeling my inner Harry Potter, putting spells on them each and every night.  It’s awesome.

The onions are also doing pretty well, I just didn’t take a picture of them.  They’ll probably all die now.  Oops.

More seeds have also been started indoors:

March 25, 2013

• Gurney’s Tomato, Hybrid Early Girl (days to maturity : 52)
• Gurney’s Tomato, Hybrid Baby Girls (days to maturity : 62)
• Gurney’s Hot Pepper, Hybrid Primo Jalapeño (days to maturity : 70)
• Gurney’s Hot Pepper, Thai Super Chili Hybrid (days to maturity : 75)
• Gurney’s Sweet Pepper, Hybrid Bell Boy (days to maturity : 70)
• Gurney’s Eggplant, Hybrid Twilight (days to maturity : 62)
• Gurney’s Brussels Sprouts, Hybrid Royal Marvel (days to maturity : 120)
• Gurney’s Cauliflower, Hybrid Snow Crown (days to maturity : 55)

A grow light has been ordered as we’re running out of sunny window space.  A greenhouse would be so handy.  Future backyard project?  Put it on the list!

And so it begins.

Garden 2013 is now underway.  Can I get a wootwoot?!  So, in order to better keep track of just what the heck is going on growing wise this year (and also because I’m mildly obsessed with list making), I am going to make a list! Of things I have planted! Wootwoot again?! Or too much, maybe too much…

Moving on…

March 13, 2013

1. Planted herbs for indoor pots (seeds from 2012 season, so we will see what happens)

• Burpee Cilantro (harvest 60-90 days)
• Burpee Thyme, Common (harvest 180-200 days)
• Burpee Parsley (harvest 40-60 days)
• Burpee Sweet Basil (harvest 60-90 days)
• Burpee Dill, Fernleaf (harvest 40-60 days)
• Burpee Oregano (harvest 90-200 days)

2.  Started various seeds indoors

• Burpee Tomato, Super Beefsteak (two trays : harvest 80 days)
• Burpee Broccoli, Major Hybrid (three trays : harvest 43 days)
• Burpee Onion, Evergreen Long White Bunching (seven trays : harvest baby scallions in 60 days and full sized green onions in 120 days

Note: Broccoli is from 2012 season, Onions – 2011(!!) Tomatoes – 2013

Crossing my fingers that these babies will sprout because I am so flippin’ excited!