I recently read an article about gardening in a new light. Straw Bale gardening was what it was called. I think I will try this method this year to see exactly how it will work and how the food grown within will taste. Look up straw bale gardening and try something new. I have used straw to mulch when was an organic farmer in Fredericksburg, but never thought to grow in it would be such a novel idea. I am a bit concerned about the rodent issue, but then again chipmunks, field mice and squirrels are already a part of our current environment so………………….I am just saying….give it a whirl!!!
I love trying new things in the garden. At least those things that are new to me. A new cultivar of tomato, a new pepper or a new plant. There are a lot of new introductions this year in both realms. Last year I tried some Heirlom tomatoes that did not do well – perhaps it was the heat, or the soil…..or just the irregular weather as it was chilly when I planted them. Nevertheless, this year I have my wall-o-water that I will put around the young seedlings to protect them and add a little planters insurance for a successful crop of tomato’s and peppers. I think today I will start my potatoes in their grow bags….I just had to get the ble potato’s……..just because!
One thing I will be trying are dahlia’s from Swan Island Dahlia’s. I have ordered seed from them and tubers of course, so I am excited. I also plan on going down to Charlottesville to pick up some Dahlias from an old Dahlia farmer that is at the farmers market. I know, a long way to go, but there is almost nothing better than a drive down south on a spring Saturday!!! Well maybe a fall Saturday…but that is a whole different season.
okay……..off to start some seeds…what I will do with them, I am not sure, but I believe in planting in abundance…and worrying about that later!!
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