avatarDan Pfeifer

Summary

The Trusty Gardener is documenting the progress of their garden, with tomatoes and peppers transplanted into the greenhouse and the construction of a Hügelkultur garden bed underway using traditional German gardening methods and locally sourced materials.

Abstract

The article details the gardening activities of the Trusty Gardener, who is optimistic about the arrival of spring despite intermittent snowy weekends. The gardener has successfully germinated a variety of seeds, including Bok Choi, Kale, Romaine Lettuce, and Chinese Cabbage, using the Winter Sowing method. Additionally, leeks and onions are thriving in the greenhouse. The gardener has also planted heirloom tomatoes and peppers, which have been transplanted into peat pots with Miracle Gro™ potting soil, marking the final step before planting them in the garden. Alongside these developments, the gardener has begun building a Hügelkultur garden bed, an old German technique that involves creating a raised bed from decomposing wood and organic matter, utilizing materials from recently fallen or cut down trees on the property.

Opinions

  • The author expresses a positive outlook on the progression towards spring and the corresponding garden preparations.
  • There is an appreciation for the Winter Sowing method, as evidenced by the successful germination of various seeds.
  • The author shows a preference for traditional gardening methods, as seen in the use of peat pots and Miracle Gro™ potting soil for transplanting.
  • A sense of pride and cultural connection is evident in the decision to implement the Hügelkultur gardening method, given the gardener's German descent and the availability of materials from fallen trees.
  • The author values the use of organic materials and composting, as highlighted by the Hügelkultur bed project.
  • The author invites readers to follow their gardening journey on other platforms, indicating a desire to share knowledge and experiences with a wider audience.

The Trusty Gardener-Tomatoes and Peppers Are Transplanted and in the Greenhouse/Building My Hügelkultur Garden Bed

Tomatoes and Peppers Now One Step From Being Planted in the Garden

Transplanted Tomatoes in the Greenhouse/Author photo

Welcome back. We knew it would come. I think it’s here. Spring that is. We seem to be progressing towards better weather. Gradually. Oh there have been setbacks. The last 3 weekends it has snowed. And it’s been cold. But the cold periods have been shorter and temperatures have quickly rebounded. I am making progress also with my garden plants. In another 6 weeks or so I will be able to plant the garden.

If you follow me you know that I started seeds using a couple of different methods. The most unusual method I use is Winter Sowing. I wrote an article about that in mid-February. All of the seeds that I planted using this method, including Bok Choi, Kale, Romaine Lettuce, and Chinese Cabbage, have germinated and the containers are now in the greenhouse.

Winter Sowing Seedlings/Author Photo

Using more traditional methods, I then planted leeks and onions, as I wrote about here. They also are growing nicely in the greenhouse.

Onions and Leeks/Author Photo

Finally, I planted peppers and heirloom tomatoes. The tomatoes germinated in a little over a week; the peppers took longer with some varieties taking over 2 weeks. Last week I transplanted the peppers and tomatoes using peat pots and Miracle Gro™ potting soil. This is the final step in preparing the plants for the garden near the end of May.

The article referenced above highlighted 4 of the tomato varieties I planted. For information on the additional 4 heirloom varieties I chose, see my story on Ko-fi:

Pepper Plants/Author Photo

Building a Hügelkultur Garden Bed

A few weeks ago I wrote an article about this old German gardening method called Hügelkultur, which is a type of raised bed. It basically involves building a mound of rotting wood and other organic debris to create a composting mound of sorts to plant on. Being of German descent I thought it appropriate that I try this gardening method. Also, I have quite a few trees that recently either blew down or I had cut down. So I have plenty of “materials” to work with.

Today I started to construct the Hügelkultur mound. For more details, see my article on Ko-fi. I am starting to write on this platform also and would appreciate your support:

Heirloom Tomato
Gardening
Outdoors
Greenhouse
Vegetables
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