Have you ever heard the saying “In order to live off a garden, you practically have to live in it”? Well I’ve been living in my garden lately, and it’s really starting to pay off!

I keep track of all my garden chores in a journal so I can look back and remember what I did and how things turned out. Have any of you started a garden journal? Here’s a preview of my April journal entries:

April 2

• Planted bare-root asparagus ‘Purple Passion’ and ‘Jersey Giant’ along the SW side of my garage. Planted remaining strawberries in my raised patch. Planted one row each of carrot ‘Science Fiction’ and lettuce ‘Black Seeded Simpson’. Planted two rows of peas ‘Sugar Daddy’ and ‘Progress #9’ (all specific varieties listed were purchased and are available at Hoerr Nursery)
• Made bamboo teepees about 4 feet tall along the middle of one of my beds to support my climbing peas.

April 3

• It rained last night and FILLED my 44-gallon rainbarrel! I’ll use the recycled water in my garden when we’re low on rain.
• Installed motion activated flood lights as a deer deterrent. I’ve been covering my babies with a thick layer of straw, old milk crates and flower pots at night to protect them from deer but as the plants get bigger and more established, I will need a more permanent solution.

April 12

• Started seeds indoors of ‘Sweetie’ cherry and ‘Brandywine Mix’ tomatoes, green bell pepper and red Italian pepper.
• My spinach, lettuce, pea, radish and carrot seedlings are starting to get their new sets of leaves. And my onions are at least 8 inches tall!

April 15

• Started some sweet basil seeds in peat pots in the greenhouse. When the danger of frost is gone, I’ll plant them out with my tomatoes in my “salsa garden” at Hoerr Nursery.

April Garden Recipe

I ate my first homegrown salad the other day! There’s something magical about eating “living” food that was picked from your garden moments before. I had three types of lettuce mixed with chopped spring green onion, radish sprouts, chives and thyme for flavor and garnish. I sprinkled it with sesame seeds, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and lemon juice….yum!