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A Closer Look at Winter Damage

But first, take a look at this gorgeous rainbow that we had on Friday! The five-day stretch of warm temperatures last week really jump-started the garden. Now that plants are putting out new growth, it is easier to see what kind of damage the winter left. Back in mid-January, we experienced five straight days of below-freezing temperatures. This caused much damage in Portland and areas where frigid winds were a factor. Here, we were fortunate to not get the wind and the cold temperatures were dampened by a blanket of snow. That said, it was a tough time for the garden and there are noticeable casualties but no outright deaths that I have seen. The bottlebrush ( Callistemon 'Woodlander's Red') did not like the cold at all. It was planted six years ago, in the north-facing garden no less, and I've not experienced die-back on it until now. A local expert said to cut it all the way back so that is what I did. If it doesn't make it, I won't be too distraught. It is

Planting cool season vegetables

My experience with growing vegetables has been haphazard at best but I'm ahead of the game this year. For the first time, I've planted some cool season vegetables that hopefully will be ready for harvest before it is time to plant the tomatoes and peppers. Am I getting too optimistic?

Two weekends ago, I planted the following and today, after the monsoon we got last night, everything appears to be coming along nicely. The only thing I don't see yet are the carrots. Here is what I have:


Lettuce



Cabbage


Spinach


Radish


Onion







Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Phillip,

    These plants are looking good! Those onions are pretty small though. Our greens in the hoop house are not far from bolting already.

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  2. Everything is sprouting so nicely! Wow!

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  3. Outdoors already? Really? Not sure I'd dare do that yet in South Carolina. Adore all your garden photographs! Just wonderful. Good job!

    Ruth

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  4. Looking good, Phillip! You'll have no trouble at all with most things, but be prepared for when the cabbage worm shows up....

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  5. They all look good and healthy- yeah those carrots won't show themselves for a while- they take forever to germinate! I just faithfully give them a little water daily until they do.

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  6. It's so nice to walk outside and pluck a leaf or two to add to sandwiches or salads...I do hope you get to enjoy the fruits (veggies) of your labor!

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  7. Your veggies look healthy. You are way ahead of my area. I am still enjoying my crocus. Seeing these makes me think I need to get a little lettuce planted soon.

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  8. You're way ahead of me Phillip. I've run into some roadblocks on getting my new veggie garden started but hopefully it will be ready to go soon. Looking forward to seeing how your progresses!

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  9. As much as I love flowers, there is something magical about eating a salad and knowing that you've grown all of those things from tiny seeds! And they always hold the promise of summer to come!

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  10. Right there with you on the vegetables. I finally planted them from seed directly into containers last year and it was awesome. Yours look incredible already, best of luck with them!

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  11. Lookin Good! I wanted a cold weather garden this year, but at the pace I am moving and the weather, I will be lucky to get my beds moved before April 15th!

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  12. Hi, I just found your blog by googling garden blogs. I was looking for some gardening blogs to put on my blogroll. So happy I found you because your photographs are stunning. What a coincidence-I live a few miles from Florence, South Carolina! I would love it if you visited me.
    http://cottageatthecrossroads.com

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  13. Looking good, Phillip! I remember as a child we would plant cabbages, turnip greens and onions outdoors in late February.

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  14. It's looking great. We are due for frost between 2/9 tonight. Hope it doesn't harm my tender plants or the little peaches that are all over the tree. I only planted it last yr. after the 1 peach that was on it had ripened. It was good.

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  15. They all look so healthy! I can't wait to start planting some vegetables outside. This is the first year we're really putting some real effort into it. Hope you see the carrots soon.

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  16. Wonderful looking lettuce! I am so intimadated by seeds. Thanks for giving me inspiration and courage to go plant! Keep up the great work!

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  17. Your off to a great start my friend. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  18. Phillip,

    I did it! I worked in the yard yesterday. I owe it all to you. You told me on this blog to prune the roses when the forsythia bloomed and I did. AND I did other yard work, too. There is still too much to do, but at least I began and it was a lovely day. What should I do next?

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  19. Carrots take such a lone time to come up.~~Dee

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  20. Phillip, you have the makings of a good meal! gail

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