March 19, 2011

• Dumped last year's pots of soil from the few things I grew in containers.
• Weeded all beds and pulled brassicas from the fall that never really did anything.
• Put in posts for pea trellis.
• Planted: sugar snap peas, shell peas, Detroit Dark Red and Cylindra beets, Red Core Chantennay carrots, spicy mesclun mix, Red Grano onions, Long White Bunching onions in the bed that had tomatoes and pole beans last year.

Notes:

• Last year I grew carrots in pots because my soil is so clayey and rocky.  They did just ok. Not great.  After starting them I questioned the wisdom of growing a root vegetable in a medium that is essentially devoid of fertility (I use Fafard 3B.) I also grew parsnips but put those in the ground because they like to overwinter and they did great, only a few split or were misshapen, so I'm going to try the carrots in the bed this year. Chantennay Red Core are supposed to be good for clayey soils and are only 5-6" long.
• I anticipate using slug bait this year because I have a horrible problem with them and none of the organic methods I have tried have worked. In years past they have completely mowed down my beet tops to the ground. Any slug advice would be appreciated.