Govinda's Garden

Tuesday, February 28, 2023 High: 87.9 Low: 49.7 Sunny Observations That high temperature seems a little too high, but it  was  a beautiful, sunny warm day. So many things are coming to life. No signs of life on the in-ground figs. I-258 is not looking great, and I'm surprised Chicago Hardy hasn't started any buds. Tasks Went to the Weaverville mulch yard with Hayley this morning and got about 7 bags of compost. Almost got stuck in the mud, but Krsna helped us out! Planted three rows of Green Arrow peas in the in-ground bed. First, the rows were cleared of any wood chips, then we put about 3-4 inches of compost on top of the natural dirt, then we planted the seeds into the compost and lightly packed them in before giving them a light watering. Removed the tarps from the beds that have the arched trellis. Then cleaned up the beds by softening the surface with a rake and adding some fresh compost. Then we planted more peas (Sugar Magnolia and Mammoth Snow Pea) next to the trellis.

Monday, February 27, 2023 High: 78.0 Low: 45.6 Mostly Cloudy and Rain in the evening Observations The Legacy blueberries have flowers on them. I suppose they are an early variety. The temperature of the soil in the covered raised bed (where we planted yesterday) is about 65 degrees F. Noticed a lot of rolly-pollys near the muscadines and grapes, towards the southern part of the fence. The hardy kiwi vines have started to show some green Tasks Went to the Weaverville compost dump. Wow. What a blessing. Leaves and woodchips and straight-up compost in abundance. I got about 8 bags full of composted leaves. I canceled an order from the Asheville Mulch Yard because I think I can get enough for the potatoes and beds by making trips to this place. Got 10 cuttings from Dan Louie on a trade. He was very generous. Tomorrow Prune blueberries Fertilize the muscadines and grapes Blueberries Rolly-pollies near the grape vines Hardy kiwi Tres Esplantes trying to pop out 4 figs for some reason :) Shou

Sunday, February 26, 2023 High: 77.6 Low: 46.0 Mostly Cloudy Observations Bagged compost and soil at Lowe's are much cheaper than at nurseries The unprotected Chicago Hardy tree in the front had some moisture damage at the base, where the woodchips were covering it Leaf buds tend to start lower near the base of the tree. I've noticed this with figs and the mulberry in the front. It is warmer there because it's closer to the earth and there is less wind chill, and it might get extra protection from mulch. Peach, plum, and nectarine flowers are appearing before any of the green leaves. Today I learned that this is known as "precocious flowering". Comfrey roots are thick! Tasks Broadcasted some high nitrogen lawn fertilizer around all areas where wood chips are laid. This was inspired by a recommendation from D. I learned that microorganisms need nitrogen to break down the carbon in the woodchips into simple sugars. Nitrogen is abundant in grass and green material, b

Saturday, February 25, 2023 High: 62.2 Low: 45.0 Rainy Observations: Noticed the first roots on the fig cuttings, specifically in Bebera Branca The greenhouse is still leaking around the windows There was a lot of "red" wood on the Euclid and Brown Turkey mature trees in Asheville. I'm curious if these branches are dead. I'll keep an eye on it. Tasks: Got a few more cuttings of Euclid Picked up two bags of leaves in front of a home in West Asheville Went to Fairview and harvest some bamboo from a nice lady's home Todo: Move currants and Jostaberries to the backyard Pakistan mulberry Bamboo roots Figs forming on this Celeste

Friday, February 24, 2023 High: 84.0 Low: 45.1 Cloudy, Light Rain Observations: - Peaches and nectarines started flowering -- Flowers come before the leaves... Interesting. - Water droplets on top of the ends of fig branches. Where does it come from? - Persimmons and Pawpaws are expensive as heck and Reem's Creek - All the raspberries look dead. - Budding on the blueberries, plums, and many many other things. - A daffodil flower popped up from two of Hayley's bulbs. - Reem's Creek is currently selling cool veggie crops (kale, lettuce, peas, broccoli) Tasks: - Met with John from Blue Collar Landscaping -- Had a great talk about the bank with the kudzu, privet, and honeysuckle. I learned that the big tree is a maple, and it's slowly getting devoured by honeysuckle. I'm getting a few quotes to have him clean up that bank. He mentioned "sheet mulching", which he described as just a bunch of wood chips, the kudzu after the area has been cleared to suffocate it.