March: Lion or Lamb?

We have tons of nursery rhymes and old wives tales in the deep south (and all over America) about gardening and weather. March is known for its winds in this part of the country. The saying though is: if March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb. I'm just taking a guess here, but I believe the snow during that first week of March qualifies as a lion. In fact, the past three days full of rain, are quite lion-like as well.

I'm not complaining (really) since we have been prone to a draught the past few summers (more than a few), but this is making it very difficult to get any planting done. We have been confined to the indoors for the most part, which normally would be great except my husband has his twisted agenda list which always comes before my Honey Do list. Meaning: my fabulous planting table he lovingly built for me, is covered in an array of junk while he builds his work bench so I can neither GET to my table nor has he hung the grow lights so that I can plant my seeds that I fussed about for so long.

With this weather, I can not work in the garden either so I'm confined to the house and doing the "domestic" chores (which I'm very good at it and wouldn't get done if I didn't do them) but it is absolutely driving me insane! I want to watch something grow other than my widening rearend. Seriously, I need to be outdoors in sunshine and warm weather, digging in the dirt and moving horse manure, getting exercise and vitamin D so I can retain my sanity. (Okay, I'm exagerating only slightly here).

Every year, an abundance of chores and household projects prevent us from planting on time. EVERY year I complain about getting the garden done late and not having enough time to keep it up properly. This year, is off to the same old start.

Today's Tip: Plant pansies

March 1st =6" Snow

Pics of Yardwork

Yea..I finally found the camera cord. While we did not have the bobcat, my Dad did bring the big tractor with the scrape so we were able to level out the big ditch in the pasture, scrape the driveway, remove about 10 stumps and fill in the holes and scrape the sacrifice pasture, plus we trimmed up a lot of dead undergrowth around rose bushes etc. Here are pictures of our work. It probably just looks like like a bunch of dirt but I can see the difference!

Above: The garden-beginning to freshen/turn the soil preparing for spring.

Below Pic 1: the newly scraped driveway Below Pic 2: The scraped manure pile=fertilizer

Above Pic 3: Cleaned out brush from side of the house around old rose bushes.

Above Pic 4: Brush pile in backyard from the day's work.

SEEDS ARRIVED

The seeds have arrived after one month. I actually had to write a harsh but polite letter to PineTree Seeds to find out where my order was. They claimed it shipped on February 25th but I have a hard time believing it since it arrived five business days AFTER my letter. Methinks someone forgot the order or wasn't planning on shipping it. Either way, one month even in a busy time is ridiculous.

In addition, when it arrived there was a backorder note for one of my purchases yet they still have my money for it. They could not have told me via email when they sent me a one liner with the ship date (in which they did not even apologize)?

At this moment, I am probably NOT going to reorder from them. I will see how their seeds turn out before I give the final review but I'm a little put out with this company at the moment. So save yourself some trouble for the moment. The prices are good, selection in the catalog seems great, online it is pretty pathetic and underwhelming. Customer Service is lacking and delivery and follow up are currently rated in the FAIL category. Product Quality review is pending..so until then, my advice is to not order until checking back with me.

Here seeds...whistles

The company I ordered my seeds from, took the money from my account, but still has not sent me any kind of confirmation etc. I will NOT be ordering from them again unless the seeds turn out to be super seeds (that is if they ever arrive). I was really expecting to have my seeds started by now..after all 7-10 days is very reasonable when dealing with ordering processing/shipment time..but NOOOOO; no sign of seeds yet.

The weather has been cool the past week so my yard and garden is still in the same state it was in on the 7th. I did take pictures of the work done but I can not find my cord to my camera. It's always something: computer malfunction, camera malfunction etc. Frustration is my leading feeling when it comes to the hi-tech world. DH who is so great with this kind of stuff will never take the time to do any of it for me..so I'm still stuck in the dark ages.

I have been toying with an idea though. I would LOVE to TEACH people how to garden. I think in an economy like this one "old domestic skills" such as gardening, canning, etc. are vital to family structure and my generation on, is losing that knowledge. I just don't know how I would begin making it a viable business: this teaching of how to be a farming/domestic diva.

Oh where are my seeds?

I ordered my seeds. I was so excited...but nothing has happened. The money hasn't come out of my account. I have not gotten a confirmation other then a computer generated email that does NOT tell me when to expect them etc. I'm a little ticked about that.

Today, is supposed to be work in the yard day. However, the bobcat is not to be joining us, instead we get the use of the tractor...how am I supposed to move piles of compost/horse maneur to my garden with a tractor that does not have a bucket on it? Ridiculous. I really don't see how this tractor is going to help us do anything at all. I woke with a headache and it is RAGING. I didn't sleep well, and now I'm disappointed, its already two hours later then I wanted to start....I am NOT a happy camper today.

Catalog-Check

I have been panicked. I could not find my seed catalog that I lovingly poured through all winter picking out seeds. I FOUND IT! YAY!

Mission: Order seeds tommorrow. (This really should have been done in January but I still have about two weeks before most things have to be started).

Steve finished building my Planting table (Sturdy wooden support base, Corian Counter tops, 8 feet long with storage underneath, shelves to one side, and garden tool rack on the other). I now have my own garden area in the basement that is dry and climate control for doing the things I need no matter the weather. The only thing left? Hanging up the flourescent light for my growing seeds (which I haven't ordered yet).

Next weekend: weather permitting, will be prepping the garden beds. Parental units are tentavely planning to bring down the bobcat (please god, fingers crossed) to quickly and efficeintly move manure from barn area to garden beds and dispurse the last of the dirt pile into them. This would be a huge time saver for us and desperately needs to be done.

I'm so excited.

Tips: If you haven't trimmed bushes, trees, hedges etc., this is your last chance to do so. Best time is fall, but should be done before the end of January. If its not done by Valentines Day, I wouldn't bother.
If you are going to start seeds or direct seed, you need to order your seeds within the next week or two as well in order to get them in time.
I can not stress enough to PLAN PLAN PLAN. (and stick to the time frame).