In the Ground

I planted the seedlings I’d started at home, a few on Sunday and most of them yesterday. I didn’t do much to the soil other than loosen it with a fork and pull out the weeds. No turning. I learned last year that it’s best not to disturb the deep structure and ecology of the soil.

There weren’t a lot of weeds. At the end of last season, I used the the dried stems and roots as mulch to cover the ground. So not a lot of weeds popped up this year. But I did get a good surprise: Lots of lettuce, dill, mustard and tot soi came back. They’re self seeding annuals.

And, of course, the perennials – chives, tarragon, lavender, sage and mint – returned alive and well. The tarragon has grown into a big bush. It is true though, as I’d read last year, that the flavour decreases significantly after two years so the plant has to be replaced. It looks great and ferocious so I don’t like the thought of pulling it out. Maybe I’ll just plant another tarragon somewhere else and pull this one out at the end of the season.

The chives, however, I definitely have to cut back drastically. I love the beautiful purple flowers and they taste delicious in a salad. The plants have spread and do take a lot of space though, so I will pull out some of the roots after the flowers go.

Yesterday I moved and separated the lettuce and dill that were growing side-by-side. I have spread them through different areas of the plot rather than in small sections. I am aiming for a richer color texture and variety this year.