I'm at my happiest covered in dirt, even weeds. Meditation is hand-watering the yard (perhaps with a glass of wine in my hand). All the voices in my head turn off as I focus on whatever garden task is at hand. There is nothing else that does this for me. Nothing. Except maybe sitting on a beach by myself with the sun on my face. Unfortunately, I no longer live near a beach.

Thanks for your post!

Although I'm still holding off til at least Monday to plant the snow peas, since we're supposed to dip below freezing Sunday night. After that it looks decent, so I'm going to give it a shot. I set it up along the north edge of the main garlic bed, which is at the north end of the garden, so it wouldn't block sunlight from the rest of the garden when the peas grow in. I finally figured out how the hinge coils were supposed to go on the cucumber frame without requiring a strong man to put them on as well - it would have helped if they hadn't taped the instructions to the frame, so that the tape tore chunks out of them when I tried to get them off.

The hugelkultur mound at the south end of the garden looks to have caved in in places over the winter, the cherry wood buried in there must be rotting faster than I thought it would. I'll have to do some fill in work with compost and manure.

but I still find refuge from the turmoil by living vicariously here in the Gardening group. Some day, I might be able to join you outside. Until then, give me a place to go when everything else is going to hell. Keep up the postings.

Every time I get frustrated with Repubs, corporate America or the kid down the street I add another veggie to my garden planning chart. I have never done square foot gardening, but my raised beds are looking more and more like that. I am planting parsnips in a row between where my okra will be later in the summer, carrots and beets are now going beside my tomatoes. I am raising the tomatoes up by 18 inches by planting them in 5 gal buckets with large holes cut in the bottom to allow the roots to reach further down in the ground and give some air and sunshine to what is beside them. Still haven't found a place for eggplant, but those are pretty plentiful at the local farmer's market. Building a stronger trellis for the trombetta squash. I love those 2 season squash!

btw, love the Ford ad parodying the yuppy Cadilac ad. Composting rocks!

GD has turned into an out right call-out everybody free-for-all. I'm so happy that my little peat cups are sprouting with tomatoes of two varieties and cucumber. The Tabasco peppers haven't, yet, but I didn't expect them too. I'm kind of surprised at how quickly the tomatoes are sprouting and peeking through the soil

And a much better use of fertilizer, if I do say so myself, my friend!

I was practically dancing in delight that my little plants are starting to sprout. I've failed at planting things a few times, but I think this time, I have a better shot at it because I prepared.

We'll see, but your garden is lovely, and I'm sure it is balm to your soul. It sure would be to mine if I grew that .