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5 Benefits of Cold Weather Play for Children: Boost Their Health & Happiness This Winter
Straining to fit into a boot. Whining about a finger caught in the wrong mitten. Searching for that elusive toque. Getting your kids outside to play...
The peas and broad beans that I planted at the end of March are getting tall. I have been coaxing them to climb up the trellis, with good results. Right beside the peas there was some beautiful lush lettuce which had survived the winter. Unfortunately, I had to compost it because it tasted so terribly bitter. Perhaps this was a result of being overwintered. While I was rather disappointed to discard so much lettuce I was happy to harvest our first radishes of the year!
The seeds that I planted a couple weeks ago are sprouting, except for the parsnips which tend to take a long time to germinate. Lately, I have been catching my son with his head under the row cover counting all the carrot sprouts, gleefully anticipating many backyard summer snacks. The spinach I planted in early April is slow growing, and much of it did not sprout which is disappointing. I did sow more spinach seeds and added in a few rows of of Pac Choi, mixed lettuce and parsley.
My indoor tomato seedlings are out-of-control! I definitely planted them too early, again. I am preparing to plant them this weekend under row covers. Before subjecting the seedlings to the harsh reality of being outdoors I start by putting them outside in the partial-shade for increasing amounts of time. This process is called hardening-off. I am also hardening-off the other seedlings at the same time, but there is less of a rush to plant them since they are growing at a more reasonable pace.
Two weeks ago: Garden Journal (yr 3: vol 3)
One year ago: Garden Journal (yr 2: vol 4)
Two years ago: Garden Journal (vol. 4)
Looking good. Excited to eat fresh veggies 🙂
Me too!