A Perfect Spring Day

Today is going to be in the 80's and the warmth is very welcomed!

At 5:30 am I started the day by cutting up wooden stakes to contain the wood chip mulch around the raised beds on the hill. I pounded those stakes ten inches deep to make new edgings.

I moved some of the mulch behind and around the four new raised beds and relocated some near the bay window foundation. Everything looks much neater now.

Next I put four additional 3'x5' raised beds that my husband constructed this weekend on the south and west sides of the hoophouse.  The number of beds around the hoophouse is now totals six. The wood chip mulch that was stored there all winter needs another year or so to decompose into rich compost.  Some of this mulch will be used in the traditional row garden seen behind the pool.

The other outdoor chores I finished today includes:

• Planted Onion, Walla Walla and Sweet Spanish starts, Lowe's.  They were below average in quality. I planted the best of the lot and threw away about one third of the bundles. 
• Planted Garlic, California Softnecks, Lowe's.  Some of the bulbs had rotted before I had a chance to get them into the ground. 
• Planted Shallots, two different varieties, Lowe's. 

I also watered the strawberry plants, rhubarb, perennial herbs and generally tidied up the raised beds. 

Here are more images of the garden:

Postscript #1 - The three containers of Spinach, Bloomsdale Long Standing, (sowed April 27, 8 days) have germinated.  Also the spinach in the hoophouse, Noble Giant, (sowed April 26, 9 days) has also germinated.
Postscript #2 - The hosta that was divided and moved last week has adjusted well to its new home.
Postscript#3 - The eggplant leaves once again look thin and parched.