Gorgeous day on our Blue Ridge parkway walk earlier this week

We are in for a rainy stretch, and the forecast calls for wet and 40s for the next week and a half. Following that, the 50s appear, which will trigger emerging spring bulbs and the swelling of tree buds. We are a just a bit over one year since moving here, and last year was filled with the joy of seeing all that emerged, grew, blossomed in our various gardens. Though we know a bit more what to expect, it will be no less welcome, and thrilling.

Now that I laid out (in the three prior blogs) what I hope to grow, it gets down to the nitty gritty - getting my planting and seedling areas ready, finding packets of seeds and getting seed into potting mix, especially for the early greens and slow flowers. Yesterday I made my first purchase of seed starter/transplanting medium, and 10 2.8 cu ft bags sit waiting in the garage.

View of Looking Glass Rock from our Blue Ridge hike earlier this week.

Retirement (and the inevitable, delightful ambiguity it brings) and COVID (the ambiguity from which is not delightful) mean a coming year with no clear definition yet. I know that there are scheduled Zooms (and surely will be more as requests come in). I know there will be a minimum of 20 straw bales and a yet-to-be-determined number of grow bags making up this year’s garden, as well as the two raised beds. I know that I will be deeply involved with a new project (which I am not ready to reveal - stay tuned!). And…..the book. Will this be the year that the Dwarf Tomato Project book gets written?

All I know is that time is flying by, the year will be busy, Sue and I are delighted with our three dog, two cat menagerie, we miss seeing our daughters, and there will be lots to share and discuss - many hikes to make, meals to make, veggies to pick and eat and cook with. I am glad that you are along for the ride! I expect that all of you who asked for seeds or books have them in hand. I can’t wait to hear of how things go for you (be sure to share on Instagram, blog comments or emails). Mostly - be safe, and be well!

Sue, Koda, Marlin, and show and ice on the Blue Ridge Parkway