Ides Of March

GO? No, not yet. But close! At least I hope. This year has been the coldest I have ever experienced living in Salinas, CA. In fact the last time that I can even remember weather like this was when I was living in Kentucky. Fortunately it is not as cold as over there, but it has been cold enough for my liking, let alone to start any planting. Starting indoors would be the smart move, but not an option. This year has also been the wettest, and believe it or not we have another Atmospheric River starting tomorrow.

There has not been much to report on since the last update. Since then I have finished the layout of this years garden.

I wanted to raise the bed up higher, so I dug out the sides to place 2x4's.

The experiment to kill the weeds, and grass by laying boards on top was semi successful. I would recommend doing it by hand rather then this way, unless you plan to lay them for the whole Winter time. I also did find the Gophers seemed to love this as well, and made a home underneath the boards. However the Weeds in this spot where a whole lot easier to deal with.

The other reason why I wanted to lay the garden out with the 2x4's is to manage the weeds on the side a little easier, and to plant some Marigolds in these spots. Last year I planted inside the garden, and they did not do the best IMO.

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I figured today would be a good day to sow some Marigold seed, due to the rain coming. So I burned the grass, and weeds to the ground with a Weedeater.

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After Weedeating, I loosed some soil on the sides in order to sow the Marigold seed, keeping a lower profile then the actual garden. Again I am hoping this proves to be easier to maintain the weeds. I do hope these Marigolds grow as well. I have not had much luck due to the cold weather. However the forecast is calling for warmer weather ahead. After this rain, or maybe even during it is when I will start planting what will be going into this years garden. :)

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Here is a side by side of last years garden Vs. this years. It is hard to tell, but it is about twice the size, and maybe around 6-8 inches higher.

Even though it has been cold, it has not got below freezing. But it has been damn near close! Which is why there has not been much above ground growth of these Garlics. But that actually may be what exactly I want? I could not say since I am a rookie. Anybody who can fill me in, please drop a comment. That's all I have now, hopefully things will start picking up, and Ill have more content to post more often. So stay tuned!