Early veggie planting weekend.

It was a busy weekend here. I had practice with the softball girls on Friday evening. That always leaves me a little sore.  Then on Saturday we had rain forecast in the afternoon and I was racing to get as much done as possible. I started the day planting 10 each of Yukon Gold and Kennebec potatoes. I spaced them about 12" to 15" apart at about 8" deep. I then turned my attention to the broccoli and cabbage plants I've been growing under lights for the past month. I ended up planting a dozen each of the Atlantic and Early Purple Sprouting broccoli plants. I planted 9 Golden Acre cabbage and 3 Red Danish. Along with this I put in 9 heads each of Iceberg and Great Lakes lettuce.  I also seeded a couple rows of spinach, beets, Chinese cabbage and a block of Black Seeded Simpson's lettuce.  All that is left of the early spring planting is some more radish, spinach and lettuce. I'll stagger the planting of each to have a continual harvest of each.
 I also got the DW to help me remove the cover from the pool. We use a large net to cover the pool from late September through March. It catches all the leaves and keeps them out of the filter system. Some years the leaves are many, and the task takes three of us. There were not many leaves this year and for that I am thankful. The DW takes care of the pool for the most part.
 After getting that wrapped up, I got the back yard cut and a small section of the front that seems to grow faster than the rest of the front yard. And I managed to consume a few adult malt beverages as well.

  I also got some seeds started. I did a container of dill, Wave petunias, Vincas, and Torenia. I harvested my own seeds from the Torenia again this year. So far I haven't seen any adverse effects of saving my own seeds of this plant.
 I also started putting together some new frames for the two bee hives I have to get out. I ordered two packages of bees for pick up at the end of March.  I lost my first hive the year before last, and did not get around to replacing it last year. I enjoy working with the bees, and the hive. The honey and pollination are also benefits. If you have the chance, be sure to purchase some local honey that hasn't been pasteurized and had the good natural taste taken out. It is said that eating local honey will help lesson the effects of allergies.

There on the left is a completed frame. It has a wire reinforced sheet of wax foundation held between the four sided frame. Ten of these fit into each hive box and the bees make wax cells on them and lay eggs and store both pollen and honey in the cells. That yellow thing on the back right is a hive feeder. When you need to feed your bees (early spring and late fall and sometimes in winter if the bees haven't stored enough honey for the winter) you fill that up with a sugar and water mix and it fits into the hive opening.