The heat is on....

 Yesterday it got up to 89 midday and today it got that high before noon, so needless to say we are closed up and enjoying chill temperatures inside. We could have waited a bit longer, the kitchen thermometer only was at 74 when it was 84 outside. But best to get ahead of the curve before you have to cool down to comfortable. it is 1:40 pm and 97 outside, 76 in the kitchen.

 

 I had cut off and saved some some green onions about a week ago and they were now sprouted enough on top to put them out. Right before it was going to get blasting heat. I laid them in a trench in the west bed and then used the half gallon jug to water them. The raised bed was still perfectly damp yesterday evening so wasn't going to drag out the hose just for one small line of onions. Yes that bed needed more compost but whatever, I fertilized it with pellets a while back and the soil is actually pretty good for onions.  With this heat spike, I'm pulling the peat pots of seeds out of the window during the day because that window in the afternoon can get brutal. When the temps dip down again or if it gets cloudy they'll go back in to warm up during the day.

 

Measuring tape not needed. Emptied out the crate and used a stick to trace around it. You can see that the soil is still perfectly dark and moist. Plenty of room around it for planting other things but as far as potatoes in that crate, it's actually rather small for the number of potatoes I want to put in there. If the cauliflower comes up in time and grows well at least three will go in that empty space, maybe radishes or onions in the front. Maybe a couple of pea plants on the trellis, literally, there's only room for two plants, one if it's very ambitious and healthy. 

Nothing can go in that bed until I get the crate in place and before that happens have to cut up the potatoes and let them dry a bit before planting them. I think I can get six spuds maybe seven in that crate. It's also not that deep so putting a layer of soil in the bottom only about an inch thick may not be an option. I'd say half full with soil then place potatoes and then cover lightly and mound as they grow. 

As per the AI guide:

 "Cut seed potatoes into chunks with at least one or two eyes each. Allow them to dry for a day or two to prevent rotting. Plant them at least 5–6″ inches deep and space them about 12 inches apart in rows." 

I can do 5-6" easily and at 12" apart.... that's maybe two but I will try for 3. Honestly if they grow well and set at least a handful on each plant that's more than enough for two people.

 

Hard to see but there are 'millions' of teeny tiny seedlings coming up (guaranteed weeds) but those larger leaf plants may well be cilantro. Believe it or not I may well leave all the little greens in there just for a 'cover crop' and add in a few other cilantro for staggered harvest. That south bed is semi-useless in from Fall to Summer with the amount of shade it gets. 

 

That's just the quick update for now,  a bit of prep and still holding pattern for fall planting.