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Finally Some Moisture!
Greetings and welcome to the new subscribers!
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It was SO nice to wake up to significant snow on Saturday! I wasn't expecting much accumulation, so Mother Nature surprised me. I think she surprised us all! The strong March sun melted most of the snow by mid-afternoon. I didn't even have to clean off the car with a broom!
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Plants that are starting to wake up will have a growth spurt. The grass that's greening will need whacking before long. The air will be refreshed and a new growing season will be obvious.
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In the olden days before climate change, February and March were very wet months. February was dry this year, so let's hope this early snow is the trend for March.
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Other than that statement, I'm starting to take the daily weather as a given. It does no good to always mention 'what's normal,' because none of it is anymore. Sixty-five degrees in February? Suuuure! That's fiiiine! It might be the same next year or it might be different. Nothing about the weather is predictable anymore, and I've found myself getting frustrated and sad hoping familiar weather patterns will return. They never will, so, what is that saying about accepting the things you cannot change? Yeah, that. The climate is wildly unpredictable, and I'm just going to enjoy (or at least try to!) whatever weather gets thrown our way.
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THE NEW BOOK!
The 2nd edition of The Book is available from UNM Press! I'll have them at the plant sale next month, and you can also get a copy at Earthgoods.
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If you're a retailer and would like to carry The New Book, please call Longleaf Services to open a tax-exempt account, at 1-800-848-6224, then press 1 for customer service. They'll set you right up! Thanks!
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The March chapter has info about and solutions for gophers.
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And they are bad this year so far!
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CSA Shares
I've started seeding! I love being in the warm sunny greenhouse taking in the smell of damp potting soil. It's a quiet time when my mind can wander once I get all the organizational stuff out of the way. But I'm happy to be starting up a new season!
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With food prices predicted to soar even more, it's an excellent time to grow some of your own. You don't need acreage or a large garden to make a difference. One 4'x8' raised bed can grow plenty of food with trellises and succession planting. Containers can also produce quite a bit of food. Grow a little extra to put up for winter and share with friends and the local food banks.
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Let me grow your starts for you! By preordering a CSA Share, you get exactly what you want when it's time to plant. You also help me defray start-up costs so I don't have to rely on an expensive line of credit. CSAs are a win/win!
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The deadline for ordering Spring Shares is March 15! Broccoli, chard, spinach, green onions, three kinds of kale, five kinds of lettuce, and red and green cabbage are grown from seed right here. Plants are ready in late April in time for planting.
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Summer Share orders are due by April 15. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, flowers, basil, and summer and winter squash are ready in late May at the right time for you to plant.
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Starts for Spring CSA Shares hardening off before going out.
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March Garden Tasks
If you haven't finished pruning your fruit trees, do so as soon as possible. Mine are breaking bud already, and that's way too early. I got them done just in the nick of time, though. This coming Tuesday, March 11 from 4-5:30, Will Jaremko-Wright says he will be holding a "Young/Small Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop at the Parr Field Orchard at the Taos Municipal Schools Admin Building (across from the library on Town Hall Drive). Bring Pruners, Loppers, etc. I'll have my hand sharpening equipment you're welcome to use. This workshop will focus on younger trees, apple, peach, pear, and more. We'll also discuss shaping and training techniques." RSVP 575-758-3982 or email taos@nmsu.edu.
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Start your garden clean-up. Place dead stalks in your compost without disturbing them much. Let the sleeping bugs wake up naturally when it's warm enough for them.
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Get your soil tested. Contact the County Extension for info. 575-758-3982
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Turn your compost piles and see if they need an upgrade of more carbon materials. When they thaw they can smell like a garbage pile if there's too much nitrogen in them.
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Get your garden gear ready - tools, season extenders, trellises, row covers. When you need these things, you want to be able to use them, not look for them.
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Much more info in The New Book!
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Merch
Renee's Garden Seeds Scatter Cans are at Earthgoods. Supplies are limited.
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Ranchitos Keychains were made by my older daughter and inspired by the turquoise truck full of sunflowers on Lower Ranchitos.
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E-gift cards for $25-100, mailed to the recipient on a day of your choosing.
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Renee's Garden Seeds are at Earthgoods.
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The Write Shit Down Garden Journal, available at Earthgoods and Moxie, and Ranchitos keychains, from me.
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Events
The Annual Plant Sale is Saturday April 26, 11-2 at Earthgoods. This year we are charging vendors $15 and ask that you have garden-related products. Hopefully, we won't have a blizzard like last year, but the diehard gardeners came out full of hope. It was a fun day even though we were freezing!
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It's too early to plan anything else, but stay tuned to the FB page and this newsletter to find out what's happening!
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The Taos Land Trust is starting a community garden this year. They'll be holding a mandatory meeting on March 29.
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Seed Exchange
Auntie Nannie's Seed Exchange seed boxes are at these locations. Contact Sarah at the Taos Land Trust for info and questions. This is her baby now, and she's doing a great job!
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Red Willow Center 885 Star Rd Taos, NM 87571
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Taos Land Trust 410 La Posta Road Taos, NM 87571
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Re-Threads 302 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, Taos, NM 87571
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Not Forgotten Outreach 610 Paseo Del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 87571
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Taos Library 402 Camino De La Placita, Taos, NM 87571
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Habitat Restore 16 NM-522, El Prado, NM 87529
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Rael’s Store & Coffee Shop 2430 NM-522, Questa, NM 87556
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Questa Library 6 1/2 Municipal Park Rd, Questa, NM 87556
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Carson Cafe & Grocery 509 NM-567, Carson, NM 87517
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Talpa Community Center 3 Archuleta Rd, Ranchos De Taos, NM 87557
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The SPOT 14156 State Road 75 Penasco, NM 87553
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