I have roots again. Today I dug and dug and dug in the garden at the foot of the mountain. Brrrrr, it was cold at first with the wind off the light frosting of snow on Quartzite mountain and the bird bath completely iced over. Digging and the sun combined soon warmed me, however. By midday both snow and ice had melted.I have taken my first tentative steps towards short season gardening, putting my first roots into this earth. A lavender bush. Sawyers. Apparently this is a tough variety which will survive the cold winters.
I really wanted rosemary to be the first plant I put into this piece of earth, as is my tradition. All my research however, borne out by consultation with the nice lady at the plant nursery in Colville, indicates that rosemary is too tender for this climate. Unless one treats it as an annual or puts it in a pot and brings it inside in winter. Neither of these options appeal to me.So lavender it is.
Chives went in next, somewhat wilted at the moment, but I know they will perk up and provide me with just the added touch of flavour needed in all kinds of foods.Then seeds: spinach, kale and Swiss chard are sleeping in the newly dug bed, where earlier I had scattered rocket (arugula) seed harvested from Haleikeokekai gardens last summer.
