Matt’s Adventures in Northwest Gardening

Here is a picture of the bleeding heart that I posted about here.

As you can see, it has grown very large very quickly. We tried to plant a sister plant to this one last summer, but the dog dug it up. This one is so big, I think it would probably fight back.

Below is the promised picture of my garden, where I planted the peas, beets, carrots and radishes. I also have included a picture of the peas, since nothing else has sprouted yet. Jen was not happy that I put those white little stakes in the ground with the string tied to them - but the dog was being stupid and walking through it this week, so I wanted to give him a little discouragement. I figure that they will come out when there are some actual plants there and dog realizes it.

  Finally, here is a close up of my little asparagus that is trying to grow. I planted them last year. It grew and went to seed and died. You are not really sposed to see any real edible asparagus until the second season, so its encouraging to see it still alive.

According to the Wikipedia, the term Asparagus derives from the Greek aspharagos or asparagos, and the Greek term originates from the Persian asparag, meaning “sprout” or “shoot. We also often think about asparagus in terms of its unpleasent odor when you urinate. This, though, is not a universal trait - apparently only 40% of people can actually percieve a smell. I, dear readers, am on of the lucky 60%. Now you know.

At least that is what my Mom told me once. So, taking her at her word, I think that we should all take a moment and think about planting peas this year. I have invested in some inoculant for my peas - this is a powder you apply to your peas that is filled with Rhizobium bacteria - which helps it better fix nitrogen into the plant, and yield a larger bounty of delicious peas.

As a side note, it is not technically President’s Day - it is officially called “Washington’s Birthday“.