Weed Control

Weeds! Its no surprise we have weeds sprouting everywhere. I have been breaking new ground at an alarming rate trying to play catch-up with the growing season. I've done little to prevent the spread of weeds in these new growing areas so I have tried to select wide spaced crops like squash and cucumber that will allow me to mechanically control weed growth. I am running the tiller and high wheel cultivator around these areas often which seems to be helping.

"Next Year" is becoming our catch phrase around the farm. So...next year I will be using more bark, straw, and wood mulch as well as employing black plastic mulch on our longer beds. For now my days are spent going up one bed and down the next pulling weeds. I even made a special low bench that straddles the 30 inch beds so I can give my back and knees a rest.

Transplant or Direct Sow

As we prepare our 30" beds for planting I keep wondering if I should be direct sowing seeds or transplanting. I have to admit we are quite far behind this year for transplanting so the question is more directed to next year. We don't have greenhouses yet and our indoor cats prevent the use of spaces in the house. I am thinking of building some cold frames to get a head start on next years growing season. We live in tidewater Virginia, zone 7 so things aren't dire but I would like to hit the ground running a little earlier.
Comment below any thoughts you may have on using cold frames. How much earlier can they be used before a mid April frost date? Will February tomatoes germinate in a cold frame with freezing temperatures?
Thanks for the input!

By Hammer and Anvil

    

Mjölnir

 Thor's Hammer

I have been hard at work in the forge making iron pendants. Please visit my Etsy store to see more jewelry and art.