What to do in winter

it's been below freezing, and often as low as 15 degrees, for six weeks. we had a 2 foot snow ( 2 feet? in Virginia? really?) the portable greenhouse collapsed but with shoveling it out, it's standing OK. the herbs and spinach are still alive! More ice tonight. no let up on temps for at least a week, or so the weather man says ( 30 at night and 45 during the day sounds good to me)

I look for things to do so I don;t start next year's seeds too early. ( I already bought what we did not have and many were tucked away last fall from my own plants. this is an important step away from hybrids for us; heirloom veggies do have this benefit!)

Today I cut the 4 inch holes in the 10 foot by 4 foot black poly cover for the squash bed I bought a couple of months ago ( thanks, Northern Greenhouse! you are the best!) I chose poly as it is reusable; the white strips to help scatter more sunlight are holding up well. and even I can manage the garden staples.

the rows are 9 inches apart ( 4 rows) and 18 inches between spaces on the row;spaced half way between the row in front. following square foot logic, that;s an 18 inch square space per squash. not all the spaces will hold squash though; nasturtiums will go in between. Squash get about 3 square feet each, in highly composted, manured, and amended ( lime mixed minerals) raised bed and broadforked soil.Hopefully getting then warmer and in the ground earlier will give us the boost we need.

I made square holes. that should look a bit neater than just a slash and allows me to use the soil blocks without too much trouble. i am really looking forward to all the new techniques soil blocks offer ( like multi planted onion blocks)

so that;s all for now-I look at the herbs and sweet potatoes( pretty houseplant and plenty of slip material for spring!) and petunias hanging out under the grow light and wait impatiently...