Steven used our old aluminum storm windows and some scrap wood from the alley to build this clever garden cloche. The windows can be propped open, or the storm windows opened, whenever the weather is right. He was able to get a really early start on the garden this year as a result of this advance.

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Follow up:

These first photos were taken in late March or early April. We decided to plant small rows of radishes, Bibb lettuce, green onions, and peas to start.

Later in April as the weather got better, Steve moved the cloche and planted spinach. In early May, he moved it again to start tomato and broccoli seeds in peat pots, and planted red chard and mustard outside at the same time.

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Two weeks ago, we planted the rest of our seedlings, along with chives and sage from a generous neighbor, and a few chilis from Eastern Market. Steven made a compost tea brewer out of a bucket from our recycling pile. I brewed the tea, using about a pound of worm castings and a teaspoon of molasses, and 24-hours later, we drenched all our plants in it. I even put the leftover compost from the tea bag in my houseplants.

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The Polish Linguisa tomatoes, grown from seeds that we saved last year on a paper towel, seem to be taking off now, and it looks like a good year for red currants.

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We've been having a few mixed greens on sandwiches here and there for a week or so, and last night, I wilted some young mustard greens in a little bacon grease and tossed them in about a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar.