I can just picture it

Now is the time to plan, plant and dream of all the garden will hold in coming months. Anticipation builds as you think about plucking the first pea pod off the vine or tugging a sweet carrot from the earth. I have to wait longer for those treats since I did zilch for winter gardening, but I can just picture how the vegetable garden will look later this year. The picture got a bit clearer today after a couple hours cleaning out the little bed and planting a handful of vegetables.

Now, I do have a few things that overwintered. Unfortunately I've lost the tag for this plant and don't recall what it's called. I was thinking kohl rabi. Any guesses or expert identification?

Here's the current winter view as you round the house to the south. In the foreground is our outdoor feline TJ, a skittish but lovey fellow who keeps both me and the neighbors company while we garden. Note the nearby coffee bags which are hopefully keeping down weeds in an area I want to use for squash. I'll try going vertical, building a sturdy trellis for the vines to climb. I plan to plant Jerusalem Artichoke around that hideous green compost bin. They'll be a first for me and hide the unsightly beast.

On to the veggie bed, which is nothing fancy but serves its purpose. It felt good to get out there today for a little late winter cleaning so I could finally get some planting done. In this half I've tucked peas I bought from the nursery. I have plenty of seeds but just couldn't help myself from grabbing a pack of sprouts. I also planted Chard 'Bright Lights' and radishes 'Champion.' Later when temperatures increase a bit more I'll put in Lemon Cucumber and Bush Beans, along with Zinnia 'Envy.'

Here I've put Lettuce 'Gourmet Blend,' carrots, beets, spinach, arugula, and 'Walla Walla' onions. I also tucked Sweet Peas in the corner where they can clamber up the fence.

Onions overwintered after scoring them at a SAGBUTT gathering last year.