Earthworks

We barely got out of the yard this weekend. Well yes, there was a trip to the grocery (arggh - $250!), and one seedling potato delivery. I recently plunked down for some semi-exotic spuds based on an article in the paper a couple wks back. Couldn't resist, actually, as the potato is named "Ozette," a name that resonates with me and perhaps others in highschool who did a now-comical "survival hike" with me out there in '66 or so. That is small potatoes though (pun intended), compared to the fascinating history of this fingerling spud.

In brief, as I understand it, this potato was carried to the PNW in the early 1700's by Spaniards who'd collected it in South America. So this Ozette potato likely predates most if not all other North American potatoes, which were disadvantaged in having to travel from South America to Europe and thence to North America. How indeed could I resist??! I've now scattered the spawn to Oregon, Kitsap County and elsewhere.

Aside from potatoes, we planted pole sugar snap peas, bush Oregon pod peas, bush Little Giant peas, mesclun, and some onion sets this weekend. Urban farming. Lots of weeding and ongoing fruit-tree pruning. The spring flowers and associated bird and bug activity are a terrific inspiration.

How does your garden grow?