Beth Skwarecki

I planted my colder-weather crops today: lettuce, scallions, carrots, more lettuce. Also some "cosmos", which the packets say is a type of flower.

I'm planting in blocks and beds instead of rows, 'cause who wants to bother weeding between rows? I'm also taking a "who cares" attitude toward the deer, since I'm a cheapskate and don't want to put up a fence.

Lettuce is easy. All I have to do is not stomp on it, and I'll have salads in a couple weeks.

Fun fact (and something to look forward to): "hodgepodge" is made from spring thinnings - the carrots and potatoes you pull up to make room for more veggies or just to get an early start on the harvest - mixed together. Here's a recipe.