Despite the forecast of a brief cold spell this week, I planted three varieties of peas on Sunday evening.
I’d spent most of the gorgeous day stuck inside, working on the Times’ summer guide. So perhaps my out-of-character risk-taking behavior was fueled by rebellion.
Since I’d “wasted” such a beautiful, sunny, warm day hunched over a computer screen designing pages about things to do when it’s beautiful, sunny and warm in the Finger Lakes, I felt the need to embrace some of that joie de vivre for myself.
So after Kevin treated me to a compensatory ice cream cone from Mac’s Drive-In, I grabbed a hoe, prepped a small patch and planted three small beds of peas. Afterall, the soil was far warmer than the required 40 degrees. And it felt so good to handle the rich, crumbly earth and watch so many fat earthworms wriggling in the sun.
I selected three of the short varieties that don’t require supports. That way, I didn’t have to enlist Kevin’s help to haul them out of the shed. (We’ll save that chore for a second planting.)
The rain Monday was perfectly timed to settle the seeds and prime them for germination. As long as the flurries and accompanying cold Tuesday and Wednesday don’t hamper the process, they should sprout within a week.
But if they don’t, I have plenty more seeds remaining.
As a final measure to shake off this past winter’s malaise, it was a chance worth taking!