Hi, new to this forum

[1blueheron]

Just wanted to introduce myself - I'm a New England zone 5-ish gardener, just had a baby last month and am SO looking forward to planting season. I went overboard as usual with my seed order so I'm hoping I can figure out how to juggle baby and garden.

On my list this year: tomatoes, shallots, onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes (hopefully! trying sweets for the first time), leeks, cardoon (also trying this for the first time), peppers (never have any luck with these), cukes, peas, parsnips, carrots, turnips, mesclun, asian greens, spinach, all the usual brassicas, chard & beets, corn, winter & summer squash. Maybe some other stuff if I can squeeze it in somewhere!

Any advice on how to manage keeping baby in the garden with me? We've got a ton of blackflies, mosquitoes and ticks here. I have some bug netting but am not sure how to deploy it yet. I have been wearing her sometimes but it's tough to get the heavy work done that way, and when it gets warmer I worry that she'll be uncomfortable right up next to a sweaty mom.

Happy spring!

[DirtRoadMama]

Welcome!!!

The only thing I could think of to keep baby near while you are in the garden, protected from bugs, and not slung, is to put her in a pack and play type pen, and put the mosquito netting over it. Other than that, I haven't the foggiest. Oh, and congrats on your little one!

[JessicaS]

Welcome!!

I am in zone five as well.

[1blueheron]

Originally Posted by DirtRoadMama

Welcome!!!

The only thing I could think of to keep baby near while you are in the garden, protected from bugs, and not slung, is to put her in a pack and play type pen, and put the mosquito netting over it. Other than that, I haven't the foggiest. Oh, and congrats on your little one!

Thanks! Yeah I thought about a playpen but our garden's a good 200 yards from the house, so i'd either have to haul it down there every time or get one just to keep in the barn. I dunno.

Luckily my mom will be here for 2 weeks around mother's day (aka planting season, the real reason for the timing of that invite!). I'm also making people who want to come see baby do things like help plant potatoes etc. Got to be crafty to get this all done!