The transition from winter to spring has been very dramatic this season.

Spring Flowering Black Mustard

The very warm temperatures enabled an early start to our garden year, with the cool weather crops not quite confident in how to proceed. Late winter’s garden work began at a leisurely pace and with the coming of a warmer than average spring, the garden sprang into nonstop activity. We had a wonderful weekend in February, sunny but cool temperatures allowed much work to be accomplished. Beds were turned for the last time and six beds were planted. Blue Podded Snap, Snow, and Tom Thumb peas were soaked overnight and planted the next morning with spinach, Oakleaf and Speckled Trout lettuce. Other beds contain Flat Headed Dutch and Couer Boeuf Des Vertus cabbage companion planted with Long Red radishes, leeks and Early Wonder beets. Now that the temperatures have cooled, the frenetic pace has slowed a bit, with progress continuing in a more traditional manner. Soon new postings and photos of the jardin’s spring growth and progress will be posted.

Other news associated with the garden includes the Fort’s stone bread oven’s much needed repair this past March. This was a collaborative effort by Les Amis de Fort de Chartres, Save Illinois History, tribute donations  from Ken Brigman’s family and friends, and Les Coureurs de Bois du Fort de Chartres. Randy Warnecke, of Warnecke Building Restoration, did an excellent job and we look forward to many years of the oven’s continued use.

Bread Oven

We thank everyone for their cooperation and willingness to restore and protect the oven from future damage. On May 19, at 10 AM, a class will be held to demonstrate proper firing technique for the Fort’s 18th century reproduction bread oven. Please check the Evénements au Fort de Chartres page of this blog for Bread Oven class and sign up information.

Another project undertaken this spring was assistance to Waterloo’s Peterstown House Pioneer Garden project. The Fort de Chartres Jardin donated heirloom seeds and plans for their new community garden, to be created in conjunction with this summer’s Smithsonian Institute traveling display, The Way We Worked – Monroe County, IL. We wish our neighbors the best of luck recreating their heritage garden.