tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32685595679580026712024-03-05T04:55:21.681-08:00Gamine's GardenOne Mud Monkey's Adventure in Organic Gardening<br>
<small><i>“Gardening is the art that uses flowers and plants as paint, and the soil and sky as canvas.” </i>
<br>-Elizabeth Murray</small>Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.comBlogger288125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-9995892183632948982012-07-07T06:48:00.001-07:002012-07-07T06:48:05.617-07:00Squash n TomsI wasn't sure if this was going to turn out to be summer squash or not. I had a volunteer squash plant show up in the part of the garden I was growing squash in last year. Could've been winter too. So far it looks like I got this one right. I pulled it up early and replanted to where I had room for it. I pulled up another one that I'm hoping is a winter variety. It's hard to tell as it hasn't done more then flower yet. <br />
It's been a lazy year for gardening. I'll really need to work on my starts next year so I'm not just guessing at what I'm growing.<br />
I've also been lax in my feeding schedule and I can taste it (or rather, not), things haven't been quite right. I pulled my first tomato out of the garden and it was a bit blah. I found that rather disappointing. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuIysJVRJwOaG_HUKB5gKwfzxDXfZpl5CYYG6RWf5VYYVjz5z30juWbCZgG0hrJTjzV5fH7BCLPaiSz6kMIFmXYaiUj5MLMXkyUafigrOlz_w4oX67ufzd9VBA-e6CJGcO2xZrcreyTw/s640/blogger-image--1217099367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuIysJVRJwOaG_HUKB5gKwfzxDXfZpl5CYYG6RWf5VYYVjz5z30juWbCZgG0hrJTjzV5fH7BCLPaiSz6kMIFmXYaiUj5MLMXkyUafigrOlz_w4oX67ufzd9VBA-e6CJGcO2xZrcreyTw/s640/blogger-image--1217099367.jpg" /></a></div>Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-43541254784145057242012-07-02T07:22:00.001-07:002012-07-02T14:41:08.261-07:00A little neglectSpent a nice day with the family hanging out. Got some on-line time which was different. I was also out in the yard with DH (!) for about an hour weeding and visiting. It was nice to see him outside. He's generally allergic to everything so it was awesome that he braved the great outdoors to do yard work with me. Yay! We filled our two giant roll carts with weeds. Yeah, the poor garden has been sorely neglected this year. Though it hasn't stopped anything from growing like gang busters. <br />
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I managed to feed the strawberry plants at the appropriate time this year and lo and behold! They were sweet and perfect. Amazing what a little fertilizer will do. ;^)<br />
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Flowers to attract the bees. I guess it worked because I put these under our apple tree this year and this is the first year we've had apples develop! <br />
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Red scallions that I'm really looking forward to having for breakfast tomorrow. (Sautéed in a tofu scramble)<br />
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The nasturtiums have taken over everything except these two plants: cone flower and bee balm. I've really got to get in there and hack them back. I did a little today but I'm afraid I'll have to do more if I don't want them to choke out the other flowers. The bee balm smells divine! (It smells just like earl gray tea)<br />
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The pretty flowers from our pole beans (to come). Mmm!<br />
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I some how managed to take a picture of a few of the raspberries before they were all snarfed up. Both DH and DD are berry *junkies*. Really for all the squealing and laughing from the two of them you'd think they'd discovered the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow instead of a cup or two of berries. lol<br />
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Since it's not officially summer in Oregon until July 5th, the sun flowers are poised to open but aren't quite there yet. However compared to the rest of the country's record breaking heat, I'm not complaining (too much) about our cool wet weather.<br />
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Pretty but evil. <br />
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2012/2012%20Gamines%20Garden/?action=view&current=e630aa05.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2012/2012%20Gamines%20Garden/e630aa05.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-89439135614997864732012-06-16T09:44:00.001-07:002012-06-16T09:44:38.705-07:00FleursHappy Saturday. The flowers are pretty but I really should be weeding. What motivates you to weed?<br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Z6m96ZALKoJj0dM68af7TfOikbcxFIKl6jv7cNsTB0KVEP-KHamiTkWeg-xadSMMAQsJd_SgwSxqbvKlSHEZKLLPpJWw3_OCqhaSG8jk7mLwFHfeYA2_2MltNYujtAIOdebT8zJT3Tc/s640/blogger-image--1557508214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Z6m96ZALKoJj0dM68af7TfOikbcxFIKl6jv7cNsTB0KVEP-KHamiTkWeg-xadSMMAQsJd_SgwSxqbvKlSHEZKLLPpJWw3_OCqhaSG8jk7mLwFHfeYA2_2MltNYujtAIOdebT8zJT3Tc/s640/blogger-image--1557508214.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIl9buTxNc7xuxEYThb-49G7DuRbKjKLDgaHErg9fkQOiKJ22UO57Aa_Iy40W1abPNM6rGblC4dm72X3qnH3j04lIZ_vH2Asqqhy3n6CWmQjagHrJ_7wPKQ4Sj-Jn94C0gjTbMAL6FAc/s640/blogger-image-811892604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIl9buTxNc7xuxEYThb-49G7DuRbKjKLDgaHErg9fkQOiKJ22UO57Aa_Iy40W1abPNM6rGblC4dm72X3qnH3j04lIZ_vH2Asqqhy3n6CWmQjagHrJ_7wPKQ4Sj-Jn94C0gjTbMAL6FAc/s640/blogger-image-811892604.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbzt7BgWsd1nb_yEmv4LGRBmrcoUo4Osm0vE5YUm5CQox04nU9noMQfz2nbaptyDdpKy_wmeowQG4cEg1bRxVW4dBKmxsoybShqgEeDbtwOY16hF_3xAfvQkilEmA0GcGms_BVK_JYnI/s640/blogger-image--1335017622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbzt7BgWsd1nb_yEmv4LGRBmrcoUo4Osm0vE5YUm5CQox04nU9noMQfz2nbaptyDdpKy_wmeowQG4cEg1bRxVW4dBKmxsoybShqgEeDbtwOY16hF_3xAfvQkilEmA0GcGms_BVK_JYnI/s640/blogger-image--1335017622.jpg" /></a></div>Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-79709384164781664022012-06-12T07:12:00.001-07:002012-06-12T07:17:49.202-07:00ApplesAfter patiently waiting three years for the apple stick to turn into an apple tree, we're finally seeing APPLES! This makes me rather pleased.<br />
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On the other hand I'm also seeing clusters of aphid/ant "nests". Besides the fact that aphids suck (haha) does anyone know what's going on here and how to prevent this? I wound up cutting off the offending bit but would hate to see it spread. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbONWFhKbaMxZcRo63SpA05Es_MQib-BScJJf3iVygad1jTILm95sYTQa2At-seLYNPbejONmegbVl9vj4ohXOnf1R6Bc1uMreygf1OPbw4cBYBgzb1V8N_hUkMMPzgRsrRgu_JsNWatY/s640/blogger-image-231419787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbONWFhKbaMxZcRo63SpA05Es_MQib-BScJJf3iVygad1jTILm95sYTQa2At-seLYNPbejONmegbVl9vj4ohXOnf1R6Bc1uMreygf1OPbw4cBYBgzb1V8N_hUkMMPzgRsrRgu_JsNWatY/s640/blogger-image-231419787.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKVA8qtONTVg8iqoiShfVMUfycHliZFa-fEys6DNQkgvp9MIHxvZ0xV0SJ5nd_-PVT9TrKfRqOpXuyHB4p4kPw3lFuo6NmwViBCJ3R-5xWbCk6XXhDV4NgCGM_v_RPkc_Vsm21dV-MvU/s640/blogger-image-1244438650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKVA8qtONTVg8iqoiShfVMUfycHliZFa-fEys6DNQkgvp9MIHxvZ0xV0SJ5nd_-PVT9TrKfRqOpXuyHB4p4kPw3lFuo6NmwViBCJ3R-5xWbCk6XXhDV4NgCGM_v_RPkc_Vsm21dV-MvU/s640/blogger-image-1244438650.jpg" /></a></div>Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-81509192563241628882012-06-12T07:02:00.001-07:002012-06-12T07:17:57.070-07:00PoppyI've not really grown poppies before. I'm loving the paper tissue quality of the petals... plus I have a soft spot for orange flowers. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjM8o2mMeknCtnAAm16ruzGZWpf51wh4LvZ2U9bbablwzoG7g2jtxlHhoytcFMm-Y8LuAk0RyaKnIz2rD1_qUM4EYqHOBpbat_EMnTaAU5sX5ux5hwBanSwHQhapLb6Ovm4PYhykszQYI/s640/blogger-image-465050808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjM8o2mMeknCtnAAm16ruzGZWpf51wh4LvZ2U9bbablwzoG7g2jtxlHhoytcFMm-Y8LuAk0RyaKnIz2rD1_qUM4EYqHOBpbat_EMnTaAU5sX5ux5hwBanSwHQhapLb6Ovm4PYhykszQYI/s640/blogger-image-465050808.jpg" /></a></div>Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-40369347367308875352012-06-09T15:28:00.001-07:002012-06-09T15:28:25.419-07:00TestTrying out mobile blogging. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsC3nDndseRkFzrllIBoCRCQOtOkdx0rVq3cb3FvGAqwVqlE6zPkX03446JKH05DzrrWy359JCtFTD46orBsZPrHRE6EPYI95BYTn02gVbEw_e7hAmXg92S8En49023BqwJjc2NaEg4s/s640/blogger-image-1489633023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsC3nDndseRkFzrllIBoCRCQOtOkdx0rVq3cb3FvGAqwVqlE6zPkX03446JKH05DzrrWy359JCtFTD46orBsZPrHRE6EPYI95BYTn02gVbEw_e7hAmXg92S8En49023BqwJjc2NaEg4s/s640/blogger-image-1489633023.jpg" /></a></div>Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-89891701911001055132012-05-19T22:16:00.002-07:002012-05-19T22:21:54.350-07:00April GardenIt's been impossibly long since I made a garden post. Please forgive me, it's been a busy few months. The fact that I couldn't really bend over properly for most of March and April either, took a bit out of my gardening gumption. Giant baby bellies will do that to ya. I had a little baby boy on 4/20. Meet Jack.<br/>
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I couldn't imagine not having a garden just because I was having a baby (never mind that touching my toes became nearly impossible toward the end there). I gave up trying to take care of the seedlings I'd started and just went with starts I could buy at the nursery. Oh my. That was rather expensive for someone used to just having to shell out a few bucks for a pack of seeds. But hey, it's been nice now running out to the garden for salad greens and other goodies, so yup, worth it. <br/>
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THE VEG<br/>
The veggie garden got a bit of a late start this year as you can imagine. I did finally get my tomatoes planted a few weeks late but at least they made it in (and are hiding under the plastic water cloches to protect them from cold evenings). Garlic went in last fall (the one thing I managed to do with my horrendous morning sickness) that's on the left and cilantro was planted on the right. Carrots were seeded and germinating under the board right in front of the toms.<br/>
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Brassicas, lettuce, peas, spinach, radish and beets all went in this bed. I was pretty disappointed with the peas as nearly all of them failed to sprout. I think I must have exceeded the expiration date - either that or some critter was enjoying a snack of pea seeds... more on that later. I'm also not sure what I did but I actually had my spinach sprout this year. It's the same spot that sprouted a few years ago. It's the only place in my whole garden that it will apparently grow. Such a persnickety plant! <br/>
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Chives, asparagus, parsley, carrots, leeks and potatoes. The chives are looking a little sparse this year, I'm not sure why. I didn't do a fall clean up last year so maybe not having been covered with straw mulch they suffered from the cold? I mean, they're fine and healthy and all just not a large and vigorous as they've been in years past. We also got to harvest the asparagus for the first time this year. Woo! It was delish. Can hardly wait for next year as this years harvest was so very small. Sadly the carrots failed to come up at all. Not sure what happened... maybe not enough sun? Leeks were transplants from another area in the garden and this was my attempt to overwinter them. They didn't like being moved but are hanging in there. Potatoes are always happy in my garden, more on them later.<br/>
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And lastly the summer garden bed. Nothin' but nothing got done with this bed until, late, late, late. So here she is, pretty fallow. <br/>
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FLOWERS<br/>
The nice thing about April is the garden is full of flowers. Mostly I'm lazy (shhh, don't tell anyone) and enjoy the ease of bulbs. They're pretty and very easy to grow. I pretty much just sprinkle a bit of fertilizer on them just before they bloom, cut off the dead bits after they bloom and divid them once every four years if they need it. Easy peasy.
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The orange ballerina tulips are my favorite.<br/>
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One random red bit of petal on a pretty yellow tulip.<br/>
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2012/2012%20Gamines%20Garden/?action=view&current=2fbb6750.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2012/2012%20Gamines%20Garden/2fbb6750.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-50712634006863805352012-03-06T11:35:00.003-08:002012-03-06T11:35:43.191-08:00It's starting to feel like springIt's starting to feel like spring around here which means I better get my butt in gear and get a few things pruned before they come completely out of dormancy. (Really I should've done this two weeks ago minimum)
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Take for example, the apple trees. I had yet to touch my three year old Honeycrisp tree with pruners but knew it was time to take a few snips here and there in order to get the structure correct for future growth. So I grabbed my grubby old pruners and took them inside where they were washed, disinfected (with bleach), oiled, and sharpened. Good clean sharp tools are always a must. ;^)
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Since it's been a long while that I've had to prune an apple tree, and never one as young as this, I hit up YouTube for advice. I really like the clear directions of the following video.
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DVS4hNFwWUQ?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Now my Honeycrisp has a lovely new haircut and is ready for the growing season. There is only one branch that I'll need to pull down to increase the angle at which it grows, but that can be done later this summer. My Spitzenburg apple is still a stick with buds on it, so not much point in pruning it this year. It can easily wait another year or two.
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Now to stop neglecting my blueberry bushes.... they're up next! (I'm edging out of the appropriate time to have pruned these... it should've been done last week at the latest.) Of course I'm huge-ish now and bending over the baby belly to prune bushes doesn't sound like fun. Of course missing out on blueberries in June and July sounds like less fun!
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<b>To Do This Week in Zone 8a:</b><br/>
Harden off: broccoli, cauliflower, head cabbage, and kale.<br/>
Transplant: onion sets and parsley.<br/>
Direct sew outdoors: potatoes (the traditional day is St. Patties), radishes and spinach. <br/>
Lawns: Apply corn gluten (to keep the weeds down) to lawns around the time the forsythia blooms.Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-56455732206452582552012-02-01T10:56:00.000-08:002012-02-01T10:57:54.141-08:00SproutsAll my little brassicas are doing lovely. When I checked on them earlier in the week I noticed tiny tendrils of roots poking out the bottom of the pots. Time to up-pot already?! Okay... done! As soon as they get their first true leaves I'll be sure to give them a little food - liquid seaweed.
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<i>Broccoli, Cabbage and Cauliflower.</i></center><br/>
Lettuce on the other hand isn't doing so hot. Hum. That's never happened before. I only had two sprout. I think it's likely due to the age of the seeds though, they're pushing 4 years old. I really need to buy some more but for now I'll just plunk in a few more old seeds and see if I can't get them to go. It was also pretty wet in that tray as well. I removed the lid a few days ago to let the whole thing dry out a bit. That should help as well.
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<i></i></center><br/>
Happily I'd started a few lettuce seeds in the garden last fall (though ignored them throughly due to health so they're a bit paltry) and still, nature finds a way. They're little now but I think they'll pull though the rest of the winter and be fine in the spring so happily I'll have some garden noshes early.
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<i></i></center><br/>
My poor garden beds were, as I've mentioned, sorely neglected last summer/fall. So here's the state they're in. Ugly! I've got a bunch of old onions that weren't harvested. I'm afraid to get down there and take a closer look. I figure my big ol pregnancy belly will really be in the way soon enough then I won't have to deal with it. lol Well, maybe the leeks will be okay? The weeds look good though don't they?! Nice and healthy. Bah!
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<i>Lots of onions and a few leeks</i></center><br/>
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<i>At least the collard greens look perky.</i></center><br/>
The last thing I did (besides pull a few weeds while I was out there) was take a small root nodule with a bit of greenery on it from my chocolate peppermint plant. I've got the thing contained in a nice pot but the best mint always comes from the outside edges once it warms up and really gets busy with the growing. Ideally I'd start a new plant from cuttings every year and repot the whole thing but it's been a couple of years and last years mint harvest was awful. So! I had to be sure to get on this early. Since this bit had a bit of root I just took it and put it in a pot with starting medium and stuck it under the lights with the rest of the seed starts. Once it establishes and I can plant it outside I'll be sure to rip all the other mint out the pot and plant just this one. It'll give me a nice bright green harvestable mint plant all season long. Looking forward to a mojito or two this summer. ;^) (It's also excellent chopped up and tossed with cubed watermelon)
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<i>Chocolate peppermint "cutting".</i></center><br/>Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-55600872327061455682012-01-24T23:13:00.000-08:002012-01-27T21:39:26.947-08:00SeedyI'm happy to report that I got most of my seed starting area all cleaned up - woo! I even managed to get some wee seeds poked into some dirt. Life is good. I still need to tuck in some onions but I need a better container for that since they like to all hang out next to one another and not be separated into their own little compartments. Someone needs to finish off the sour cream so I can have the plastic tub. ;^)<br/>
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Sadly, however I didn't manage to take any other pictures. I also finished planning out the 2012 garden and it looks like I will have to buy a few see packs but nothing I need to worry about currently. <br/>
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I was thinking about planting horseradish this year. Anyone have experience with that? I heard that they help with warding off pests that bother potatoes. I thought I might try them as a companion planting this year.<br/>
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I would've tried to get out and prune the fruit trees and blueberry bushes this past week but we've been getting deluged with icy-cold winter rain. I have no desire to go out there in goggles and flippers and turn blue. I'll wait a while till things dry out and warm up - even marginally before I make the attempt.<br/>
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Happy Gardening!<br/>
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<b>To Do this Week in Zone 8a:
</b><br/>
Prune apple trees<br/>
Prune blueberry bushes<br/>
Sew seeds indoors: Broccoli, Cabbage (head), Cauliflower, Kale, Lettuce (head), Onion, and Parsley.<br/>Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-34559510521745297152012-01-17T12:53:00.000-08:002012-01-17T14:38:24.355-08:00A New YearIt's a new year and a new lease on life... once again I will try to chuck my bad lazy habits and actually post gardeny-goodess here for you! Of course right now there's not much to talk about and nary a thing to show (unless you want to see the green tips of some garlic I planted last fall or a few haggardly looking collard greens). <br/>
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<i>Yay collard greens!</i></center><br/>
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I will apologize for dropping off last summer but we accidentally planted a seed of a different type 'round here. I'm expecting a baby boy in mid April! I also wound up having the most debilitating morning sickness to the point of pretty much being bed ridden for four months right at the end of the growing season and never even harvested half my crops. It was a real shame. Happily, that's all water under the bridge now.<br/>
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<i>The witch hazel is always so pretty in January.</i></center><br/>
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This afternoon it's trying to snow and I've pulled out my garden binder and have started contemplating where I shall plant what, when the time comes. It's nearly time to start seeds (next week!) so this needs to be done. <br/>
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<i>A rough draft.</i></center><br/>
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I'm making a list of what seeds need to be purchased and while I'm dreading it (because it's a complete mess) I need to also clean up the seed starting area in my house this week too. Of course some of this is complicated by my big belly. 0.o I'm still wondering how I'm going to actually get things planted outside with a big ol' baby bump in the way but I'll have to cross that bridge when I get to it. Perhaps I can coerce my sister into helping? <br/>
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<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2012/2012%20Gamines%20Garden/?action=view&current=7ab6c422.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2012/2012%20Gamines%20Garden/7ab6c422.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br/>
<i>See? Here I am being brave and just showing you *some* of the disaster that is my seed starting area. I still need to wash all the trays and lids which are stacked rather precariously by the utility sink and go through all the messy pile of seed packs I left out last fall. Shame on me! (Not the best seed storage method - lol!) I also need to dump out the old batches of fert I made up last year and look into the bottles of "magic plant potions" that I have laying around to see what needs to be replaced or replenished.</i></center><br/>
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<b>To Do this Week in Zone 8a: </b><br/>
Prune apple trees<br/>
Prune blueberry bushes<br/>Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-18892629193442775002011-06-13T11:25:00.000-07:002011-06-13T11:25:08.835-07:00How does your garden grow?It took me a while but as promised - the new apple <strike>stick</strike> tree! (Spitzenburg) Or as I more affectionately refer to it, the fluffy apple stick.<br />
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In a few more years it'll look more like other fluffily apple stick. ;^) (Honey Crisp)<br />
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Overall the garden is doing well this year despite the cool wet weather. We had a great fiery sunset the other night.<br />
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Our pea pods have formed but alas, no peas as of yet. ::le sigh::<br />
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Chives are still blooming. I love their happy little bobby heads!<br />
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Strawberries are green too.<br />
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Our first tomato! I hope they're not all nearly greenies like last year. That was pretty disappointing. <br />
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In years past I've had a lot of trouble with everything under the sun eating my artichokes. I finally wised up a bit and moved them. So far the only the slugs have found them and I took care of it quick with Sluggo Plus. That was that. Now if I can just keep the aphids from locating them when the weather warms up I'll be good and might even get an artichoke or two this year! If they do show up, I've got a new trick up my sleeve. Ha!<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=f56452fc.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/f56452fc.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
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With most of my attention going to the back yard my poor front yard has been entirely neglected. My sis came over to help me weed and brought her nice calm happy daughter. My kid on the other hand... well, I can say it's never dull around here! (and yes, she dressed herself)<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=d7ce81d5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/d7ce81d5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-81145427015148170332011-06-02T23:40:00.000-07:002011-06-02T23:43:36.968-07:00Rain, rain, go away...I can't believe it's been a month since I last posted. Really, there hasn't been much to talk about in the garden. Even worse then the last couple of years we've had a lot of cold and wet and cold and wet. Of course we're not as bad off as some of the midwest states with tornados and now the hurricane season is upon us. Nope, just cold and wet up here in the PNW. Still, it makes for frustratingly slow gardening. We're about a month + behind our usual timeline and we can't seem to warm up enough to get anything to grow with any sort of expediency. I think we've had maybe three days this whole year so far that have gotten up above 70*. You can imagine how excited I'll be this weekend then when we should see some 80* temps. Yes, I'm holding my breath. <br />
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OH, one thing that did happen. I replaced the dead peach tree. I picked up a Spitzenberg Apple <strike>stick</strike> tree. Scrawny little thing. I know in about five years it'll actually look like a tree but right now it looks a bit like a fluffy stick. I'll have to remember to take a picture and share with everyone soon. It's rather not exciting to look at now, ah but I see potential!<br />
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<small><i>Of course nice cool weather crops are loving it, radishes abound!</i></small></center><br />
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<small><i>The grape arbor that hubby hacked together for me is workin' just fine. The grapes even have wee little grapes on them! Yay! First time since I planted it two years ago... that'll be exciting. I hope they ripen enough so we can try them later this summer.</i></small></center><br />
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<small><i>Our very green blueberries.</i></small></center><br />
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<small><i>I love it when the chives bloom, they're so pretty.</i></small></center><br />
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<small><i>The spinach may have refused to grow but at least this year the beets are happy!</i></small></center><br />
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<small><i>...a bit of an overview with lettuce and peas and brassicas, etc. We've been eating a lot of salads lately... I say that like it's a good thing, cause it is.</i></small></center><br />
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<small><i>Mmmm! Salad!</i></small></center><br />
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<small><i>Sweet little ladybug hangin' out on the sage plant.</i></small></center><br />
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<small><i>Baby broccoli. I'm looking forward to my summer stir-fry!</i></small></center><br />
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<small><i>The Italian flat leafed parsley (shown here) and the cilantro are both also loving this wet weather. Perfect for leafy herbs.... this batch went into some dressing I made for the salad shown above. Delish.</i></small></center>Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-76306027365178961472011-05-01T20:39:00.001-07:002011-05-01T20:39:40.863-07:00Two days in a row!It was another productive day in the garden. I got a late start since I went to church this morning then hung out in the back yard where I finished reading a book while drinking coffee in the warm sunshine. Yeah, tough life, I know. Around 1:30 pm I got my lazy sack together to actually start *working* on things. One of the major jobs I've been *dreading* is dealing with the asparagus bed. <br />
<br />
You might remember it from earlier this spring? The cheap straw I laid down sprouted and was just causing a total mess. That was the first issue with this bed this year... digging all the unwanted sprouts out.<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=IMG_7858.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/IMG_7858.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></center><br />
<br />
The main issue has been that I just can't really get the majority of the asparagus to grow and be happy. I've had a lot of root rot issues. So I did a bit more research and I felt like the biggest issue has been moisture. The soil is very loamy and rich but because this bed wasn't filled with compost when it was originally built I don't think that the drainage has been ideal. However because it was intended to be a perennial bed I never added more compost in, as perennials (chives and asparagus) were already planted. There comes a time however, when you've got to just face the music. I didn't want to move the perennials but the only way to rectify the situation was to deal head on with the soil. So even though all the asparagus has well sprouted by now and the chives are about to bloom, I dug them all out. I heeled them in one of my finished compost piles and tried to leave as much dirt around the roots as possible so the shock of being dug up all afternoon wouldn't be too much. This is the bed with all the plants removed. (And yes I know I need to desperately weed the gravel paths around the beds - it's on my TO DO list still)<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=c5cc6bed.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/c5cc6bed.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></center><br />
<br />
My main goal was to increase the elevation of the soil to get better drainage. I shoveled in another cubic yard of compost. In the 12 sq. ft. of bed that has now been reserved for asparagus (down from 28 sq. ft.) I added in small pumice stones to open up the soil a bit and help with drainage. <br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=f508823e.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/f508823e.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></center><br />
<br />
After a lot of shoveling (on the bright side - green gym!) I replanted the chives in the same spot there were previously in and then brought all the asparagus together in one area just north of that.<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=cb3ec6ba.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/cb3ec6ba.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></center><br />
<br />
Now that this bed isn't all asparagus any longer I was able to use the other end of the bed for new plants. Not sure how well they go together but I planted 12 sq. ft. of corn north of the asparagus. Since I've pretty much run out of time to stagger my plantings, I went with planting three different varieties that all harvest at different times 90 days, 82 days and 80 days. Hopefully that way we won't be eating nothing but corn one week come summer... not that that's necessarily a bad thing! At the very north end of the bed I added in some color with giant sunflowers and a few sprouting nasturtiums that I rescued out of the compost I need to turn. See? That compost is good for more then just soil! I have a few more spots to fill in here and I'm thinking I need some dill but I need to read up - something is tickling the back of my brain that dill likes to be planted off by itself. I'll have to research it before I commit to anything. <br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=68dcba93.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/68dcba93.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></center><br />
<br />
I also dragged my poor hubby into the garden fray (it's so not his thing, he'd MUCH rather be working on rebuilding vintage motorcycles) but I did convince him to build me a little arbor for the grape vine. He promised me last year that if I planted a grape he'd make a support for it. Well, I planted it and last year came and went and the poor little vine just flopped over with nothing to grow up or on. So yesterday I made THE most pathetic attempt at building one myself (I hammered a 5" board into the top of fence and flopped the vine over it - ha!) My ploy worked because hubby took one look at that and rolled his eyes and ripped it out. Since we're kinda broke we just made do with the lumber we had stashed in the garage... still for a "freebie" it came out pretty good!<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=3b411371.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/3b411371.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></center><br />
<br />
Another view<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=e3a5f62d.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/e3a5f62d.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></center><br />
<br />
<br />
THINGS I GOT DONE: <br />
Transplant marigold starts<br />
Plant sunflowers - direct sown<br />
Transfer nasturtiums <br />
Corn - Sew Seeds Direct<br />
Chamomile - Transplant<br />
Dig up asparagus and chives (heel in while working in bed)<br />
Fill end bed w/ a yard of compost and mix in pumice for better aeration and drainage for asparagus<br />
Replant asparaus and chives<br />
<br />
<br />
TO DO STILL:<br />
Basil - Transplant<br />
add bark mulch to blue berry bed<br />
Summer Squash - direct sew<br />
weed blueberry bed<br />
Blueberries - Feed<br />
Fertilize: 0.8 oz of N per plant using 21-0-0 <br />
turn and water compost<br />
buy peppers and basil<br />
weed gravel paths<br />
feed lawn: sift older compost with food and worm castings<br />
edge lawn<br />
Melons - Sew Seeds Direct<br />
Dill - Harden Off / TransplantJust Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-53604842585139416472011-04-30T19:18:00.000-07:002011-04-30T19:18:01.646-07:00A long over due day of gardeningIt was a beautiful day to spend outside. Intermittently cloudy and a high of maybe 70? I had no other plans besides just gardening today and it was lovely. I didn't feel terrible (finally getting over being sick), it was lovely weather, I got to hang out with my daughter, get some sunshine and work out a little in the green gym.<br />
<br />
TO DO:<br />
Basil - Transplant<br />
Chamomile - Transplant (one down, one to go)<br />
edge lawn<br />
weed gravel paths<br />
Summer Squash - direct sew<br />
feed lawn: sift older compost with food and worm castings (Did the back lawn, need to do the front still)<br />
Dill - Harden Off / Transplant<br />
turn and water compost<br />
Dig up asparagus and chives<br />
weed blueberry bed<br />
add bark mulch to blue berry bed<br />
Fill end bed w/ more compost and sand<br />
Corn - Sew Seeds Direct<br />
Replant asparaus and chives<br />
Blueberries - Fertilize: 0.8 oz of N per plant using 21-0-0 <br />
buy peppers and basil starts<br />
Melons - Sew Seeds Direct<br />
<br />
<br />
TO DID: <br />
Apple Tree - feed<br />
Fertilize first two years (2010/2011) top of ground w/ calcium nitrate. Then not again till leaves are pale or growth abates to 4"-6" a year. Work lime (calcium carbonate) in yearly till soil PH is 6.4 to 6.7. In 2nd/3rd years tie down branches at an angle of no more then 45* to help induce early fruiting (does not apply to columnar apples).<br />
Onions - Fertilize Lightly<br />
plant more radishes (new to me variety, French breakfast radishes - sounds interesting!)<br />
Tomatoes - Transplant & use cloche (Fertilize + small amounts of lime & ground egg shell)<br />
dig out old dirt in pots and refresh with potting soil and compost<br />
transplant marigold starts (still have a few left to get in the ground but I need to clear out a bed to do it)<br />
Leeks - Transplant<br />
take out peach tree<br />
Cilantro - Transplant<br />
Parsley - Fertilize<br />
plant potatoes<br />
Flowers - Sew all seeds direct outdoors<br />
Peas - Fertilize<br />
Collard Greens - Sew Seeds Direct<br />
Flowers - till bed<br />
Spinach - fertilize<br />
<br />
Potato pots with little starts in them. As they grow up I'll add more compost/potting soil to cover till the pots are full.<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=895d6b61.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/895d6b61.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
Those red cones? They're water wells and help keep plants warm until the weather cooperates. Right now they're sheltering tomatoes and artichokes. I've still got one more tomato to plant but it's a baby still and can wait another week or two before going outside. Otherwise the garlic and onions are doing well. I got cilantro transplanted out today in this bed too. The parsley is coming along and even though it's *really* late, I put the leeks out. Maybe they'll be okay. This bed still needs peppers and basil but it's still too cold at night for them so we're on hold there.<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=d5783474.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/d5783474.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
I think I've given up trying to grow spinach. What's up? Only ONE year have I ever gotten it to sprout and grow and for the life of me I can't remember what I did get it to "go". So that back right corner? It should be spinach but now it's a marigold and another square foot of radish. Radish variety is new to me, French Breakfast Radish. I am intrigued! Maybe in the last square foot I'll try the spinach again. Tips? Tricks? Anyone... Also planted the last little bit in the front left - collared greens. It's a little late but should be fine with the extra cool weather we've been having.<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=110bdca3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/110bdca3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
This is the so sad peach tree. It should be green and leafed out by now but it's a mess. I cut it down a moment or two after taking this picture. <br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=8d270370.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/8d270370.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
I felt bad about doing it and then my daughter says to me, "Mama, it's like stabbing a baby tree!" Yeah, thanks kid. That makes this SO much easier! X^P Ah well. Having a peach tree was not meant to be. I'll stick to what does well in the PNW, apples. I'll replace this soon with a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esopus_Spitzenburg">Spitzenburg</a>. So here is the tree-free garden bed. Hopefully before spring has come and gone I'll get the apple in and try to get its roots established before the heat of summer. Otherwise I'll have to wait till fall. <br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=a779dc10.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/a779dc10.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-24601530716886527822011-04-30T07:30:00.000-07:002011-04-30T07:30:00.608-07:00Death Day - Good Bye Sweet PeachI haven't done a Death Day in a while and boy, this one is a doozy. I'm very, very sorry to report that the peach tree is pretty well in done for. Normally I'm a vigorous researcher when it comes to what kinds of plants go in the garden especially long term things like trees. However, several years ago I was at Home Depot of all places and saw this sweet little peach tree with the name "sugar princess" and just couldn't resist. Guess I should have! It already had evidence of peach leaf curl but I ignored that with the promise of sweet peaches in my near future. <br />
<br />
I planted it two years ago. Last year it struggled though the peach leaf curl. I helped by covering it from rain, picking off the infected bits and doing what I could. I really needed to pick up all the leaves in the fall when they dropped but we were on vacation for over two weeks when it happened. I tried to rake up what I could when we got back but there wasn't much left. I sprayed the tree this spring but was either too late or I didn't apply enough spray and when it leafed out every single leaf was infected. All of them. I also noticed evidence of borer activity. I could try to hang on one more year but honestly I don't think there would be any improvement. I'm sad but the reality is, I think this one is done. Since there will now be a lot of peach leaf curl infecting the soil below I won't be able to replace it with another peach. I'm planning on replacing with an apple tree which is more more appropriate to our climate anyway.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=29d5ee05.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/29d5ee05.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></center>Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-61340018407874982332011-04-27T07:30:00.000-07:002011-04-27T07:30:00.132-07:00Weedy WednesdayIt's not all just watering and planting and enjoying the sunshine. Oh no! This here is a five gallon bucket of dandelion whine. Ha!<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=7bb967e2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/7bb967e2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
Somedays it's about pulling a LOT of weeds</center>Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-61618352001303108752011-04-23T14:49:00.000-07:002011-04-23T14:49:30.010-07:00Spring BedAfter my last post you'd think it was all doom and gloom around here - not so! See? Healthy happy plants! (And a few replacements for those starts that went south). We have had another cold wet spring so I've been slow to put too many things out yet, lest they freeze to death. However, the brassica's are in, along with the lettuce, peas, radish, spinach, etc.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=4ca45c0f.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/4ca45c0f.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></center><br />
<br />
Happy little cauliflower<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=b0625169.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/b0625169.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></center><br />
<br />
Lettuce is doing very well<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=b7cd1bec.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/b7cd1bec.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></center><br />
<br />
Keeping the "tenders" (cilantro, tomatoes, basil, etc) in the cold frame until our nights warm up a bit. Even though we're after our average last frost date (4/15) we've had two nights of hard freezes so I'm playing cautious this year and might even wait till May to put anything temperamental out.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=314916df.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/314916df.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></center>Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-1343908719739016132011-04-16T18:44:00.000-07:002011-04-16T18:44:58.570-07:00Can't win 'em allNormally plants do pretty well around here... especially when I pay attention to them. However, for the past month (yes 30 days) I've had a house full of company and my attention has been rather divided. Sadly, my seedlings were on the very bottom of the priority list. Poor, poor tomatoes! Not only did I not cull, but I never up potted and barely watered, never mind fed. It's shameful really.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=66ccccfe.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/66ccccfe.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></center><br />
<br />
Sad to say that many of my other starts look in much the same condition. Peppers, basil, cilantro, etc. So today I went to the nursery where they're nice to baby plants and bought some new one's to take home with me. I promise to be much kinder to them! (It will be much easier to do now that things are back to normal around here)<br />
<br />
Not to say that I've killed everything - hardly! All the plants outside that were already in the ground look lovely and healthy and happy.... I will have to make a post here soon about the veg garden in general. In the meantime how about some pretty pictures of all the spring flowers? That should cheer you up after seeing my half dead baby plants.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=3921e3df.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/3921e3df.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<small><i>Parrot Tulip</i></small></center><br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=add0cc35.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/add0cc35.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<small><i>Chocolate Mint just starting to come up</i></small></center><br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=0897264e.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/0897264e.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<small><i>Cowslip</i></small></center><br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=895c9de5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/895c9de5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<small><i>Chives</i></small></center><br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=b79c557e.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/b79c557e.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<small><i>More tulips, not sure the variety</i></small></center><br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=03447fa1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/03447fa1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<small><i>Azalea</i></small></center><br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=e13d4a4c.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/e13d4a4c.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<small><i>Jack Frost in front of Yellow Tulips</i></small></center><br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=69c404b1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/69c404b1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<small><i>Pink tulip and spirea</i></small></center><br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=151d653c.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/151d653c.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<small><i>Parrot Tulip about to bloom</i></small></center>Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-59802497542890060832011-03-29T16:40:00.000-07:002011-03-29T16:40:17.261-07:00Mother Nature's got plans for meThe problem with seasons are that they sort of just march on steadily whether you're ready for them or not. I just checked my gardening "Honey-do" list and whoa! am I behind.<br />
<br />
<b>Start Seeds Indoors:<br />
</b>Loose Leaf Lettuce<br />
Summer Squash<br />
Black-eyed Susans<br />
Sunflowers<br />
Melons<br />
<br />
<b>Sew Outdoors:<br />
</b>Carrots (after tilling to create fineness and adding compost to the soil)<br />
<br />
<b>Harden Off:<br />
</b>Onions<br />
<br />
<b>Fertilize:<br />
</b>Blueberries<br />
Parsley<br />
Peach<br />
Spinach<br />
<br />
<b>Up-Pot:<br />
</b>Peppers<br />
Artichokes<br />
Tomatoes<br />
<br />
<b>Prune:<br />
</b>Peach Tree<br />
<br />
<b>Lawns:<br />
</b>Add compost and worm castings<br />
<br />
Now. When in the world am I going to get this all done?! lolJust Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-85083766810102166552011-03-26T22:28:00.000-07:002011-03-26T22:28:43.471-07:00Let Me Catch You UpI can't believe it's been nearly a month and a half since I last posted. So much for New Year's resolutions! At least I'm good about taking pictures. I always mean to get over here and make a post, it just doesn't always happen. Anyway!<br />
<br />
<b>SNOW</b><br />
I know the rest of the country has been buried under a ton of snow all winter but we somehow managed to escape relatively unharmed. Toward the end of Feb. we got a few inches if that.<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=IMG_7738.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/IMG_7738.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></center><br />
<br />
It all melted a few days later...<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=IMG_7743.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/IMG_7743.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></center><br />
<br />
<b>SPRING PLANTING<br />
</b>At this point I've been able to get a few things out and planted in the garden. Last fall when I pulled all my onions I had a few that didn't quite bulb properly. I kept them in a nice cool dry place all winter and instead of planting the seedlings I started I just used my bulb sets. I also managed to plunk in some spinach and radish seeds too. I checked in the garden today and a few of them have actually sprouted - yay!<br />
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<br />
You probably don't remember but three years ago I was out planting my pea seeds in a nice downpour (if you wait for it to stop raining here your garden won't get planted till July 5th.) This year however there was a break in our usual rainy dreariness. I took advantage of it to get my peas planted. I couldn't believe what a difference it was! It was sunny and pleasant that day. Ah, to always have such nice spring weather to plant in... if only.<br />
<br />
I did have a flat of seedlings I started inside and hardened off. About a week or so ago I managed to get outside and get them planted. So far they've stood up to frost and a few small hail storms. <br />
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<b>TROUBLE</b><br />
I might have mentioned earlier that I've been having a bit of trouble in the asparagus bed. I threw some cheap straw on it last fall thinking that it would protect the crowns from snow. Well, yeah, it was cheap for a reason - it was full of seeds that sprouted. Erps. In any other bed it would've made brilliant green manure but with perennial asparagus crowns just below the surface it wasn't like I could till it under. <br />
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<br />
Instead I had to rake it all up and try to get out as much of the grass as possible. I came up pretty easily and I even found a few cut worms which I promptly kicked out of my garden. But overall I don't think I did this bed any favors. While the straw did keep the wee bit of snow off the crowns it also acted like a sponge and held a TON of water. I only noticed three crowns shooting after clearing away all the straw. That's not to say that with the straw gone the soil won't warm up a bit more and a few other crowns might come up but I did find a crown or two that were completely rotten from being soaked all winter. The soil is too dense here for asparagus I think. If I want this bed to succeed I need to get the mix right. I'd have to add some sand to loosen it up. On the bright side I did chuck all that old straw and grass into my reworked compost pile and it was steaming hot when I went to check on it this afternoon.<br />
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<br />
However, the asparagus is mostly for my husband and two days ago the doctor told him he shouldn't be eating that or mushrooms. So now what? I'm thinking I just pull all the crowns and see which ones are salvageable and pull the chives at the end of the bed too, add in a bunch more compost to get the ground level up for better drainage, add some sand into the mix and replant them in much smaller quantities. If they die next year it's a sign from above I shouldn't be trying to grow asparagus!<br />
<br />
<b>CRITTERS & COMPOST</b><br />
I might have mentioned I got a bird feeder? It was so full of birds on the first day of spring it really made me so happy! I love the little yellow finch on the right. There are a lot of different kinds of birds that come to visit and I've been slowly trying to figure out what they all are.<br />
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<br />
Also, one should always turn the compost frequently! One of the days I spent planting out the in garden I also took some time to deal with my long neglected compost pile. This really could be a whole post unto itself but since this one is a bit long winded already I'll spare you the details. At any rate I jabbed my pitch fork into the pile, fliped a big hunk of compost into the next bin and lo and behold a whole family of mice go swarming out of it! lol... Of course my five year old daughter was delighted and wanted to know if we could catch and keep them. They were admittedly cute but yeah, NO. One of them was determined to get back "home" a while later when I was cleaning up and I managed to get a picture of just it's little nose sticking out of a crack behind the bin. (Look right where the two boards of the fence meet and you can make out his/her little nose)<br />
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<br />
<b>OVERALL</b><br />
This was the garden a few days ago... still not much to look at.<br />
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<br />
<b>JUST PEACHY</b><br />
The peach tree is in bloom but I'm bummed that I might have waited a bit too long to spay it as it leafed out with more peach leaf curl. Ug. Oh and I also found what might be evidence of borer activity. I really hope I won't have to ditch this poor little tree. It's so not healthy. Note to self: do NOT impulse shop in the plant dept. of Home Depot again... especially when picking out trees! Meh.<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=IMG_7966.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/IMG_7966.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></center><br />
<br />
...and that is all! I'm going to try to get back to a weekly posting here so hopefully the next entry won't be quite so long. Thanks for stickin' with me though this one. Happy Spring Everyone!Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-76077573150027331772011-02-14T10:43:00.000-08:002011-02-14T11:06:45.051-08:00The Nursery<b>HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!</b><br />
<br />
It's only February, how can I be so busy already? Sorry I missed posting last Wednesday! There's not a whole lot going on here in plant-land which is good since my time is full of so many other things like, finding a good school for my daughter's who's about to go into kindergarten, my birthday (ack, the big 4-0!), finishing up the quarterly newsletter for our local GIG (gluten intolerance group) branch, taxes, my Moms BD, preschool parties, quilt guild meetings, etc. I am happy to report that I'm never bored! (Though sometimes exhausted, and then there's coffee for that - heee!)<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=IMG_7704.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/IMG_7704.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br />
<small><i>Wee baby onions - variety, Long Red Onion of Florence</i></small></center><br />
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My cool weather sprouts are doing well. After they put out their first true set of leaves I made sure to give them a feeding of diluted liquid seaweed, most of them look very happy at the moment. I also started pepper plants, though they've yet to germinate. It's only been four days so I'm not worried yet. I probably should check on the soil temp though. It should be 70-80*F. If it's not warm enough I'll get out the heating pad.<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=IMG_7703.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/IMG_7703.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<small><i>Baby butterhead lettuce.</i></small></center><br />
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Otherwise I'm waiting for a clear day to get out in the garden and start top dressing my beds with a fresh load of compost. I still have to prune my blueberries too - it's getting really late for that! Zoinks.<br />
<br />
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<small><i>Baby broccoli.</i></small></center><br />
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<br />
<b>THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN THIS WEEK FOR ZONE 8:</b><br />
<ul><li>START SEEDS: Asparagus, cabbage (chinese), mint (seeds), hot and sweet peppers.</li>
<li>SOIL: Top dress garden beds with a layer of fresh compost.</li>
<li>PRUNE: Apple trees and blueberry bushes.</li>
<li>SPRAY: Peach trees for fungal diseases like peach leaf curl. I use a fixed copper spray safe for an organic garden. </li>
</ul>Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-48340029588929954722011-02-02T07:30:00.000-08:002011-02-02T07:52:28.268-08:00All the Loves<b>AN ODD MARRIAGE</b><br />
I finally got to combine two things I love, quilting and gardening. This is a wee bit sick but I actually made a quilt for my plant babies. I know <i>you</i> all get it! Most everyone else thinks I'm a nutter. Heh. I used to work at a major sports apparel company (my DH still works there) and they frequently go though samples and get rid of them when they're done. So one day Guy Gamine came home with a roll of reflective material - like the kind they put on back packs and such when you're biking so cars won't squish you flat for not being able to see you. Anyway, it's been floating around my sewing room for a few years now and I never really knew what to do with it. UNTIL! I finally connected the dots that I needed to put something up around the plants because there's a draft in our basement and they get a wee bit cold down there. Purple plants are stressed out plants. I don't want any more purple plants this year! So *obviously* I needed a seedling quilt!<br />
<br />
With all that in mind I rummaged through my fabric and found a nice "earthy" fabric for the back that no one is really going to see anyway. Though I suppose I could use it as a table runner in the fall. <br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=IMG_7554.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/IMG_7554.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<small><i>Truth be told it'll probably never make it off the nursery rack once it goes on.</i></small></center><br />
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<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=IMG_7555.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/IMG_7555.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<small><i>The "front" of the plant quilt. The silver is reflective and should help bounce light around and is softer and prettier then tin foil. I'm such a girl. Ha!</i></small></center><br />
<br />
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<small><i>Here's the whole thing in place and just waiting for plants!</i></small></center><br />
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<b>BABIES</b><br />
Which brings me to why I was about a week late in starting my seeds this year. I was busy making the quilt as I didn't what to be messing with seedlings while trying to install it. So far so good! I managed to get artichoke, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce (head), onion (seeds) and parsley all in starter trays. I even have had a few beginning to germinate. Oh yay, little spring in my basement!<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=IMG_7564.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/IMG_7564.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<small><i>The broccoli - came up after only 36 hours. It must be the power of the seed quilt! </i></small></center><br />
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<b>PEACH TREE</b><br />
It's time also to spray the tree. For those of you who have been around a while you know I did battle with peach leaf curl last year. Well this year I'm a little more on top of it. I finally got out in the garden and sprayed with a fixed copper spay. I hope that helps. I may try a second application. Though I'm not sure I got to it in time. I can see the leaf buds starting to form already. I really need to be more vigilant about the poor peach tree. I did get 10 peaches off it last year though - not bad considering the curl and it's only two or three years old! Hopefully I at least put a damper on things.<br />
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<b>ONE FOR THE ROAD</b><br />
I was at the nursery (buying spray for the peach tree!) and of course this means that I have to walk around and look at and drool on everything. They even provide little cups there for us droolers.;^) Anyway, they have a little display garden up in the far back and the corner posts for these beds are the prefab plastic kind. In each one of them was a swarm of ladybugs!<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=IMG_7559.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/IMG_7559.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<small><i>I thought this was pretty cool... now if they'd just come move into my garden in these numbers!</i></small></center><br />
<br />
PS: Feeling much pressure as I still haven't pruned my blueberry bushes - it's getting late!<br />
<br />
<b>THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN THIS WEEK FOR ZONE 8:</b><br />
<ul><li>START SEEDS: Artichoke, broccoli, cabbage (chinese), cabbage (head), cauliflower, kale, lettuce (head), mint (seeds), onion (seeds) and parsley.</li>
<li>PRUNE: Apple trees and blueberry bushes.</li>
<li>SPRAY: Peach trees for fungal diseases like peach leaf curl. I use a fixed copper spray safe for an organic garden. </li>
</ul>Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-52400210138653617432011-01-26T07:30:00.000-08:002011-01-26T07:30:00.174-08:00Things that don't belong in my dirty laundry<b>Seeds</b><br />
How did your seed orders go? I just got mine in. Woo!<br />
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<small><i>This was the order I placed with my sister. I wish I had room this year to grow pumpkins!</i></small></center><br />
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<b>Garden Clean Up</b><br />
Last Saturday we had our nicest day so far this year. It was near balmy in the sun at 46*F/8*C and a bit cooler in the shade but a t-shirt and hoody were fine for being outside in. Since the garden experienced a bit of neglect last fall I thought I'd take advantage of the warmish weather and clean up a bit. <br />
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<small><i>A load of dead nasturtiums and weeds to be removed</i></small><br />
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<small><i>All done!</i></small></center><br />
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I'm pretty sure I'll never have to buy another pack of nasturtium seeds again. Holy cow there were so many seeds in that bed I could open my own seed company. Ha! Glad I like them otherwise they're certainly a vigorous pest. <br />
<br />
I also got a chance to clean out the bed that had all the tomatoes in it last year. <br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=IMG_7496.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/IMG_7496.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<small><i>It too was a disaster but had some fun surprises in store for us!</i></small></center><br />
<br />
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<small><i>For one, an anatomically correct carrot. This would be our second "boy" carrot to date. lol </i></small></center><br />
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I forgot to take a picture but I also pulled all the overwintering leeks and we roasted them Saturday night with a pork tenderloin for dinner. Delish! Another surprise came in the form of garlic. <br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=IMG_7497.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/IMG_7497.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<small><i>I'd completely forgotten I'd planted a row in-between the tomatoes and lo - they were sheltered so nicely that they've popped up already. </i></small></center><br />
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I haven't entirely finished my garden planning, so it's likely I'll "plan" the existing garlic into whatever eventually goes around it. I can't finish planning until I decide what to do with the asparagus bed. I'm dreading dealing with it due to hay that's seeded itself. I can't till it in for green manure due to the asparagus crowns just below the surface. Plus a hubby who's being obstinate and cranky about even the *thought* of me pulling his asparagus out of the garden, never mind it's not done well to date - more on that later... ::La! La! La! I can't hear you!:: <i>covers ears and runs away</i>*<br />
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<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=IMG_7499.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/IMG_7499.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<small><i>See how nice and pretty it is all cleaned up?<br />
Oh! I guess I'd better do something with those dead starts from last summer still sitting in the cold frame, eh? Whoops! </i></small></center><br />
<br />
*Yes, I'm very mature. ;^)<br />
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<b>Seed Starting Area</b><br />
The other thing I began tackling in the cleaning and organizing department this week is the area where I start my seeds. Yes, it's sad but the only spot for this in the whole house is in the basement. So it's lit by shop lights. The thing I really need to do this year is make sure to get some tinfoil or other reflective surface up and around the shelf the seeds are started on. I think some of my past issues have been due to it not getting quite warm enough. Insulating and reflecting that area are on my personal to-do list.<br />
<br />
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<small><i>Last year was a little nuts, so not only did the garden see some neglect so did the germination area. Things were tossed all willy-nilly back on the shelf without being cleaned or really put back in any sort of order.</i></small></center><br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=IMG_7539.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/IMG_7539.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<small><i>Looking better but not quite there yet.</i></small></center><br />
<br />
The top shelf is for paperwork, pens, scissors and some of the clean seed trays and domes. Right now almost all my trays are missing because they need to be washed and there's nothing I dislike more then washing dishes. Heh. The second shelf down is where the seeds are started and since I'm waiting for pay day this coming friday to buy some supplies, it's currently empty. ::pouts a wee bit:: Third shelf stores canning jars. By the end of summer this shelf is usually empty. You can see it's half full now which means we've gone though about half of our canned goods. Though somehow we've completely run out of strawberry freezer jam already. June is too far off! And the bottom shelf is the dehydrator, the liquid compost maker (must get back to that this year) and my new fancy dirt bin.<br />
<br />
As you can see I'm trying something new here. Since setting up my seed starting station a few years back, I've always had bags and bags of starting medium laying around usually flumped over into the dirty laundry (the washer and dryer are just opposite the shelves) or half open bags that accidentally get knocked over and spill out on to the floor, etc. SO. To resolve this annoying problem, I went to Ikea and got a <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60076365">recycling bin</a> and put what starting medium I had left over from last year inside. I plan on getting more soon and filling it up so I won't have to worry about it the rest of the year. My only real concern so far is that it might dry out too much since there are some gaps in the lid which allows air to get in. Of course this maybe preferable to the alternative of funky unwanted things growing in my starting medium.<br />
<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=IMG_7540.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/IMG_7540.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<small><i>Now all it needs is a scoop!</i></small></center><br />
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And one last image to leave off this post with... a beautiful mossy green fungus that's growing off the old apple tree stump in the back yard.<br />
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<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=IMG_7502.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/IMG_7502.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></center><br />
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<b>THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN THIS WEEK FOR ZONE 8:</b><br />
<ul><li>START SEEDS: Artichoke, broccoli, cabbage (head), cauliflower, kale, lettuce (head), onion (seeds) and parsley.</li>
<li>PRUNE: Apple trees and blueberry bushes.</li>
</ul>Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268559567958002671.post-33585851573638151752011-01-19T07:30:00.000-08:002011-01-19T10:30:48.131-08:00Wednesday Check-in<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=IMG_7451.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/IMG_7451.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></center><br />
<small><i>Bird butts.</i></small><br />
<br />
<b>FOR THE BIRDS</b><br />
So as you can see I received a lovely little bird feeder for Christmas. I'm glad it was gifted to me because it's not something I've been willing to spend money on but have wanted for quite a while, so yes, the perfect gift. Next year I hope I get a book on bird identification. It'd be nice to know who I'm looking at. It would also help me plan other areas of my yard to be more bird friendly by tucking in native plants that can provide shelter and food for common local species. <br />
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<b>PEAS</b><br />
I think I may have found a solution to the pea problem, there is a variety called <a href="http://www.territorialseed.com/product/11617/212">Serge Peas</a> that supposedly grows well unsupported. <br />
<blockquote>Serge Peas<br />
If you are looking for a top-of-the-line shelling pea for fresh eating and processing, Serge is the one! With unrivaled uniformity, color and disease resistance, this variety will provide a wave of sweet, tender peas in 3 1/2 inch pods. Afila, or semi-leafless vines reach a self-supporting, lacy 26-28 inches tall, and set an abundance of easy to spot pods. Shows disease resistance to enation, fusarium wilt races 1 & 2, and powdery mildew. 68 days.</blockquote><br />
My other option (and maybe better option?) would be to stake in posts and set up some <a href="http://www.territorialseed.com/product/397/173">trellis netting</a>. It would be less likely to blow over in windy spring weather then the wooden trellis I've been using. It would also let more light through for the plants directly behind the peas. This would allow me to plant whatever variety of pea I'd like. What's your favorite variety of shelling pea?<br />
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<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=IMG_7463.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/IMG_7463.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></center><br />
<small><i>Our Witch-hazel in bloom.</i></small><br />
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<b>SEEDS</b><br />
At this time of year there are so many seed catalogs stacked up it's hard to decide what to order from who. My general preference is to place an order for organic seeds from a local company. I personally feel that those varieties they grow for seed that do well for them, will do well for for me too. It's very difficult to resist some of the seed offers from East Coast or Mid West companies but I'm mildly wary of their performance here. This may not be rational but still my feelings are to support local and organic agriculture. Not to say that I never order from far flung companies but the bulk of my seeds comes from companies like <a href="http://www.territorialseed.com/">Territorial Seed Co.</a> because they <i>are</i> local and have a good offering of organic seed. I was reading an article from Motherearthnews.com in which Patrick Steiner ( from <a href="http://www.stellarseeds.com/">Stellar Seeds</a>) sums up my feelings on the matter rather nicely, <i>"We feel it’s important that organic seed production be part of local organic farming systems, so that local growers work to provide each other with organic seeds from their own region.”</i> Nice, hu?<br />
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<center><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/?action=view&current=IMG_7460.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/Violet_Sky/2011%20-%20Garden/IMG_7460.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></center><br />
<small><i>A Paperwhite that I forced, making our indoors a bit cheerier in that in-between time (between Christmas and spring) when it can seem so gloomy.</i></small><br />
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I placed my seed order this year on Saturday and I will have to say that I'm quite proud of myself for showing such restraint. It was a small and very reasonable amount of seed. Since I split half the seeds I already own with my sister for her new garden she's putting in this spring, she paid the shipping costs of the order (we went in on the seed order together). Plus there were a few varieties of veg that we'll split seed packs of so that'll be fun too. She ordered some interesting corn I'd like to try and I convinced her (it wasn't hard) to grow some Sweethearts grape tomatoes which are my all time favorite garden snack food. <br />
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<b>RODENT WATCH</b><br />
As you can see the squirrels have discovered the bird feeder but can't quite figure out how to get to the seed easily enough. They are too fat... maybe when they lean up in the late spring? So far they're not inhaling the seed like I thought they might. I did try to buy seed that was geared toward smaller birds - finches and such - to help discourage the squirrels, jays and crows. <br />
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<small><i>Actually I think this is a Mama squirrel that's visited before. She found her way in the feeder once when she was pregnant but fell and has been a lot more cautious since. </i></small></center><br />
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<b>THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN THIS WEEK FOR ZONE 8:</b><br />
<ul><li>Now that you've got your garden all planned out don't forget to place your <b>SEED ORDERS</b>. With the exception of the harvest this has to be the most fun thing about gardening. <br />
<li>Organize and buy <b>SUPPLIES</b>. This is the week I assess my supply needs. The next few weeks are going to be busy with starts and seedlings and there's nothing worse then going to start seeds only to realize that you're out of potting soil or trays or the seeds themselves! It's also a good time to clean up the potting bench, dust off the dirt and cobwebs and organize the supplies you do have. There is nothing nicer then beginning the gardening season with a clean slate. <br />
<li>Speaking of which don't forget to give your old potting trays a good <b>STERILIZATION</b> by soaking them in a 10% bleach solution to kill off any disease pathogens that maybe lurking from last season before reusing them this year. <br />
<li>Like last week and the week before, it's time to <b>PRUNE</b> apple trees and blueberry bushes.</li><br />
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<br />
</ul>Just Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15008462659487802315noreply@blogger.com4