To complement this whole gardening post, I've added a "garden seeds" (Hometown Seeds) link on the right hand side, and I invite everyone to check out Theresa Loe's amazing gardening blog, Garden Fresh Living.
On our little homestead, dh has been busy planting and tending (while I sit on my fat duff and write stupid blog posts about it). Here he is, watering the broccoli seedlings:
Dh is trying a biodegradable corn-starch based cover to cut down on weeds. He's growing cabbage and broccoli through the cover.
I checked on our asparagus; alas, nothing is up yet.
Hmmm, the blueberries aren't doing much either:
Inside the greenhouse is a different story. Here are some kale that have over-wintered (among the weeds):
Dh started some (more) broccoli from seeds, along with celery, frisee, and red cabbage. Can't remember what the other trays were. Will have to ask him and come back to fill in. My mind is like a sieve. It's sad.
Here's ds#1 picking cilantro from the greenhouse. The tall stuff growing with the cilantro are leeks.
A close-up of the very cute leeks:
This is one of the fruit trees that we need to put into the ground; it's a nectarine. The others are a peach and a cherry.
More seedlings in the greenhouse, from left to right: choi sum, bok choi (which didn't germinate well, so there's hardly any there), and radishes.
And a peek at our house in its drab winter surroundings. The little plot you see in the foreground is what we call the small northern garden.
Well, that's it for now, folks. Not too exciting yet unless you're out there knee-deep in dirt doing the work. I forgot to mention that dh also planted carrots and beets. They're not the best spring crops; they do better in the fall when there's a much longer cool period for them to develop lots of sugar. But, it'll still be nice to have a few in the spring."I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be." ~ Douglas Adams
26 comments:
I'm always blown away by your gardens... I'm trying out vegetable gardening for the first time this year.. fingers crossed!
I decided to risk the rats and plant a garden this year. It's nothing like yours. I planted corn, carrots, peas, strawberries, pumpkins, and watermelon (do you know if pumpkins and watermelons will cross pollinate? I planted them as far away as possible, just in case.). Plus we have a dwarf apple and choker cherry trees. I'd like to plant several more dwarf fruit trees and get 2-3 chickens for eggs. That's as big a farm that are little pseudo-urban lot can handle.
<----Jealous!
I have seedlings started...but not much is going to be going in the ground until Snow stops popping up in the forecast. BAH!! Can winter be over yet??? lol.
I seriously need to get a green house, having kale and greens available all winter would make me happy and save quite a few runs to the store.
I can't wait to see your garden come summer!!
I agree your gardens rock!
Totally impressed....Totally
Great post ~ your family is certainly busy ~ looking at all your wonderful gardens! Home grown ~ that can be picked literally right on your property--I'm so impressed!
Love the picture of your home ~ just beautiful.
Your home is beautiful T, I love that large window!
I didn't realize we could plant right now. We don't have our last threat of freeze until May 15, I'm wondering now what I could plant. I seriously need to read some gardening books and get busy because it would be fun to dig in the dirt :)
I always love your garden posts - partly because I know that later on you're going to post pix of the yummy meals your hubby cooks ;)
I would love to try growing leeks. They are so spendy in the store, but Cody and I both love potato leek soup. Hmm, I may have to find a spot for those this year.
What a nice way to start the day. Thanks for the tour of your home and garden! Everything looks great! We leave tomorrow for MA. I'll take pics of our new "home" and send to you. I wonder how much the owners will mind if we plant things. : )
N.Marie, crossing my fingers for you! I miss seeing posts on your Ever So Sweet blog...hint, hint. ;)
Maureen, good luck with the garden! We always plant watermelons and pumpkins/winter squash next to each other and have never had a problem.
Stace, funny, but I'm jealous of your farm! The grass is always greener...as they say. Go for the greenhouse! You won't regret it (except when gale force winds blow the panels a mile away...LOL!).
Misty, thank you! :)
Teresa, thanks for visiting and for the compliment!
Carrie, we get very spoiled by having super fresh veggies and can hardly go out to eat anymore even at the super fancy restaurants. =) Thank you for the compliment on our home too!
Michelle, you can start planting cool weather crops. I wouldn't stick a poor tomato outside yet. ;D Also, we put row covers on the seedlings to protect them if need be...like this weekend when we may have one night that dips back down to the 20s F. Brrrr!
Firefly Mom, do the leeks! Yummy!! ;) Yes, I'll be sure to post pics of the meals dh makes.
Oops, missed Grace's msg in transit. ;)
Grace, thanks, and I can't wait to see your pics! I hope the owners will be happy for you to garden there. :)
Oh to be motivated enuff to get out there. I will have to get my sorry ass out into our little container garden and start something soon.
Luck you, I'm posting three recipes today. You read Lavender Soap, right? I get so busy blogging there that I forgeeeeet.
=)
Epi, get moving on your container gardens! There are lots of good books to help you grow lots of veggies in a small space.
N.Marie, I'm heading there right now (and will put Lavender Soap on my blog roll...I have Ever So Sweet on there...so I can keep up easier)! :)
That is some serious gardening! I think I need some help if I'm going to aspire for a better yard!
Lila Ferraro
Queen Bedroom Sets
I predict your garden will flourish! :) You guys are always so diligent about it! Your house is gorgeous, drab weather or not! :)
xoxo
Michelle and the kitties and extra kisses from Quincy!
Any gardening is exciting!!! Even just the seedlings. :D Can't wait to watch it throughout the season!
oh my gosh -i love your pre-work area/ greenhouse! i cant wait to see all your goodness as the season progresses - impressive!
Lila, thanks for the visit! You can always start small and expand. :)
Michelle, so nice to see you well enough to make the rounds; I've missed you! Hugs and kisses back at you and the kitties, esp Quincy!
Amber, it's true! Anything that one grows oneself is very exciting...it's why I'm so fond of that spare time I'm growing around my waste. LOL!
Meg, thank you! Dh has quite the green thumb, lucky for me. ;)
I am green (not green fingered, alas) with envy. Your home is beautiful - I agree that big window is quite breath taking. I would love the space and the inclination to grow as much as you do and I am totally in awe of all you achieve and your lifestyle.
So there.
I adore kale! And your nectarine blossoms are so fairytale-like! I expect to see a little gnome popping around from behind them!
I can kill cactus, so I leave gardening to Ben.
Hey Teresa,
Thanks for the shout out! I have been traveling this past week and had not checked in for awhile. What a nice surprise to see you mention me!
I love the garden tour! Will enjoy watching it all grow!!
Wow, you do love to garden! I am totally jealous.
On the 'how to save money' blog post from this week, I'd say that was the #2-#3 suggestion - to grow your own food and then cook it all yourself at home instead of going out.
i never tire of garden talk.
i think i have planted everything that can possibly be planted before the last frost date. and i'm tending the tiny tomato and pepper seedlings indoors. how can May be almost a whole month away?????
Diane, you're too complimentary; we don't achieve half of what you think we do...LOL!
Allison, I'd love to have a little gnome statue here (a la Wallace & Gromit's yard), but dh won't go for the idea. ;)
Blonde, our talented men, eh?
Theresa, hope your travels were good! Looking forward to your posts about them.
Anne-Marie, it's hard to be a foodie without fresh veggies...LOL! Growing our own wasn't so much for saving money as for good tasting food, but it's def a perk.
Cake, May will be here before you know it! In fact, the first 4 months slipped by me; I don't know how it could be January yesterday and April today. ;D
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