Okay…so only the three people that check my blog on a regular basis will have noticed that I haven’t blogged in quite awhile, but I’m excited to post about all of the things I’ve been doing over the past two months!
First and foremost, I have Melinda at Elements in Time to thank for The Growing Challenge (see sidebar). Other than the commitment to post weekly about my gardening adventures (whoops), I’ve been doing quite well and enjoying learning so many new things. Thanks Melinda!
Over the last two months, (with help) I’ve taken out a third of my lawn, installed two additional raised beds (measuring approximately 3 feet by 12 feet each), planted two apple trees (a third on died, but will be replaced), planted six blueberry bushes, planted potatoes in four half barrels, prepared the soil for a five foot by six foot “field” of corn, and started plans to install a new fence with overhead trellis to support my two new kiwi vines.
Whew!
At the end of March, I sowed seeds directly into the “old” raised bed. Now, mid-May, my carrots, endive, spinach, radicchio, arugula, lettuce, radishes, beets and sunflowers are well on their way.
I also started seeds indoors with the help of a new grow light and a shelving unit built for me by my hubby. So far, the Walla Walla onions have sprouted and been transplanted outside, and the zucchini, cucumbers, pumpkins, Thai Dragon peppers, eggplant, and spaghetti squash are just starting to sprout.
We’ll be doing some more ”direct sowing” in a week or two. That’s when the corn, cabbage, herbs and kohlrabi will go in.
I’ll attempt to post some photos at a later date, but all this gardening (along with keeping up with the kids) has my days filled to the brim. We’re spending so much time outside and enjoying every minute. As an added bonus, we borrowed some books from the library about insects that are indigenous to our area, so the kids are having fun identifying the little critters that crawl around the yard and garden. Along with all of the spring birds that are around, the outdoors is a pretty interesting place right now!
In addition to the growing I’ve been doing some reading (mostly gardening stuff) and learned a great deal about the various kinds of seeds available for purchase. If you’ve ever wondered what the differerence is between F1 Hybrid, Open Pollinated, Heritage and Genetically Modified seeds, you’ll want to watch for a new post in the next couple of weeks. The information comes too late for this spring’s seed purchases, but you may wish to grow a winter garden or make note of the information for next spring. In any case, check back!
Oh – and last week I finally got round to reading the 100 Mile Diet by Allison Smith and J.B. McKinnon – it’s both funny and inspiring and, for those of us who live in the Greater Vancouver area, it’s neat to hear them reference local spots.
I am absolutely inspired to have a full and productive garden throughout the winter and will try to keep you updated as to how it works out. Local eating became really difficult once the Farmer’s Market closed last month, so having some food of my own will make local eating a lot easier from March to June.
Anyone else growing anything?
Well done, on the gardening front, it will be fun for you and the children to water, weed and feed from the garden. I’m looking forward to seeing it in all of it’s glory.
Just remember each year if you continue at it with the same zealous will only get better, and your crop bigger.
Keep up the good work, I am so proud of you.
I’ve already harvested my first crop of radishes, and I harvested a salad bowl full of greens yesterday. This is my first time growing veggies (and my first real attempt at gardening of any kind) so I’ll be looking for more of your gardening posts. I’m also going to check out that Growing Challenge!
Welcome back!
Please, please post pictures of your new raised beds. I’m new to gardening and would love some ideas (and a little less lawn).