Silence = Busy = Good

OK- now that gardening season is really starting to roll I realized I haven't been tracking it here! Spring always makes me feel alive and ETERNALLY behind in garden chores. I guess it really gives you a kick start in terms of 'waking up' and getting things done.

Beyond getting my food garden together, I have been giving some demonstrations on Vertical Gardening at a community garden opening in Round Hill, VA and this weekend at Purcellville's Smart Market- Farmers Market- Summer Market Opening day! So between this and my own garden- there is no extra time! Oh yeah, I also spoke at my company's Earth Day event on 'Growing Your Own Food' and got lots of nice notes saying how I inspired people to garden!

So for the record, every year I deal with the same pains as everyone else does..... My garden is horribly ugly and needs SO MUCH WORK! The wind caused havoc on everything, my soil, my deer fencing, my supports,....they all need repair! So beyond needing to add organic matter to all of my beds, and new beds, I have basic garden-keeping to do. Here is a list of what I have done thus far:

• Added two massive piles of aged manure to all beds
• Created 3 new beds
• Added additional nutrients: greensand and limestone
• Replenished my (2) lasagna beds (I am totally loving this method more than appending to my existing soil)
• Made (2) lasagna beds in containters for strawberries
• Laid down weed barrier throughout garden (multiples times because of wind ripping it up!
• My dad restrung deer fencing and shored it up and made me a cool new door
• Created new bamboo planting guides for each bed (kinda like square foot gardening technique)
• Organized seeds by the beds I want to plant them in
• Started squash, cucumber, melon, eggplant, and pepper plants inside
• Planted onion sets and peas outside
• Re-freshed my worm beds and moved them back outside
  

For now that is all! Phew, I just broke a sweat typing this! This weekend I hope to:

• Lay hay down on all of my paths
• Create a new cucumber 'patch' with bamboo vertical supports
• Plant leeks, greens, swiss chard, and herbs
• Mow my berry patch area
• Reinforce deer fencing
• Give vertical gardening demonstration at Farmer's Market in Purcellville

(note all of this is subject to how my 3-year old and babe-in-belly feel!)

Productive weekend!

OK- here I am 4.5 month pregnant and I have a TON of garden chores to do...... So all I can say is this baby is getting a workout! This weekend I was successful at:

• realizing how much work I really have this season
• planted a Fuji, and enterprise apple, nectarine and pear tree
• planted 9 heritage rasberries in the old 'grape' area
• pulled down all deer fencing
• planted peas
• started cleaning up paths and re-mulching

So I am exhausted, the daffodils are up and I am EXCITED for this season!

Finishing my seed order....some interesting items

As I have said in the past, Pinetree Seeds Catalog (www.superseeds.com) has some very interesting options. Here are some that caught my eye.

1. Cutting Celery- hardy annual can be used inplace of celery adn is easier to grow.the fine green leaves and thin hollow stems are especially good to flavor soups and stews.
2. Tyfon-Holland Greens- If you'd like to feed an army from an area the size of a coffee table, this may be the vegetable for you. This brassica is a cross between Chinese Cabbage and Turnips. The greens mature very rapidly to the size of a couple of feet. They can be cut early and often throughout the entire growing season. Unlike other brassica greens, Tyfon contains no mustard oil so the flavor is very mild.
3. Rose Orach- HEIRLOOM Orach has been cultivated for 3000 years. It is also know as butter leaves or mountain spinach and is in fact an excellent spinach substitute. The striking plants will eventually grow to 5' in height but you can begin harvesting the leaves when the plant is very young. Indeed the most tender leaves are available before the height exceeds 18". The fully mature plant is very ornamental and can be used in dried arrangements. Orach is primarily used in salads but can also be used cooked as you would spinach.
4. Merveille de Qautre Saisons- HEIRLOOM This lettuce is truly marvelous. It was the only lettuce in our trials that remained good tasting during an exceptionally dry and hot summer years ago, and continues to impress us each year we grow it. A bibb type, the leaves are wavy and light green with an overlay of red. Forms a loose 12" head with meaty texture and fine flavor.
5. Pai Tsai-Fun Jen- A very early and tasty semi-spreading green that tolerates both heat and cold well. About a month after planting you begin to harvest the light green leaves. When fully mature, you can chop up the snow white stems for stir fries.

Garden Checklist- MARCH

So March is the time to turn 'a little bit' of that dreaming into reality....

• Starting seeds inside: I can't go into all the specifics of how to grow inside....but here are some tips- pre-moisten your soil, press seeds into survace of mix to make good contact, remember seeds don't need light to germinate, only moisture and warmth, keep flats watered, add fertilizer to water once a weeks, avoid drafts and extreme temperatures.
• Store your seeds and bulbs properly: Keep bunched onions plants in the refridgerator until ready to plant; store onion sets in cool, dark, and dry place; keep seed packets away from an over heated place until planting time.
• Think about plant protection: For tender plants in chilly weather....use of hot caps, floating row covers, or water filled shields.
• Got Asparagus? Well now is the time is to cut and shred old stalks, do a thorough weeding, stir up soil with a rake before new shoots appear, and work in fertilizer for upcoming crop.
• If you are adventurous: You can try planting peas and onions in a raised bed (provide warmer temperatures and drier area when raised) It is a gamble, but peas are tough and can tolerate a cool wet spring start. Even later in march go for spinach and lettuce....isn't the risk worth it?

So all this is leading up to Apirl which is a busy month of preparing soil, adding organic fertilizer, creating your beds, tilling, and use of cold frames....

Garden Checklist- FEBRUARY

OK- I have decided to summarize what should be happening in your gardening planning each month. I know I am abit late for February - but the tips still apply! March coming soon....

• Start planning what you want to grow, and be realistic. First off plan your garden so it matches what you want to put into it. If you plan too big, and can't invest enough time, it will become an unsightly mess and you will get frustrated. If this is your first time, start small, but do it well, and you will build your confidenc. Once you have sketched our your beds and what you want to grow- make sure to figure out what you need to buy as seeds, and what you should buy as young plants. Note this is personal as you can grow all from seed yourself, but some need to be grown inside first (sometimes it is worth the extra money to have a nice nursery do this work for you) My rough list, things to be sown by seed: peas, beans, radish, lettuce, greens, carrots, beets, turnips, collards, kale, rutabagas, corn, vine crops, onion sets, okra, dill. Items I buy as plants: tomatoes, onions, leeks, peppers, parsley, chives, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, eggplant, and cauliflower.
• Finish placing your seed orders: Places I love to shop from are www.superseeds.com (great variety for the home gardener, interesting types, lots of container vegetables too) http://www.southernexposure.com (a local source of seeds, got some interesting walking egyptian onions last year...anything local is good to me!) www.seedsofchange.com (has a few varieties I haven't found elsewhere.....golden chard!) and www.seedsaversexchange.com (just a good overall selection and excellent customer service! If your seeds don't sprout, they will send you new ones!)
• Think about your soil.... Remember whatever improvements you make to your soil, you will receive back tenfold......So be good to your soil :) This includes testing your soil to see what nutrients you lack in (check you local extension service), and adding LOTS of organic matter. It is best to add it before the winter so it has time to break down, but anytime is good. So start adding your compost, any leaves, aged manure, grass clippings etc. If you are placing them fresh, consider learning more about the Lasagna method (http://www.no-dig-vegetablegarden.com/lasagna-gardening.html) of building a raised bed. Once you know what your soil lacks- be smart about what organic fertilizers you need like greensand, bonemeal etc (not based on what you are growing will help you decide what you need) Also, when in doubt, check the pH! That will at least give you a headstart on what needs changing. You should strive for a pH of 6.5.
• Check what time is your 'last frost date' for your area. For me in Northern Virginia, Mother's day is the 'typical safe date'.
• Sowing seeds inside: If you choose to start plants inside, make sure you have the right materials like a grow light, good seed starting soil, seed starting containers (either soil blocks or recycled containers), and you get the timing right. I once started cucumbers MUCH to early and they got long and lanky and I had to ultimately compost them, sad!
• Do some outdoor cleanup: As the weather permits, start cutting back dead growth on your herbs and such and get a head start on your plants!
• Be creative! Think about what and how you want to grow things. There are so many creative ways to grow vegetables. You may want to use raise beds, straw bale gardening (http://www.no-dig-vegetablegarden.com/no-till-gardening.html), vertical gardening, container gardening, or apply some edible landscaping principles. Just think about your space, the time you can invest and getting them started, and let your imagination go free!

So as you see February is about dreaming, planning, and getting ready for the warmer months ahead. As February comes to a close, I have:

• List of items I need to do outside
• Placed most of my seed orders
• have sketched in my garden notebook where my beds are and what I want to grow in them
• put out ads on Craig's List for mulching hay
• Inventoried my garden and fixes I need to make (like my deer fencing needs complete rework)
• Working on my 2009 garden objective.

OK- let's move onto March!

Slowly waking up....

So this winter has been fierce- full of cold and gusty wind. I know I was looking forward to this period of rest, but right about now I am LONGING for the spring. I know it has been a long time since I wrote - but I guess I have been in hibernation too, we all need a break.

So as the days become longer and the thought of spring is actually a possibility, it is time to start thinking about GARDEN 2009! Beyond the economic crisis, I had already planned on growing a much larger garden. Last fall I made 5 more beds, so at least alot of grunt work is done. So here are the things I know I need to do:

• Build up my new beds more. Need to add manure and leaves and other materials
• Fix and expand my deer fencing. I need to surround my new beds AND fix the winter damage -- this is going to take the most work.
• Buy and plant more blackberries and fruit trees
• Re-build my bamboo trellace. The winter storms blew them all over the place. I need to replace and tie down with wire.
• Find, buy, and spread hay/straw on my garden paths

So far, that is what my brain can muster up. My next entry I am going to list out my favorite seed and plant sources --- also I am going to start my monthy garden checklist!

Winter Garden UPDATE!

So I haven't written for ages and so much has happened - from my winter garden, my indoor garden, and my 'winter veggie challenge'- so much to talk about!

A few updates are that I am now writing a column on local eating for the Blue Ridge Leader. Only two columns so far, but still- way cool!

OK, updates:
Winter Garden: So the frost and cold took over about a month ago and really killed everything back. I have the lettuce patch covered with a floating cover, and it is kinda keeping my turnips alive. My swiss chard looks very burned- even though I covered it with leaves. We get crazy strong winds at the house which keep everything nice and cold. The garden by the walkway in front is doing GREAT! I am still picking all the greens, and use them everyday for smoothies :) Actually the cold has helped since it has killed those green worms I was fighting before :)

Inside Garden: Looking good! My peas are up and I already harvested lots of greens from it. All of my other seeds have sprouted but not produced anything yet. I usually garden in the bathroom while Broden is in the tub -- and even he loves eating the leaves!

Mushrooms: I ended up growing the Shitake kit I bought for Luke and have lots of big Shitake's ready to harvest! What fun! Hard to keep them wet all the time, but very cool to see mushrooms growing.

Winter Veggie Challenge: So I am still true to not buying any veggies this winter. I am actually having fun with all of the frozen veggies. A snap to prepare since I pre-cooked them all before I froze them. The only issue now is that the little freezer has so much stuff in it, I can't find all the veggies I need!

Ok- gotta fly, but things are looking good!

It is cold...but my brain is on fire!

So it may be too cold outside to do much, but inside I am gardening! I just grew my first harvest of sprouts and used them in some smoothies, and my indoor garlic has come up! Can't wait for some cuttings of these shoots. I also just finished writing my first column called Locavore Living for the Blue Ridge Leader, in Purcellville, VA. My first article was on growing an indoor garden, and my next idea is to talk about the Power of Greens. I am still harvesting turnips, kale, curly greens, tatsoi greens, and seven top turnips. I am also pouring over seed catalogs with ideas for next year! I even have a tentative garden plan....I am keeping things simple, but just growing more of what I love. Last year I did abit of everything, but time to grow lots more of what we love! I considered not growing Okra, but just got some very cross eyes from my mother-in-law, ok- it is back in the plan! Ok- gotta go!

Random Garden Photos

Sweet Potatoes Dehydrating

Peanuts from GCF drying

Swiss Chard Harvested in late October

Gorgeous turnips from Potomac Veggie Farms

Lettuce harvest in October

Winter Garden

Southern Curly Greens

Seven Top Turnips

Kale

Tatsoi Greens

It may not look like much, but I have four kinds of greens here and they are satisfying my family's need for greens this fall/winter.

It is Mid November and look at my harvest!

Since I worked from home I could actually see my garden! Check out my harvest, YUM! I have turnips, and all types of lettuce here, all ready to go into my daily green smoothies- green never tasted so good.

GARDEN UPDATES - Mid November

Would you believe I am just as busy now as I was in the spring? Well I am! Here is that I am working on:

• collecting as many leaves as I can for me new beds, and covering up my winter hardy plants
• digging new beds with a borrowed MANTIS tiller (it rocks!)
• searching on Craig's list for free manure and spreading on beds
• buying winter seeds- micro greens, sprouts, and some veggies for inside
• preserving my greens: dehydrating, freezing etc.
• mixing soil for indoor garden
• cleaning up garden - putting things away- pulling out dead plants etc.
• burning braches around property
• moving worm bins inside garage
• preserving harvested apples
• protecting my 'greens' from icky green worms (hand squishing them)
• reading seed catalogs for next year!
• planting garlic and onions
  

So as you see, lots to do with little daylight to do it.

Garlic Listing....

Ok, drum roll please.... Here are the garlic varieties I planted:

1. Broadleaf Czech


2. Chet's Italian Red


3. Chrysalis Purple


4. Tochliaviri


5. Georgian Crystal


6. Samarkand (Persian Star)


7. Shvelisi (Chesnok Red)


8. German Extra Hardy


9. Elephant Garlic


10. Russian Giant

I planted 1-7 in the bed in the garden, and 8-10 and the second bulbs within the pool area. YUMMY!!! Sleep well my cloves, see you soon! (got my sampler from www.seedsavers.org)

Garlic, garlic, garlic!

So just a quick note that I finally got my garlic in for the winter. I planted over 11 varieties so should be a fun July next year.... I prepared the beds with 3-year old manure from George's farm and then I plan to blanket them with leaves and maybe hay. Fingers crossed that none of them get 'stolen' by the squirrels. I really am not sure if they like eating garlic bulbs - hopefully the smell will keep them away!

I will list out the varieties later, but they sure are interesting!

My new Logo!

So for my business, Foodscaper, my awesome officemate made me a cool new logo!

October Updates

So although the frost came and went, a few updates:

• CSA ended last two weeks ago :( Last pick up we picked peanuts which was CRAZY weird and fun!
• Picked up three truck fulls of manure, 2 from George, 1 from someone on Craig's list
• Have been mowing leaves and grass to get more material for lasagna beds
• Finally got garlic beds ready to plant!
• Used mantis to till up old beds and working to create three more
• Made 'mock' jelly with green tomatoes!
• Dehydrating up a storm! Squash, potatoes, jalapenos, tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes etc.
• Winter garden doing GREAT! All the greens are doing well.
• Was on a cable cooking show talking about being a locavore and cooking in-season food!

Fabulous!

It came....killer frost.

So I prepared, and it came- the first killer frost.

Here is my view this morning. I took off my tomato blanket which was covered with ice - not sure how they fared, I will see them this afternoon! What a blanket of white ice!

Ode' to the First Killing Frost...

Well here I am, sitting in my warm house reflecting this year's garden.....tonight the first killing frost is predicted and I must say goodbye to this year's core growing season. Now don't get me wrong, things are still growing, my kale, tatsoi greens, garbanzo beans, lettuce, and turnips - but the bulk of my garden will look droopy and will destined for the compost pile.....

So my real adventure begins now. My objective for this year's garden was to grow and preserve enough food to feed my family (for veggies only) for the entire winter. I have diligently canned and dehydrated and frozen and NOW is my time to break into my stash. Wow - during the height of the season this day couldn't come quick enough, and now- it seems it came too quick. Here is a snapshot of all of the canned and dehydrated treats that are waiting to be cooked!

So in one last stance, I blanketed up my tomatoes in hopes it would protect them from the cold. I know, a futile attempt, but the attempt at least made me feel better, and provides a very funny picture!

More info on Winter Garden Plants

Winter Garden -- things growing.

So here are the things I am growing with some notes so I know how and when to harvest!

Southern Giant Curled Mustard

1935 All-America Selections Winner! 56 days. Brassica juncea. Plant produces good yields of large green frilled mustard leaves. Superb flavor. High in Vitamin A, B, and C. Excellent freezing and canning variety. A traditional Southern favorite. United States Department of Agriculture, NSL 6133. Plant Height: 24" tall. pk/100

Tatsoi Mustard
55 days. Brassica juncea. Plant produces good yields of flavorful mustard leaves. This oriental vegetable forms dense leaves that can be also be harvested as a whole plant and bunched. Excellent greens used in salads or cooked. pk/100

Seven Top Turnips
45 days. Brassica rapa. Plant produces high quality of tender turnip greens. One of the most flavorful fresh greens on the market. Roots are woody and should not be eaten. High in Vitamin A, B, and C. Excellent freezing variety. United States Department of Agriculture, NSL 6121. pk/50

Red Russian Kale (& Squire Kale)
50 days. Brassica oleracea. Early variety produces flavorful red and blue-green leaves. An heirloom presumably brought to America by a Russian trader. Very winter hardy, withstands colder weather.

Canning Adventures

So I mentioned the amazing tomatoes I have -- and now I have amazing canned tomatoes.... I took teh plunge and figured out how to can, and you know what? It isn't that bad.

It does take a LONG TIME..... so giving cans away is truly a labor of love. I now have 14 jars, and would like at least 30 for the winter. I had fun making striated jars with red, yellow, and green tomatoes- cool!

The apples are now coming in as well -- so gotta start making applesauce and all that fun stuff.

How embarrasing .... two months have gone by?

Gosh- how did this happen? Oh yeah, life, vacation, kids.....and squash beetles :)

So I know I haven't written in awhile, but my garden is now much different than it was just a month again. The first major change was when I came back from vacation in mid August. While I was gone, it was very dry, and although my wonderful friend, Natasha, was a wonderful caretaker- my garden got stressed and got attacked at all angles. My squash was under attach by squash beetles, and some other bug got my cukes and watermelon. That then spread to my butternut squash .... and gosh, what was left? Oh right, my tomatoes have been coming in very well, and I have sizes and all kinds of colors and shapes and flavors. The Okra is doing fine --- I seem to be the only one that loves that stuff.

Oh, must I forget, my SWEET POTATOES!!! I dug them up and they are amazing. Haven't tried them yet, but they look so great. It was such a surprise to pull up these massive roots. I have some pics of these I need to post.

So since my garden took a sharp turn downhill, I have ripped up all the old vines, and my winter garden is now in session. The only orignal item still growing from the spring is my tomatoes....everyting else is tilled up and ready for something new. Thus far I have planted:

• kale
• turnips
• beets
• carrots (why not?)
• mustard greens
• spinach
• salad
• chard
• garlic
• onions
• black garbanzo beans

So we will see if and what comes up!

The Patty Pan Squash are coming....

so the harvest of Patty Pan squash has been prolific. I went to just 'check' my garden and came back with all of these:

And blackberries I picked from my CSA!

Random photos of garden and property

Ode to SUNFLOWERS!

I just can't get enough of these sunflowers- they are all heirloom varieties with wonderful names and colors :)

SUCCESS with the clay oven!

So last night I had my 'locavore dinner club' over and I tried out our outdoor clay oven. This was built many moons ago by some wonderful owners/gardeners using the clay from a nearby lake! Anyhow, although it looks abit 'rough' it worked like a charm. We had delicious pizzas: artichoke and sausage; and pesto/queso blanco/mozarella.

ONIONS are in!

Check out my garden helper, Katie. She plucked out our lovely onions!

Check out my garden helper!

Updated garden pictures....