Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Dinner Salad
Arugula, Mixed Lettuce, French Breakfast Radish, Saxa 2 Radish...also added some onion, tomato, blue cheese, and balsamic vinegar...
Sunday, April 18, 2010
First Spring Harvest
Today I harvested the first veggies from the garden! I pulled a tender young Saxa 2 radish as well as a handful of arugula for a sandwich.
I have to say, I almost like the Saxa 2 radish better than the French Breakfast, which I've grown the past couple of years. It was not quite as spicy and was very tender. There are quite a few more red globes peeping through the soil still, so we should be enjoying radish the next couple of weeks.
The arugula is still young enough to be considered "baby" and was crunchy and spicy. So often, arugula you buy in the store can be paper-thin and tastes kind of like cardboard. Greens are one of the easiest things to grow at home, why wouldn't everyone do it?
Now that some room will be freeing up in my seed-starting trays, I've started to sow some new seeds. Earlier this week I planted five Empress of India Nasturtiums. I plan on making some very pretty salads with Nasturtium flowers this year. Earlier this week I had placed an impromptu order with Baker Creek for some flowering plants, as well as two "wild card" veggies - asparagus and rhubarb. Today I sowed all five types: Rainbow Mix Coleus, Apricot Beauty Foxglove, Parker's Variety Yarrow, Mary Washington Asparagus, and Victoria Rhubarb. I realize I'm making at least a two year commitment on the asparagus and rhubarb, but it's something I can sprout, plant, and forget about until SURPRISE! (hopefully, anyways)
In addition to planting some new seeds, I spent a lot of time outside today, both with the garden as well as with the other flower beds in our yard. I decided to plant my oregano and thyme in the raised bed, as they are both fairly hardy and should be able to withstand any lingering cold nights over the next few weeks. Once they get over the initial shock they should be quite happy to have more room to wiggle their toes - pretty boys!
My Mom had donated quite a few more plants for my beds this year and I wanted to get them all into the ground before the grind of the workweek hit. Some highlights include several Helleborus (lenten rose), standard and dwarf iris, Pulmonaria, and one of my all-time favorites, a Bleeding Heart. She also dug me a couple of Southwestern Ohio's native wildflowers, including some Spring Beauties and Dutchman's Breeches. Practically all of the plants she gave me last year have come back this spring - our soil must not be as poor as I thought. The number of worms in the moist dirt was astounding! The layer of leaves and rich soil that I spread on top must really be amending the soil. Hopefully this bed will continue to grow, spread, and naturalize.
Another nostalgic favorite for me, Lily of the Valley, are about to burst into full bloom. In my opinion, you can't find many flowers that smell better than Lily of the Valley.
Between the front beds and the newer bed that I created last year, things are starting to fill out nicely. Thank you Mom!
I have to say, I almost like the Saxa 2 radish better than the French Breakfast, which I've grown the past couple of years. It was not quite as spicy and was very tender. There are quite a few more red globes peeping through the soil still, so we should be enjoying radish the next couple of weeks.
The arugula is still young enough to be considered "baby" and was crunchy and spicy. So often, arugula you buy in the store can be paper-thin and tastes kind of like cardboard. Greens are one of the easiest things to grow at home, why wouldn't everyone do it?
Now that some room will be freeing up in my seed-starting trays, I've started to sow some new seeds. Earlier this week I planted five Empress of India Nasturtiums. I plan on making some very pretty salads with Nasturtium flowers this year. Earlier this week I had placed an impromptu order with Baker Creek for some flowering plants, as well as two "wild card" veggies - asparagus and rhubarb. Today I sowed all five types: Rainbow Mix Coleus, Apricot Beauty Foxglove, Parker's Variety Yarrow, Mary Washington Asparagus, and Victoria Rhubarb. I realize I'm making at least a two year commitment on the asparagus and rhubarb, but it's something I can sprout, plant, and forget about until SURPRISE! (hopefully, anyways)
In addition to planting some new seeds, I spent a lot of time outside today, both with the garden as well as with the other flower beds in our yard. I decided to plant my oregano and thyme in the raised bed, as they are both fairly hardy and should be able to withstand any lingering cold nights over the next few weeks. Once they get over the initial shock they should be quite happy to have more room to wiggle their toes - pretty boys!
My Mom had donated quite a few more plants for my beds this year and I wanted to get them all into the ground before the grind of the workweek hit. Some highlights include several Helleborus (lenten rose), standard and dwarf iris, Pulmonaria, and one of my all-time favorites, a Bleeding Heart. She also dug me a couple of Southwestern Ohio's native wildflowers, including some Spring Beauties and Dutchman's Breeches. Practically all of the plants she gave me last year have come back this spring - our soil must not be as poor as I thought. The number of worms in the moist dirt was astounding! The layer of leaves and rich soil that I spread on top must really be amending the soil. Hopefully this bed will continue to grow, spread, and naturalize.
Another nostalgic favorite for me, Lily of the Valley, are about to burst into full bloom. In my opinion, you can't find many flowers that smell better than Lily of the Valley.
Between the front beds and the newer bed that I created last year, things are starting to fill out nicely. Thank you Mom!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Indoors and Outdoors
It seems like it's been a while since I've done an update on what my indoor seedlings look like. To be frank, they are threatening to take over the basement, with the tomatoes leading the fight.
"Let us out already!"
"Gimme some sun!"
While we've had a really nice warm spring so far, I'm not going to take any risks by planting them too early. I want to wait at least until around May 1st. Still, it gets a little ridiculous when I'm having to pinch off flower buds from the tomato plants. Next year I'll just have to plant them a little later (if I can force myself to wait long enough).
The outdoor garden is really taking off, too. All seeds are up now: radish, beets, carrots, onions, arugula, mixed lettuce, and dill. I had a slight set-back last weekend when I woke up and saw quite a few crude holes dug into the beds. The neighbor's groundhog is alive and kicking - guess he survived another winter. I re-seeded the spots where he caused damage and decided to put my netting to good use. He hasn't touched it since. My only dilemma is whether or not I need to purchase another net - I had originally planned to use this one for the tomato and pepper bed.
Some highlights...
Dill:
European Mesclun Mix:
Arugula:
Radish (Saxa II):
Golden Beet:
"Let us out already!"
"Gimme some sun!"
While we've had a really nice warm spring so far, I'm not going to take any risks by planting them too early. I want to wait at least until around May 1st. Still, it gets a little ridiculous when I'm having to pinch off flower buds from the tomato plants. Next year I'll just have to plant them a little later (if I can force myself to wait long enough).
The outdoor garden is really taking off, too. All seeds are up now: radish, beets, carrots, onions, arugula, mixed lettuce, and dill. I had a slight set-back last weekend when I woke up and saw quite a few crude holes dug into the beds. The neighbor's groundhog is alive and kicking - guess he survived another winter. I re-seeded the spots where he caused damage and decided to put my netting to good use. He hasn't touched it since. My only dilemma is whether or not I need to purchase another net - I had originally planned to use this one for the tomato and pepper bed.
Some highlights...
Dill:
European Mesclun Mix:
Arugula:
Radish (Saxa II):
Golden Beet:
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Rainy Sunday
It's a soggy day today. Such a contrast to yesterday, which was sunny, blue-skied, and a balmy 60 degrees. My husband and I went for a nice long walk around the loop at Sharon Woods, one of my favorite parks in Hamilton County. I can tell the nice weather yesterday really gave the raised beds a chance to warm up. When I peeked on them today, quite a few more seedlings are up, including both types of radish:
French Breakfast
and Saxa 2
One thing I can say, while the black plastic of the raised beds isn't the most attractive material to look at, I can see how the black will help keep the soil warm once the sun hits it. Maybe it will give me a slight growing advantage?
My husband's mom and her partner stopped by today to drop off an early Easter gift - a beautiful glazed ceramic bird house. I love that look, the swirly rainbow iridescence of glazed clay. I've always wanted to be able to throw and glaze my own pottery ever since I took an art class in high school. Unfortunately, not a cheap hobby.
We'll have to find the perfect protected nook in our yard so we can hopefully attract a bird family (and discourage the hawk from preying on them).
French Breakfast
and Saxa 2
One thing I can say, while the black plastic of the raised beds isn't the most attractive material to look at, I can see how the black will help keep the soil warm once the sun hits it. Maybe it will give me a slight growing advantage?
My husband's mom and her partner stopped by today to drop off an early Easter gift - a beautiful glazed ceramic bird house. I love that look, the swirly rainbow iridescence of glazed clay. I've always wanted to be able to throw and glaze my own pottery ever since I took an art class in high school. Unfortunately, not a cheap hobby.
We'll have to find the perfect protected nook in our yard so we can hopefully attract a bird family (and discourage the hawk from preying on them).
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Lavender Dreams
I must be learning at least one or two new things as I continue to garden over the years, because I finally got my lavender to sprout from seed - I have two healthy looking youngsters!
I can't say that I know what exactly the trick is, but I do know that you can't have the soil too wet. It's better to have it on the dry side and to just mist every day with a spray bottle. I also think I was sowing the seeds too deep last year - surface sowing seems to be the best. Soil temperature also seems to play a part; the warmer the better.
One lonely catnip has also sprouted this week! The cats are going to have to ration their stash this year if there is only one plant...
As for the rest of the indoor garden, things are starting to explode. The tomatoes and herbs are ahead of schedule, and the eggplants and peppers are not far behind.
Look at the beautiful variegated leaves of the Purple Jalapeno:
The basil is looking fat and licoricey:
The bee balm is a lush jade green:
And in other news I have my first sprouts in the new outdoor raised beds! Both the arugula and some of the European Mesclun Mix have braved the cold weather the past few days and are poking through the earth.
Arugula:
European Mesclun Mix (maybe this is some frisee?):
When I planted this specific mix, the assortment of seeds looked like the toppings on an everything bagel - all sorts of sizes, shapes, and colors. Here's how Baker Creek describes this mix: "Flavors range from sweet-mild to sour-hot-tangy, and colors come in red, purple, yellow, and green. Colorful lettuce, radicchio, arugula, endive, orach, mizuna, kale, mustard, corn salad and more."
It's kind of a restful time right now - I just sit back, let things grow, and wait for the weather to get warm enough for more planting.
I can't say that I know what exactly the trick is, but I do know that you can't have the soil too wet. It's better to have it on the dry side and to just mist every day with a spray bottle. I also think I was sowing the seeds too deep last year - surface sowing seems to be the best. Soil temperature also seems to play a part; the warmer the better.
One lonely catnip has also sprouted this week! The cats are going to have to ration their stash this year if there is only one plant...
As for the rest of the indoor garden, things are starting to explode. The tomatoes and herbs are ahead of schedule, and the eggplants and peppers are not far behind.
Look at the beautiful variegated leaves of the Purple Jalapeno:
The basil is looking fat and licoricey:
The bee balm is a lush jade green:
And in other news I have my first sprouts in the new outdoor raised beds! Both the arugula and some of the European Mesclun Mix have braved the cold weather the past few days and are poking through the earth.
Arugula:
European Mesclun Mix (maybe this is some frisee?):
When I planted this specific mix, the assortment of seeds looked like the toppings on an everything bagel - all sorts of sizes, shapes, and colors. Here's how Baker Creek describes this mix: "Flavors range from sweet-mild to sour-hot-tangy, and colors come in red, purple, yellow, and green. Colorful lettuce, radicchio, arugula, endive, orach, mizuna, kale, mustard, corn salad and more."
It's kind of a restful time right now - I just sit back, let things grow, and wait for the weather to get warm enough for more planting.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Salamander Sighting!
Oh, I am so freaking excited right now - we went to pick up a load of soil for my new raised beds this morning, and while we were unloading the dirt, I found a Redback Salamander under one of my old pots!
You have to understand, I am a tomboy animal-lover going way back to my childhood. I was always chasing after frogs, turtles, crawdads, snakes, you-name-it. Salamanders were always very elusive - I only remember my Mom finding them in the garden once or twice. This tiny guy today was so wriggly and squirmy and plump. His froggy little face and small little webby feet had me squealing - isn't nature amazing? And beyond the simple coolness of it, I have also read that the presence of animals such as frogs, toads, and salamanders is an indicator of a healthy environment. Granted, we don't live in a nature preserve, but it's nice to know that our neighborhood is healthy enough to support these little guys.
Once the raised beds were all filled with soil, I made sure to place him in one so that he could get out of the sun and into some soft wet dirt. I'm naming him Sammy - hopefully he will bring good luck to the garden this year!
I'm excited about the soil I decided to go with. It's a mixture of topsoil, peat moss, manure, mushroom compost, and sand. Originally I was hoping to mix my own soil from a recipe my uncle in Pennsylvania sent me (equal parts peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite), but our budget and my time both came up a little short. This was a very affordable alternative, and the soil looks nice and rich.
After we topped off each bed with soil, I proceeded to sow my early spring veggies:
The garden has finally taken the leap from the indoors to the great outdoors!
You have to understand, I am a tomboy animal-lover going way back to my childhood. I was always chasing after frogs, turtles, crawdads, snakes, you-name-it. Salamanders were always very elusive - I only remember my Mom finding them in the garden once or twice. This tiny guy today was so wriggly and squirmy and plump. His froggy little face and small little webby feet had me squealing - isn't nature amazing? And beyond the simple coolness of it, I have also read that the presence of animals such as frogs, toads, and salamanders is an indicator of a healthy environment. Granted, we don't live in a nature preserve, but it's nice to know that our neighborhood is healthy enough to support these little guys.
Once the raised beds were all filled with soil, I made sure to place him in one so that he could get out of the sun and into some soft wet dirt. I'm naming him Sammy - hopefully he will bring good luck to the garden this year!
I'm excited about the soil I decided to go with. It's a mixture of topsoil, peat moss, manure, mushroom compost, and sand. Originally I was hoping to mix my own soil from a recipe my uncle in Pennsylvania sent me (equal parts peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite), but our budget and my time both came up a little short. This was a very affordable alternative, and the soil looks nice and rich.
After we topped off each bed with soil, I proceeded to sow my early spring veggies:
- Radish (Saxa 2 and French Breakfast)
- Beet (Cylindra and Golden)
- Carrot (St. Valery and Red Core Chantenay)
- Evergreen Onion
- Arugula
- European Mesclun Mix
- Dill
The garden has finally taken the leap from the indoors to the great outdoors!
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