Textured Greens

Expanding the Garden

When we bought our house 12 years ago, we started with this little raised bed made of rocks and soil (the one closest to you). We added two additional beds and the rock path a few years later.

 Last year we added a few more.

 Now that we are getting bees, we've decided to scrap the whole yard thing.  We can only grow moss and mud anyway.  We are turning much of our yard into gardens.  I'm so excited!

 We are adding more paths.

These pallets will be sawed in half to outline our new garden beds. The rocks are nice, but need to be re-stacked as the soil shifts.  I think it will look nice when it's all done.  We are looking into soil delivery and trying to figure out what to plant.  We cleared out some smaller trees and shrubs but still have to contend with limited sunlight.

How does your garden grow?

The herbs I started from seed are doing good so far.  I've never had a lot of luck with dill or cilantro, but I have high hopes this year.

 Our peas and potatoes have been growing quickly.  I really need to "hill" the potatoes - I guess that's what I will do after posting this.  If I don't do it now, it probably will never get done.

And that dark indent it the soil is a deer track, which I find in the garden beds daily.  They have yet to eat anything that I can tell.  There are so many plants around, I'm hoping that their bellies are full by the time they waltz through my yard.

I've been able to harvest some lettuce, mustard greens, and chives so far.  I could probably pull some garlic if I needed to. The melons, pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers, etc are growing, growing.  It's exciting, you know, to plant a seed and have it grow.

Staring Herbs from Seed

Normally we purchase potted herbs.  However, last year I purchased some seeds.  After planting them our chickens quickly scratched them up to use the soil for dusting themselves.  We have since designated our back yard for the chickens and do not let them free-range the entire property.

I decided to give them another try this year.  Herb seeds must be soaked for about 10 hrs prior to planting.

I'm really hoping they germinate and grow!

Marsh Marigolds

Foraging foods is a tricky business.  Edibles are normally in their prime for a few short days.  Catching plants at the right time is always a challenge.  This year we managed to forage a few Marsh Marigolds buds which grow wild in our side yard.  

The tightly closed buds can be pickled and used on salads much like capers.  The process to use the plant is pretty detailed and the warnings about not preparing them correctly is a bit off putting: consumption of raw leaves or buds without proper preparation will result in irritation and burning of the mucous membranes of the throat and nasal passages.  The poisons, once ingested, can cause vomiting, bloody diarrhea, fainting and convulsions.

Due to those warnings, we aren't sure if we are going to risk it for a few capers.  It's good to know the leaves and buds are edible after boiling the heck out of the plants.  I guess in a survival situation, I would chance it.

Spring All Around

Our brown, drab yard has awakened to the warmth of the spring sun.  The birds offer their early morning song and all is well.  Spring has sprung and it is quite lovely!

Science Project: Vegetables and Plant Growth

Science projects are always a hit around here.  Actually any project that involves "getting involved" rather than writing or studying about it ranks #1.  We are currently learning about One-celled organisms, lower and higher plants, and photosynthesis.  We will be conversing about bacterium, fermentation, and spores for the next three weeks.  This is the part of homeschooling we love.

(Turnips with their greens couldn't be found so we had to forego that veggie.  Also, we did in fact plant a beet, not beer!)

Yard Maintenance

Summer yard work is pretty laid back around here.  Since grass really only grows on one side of our house, the front "yard" is pretty easy to maintain.

I have to trim back the ivy about once a month or so to keep it from over taking the walkway and driveway.

A little weeding and its done.  Now, Autumn is a whole other story, but we won't talk about that right now.

After the Storm

 To explore this amazing planet, rich in color and mystery is a privileged we should never take for granted

 To notice the little things that make it all a mystery; the silken web, the intricate weaving of vegetation

  The coolness of freshly fallen rain water squishing between our toes

 The magic of mushrooms that seem to appear before our eyes, with color palettes chosen by the author of the the universe

 waterfalls that strum the very depths of our souls with songs of cleansing gratitude

and the fragrance of the forest, after the storm.

Expanding the Garden

Our Sage plants have pretty much taken over this garden bed.

The two smaller beds were used this year for carrots, broccoli, peas, and lettuces. I planted beets but they never grew. We removed a few limbs and small trees to try to maximize the sunlight for this area and then the Mister expanded the garden area.

There will be a stone walking path between the two beds for easier weeding and harvesting.