All in the family

I learned today that Fenugreek is in the pea family.  I neighbored it up with the hyacinth bean vine that is to shape the vine tepee.

I was a bit distressed to discover that they are spraying outside today.  I was told it was done regularly, but there is something about my tiny new shoots and the seeds I've only recently planted being faced with the presence of 'the spray' that sends a shiver of dread right through me.  I try not to let it linger as I don't want my wee little greenies to be afraid.  I think how glad I am of the fence and how, to an extent, I can keep them safe and raise them as I see fit from within it.

This morning, according to the Biodynamic calendar, we transitioned from a leaf day to a fruit day.  After watering all my plants, I set about the task of cutting up the red pepper that has been slowly drying on my counter for weeks.  I separated a section of the seeds and when fruit time rolled around, started them in some of the as yet empty seed containers.

I was surprised and delighted when looking over the pots that remain dormant, that in fact, my oregano had begun to sprout!  Such iddy-bitty sprouts.  Next year when I plant my herbs I hope to have dedicated pots in which to start each.  I hesitate even now to think of transplanting them, some seem to have sprouted right along the edge of the pulp pot - without regard for or need for soil!  On the other hand, at this early stage, I wonder if their roots would ever be strong enough to work their way through the pulp pot were I to plant it whole into a larger container.  I suppose I may be underestimating the oregano and I should simply soak the pulp pot when I do transfer it.  Any advice on the matter would be welcome.

Whirly-gigs

I came home at lunch today, late in the afternoon.  I hadn't been home long when I heard a loud banging on the side of the house.  I went out to discover the maintenance man raising a ladder to the roof.
I greeted him and asked what he was up to today.  He informed me that with the maples dropping their seed pods, the gutters were getting clogged and that this was the last one to be cleaned out.  I thanked him for his efforts and went back inside to see about lunch.

I left the sliding glass door open, but closed the screen, to let fresh air in, but also to keep an ear out as he was working on the roof... just in case.  I quickly had to close the glass door though as hundreds of whirly-gigs fell from above, along with dust and whatever else had been settled into the gutters.

He couldn't have known how much care I took in cleaning out my beds the day before, or in sweeping, not just the patio, but even the stones of my garden.  I was a bit alarmed, but thankful, when he entered the back gate and with a leaf blower, cleared the majority of the gutter mess from my steps and patio.

Note to self:  next year, get a smaller gauge netting with which to cover the beds... but in any case, count on the invasion of the whirly-gigs!

Support

A very exciting day in the garden!

This morning as I made my rounds watering, I noticed that one of the rascally squirrels had decided that one of my seed potatoes belonged on the fence, rather than in my compost.


It pleased me greatly today to welcome two friends to my home for the first time and into my garden!


They came bearing gifts of left-over materials from the raised bed and gardens they had constructed last year.  They also brought tools for cutting boards and trellises to size, hooray!



See how we were able to put these resources to good use?

They even helped me plan out how to over-lap the pieces and drill them so that they inter-link and will be stronger when I screw them in-place.  It felt very much like a larger version of lincoln logs and with the nostalgic, child-hood reference, it couldn't help but be a happy task!

I really like the look of one bed along the fence and one along the house.  I am hoping that the bed along the fence will at least get some morning light and perhaps even a little through the boards of the fence.

I would be remiss not to mention the activity in the front yard.  In the past couple of days the daffodils and crocuses have graced us with a beautiful display!

Though my yard is small, I anticipate being able to get the most out of it by maximizing the use of my vertical space!  One more look before calling it a day!

Seeds of Hope

I love mornings!  Each one seems to being some new hope.  If there can be hope for the day, well, then we might as well extend it beyond as well, mightn't we?  All we really have power to affect is THIS moment, now.  For me, a morning moment is a hopeful one.

Sunlight is streaming in through the kitchen i.e. greenhouse, window.  The seedlings are stretching up from their respective pots to greet it in a loving exchange.  After a week of rain, the sun encourages growth of all kinds.  I know I will need to provide supportive structures for my peas that have just this morning veered from their directly vertical path, leaning in search of additional support.  I have thought them so steadfast 'til now, yet here they show me that they too are vulnerable and it reminds me that I must get to work if I am to be a good steward of them!

The rains have significantly compacted the soil and where another trip to the city compost pile was already necessary, it is even more so now.

Now to the business of the morning:
Today is a leaf day. A number of herbs will find their start in this day.  Basil, Oregano - Italian, Parsley - moss curled, and chives. Coffee grounds went into compost.  Ah!  And lest I forget, the Thai Basil, given to me by my ex-roommate, who was herself, Thai!

The seeds of a hopeful morning have been sown, now empowered thusly with the peace of things well begun, I enter my day!

Curious Questions of Gardening and Nutrition

Yesterday I was reading up on some of the most common garden pests and what to do about them.
In preparing rocks for my garden I encountered ants, spiders, termites, roaches *shudder*, snails, slugs, worms, larvae, and pill bugs galore.  Now some of these pose no threat, others I'm delighted to encourage, but I know for a fact that snails and slugs in particular can wreak havoc on a garden.  I found several forums discussing these critters and methods for discouraging or disposing of them.


My head was full with these ideas as just this morning I turned my attentions to my studies on nutrition, most recently focused on the ideas of eating for one's blood type, alkalizing the body, and cultivating a diet similar to that of what cavemen once ate.  In these studies it was encouraged that people of my blood type incorporate escargot into their diet.  Hmm.  Escargot is the fancied-up name for snails.  How similar are snails to slugs I wondered... and if there's such an abundance of them in my garden, perhaps there's another, obvious solution?  


I did a little research and am sharing what I've found with you. Bon appetit!

http://farmingfriends.com/can-you-eat-garden-snails/

http://witzl.blogspot.com/2008/06/how-can-i-eat-slugs_04.html

Through the Garden Gate...

I dreamt last night that as I walked along a path, I spotted a cluster of Passion Flower blooms, growing in the shade of a tree.  I was speechless and in awe to have encountered such a treasure, as in the waking day before, I had wished to incorporate some into my garden.  I once had a friend who so lovingly cultivated these flowers and the sight of them in one of the garden books I've been pouring over lately brought back such sweet memories of this friend, with whom I have since lost contact.  Finding these flowers in my dream gave me the bittersweet thrill of encountering a long-lost friend.  I gathered some of the spent blooms, in hopes of bringing the seeds as well, back to my own little garden space.

It is with this same thrill that I hope others encounter this blog.  A place to rekindle, or simply discover, a kinship with growing things in the cultivated spaces in our lives. Experience the peace brought about by feeling the connection to the elements in our environment, be they plant or person, weather or woodsong.  Welcome to my Garden!