April's Garden

I wanted to list out everything I have started so far to keep a record.  So here it is!

In seed trays, about 8 cells each:

Started 3/27, under lights
Broccoli
Cabbage
Red Onion
Yellow Onion
Leek
Parsley
Chive

In one pot each:

Started 4/9, keeping in sunlight
Tarragon
Chive
Scallion
Thyme
Rosemary from last year

In the ground:

Garlic - 57 plants
Lettuce Mix (4/9)
Strawberries - Bed from last year

The warmer weather plants I'll start later this month, I don't really feel any rush.  I did want to get the herbs started because I feel like they'll mostly do pretty well in the spring.  I keep finding pots hiding here and there and I'm so tempted to plant something in them!

 I need more green in my life!

Expanding the Garden

I've been trying to figure out how I can expand the garden to be more of an expanse of space rather than a few beds scattered here and there.  I guess my goal would be for it to have a chateau-like feel.  While reading one of my favorite magazines, Mother Earth News, I happened upon a photo of the garden at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's house.  Inspiration struck!  I now have an idea of how and where I'd like to expand...

Inspiration photo:

My rudimentary drawing of where my new garden will be.  These were taken around 3pm on 4/8/13.  I'm trying to figure out which trees will need to come down (in addition to all of the brush and trees in the direct area) to maximize the sun.

Another view:

Let the garden games begin!

Spring Begins!

It's officially spring here in New England and we've started the long process of beautifying our yard.   Since our driveway isn't paved we need to rake the rocks back in after the plow pushes them out, probably the task my husband hates the most.  He's also working on the "park" area that he's trying to create in the paddock.  I've started some seeds upstairs in the spare bedroom and our garlic looks amazing!  We had 100% germination with 57 plants.  Here are some photos:


It doesn't look like much, but heres where Mark cleared out a lot of brush.  Then said brush was burned!

Burning piles of brush - gotta get it cleared out!  Thanks to my father-in-law for helping out:

Buds! Finally...

Beautiful garlic:

Full view.  Has some pine needles mixed in - my nemesis! Grr...

Monkey looking out of her paddock:

Crocus flowers in the front yard:

My seedlings.  They've started to get a little leggy so I consulted the best gardener I know, my dad, and he told me to transplant them and cover them up to the leaves.  I did that today and I fear I may have killed more than a few of these little guys.  We will see!

Spring Plans 2013

There's hope to be had here on the farm that the Spring season might be just around the corner.  Since I don't have the excuse of either (a) it being my first time gardening or (b) being pregnant, I'm really feeling the pressure to have a great garden this year.  Here's what I'm planning:

Herb Garden:

- Italian Basil
- Lime Basil
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Chives
- Dill
- Sage
- Mint
- Thyme

Tomatoes:

- Heirloom
- TBD
I'd like to have at least 10 plants...Planning to eat a whole bunch and to do some canning with my dad.

Others:

- Shallots
- Leeks
- Storage Onions
- Corn
- Carrots
- Mixed Baby Lettuce
- Cucumber
- Fennel
- Garlic
- Wax Beans
- Green Peppers

If I'm being honest I probably don't have the room for all of this quite yet.  I guess I should also plan to add another bed or two.  I also might be trying the Self-Watering grow system from Larry Hall (see his videos here).  My dad did it last year with a few things and it was amazing.

A few recent photos:

Happiness:

Blissfully happy dog (she just looks mad!)

Paws!

Winter white sunset:

February Excitement!

This February has brought us the biggest blizzard of my lifetime, my first successful baking attempt, new soap, and a little baby who can stand up on her own!  A photographic tour...


The side of our driveway:

A pre-blizzard photo

Back deck looking out:

Front yard today:

Apres-storm sunset...

Watching Dad plow

A beautiful dog!  Couldn't help myself - I had to include this one...

A view out the front door

Blueberry Soap

New soap display for my upcoming craft fair:

New Orleans style King Cake for the Superbowl

A 7 month old with attitude!

Watching, waiting and plowing

We've been all caught up in the frenzy that is Winter Storm Nemo all day. Our house seems to be in what we call the "vortex" of all snowstorms because we seem to get more snow than even our nearby neighbors. My husband is out plowing right now and has already shoveled our deck a few times, trying to keep up with it. It seems like we have about 6-8 inches right now at 6:45pm.
It's exciting to finally have a bit of real winter!

New book