Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Around the Garden







Bare feet on the ground, hands in the earth, a smile on my face. Yes, I am a happy lady these days. Time spent outside in the sunshine, working in the garden while a certain little man runs around in the yard laughing and playing...these are good days indeed.

The raised beds are slowly being planted. Tomatoes are in, as well as butternut squash, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers and cantaloupe. The garlic is looking great and the strawberries are full of lovely little white flowers and will soon bless us with juicy red berries. Seeds have been sown...snow peas, green and yellow bush beans, salad greens, beets, Swiss chard and kale and I will continue to sow more over the next few weeks.

We are experimenting this year with the no dig method for growing potatoes. Fingers crossed it works out well. A few raspberry bushes and a blueberry bush were planted in front of the chicken run, far enough away that the chickens can't reach the berries from the run. The medicinal and culinary herb garden is doing well and already adding a little flavour to our meals. And slowly, as the seeds sprout, the beds are getting mulched.

The gardens bring more than food to our plates, they bring joy to our days, connect us to the earth and more importantly our land and fill us with gratitude for the beauty and food they offer us. The time spent tending to our little piece of this earth grounds me and brings peace to my days.

How are things around your garden?

24 comments:

  1. Wow! Kim, you have a Martha Stewart garden. The attention to detail and lay out are so beautiful. Such a zen space! I love it. :)

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  2. The gardens look beautiful and I love the chicken home! We have no garden this year since we are moving which is a tad bit sad but my father grows a big garden and we will join time there as soon as we get settled near them. I will live vicariously through you!

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    1. Thanks so much Kathleen. That is great you will be able to help our with your dad's gardens once you get settled in your new home. And just think of all the planning you can do for next year :)

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  3. Your garden looks so peaceful Kim. What a lovely spot. And so many wonderful things already growing!
    I am missing my NS garden but have planted a few beds here. Crossing fingers they survive the heat and trying to keep them watered. Watering daily is a new concept for me all over again.
    Thanks for sharing your beautiful garden!

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    1. Awe, thanks Dawn. We do love it here. I can just imagine how much you are missing it, such a different experience for you gardening now. Good luck with the gardens, hope they survive the heat.

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  4. Our spinach and our lettuce is sprouting and I think this weekend or next will be the tomatoes, peppers and whatever catches our fancy! Your garden looks spectacular and I hope your potatoes work out :)

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    1. Thanks, me too! And just saw a little peek of your lettuce and spinach, exciting!

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  5. Oh, Kim - I can't even tell you how much I love your gardens! Every little bit of them. Simply amazing...

    We are slowly getting things in the ground here as well. We were looking forward to a day today with George not working to get outside - and it's been pouring rain since we got up! The rain is supposed to slow in a few hours so here's hoping we get a bit of time in, anyway... xo

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    1. That is so kind of you Meghann, thanks so much.

      I hope the rain let up for you. It has been raining here all day too, I was happy to see it though perfect timing for all the planting we did on the weekend.

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  6. i've not heard of the no dig method for potatoes. i am intrigued. we are mainly growing herbs, greens, beans and tomatoes. thanks to these spring rains things are thriving.

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    1. I hadn't either until a few weeks ago and we decided to give it a try. Happy to hear all is well in your garden :)

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  7. What a wonderful look into your world! I echo the sentiments of all when I say how beautiful all looks :) So much so that I just made my entire family get up from their comfy perches and come view the photos! We have a long we to go but are so inspired but your shares today (awesome video on the potatoes!) My husband is wondering if animals are a problem getting into the gardens ~ we have rabbits and deer that seem to like to nibble.

    I hope you will keep us updated as the season progresses!

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    1. Awe, thanks so much, I am glad you like it. That is a great video, I just hope my potatoes turn out as well as his did :)

      We have not had a problem with animals yet. We are in the country, but our property is completely fenced in. We have had the odd deer in the yard, and rabbits are common, but usually get scared away by the dog. We are thinking we might have to put up something though as our chickens have been frequenting the newly planted beds when they are out roaming :)

      Yes, I will keep you updated. Might be a weekly post or maybe bi-weekly, we will see how things go :)

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  8. Love the use of the logs! I put some junk wood in my raised beds and in the hugelbeds to act as a sponge for water. Amazing you can get so much done with a little one running around!

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    1. Thanks.

      Ha, it isn't as fast going as it might look. It is definitely a lot slower gardening now than it was 5 years ago. We just go with the flow. Sometimes the little man is busy playing and I try and get as much done as I can. Other times he wants me to push him on the swing and so I do, leaving the gardening for another time. There are still things waiting to be planted, weeding to be done, mulching, and so on. It never ends, I just take the time when I can get it.

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  9. oh my goodness, your garden looks amazing! i love the area near the chicken run/coop. wonderful set up you have there, no wonder you are a happy woman. :)

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    1. Thank you! Yes, a happy woman for now. I still have projects floating around in my head...it is never ending :)

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  10. So envious of your garden! It's gorgeous!

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  11. I am absolutely in love with your gardens. Wow, so impressive and beautiful. I always turn the computer toward E to let him admire as well. :)

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    1. Thank you Sara, we do love them and so enjoy working on them. Glad E gets to take a peek too :)

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