Thursday, April 30, 2015

Around the Garden

















Well, since I have been working in the garden for the last six weeks, I think it is time I share the progress with you. It all began with a lot of shoveling, removing the snow from the cold frame, digging out the tunnels and freeing the raised beds from their blanket of snow. Some work was done in the tunnels, amending the soil, and the cold frame was repaired after some winter damage, and then it was planting time.

The cold frame was planted first, with beets, spinach, some mixed greens, kale and Swiss chard, and as you can see it is all doing well, I anticipate maybe two, or three weeks, and I will be able to harvest some baby greens. Two weeks later one of the tunnels was planted. Many of the same seeds went in the ground, as well as some marigolds and zinnias, a little experiment on my part. I figure the tunnels function as a little green house so why not see if the seeds will germinate. I made sure the soil was warm enough, and planted a row of each. And guess what, they are sprouting! If all goes well I will have some early flowers, which makes my so very happy.

Peas have been planted, in succession, two weeks apart, and there are still two more succession plantings to do. And this past weekend one of the raised beds was planted with kale, Swiss chard, beets and more salad greens, and covered with a row cover to help with germination, and to protect the seeds and early sprouts from the chickens, who like to scratch around in my gardens.

The herbs are thriving...comfrey, motherwort, lemon balm, chives, all heal, bee balm, yarrow, nettles, peppermint, and echinacea are all sprouting and growing. And the garlic is up! There is always this little part of me that worries about the garlic, buried deep under the snow, trying to stay warm and cozy in our very cold winters, but every spring it surprises me, pushing through the ground at just the right time.

Do you remember those raspberry bushes, the ones I kept having to remind myself to cover with straw before the first snowfall, and just never got around to it, those are sprouting too, sending out new shoots that are oh so green. While I am talking about berries, the post office dropped off a delivery notice yesterday, my berry bushes are in! Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries, all waiting at the post office. I can't wait to pick them up today, and get them in the ground soon.

There are a few projects to be started around the garden. The first, an extension on the chicken coop, well, because there are new chicks on this little homestead. They arrived yesterday, and we are smitten. Eight Rhode island reds, to add to our existing flock of nine. The second project, new fencing around all the gardens. Last year we put up some quick fences when Shelby, our dog, and the chickens were doing a little digging and scratching in the beds. They were temporary, and this year we will make them permanent. The fencing is on the driveway, some old trees that were cut down a few years ago are being brought from the forest for posts, and soon no dog or chickens will be able to dig up my gardens. The third project, is to lay drip irrigation lines in all the beds. This project is something we have talked about for years, but just haven't done it. I am hoping this is the year it gets done. And the final project is preparing some of our land for a wild flower garden. I have marked the space with rocks, and once the dandelions bloom, and I have harvested what I need to make salves, the area will be covered with cardboard, manure and compost, in preparation for wild flowers next summer.

Oh, and one last exciting thing happening around here. Do you remember the new raised bed I put in at the end of last summer? The plan was that it would grow cut flowers, but that plan has changed, and it is now an asparagus bed. I have 20, two year old crowns waiting patiently to go in the ground. And the cut flowers, I am still planning to grow a lot more than I usually do, but will add them around our existing beds.

While I am busy working away in the gardens, my little man will often help, but sometimes he has other important things to do...creating beautiful mud patties, and mud pies, swinging on his swing, lazing on the hammock, playing a little music on the banging wall, or digging big holes in the sandbox. He does all of that close by, in his play space, created over the years to give him and his friends a place to run free, and wild.

So, there you have it, a little garden update. I love this time of year, the hope that comes with the beginning of a new growing season, the magic of watching a seed grow, the joy of connecting to the earth and the food we eat, it is all good stuff, really good stuff.

How are things around your garden?

48 comments:

  1. My God, I feel like we live at the North Pole! I can't believe how much your gardens are thriving and for us, we have just NOW been started to turn the gardens since they were all still frozen 6 inches down a week ago. I won't lie, I'm very discouraged right now. We are 2-3 weeks behind on everything and considering we woke to 2'C (0'C with windchill), I'm starting to worry our growing season will be greatly affected. I think I will still take a chance and start hardening off some of my frost-resistant herbs this week-end.I have also been direct sowing some of my hardier medicinals like borage, elecampane, nettle and yarrow. All the seed packets say work into soil as soon as it can be worked so here is to hoping!!!! I'm so happy your little piece of the world is on track. Keep sharing your beautful world. You give the rest of us hope!

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    1. We have had a pretty amazing spring here, and while last week was cold, the weeks before and this week have been very warm, hot actually, and has allowed me to get in the gardens. The cold frame and tunnels make a huge difference too. You wouldn't believe how warm it gets in the tunnels, it is amazing. I am tempted to actually plant some tomatoes in one, but will wait a few more weeks.

      All of the herbs that are sprouting are not new this year, they are years old, so they come up regardless of the weather, this time of year. I have not yet planted any herbs.

      Thank you. xo

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  2. Oh my your garden is going to be amazing when it all grows! I wish I had that much space to grow stuff :)

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    1. Thank you! I truly enjoy gardening, and I love this space we have created over the years. I feel so deeply rooted and connected to this land.

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  3. now I know spring has arrived. You are busy in the dirt :) Love seeing your plans and as you know I'll be excited to hear what worked and what needs to be tweaked.

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    1. Oh I have been Karen, and I am loving every minute of it. It feels so good to be out there, in the sunshine, getting my hands dirty.

      Can't wait to share it all with you again this year :)

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  4. It all looks so lovely and full of promise. I can't wait to see it all in bloom. Love those little chickies :)

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  5. Wow, wow, wow! I just adore your backyard. So much going on! We are in the planning stages of our raised beds and I am so inspired by your pictures...

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    1. Awe, thank you! We love our outdoor space, and feel like we have finally created what we have been dreaming of for a very long time. It is nice to see it all come to fruition. The only problem is, once you reach what you have been dreaming of, you dream up new things to do :)

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  6. Wow, you are going to be busy this summer eh? Looking forward to seeing all the garden updates.

    Our little plot has been cleaned up and we added some nice black earth last weekend. The raspberries that are in the full sun are starting to sprout leaves...and I'm just itching to start planting seeds.

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    1. Busy, but in a way I love. I don't consider this work, it is just part of the life we choose to lead. It is joy filled work, that feeds my soul.

      Sounds like you are well on your way to. You can get some of those cold hardy seeds in the ground now...spinach, kale, beets, salad greens, peas, radishes, they can all handle the cooler nights that we might have in the next few weeks.

      Happy gardening!

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  7. It's so great to see your garden coming to life! How do you resist ordering new chicks each Spring?! They are so adorable, Reece must be loving having them around. And yes, mud pies are of the absolute most importance and that reminds me that we need a good mud pie shelf. :)

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    1. Thanks Carlin, I can't tell you how wonderful it is to watch it all come to life :)

      Ha, we don't resist. We got our first chicks two years ago, and last spring and this spring we added to our flock :) They are so much fun, and Reece can't get enough of them. He has been looking after them since they arrived, and very well I might add.

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  8. Your garden looks great Kim! And those baby chicks..... melting my heart!

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  9. My my you have been busy in the most fabulous way! I'm afraid we're a bit behind around here, but I am trying to accept that and enjoy what we are doing, that is the point after all. The garlic is up, always a little miracle I feel, much like you. And the perennial flowers and plants are doing just great as well. This week we will do our first direct seedings of peas, carrots, and greens. No tunnels or cold frames this year, but maybe in the fall. The season just got away from us!

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    1. Why, yes I have been, and it feels so good :)

      That happens, especially with little ones around, totally understandable. Can't wait to watch your garden grow this year my friend.

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  10. Wow Kim!! Looks so good, can't wait to see it in all its glory!

    Lluisa xoxo

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    1. Thank you! I am enjoying my time in the garden so much :)

      xo

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  11. Oh ...it is so good to see your garden again!!! You have been busy...but I'm sure you loved every bit of it too. Looking forward to watching you grow great grub this year. xoxo

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    1. Oh Erica, I am enjoying it so much. It feels so good to spend my days out there, in the sunshine, working away, planting the seeds that will feed us through the summer and into the winter.

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  12. Your gardening is looking wonderful Kim, and it shows from all your hard work. We are harvesting lettuce and onions, cauliflower and broccoli, strawberries and bok choy, and the squash is starting to come in slowly. Our days and nights have been so much cooler than normal so I am hoping everything continues to produce longer. I am so excited to see the blue berries starting to change color and the fig tree has tiny figs!
    Oh, just look at those little babies, so cute. Mike wants me to hatch some babies here, but I just don't know.

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    1. Thanks Tracey. I have enjoyed every minute of that hard work :)

      Gosh, so much goodness coming in from your garden, I love how different our growing seasons are. Enjoy every bite.

      I say, go for it. Chicks are so sweet, and so much fun to have around. We sit watching and holding them for hours.

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    2. I usually hatch a batch each year, but with only three of use now I'm having a hard time using up the eggs we get from the girls already here. The babies are cute though. :)

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    3. Yes, I can see that might be a problem :)

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  13. Oh wow your garden looks amazing! And how cute and fluffy are those chicks! Our garden plans are much smaller- one bed has winter garlic onions and some old strawberry plants and badly needs weeding and the other we cleared yesterday and planted sweetcorn, spinach and rainbow chard - fingers crossed it grows!!

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    1. Thanks Carie! Good luck to you, it sounds like you are well on your way.

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  14. It's looking great Kim! We have flowers but haven't gotten any vegetables in....we usually do it from seeds but I didn't get them started this winter :-(

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    1. Thanks Jen! Well the good news is, you are just in time to hit the farmer's market to pick up vegetables ready for planting :) Sometimes life happens, and we don't get those seeds started when we should, but the farmers always do, and lucky for us they like to sell off what they don't use.

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  15. Goodness you've done so much aready. It's all looking so good and organized.
    As you know we've just put in our first raised bed but now looking at yours I'm wondering if we haven't done ours too deep? I'm going to buy some polytunnels this year too, for the first time as our growing season is so short, would you recommend starting seeds in a cold frame first?
    Expecting guests any minute now but later on tonight I'm going to pop over to Fjord Girl's for your guest post.
    Have a lovey weekend - pouring down here at the moment!

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    1. Thanks Emma. I have been working pretty much every day out there, doing little bits and enjoying all of it.

      Raised beds can be as high as you like them, no worries, I am sure they will be just fine. The row covers and tunnels work great, and I highly recommend them. If you put the tunnels up, you should be able to direct sow the seeds right in the tunnels, no problem at all.

      Hope you had fun with your guests. Happy weekend!

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  16. oh my goodness! i am in love with your space. what a perfect garden area you have!! wow! we really need some covered areas like that... our growing season is very short... and we don't ever get a lot of heat this close to the ocean. i am also swooning over your baby chicks. we are taking a break from chickens to make a few (very needed) changes. but i have baby fever over all of the sweet chicks :)

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    1. Awe, thanks Jenny. The tunnels work great for extending the season, both into the fall, and starting a little earlier in the spring, I highly recommend them.

      I can imagine it is hard taking a break from chicks. We have yet to do that, and I am sure when we do we will miss it big time.

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  17. I'm so happy you're back to gardening again! It makes you feel alive again after winter.
    Love all your garden projects! and the baby chicks! Oh how exciting! Drip irrigation will be worth it, we've talked about it too but we have awkward shaped beds and garden layout (not all pretty like yours!). I love all your season extenders! We just harvested big handfuls of arugula and radishes this week and we've got lots of baby spinach and salad greens (but I'm too put off with the pregnancy morning sickness to be interested in greens :( )
    I look forward to seeing your gardens and chickens grow! x

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    1. Thanks Isis, it feels so good, and yes, makes me feel alive after the very long and very cold winter we had.

      I am so looking forward to the drip irrigation, it will allow me time to do so many other things. We actually brought the hose yesterday, so it is going in this weekend. The season extenders have been great, and I am so happy with how well they have worked out for us.

      Oh no! So sorry you have an aversion to greens with your pregnancy. I did too, it was so hard, but once the first trimester passed I was good to go with the greens again, I hope that happens for you too.

      Take care of yourself my friend. xo

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  18. I love this time of year, too! Your garden looks great and I look forward to seeing how things will grow and your finished projects. I had planned on replacing some of the beds made out of landscaping timers with cinder blocks this spring, but other things came up and it didn't get done. Guess we'll get those done in the fall. Always something to be done in the garden and I wouldn't have it any other way. :-)

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    1. Isn't it wonderful! I truly love spring! Thank you Anke, I look forward to sharing it all.

      You are so right, there is always something to be done in the garden, and I think that it what I love about it. It is a lifetime project, and each year, we change, or add to it, as our dreams change and evolve. Always good times in the garden.

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  19. This is so inspiring, Kim! You have done so well. All if your hard work over the years has more than paid off! Out if curiosity, how much of your land do you use for your gardens? Just approximately?

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    1. Thanks Kristen. Yes, it is so nice to see all the hard work paying off, it feels good.

      Hmmmm...about 10% of our land is used for food production, and that includes the chicken run. We have about 700 square feet of garden space for food production.

      We also have quite a few perennial flower beds, about another 700 square feet, maybe even a little more.

      Hope that helps!

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  20. It's great to see how everything is sprouting and growing for you now - such an amazing change in just a few weeks! I have my courgettes, tomatoes, basil and peas coming on well...spinach and kohl rabi starting to sprout... The apricots and figs are looking good already and if the blossom is anything to go by this should be an amazing year for all the tree fruit! I so love this time of year, busy but full of promise - hope you are having a good weekend with lots of time in the garden! Xxx
    (I'm having real issues with my internet at the moment - I have had your emails and will try and get back to you once we are back online!)

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    1. It is pretty amazing, I get up each morning and walk around and am in awe :)

      Oh that all sounds so wonderful Em. Yes, busy but full of promise, exactly why I like this time of year too.

      No worries at all, as long as you got them and know the plan for the week :)

      xo

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  21. Well done on getting your beds ready! It's always such a great feeling after you get those seeds/seedlings in the soil isn't it? I love seeing all your beds fresh and ready for a new season and look forward to see more of your cold frame too... it's so intruiging to me as I live in such a hot climate we need the opposite for our summer time! Hope it's a great season for you... looking forward to watching it grow!

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    1. Thank you! It is the best feeling in the world, and right now with so much going on in the garden, we are feeling pretty darn good :)

      Thanks, and as always, I enjoy watching your garden grow too :)

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  22. So beautiful! Those little chicks are so sweet. I imagine yours are about as big as mine now! Your soil is so very wet too. Thanks for this lovely update. I imagine it feels like you would never see green again with the long winter you had.

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    1. Thanks KC! They are getting big, and enjoying their new home. We are so lucky that we have had some really great weather, so they have been outside in a little mobile pen enjoying the sunshine and free ranging. So fun!

      Yes, I had just finished all the garden work when I took the photos, and watering was one of the chores that day :)

      Not really, the wonderful thing about living in tune with the seasons is that we know they will shift. Even if one season is harsh, as our winter was, there is this knowing deep inside, that it will pass and spring will come again. It is a special kind of trust in Mother Nature.

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  23. It's looking wonderful, such an exciting time. As much as I love flowers, I love asparagus more so that sounds like a great decision and those chicks are just adorable!

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    1. Thanks Sally, there is so much excitement each day as something new sprouts, or more seeds are sown. Haha, I think it was a pretty good decision too.

      You should see the chicks now, they grow so fast. Will update next week :)

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