I thank the universe every morning for the rain. The rain is slowing down so this is the time to weed!!!! It’s so EZ right now. This is a great way to stay grounded and get back into your body. Hands in the dirt, there is no better way. The rain is begging us to heal and center ourselves during this metamorphosis.
Vegetables that act like weeds, anyone can plant.
Arugula: 21 days – A true weed plant. We ate so much of this in 2001 when we found out how ez it was to grow my husband had kidney stones. Just throw the seeds they will grow if the birds don’t get them. Let some go to seed. What a fun weed to eat it’s ez to tell it’s leaf shape. I’m planning to plant these under our trampoline. Putting this weed theory to test. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Radish: 22 days – This is what I planted to show kids how things grow. My kid is not a fan but what a winner if you are nervous about gardening.
Black seeded simpson Lettuce: 28 days
Spinach: 35-40 days: Baby greens are great for smoothies. Great for shaded areas. I have these all ready to go.
Bush Beans: 49 days Another weed, let a couple go to seed and they will come back in the same place the next year. You don’t have to do a thing. People say you should plant these Jan. Feb. but every year I do it on Easter and have had success.
Just starting a small garden go vertical!
I was outside gardening and thought of two pointers for new gardeners.
When planting in a small space think vertical. Cherry tomatoes, Kale, string beans.
You think carrots would be fun but they take too much space and take forever to grow. If you have a ton of space go for it but small gardens need to be thoughtful. Kale keeps producing all year vs cabbage that will give you one head and that’s it. The nursery’s will say it’s too late for string beans but I grow them every year at this time in part shade and have done well. Grow cherry tomatoes vs Heirloom tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes are like a weed; you can’t go wrong. Heirloom tomatoes are fun if you have room but there are good and bad years. This year we all need a good year, think Sun Gold, it’s the best cherry out there and will turn you picky eaters into tomato lovers. If you want a bigger tomato our family is going back to basics we just planted Early Girl.
Weed now, it doesn’t get better than this.
Hello again
I woke up this morning after a day of gardening and realized I had this blog. Friends are asking me questions about gardening and I think I will start blogging again. As anyone who knows me will tell you I love sharing resources. As a society we are being pulled to our homes in a new way and this could be a silver lining.
So much has happened in these last 8 years, I have learned so much and life has taken me in an unexpected direction. I don’t know what to include or how I should focus this site. I will take it one day at a time. It’s the only thing we can do right now. Let’s see how this evolves.
I would like anyone who is reading this to know writing is not my thing. This will be stepping out of my comfort zone. Wish me luck.
now a 3 story beehive
Looked in and the bees are almost done building out the 2nd story. Next day went to the honey co. to buy 2 more hives. I placed one on top of the existing hive and moved a panel of honey comb to the 3rd story. I checked the next day and they are working in the 3rd story. This is an exciting time at the growing urban farm.
Day two in new home.
Still didn’t like the coop at night (feeling cooped in perhaps) but went to bed fast. Next day opened the gate and they came out for fresh water and food. I came back a couple of hours later and they were hanging out in the enclosed part of the coop. This gives me hope that they will love their coop someday soon.
I let them out for an hour to play. I watched them follow each other around. If one bird was doing something the others follow. When I was done I picked up butters and put her in the coop. She didn’t like it but the others wanted to see what she was doing and soon followed. Suckers.
Rolling in the dirt
All of them sat on my lap soaking up the sun until one would step on the others. It was a nice moment.
Butters liked to be on the towel sleeping next to me in the sun.
The move!
It was so warm, and the chicks have all their feathers, so I thought it would be a great day to go outside. We had a great time. They rolled in the dirt, eat clover, and used me as a jungle gym.
At the end of the day I couldn’t but them back in their box. They now tasted freedom. It was warm and it felt like it was time. My chicks are now hens ready for fresh air. I put them in the pen. No problem.
It was getting dark so I put them in the closed area and they freaked out. I put water and food in nesting beds. They chirped like they were under attack. I went into the house grabed sheets to keep the coop extra warm. I reread the books. This was the time, but they would chirp when they heard me wanting out. I went on line and found others with the same panic. http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=2467068
I went back out and they had fallen asleep. Reading the blog above helped me feel like they would be ok.
Tomatoes
Bought some great tomato plants at Tomatomania.
Old favorites: Sungold, Paul Robeson, Pierce Pride, Cherokee Purple.
Some new adventures: Mr. Stripey, Goldmans Italian American, Ramapo, Carmello.
Preparing this year for canning by buying some determinates: Martino’s Roma, La Roma, Taxi.
Now we need to find room for them. I uprooted some mature herb plants that were in prime sunny spots to make room for tomatoes. I dried some of the herbs to store for cooking. I also put some in pots to replant in shadier areas.
laurbanfarm 