Garden 2013 wk 1

It's hard to believe it's that time again, but I'm very excited that it is.
Spring is in the air!  I know it isn't official yet, but it sure feels like it.

pea seedlings

This is actually wk 2 for my 2013 garden.  A week ago I planted several seeds and this week they have sprouted.  Tomato seeds and peas are going strong.  It's amazing each time I plant a seed, to see how God brings it forth.

tomato seedlings

Last week I also ordered some seeds and they arrived today...  

seeds from Gurney's and Baker Heirloom seeds

pepper seeds, more tomato seeds, borage, carrots, okra, mesclun, leaf lettuce, echinacea, stevia, mustard seeds, cress, parsnip, and cantaloup.  I'm still waiting for my plants: kiwi, grapes, raspberries, goji berries, lemon grass, strawberries, and an olive tree.

Since we are still living with a friend, I am still having to think and garden with transporting my garden in mind.  I've planted 4 raspberry bushes already, a strawberry/lettuce pallet, and I planted a few herbs and Swiss Chard.

rosemary, oregano, parsley

Swiss Chard

rosemary, thyme, cilantro

strawberry/lettuce pallet

I'll be doing another strawberry pallet since I'm awaiting 25 more strawberry plants.  I actually have 3 more pallets and I am trying to figure out what to do with the other 2.  I know I'll figure it out, but right now my mind is blank.  I've got a ton of pots and I've laid out 2 cinder block gardens that I plan to dismantle because they are temporary and I don't feel like breaking them down to move them later, plus where they are will be completely shaded in a couple of months and there isn't much I am growing that will grow in full shade..  So I'll arrange everything to be in pots.  I also purchased 2 55 gallon barrels that I'll cut in half and turn into 4 separate garden beds.  I'll get pics of those later.

I have access to the most amazing compost and some year old wood chip mulch.  I'll be gardening in pots using the Back to Eden method.  The movie is a must see and really makes you change your perspective on gardening.  I wish someone had shown me this method 12 years ago, but I'm thankful to know it now.  It's also because of this method that I know God does not have it in mind for me to take Master gardener classes.

When I'm blessed once again with land, I'll be using the Back to Eden and Square Foot gardening methods simultaneously. 


A couple of weeks ago I went to a friends and helped her get her garden prepped....

Rich black compost

wood chip mulch added on top of compost

When I look at her first garden plot (she's planning several more beds on their 2 acres), I see what I am hoping for.  The only difference will be that my beds will consists of many, many square foot garden beds using the Back to Eden method for growing in.
 
I'm excited and anticipating great things!!!

What are you planning for your spring planting?  I do want to encourage those with small spaces, living in apartments or renting homes that won't allow them large plots of land for gardening.  You can ALWAYS use pots.  You may only be able to grow one or two things, but that is one more thing you are growing and one less thing you are buying.  So plant away!!!!

Tasha

The Newest Additions...

Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Amish Style Apron

To my kitchen!!!!!  I have been needing new pots for a long time and as I researched what type I wanted, I settled on cast iron.  I will SLOWLY replace one pot at a time with cast iron.  I was able to get this 5 qt dutch oven and will most likely get another one, a couple of 3 qt pots, a 1.5 qt sauce pot, a roaster, and a corn cob mold.  Of course, this will be over a period of time, but they will all eventually be replaced.  I also went to a local Amish store and purchased all of my herbs for the fall season...way less expensive, and as I was standing at the register, the young woman standing there had on the most beautiful apron.  It was the exact type I had been searching for for about a year and a half or two.  I could not believe my eyes.  I asked her if she made it and she said yes, I made the others hanging in the back as well.  Now HOW did I miss eyeing those?  I couldn't tell you, maybe I was so engrossed in finding all the spices I had on my list.  At any rate, I rushed to the back and looked at those available and found one that I loved!!!!  Of course there were many others I liked equally as well, but that would have been way out of my budget.
I hope to draft a pattern from this one and make several more for various holidays.  However, THIS is the pattern and style I like beyond all the others I've seen.
I'll be choosing to wear this one over the other two I have.  I wonder if I should gift those to someone because I seriously doubt I'll wear them again.
Anyone in or near an Amish community that can snag a pattern for this style?  You slip your arms and head in and this particular one has ties at the waist in the back.  I simply adore it.

Yep, it's the simple things that make this girl happy!!!