Diggin' in the dirt

Being on Stay at home Order  and time on our hands we have had the chance to get out in the garden  and get it ready for 2020.

All the rows have been amended, planned and designated for the season ahead.

Sunny faces....

Just make me "HAPPY"

Strawberry Blonde Sunflowers...these beauties have been in bloom for about a week and are sprinkled throughout the garden....I  just love them!!!

Time to Harvest Garlic

The heat of Summer and the middle of July marks the time for us to pull and harvest Garlic... Yellow tops are a telltale sign! If you wait to long, your bulbs will start to open up.

We sourced our garlic bulbs from Grey Duck Garlic last fall. We chose Georgian Crystal,Bogatyr, and Chesnok Red. 

Their bulbs were amazing! 

They arrive big, clean, and clearly labeled. 

The Grey Duck Garlic Farm is located in Moscow, ID. 

While my garlic didn't get as big as I would have liked, it is beautiful. 

Looks like I will be doing more amending to the soil for the Garlic rows this Fall.

Garlic has been cleaned, labeled, and hung on the drying rack in the shed to dry.

I spy with my little eye....

They think they're being sneaky...but I can see them hiding under there!!!

Blanching and Freezing the Harvest

Peas have been picked, shelled, blanched and now placed in the freezer. It really puts it into perspective on how much work goes into a bag a peas,  most people take for granted running to the store and buying a bag of frozen peas for $ .99 

The work is worth it, and knowing where your food comes from, just makes it that much more tasty!

First one of the Season

The little Tiny Tim tomato plant in the greenhouse is loaded with blossoms and loads of green tomatoes. It's just starting to ripen fruit...I have been patiently waiting to eat  the first home grown tomato of 2014. It was worth the wait ;-)

Transplanting Onion starts

 Life seems to be picking up speed at a rapid rate these days, so much going on with family and work... I sometimes wonder where I will find the time to garden...

My heart finds peace in the garden...I must find the time to make it happen!

This afternoon, I found a little time to get the onion starts out.

I used the new square foot planting boards Troy made.... and I love them!!!!

Setting a straight line and then using the planting board, sure made the job a whole lot easier.

 Approximately 150 Ailsa Craig onions planted down the row.The Singing Heart Surprise starts are doing quite well, I sure hope it's not a weed...Time, will tell!

 I transplanted them into an old wine barrel this afternoon, in order to keep them contained until I can figure out what the heck they are!

Happy Plants = Happy Me!

Even though the greenhouse isn't 100% ready... We wasted no time at all,  filling it up!

All the trays were taking over our tiny house, it feels good to get the house back in order and get the starts set out in the greenhouse. 

I'm happy.....plants are happy!

Let the planting begin...

It was high time to clean the seed trays and get the planting under 

way for 2014. 

Playing in the potting soil and making blocks for the Ailsa Craig 

onion seeds. 

Loving the opportunity to get my hands dirty :-)

I found the secret to making perfect soil blocks is using a pretty wet mix. Pressing against a solid surface while

releasing from the mold. This makes a perfect block every time!

After seeds are planted in the blocks... I add a little vermiculite for a 

light cover and keep those tiny seeds in place.

with a variety of seeds...

A mixed tray of  lettuce and spinach was started as well.

What have you got started for your gardens this year

Best Laid Plans...looking ahead to my 2014 vegetable garden

As the snow falls softly and quietly around the house, 

  I am thankful to be tucked inside by the fire... 

  Planning and preparing for this years vegetable garden. 

Planting begins this month... I can't wait to play in the dirt again!!!

Sunshine

 On the home front, the snow is finally starting to disappear...Today was a beautiful sunny day...

The perfect time to head out to the garden...

The Garlic has finally peaked  their heads up, to greet Spring.

Last October, I decided instead of cleaning the garden out, I would just let the last remains... compost where they lay.

 Here is a couple of shots of the garden before the snow came in October.

and, here is a shot of the garden this afternoon...

 Clean up will be a snap!

Little Sprouts

This week....Little sprouts are popping up here, 

there,

and.....everywhere!

So much so, that we ran out of room under the grow lights. The onion sprouts got booted into the cold frames.

We have been taking extra precautions and covering the tender babies with a sheet at night, for added protection against the hard frosts we have been having...

So far, so good!

Seed Starting 2013

In our not so big house... seed starting 2013 has begun. With only the foundation of the green house in, the living room will have to do for now.

we have started most of our cold weather crops in soil blocks.

 early Spanish onions have sprung up in a flash...the Ailsa craigs were planted on the same day and are showing no signs of breaking the surface.

Early Italian and Ailsa Craig Onions were planted on March 11

Planted On Saturday March 16th....

Kale
Purple Cabbage
Light Blue Delphiniums
Golden Acre Cabbage
Four Seasons Red, Tom Thumb, and Forellenschluss Lettuce
Spinach
Broccoli
Leeks
Basil
Parsley

This past weekend the garden finally melted out and peas should be planted very soon.

Who says you can't garden in the snow

Sunday was absolutely beautiful....what a difference sunshine makes! It feels like forever, since I've seen the sun shine that brightly across my snowed in garden.

I decided it was high time to tromp my way across the back yard and see what has been sleeping beneath the snow.

diggin' in a blanket of snow.

A buried treasure would be found!

Jerusalem artichokes, also called Sun Roots, Sun Chokes, and earth apples.

a modest, 2 lb. harvest that is a welcomed treat!