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.

Planting in February

After days of rain, the Sun finally decided to peak out...It was beautiful and abnormally warm for this time of year.  I took advantage of the weather and planted a few garden goodies, pushing the limits and testing seed hardiness for my growing zone.. 

Who says you can't garden in the Winter?

Radish seeds are amazing. After soaking, these little guys unfolded overnight and begged to be put in the dirt. 

The main garden is still under snow, but the soil in the greenhouse is totally workable.

I also planted a few squares of beets in the greenhouse too.

White Sugar beets were planted in one of the cold frames. The seeds are covered with vermiculite to make it easier to identify seeds from the weeds. There are a few Spinach and lettuce starts in this frame as well, and they should really take off after February 15th.,  when the daylight hours are up to 10 hrs. again.

First Green Bean Harvest of the Season

Dinner tonight, included fresh harvested Green Beans from the greenhouse.

Sneaking Spuds

To sneak.... or not to sneak?

I just couldn't help myself... 

Had to sneak out a few baby red potatoes, for creamed  potatoes and peas. One of my all time favorites for dinner!

Removing Suckers

Do you remove suckers from your Tomato plants? Or, do you just leave well enough alone? 

This year, I am removing the suckers for the first time... We will see,  if it makes a noticeable difference or not. 

Speaking of suckers, I found a yucky Tomato Worm on my plant today and it sure  made a tasty snack for the chickens! 

Looks like I will be on the look out  for more!

Weekly garden view

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.

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!

Indian Glass Gem Corn

The Indian glass gem corn is starting to shoot up..as the old saying goes....Knee high by the 4th of July! We checked on the 4th. and sure enough, it was well over our knees. I didn't plant any sweet corn this year, as I just haven't had the best of luck growing it.

I saved space in this bed to hopefully start a row of Winter veggies that will be covered with a low tunnel. This garden doesn't have deer fencing surrounding it, so what ever I plant there....is at my own risk!

One down!

One down....many more to go! 

It's hard to believe this little creature could be so destructive in the garden. 

Huckleberry Pickin'

One of the things we look forward to all year...Huckleberry pickin' time! 

The boys enjoyed the first ripe berries of the season today!

After the rain

Enjoying the small things today....Sometimes we are so busy trying to contain, shape and control our gardens, that it's nice to slow down and take notes from Mother Nature. 

After weeding the garden and battling the gophers..I took a little time to walk around the property after the rain. We often overlook daisies...taking them for granted. They grow anywhere, simple yet persistent and tenacious. 

Along the path through the woods... Johnny's have jumped up little and proud!

Along the way, an unexpected surprise... A Mountain Lady Slipper Orchid!

and.... I have surely found the place where the fairies dance!

Little pink tinker bells everywhere!

Collecting Scapes

We planted 4 varieties of garlic last fall... One variety is early and has already started to yellow on the tips, 

and the hardneck variety has sent up scapes. The garlic scapes can be harvested when young and tender. They are considered to be a culinary delicacy.

I like to collect the scapes and dehydrate them...They will be ground down into our homemade garlic powder and garlic salt blend.

I spy........ Beans!

It sure didn't take long for the October Beans to pop up and stand to attention, after they were soaked and  pre sprouted 18 days ago.

Pea Blossoms

Both pea varieties that we planted in April are reaching and sprawling up the fence. The Alaska variety has set blossoms, while Cascadia have yet to bloom. Both are open pollinated heirlooms.

With the difference in bloom times...I can be certain that they will not cross pollinate.

Game on Gopher

Game on Gopher ......This means war!

First Harvest

This morning was our first harvest of the season.... These delicious beauties didn't last long!

Coffee Date in the greenhouse

I love Sunday mornings..

Sunday mornings in the greenhouse with my honey and a cup of coffee is even better! A great way to start my Mother's Day!

I think our North Idaho, Vitamin D deprived bodies have been craving sunshine....The greenhouse is the perfect happy place to enjoy each others company ...My heart is HAPPY!

We took a few moments to enjoy the the peace of Sunday morning before we were off and running! 

Today was set aside, to get yard work done at the soap shop, hauling wood, and helping Nana & Papa get their garden tilled.  A busy day indeed!