From the Garden

Pansies, Anyone?

2009-06-11T02:36:00.000-07:00

Everything about a garden doesn't always go as planned. Things bloom when they feel like it, not at all or even, in some instances, when you think they're dead.

These pansies? Should have been annuals, and should have never made an appearance in this year's garden. I figured that after the long, cold winter they were surely goners.

Apparently they had a different idea. And I'm glad, because they are truly breath-taking!

Unfortunately the poppies I planted last year, and expected to see this spring, croaked. I am sorely disappointed but realize it's all part of the gardening adventure. Besides, how can anyone be unhappy when the pansies are so pretty? Hmm?

Any unexpected news from your garden?

Take a Whiff!

2009-06-10T02:17:00.000-07:00

I so wish this was a smell-o-vision blog. I'd love it if you could get a whiff of some of the things we've got growing around here.

Just a quick peek...

This Greek oregano smells heavenly. Every time I water it I want to rush right out and buy a pizza!

Note to self: Weed onion patch today. While weeding, enjoy the subtle aroma.

The cabbages are growing so quicklly! They don't smell like cabbage yet, but when Hubby walks by them he smiles, nods and says, "Oh yeah... I can smell the corned beef and cabbage already."

How are things growing--and smelling!--in your garden?

Fruit Update

2009-06-08T04:01:00.000-07:00

We've kept a close eye on the fruit trees, shrubs and vines. With three late-season frosts, I worried they might be adversely affected. Fortunately my fretting was unnecessary. Everything looks to be just fine!

It's too early to know for sure just how many grape clusters

the vines will produce.

They look promising, though.

Once again, we're going to have a bumper crop of blueberries!

Hubby is over the moon about the cherry trees.
Last year there were precious few cherries.

This year?
It looks like we'll be eating cherries every day!

Found!

2009-05-30T01:16:00.000-07:00

Yes, I found ivy geraniums. Now we've got pots hanging around the yard and they look so festive!

Geraniums come in so many colors that there's sure to be one for nearly anyone's taste. Me? I'm partial to the hot pink varigated flowers on this variety but I don't play favorites. I picked up red, pink and wine colored flowers...like I said, it's looking pretty festive around here!

Feathered Friend

2009-05-29T01:13:00.000-07:00

Isn't this red-throated grosbeak sweet?

Seen and Heard

2009-05-28T02:40:00.000-07:00

Okay, not "heard" exactly, but certainly seen. I've yet to take photos but I wanted to give you a quick update on the activity in my little greenhouse.

Everything has sprouted, and is growing like crazy. The tomatoes are getting nice, strong stems and there are a few flowers on some of the pepper plants. The zucchinis and cukes are rambling. A flat of yellow marigolds has pushed the clear top off and are leaning toward the windows.

In a nutshell, everything is begging to be planted!

So Sweet!

2009-05-26T10:08:00.000-07:00

I love lilac time.

I wish you could smell these!

Adios

2009-05-25T02:28:00.000-07:00

The last of the tulips. I do hate to see them go. But, on the bright side, do you see the peonies behind them? It won't be long before the peonies will be in bloom. Then the yard will smell heavenly!

Oh, take no notice of those yellow things in front of the tulips. They're dandelions, I know. But hey, I may need more for my dandelion wine experiment, so they're staying for now. Just think of them as another variety in the spring flower collection, okay? Thanks!

Appetizing

2009-05-23T02:23:00.000-07:00

I wish you could have been right beside me when I snapped this shot yesterday. The air was thick with the aroma of oregano, basil and sage. I leaned close and sniffed the lavender, then the rosemary.

Then, I was so hungry I headed for the pizzeria. Who knew there were so many calories in a greenhouse run?

They're Here!

2009-05-21T02:18:00.000-07:00

You know what this means, don't you?

That's right. It won't be long before we're picking strawberries from the strawberry patch.

I love strawberries--almost as much as I love cannolis--so this is a big deal in our house.

Soon we'll be elbow deep in strawberry shortcake. Strawberry jam. Strawberry sorbet. Strawberry soup...

Yeah, I'm a happy woman. Have a great day!

Mystery Tomatoes

2009-05-19T02:05:00.000-07:00

This year's garden plan calls for a row of Early Girl tomatoes, a row of Roma tomatoes and a row of mystery tomatoes.

Mystery tomatoes? When I planned the garden I hadn't decided what type the third row would be, so they were a mystery. Fits, right?

Yesterday we went to the greenhouse to solve the mystery. There were so many varieties to choose from, it was no easy task. Determinate or indeterminate? Heirloom or hybrid? Yellow? Red? Orange? Or maybe striped?

Eventually I wandered off to sniff the pots of herbs. I left my dad and husband in charge of choosing the mystery tomatoes.

Know what they decided on? Big Boys. That's right, the third row of tomatoes will be Big Boy tomatoes. Now, doesn't that just figure? *G*

Bushels of Spuds

2009-05-17T01:11:00.000-07:00

I planted four bushel baskets with seed potatoes

(like the ones shown above)

and four additional mounds of them

in the garden.

Guess what?

They've sprouted!

Look out world--

the spuds are on the way!

Seen and Not Eaten

2009-05-15T02:59:00.000-07:00

Hi. It's me, Piglet.

Thought I'd show you some of the

early spring sights from

here on the farm.

Just so you know,

I didn't eat any of them.

Really.

All right...

Maybe I nibbled on the pink phlox.

But just a little.

Only a bite or two, okay?

These pink tulips make me smile.

Cherry blossoms.

Hmm...
Do you think there will be cherries?

And...
Do cats like cherries?
Hmm?

Yeah, these are the
pink phlox.

Don't look too closely
at the fuzzy ends.

I just took a bite.
Maybe two.

Fennel, Anyone?

2009-05-14T03:19:00.000-07:00

My husband loves fennel. He eats it fresh, cooked, sauteed--any way he can get it. Me? I like it, too, but I'm not as gung-ho as he is.

Last year I grew fennel in the small garden beside the greenhouse. It grew, and the willowy fronds were lovely blowing in the breeze, but it didn't grow as well as I'd hoped it would. The trouble, I think, was that I weeded too vigorously around the plants. The garden was a new one, so there were more weeds than there would be if the space had been planted before. Of course I am a stickler for weeding, and I honestly think I disturbed the fennel too often for its taste.

This year I've planted some fennel seeds in a long terra-cotta planter. I've got it in the greenhouse now but I'll move it outsde when the nights get warmer.

I hope the fennel thrives in the planter. If not, next year I'll try something different. That's one of the best parts of gardening, I think. Even though things are planted in the Earth, there's no commitment to place them in exactly the same spot every year. I love the hit-or-miss thrill of planting.

Come summer, when the fennel is growing, I'll post some fennel recipes. It's amazing what one small plant can do!

Cool Cabbages

2009-05-13T04:06:00.000-07:00

Cabbages are "cool weather" crops, which means that even if we get a chilly night they'll be fine. They don't require the soil temperature high for planting, and begin to thrive almost from the moment they're in the ground.

We planted nine green cabbage. Aren't they cute? Granted, they don't look like cabbage heads yet, but trust me, they will. Soon.

And you're probably wondering what on earth I'll do with nine heads of cabbage, right? I mean, cabbage is okay but after the slaw what's a woman to do with a bushel of cabbage? I'm not big on sauerkraut (too stinky!) so that's not an option. But Hubby loves cabbage with corned beef so last year I quartered, rinsed, dried, then froze the spare cabbages. He ate cabbage all winter long, with beef and without, and the frozen cabbage was just as yummy as the fresh stuff was.

So if you've got a glut of cabbage, freeze 'em! After all, they're "cool" cabbages!

From the Greenhouse

2009-05-12T10:21:00.000-07:00

I didn't plant an awful lot this year but the seeds I did plant have sprouted. I love to watch them grow! Once they've germinated and pushed through the soil, they really take off and everything seems to grow overnight.

Pickling cucumbers.

Peppers.
These seeds came from Italy.

It's fuzzy but take my word for it,

this is a nasturtium.

More Italian seeds.
Honestly, I was tickled when I found the
small assortment of Italian seeds.

These are tomatoes.
Ciao!

It Takes a Seed

2009-05-11T04:49:00.000-07:00

I planted these lupines in the greenhouse last year. I used a dozen seeds from a package I bought on sale and now I have clumps of lupine popping up all over!

These are near the greenhouse. The first photo was taken last week. The second, just a day or so ago. Can you see how quickly they're growing? I am so psyched to see the gorgeous flowers. And, since these are perennial, I'll have flowers every year without doing anything more than I've already done. Does it get any easier than that?

When the flowers arrive, I'll take more photos.

So much enjoyment, and all from a tiny little seed...

Breathtaking

2009-05-09T05:44:00.000-07:00

Happy Saturday!

The Plan

2009-05-08T04:44:00.000-07:00

Usually I scribble my "master plan" for the various gardens on paper scraps. The scraps first get tacked to a ledge in the greenhouse, then they get stuffed into my pocket during planting. The end result is I have a bunch of wrinkled, muddied, half-shredded scraps to use as reference for the following year's gardens.

This year, because I want to share the process with you, I actually printed out a plan for the big garden. I say "big garden" because square footage-wise, it's the biggest space. Yeah, we're pretty basic when it comes to gardening! Anyhow, you can see how we plan to plant the area. I've calculated about ten feet between rows so there should be decent walkways once everything grows in. I'm going to mulch the paths, and around the plants, to cut down on weeding. Although the space is large, once planted it should require very little maintenance. And since it's being filled with only half as many plants as it can accommodate, there should be lots of air circulation between things. Hopefully we'll have a good yield. Fingers crossed!

So if you're planning to plant a garden, be it large or small, I suggest first making a rough sketch of the project before you begin planting. It's much easier to move a row of tomatoes on paper than it is to do in real life. Trust me, I know. I've done it both ways and the eraser has definitely got the shovel beat!

If you plant it...

2009-05-06T04:44:00.000-07:00

it will grow.

Last year we put in a small (a dozen plants) asparagus bed. It is a separate space, up near the greenhouse. We plant onions on one side of the bed, and put the asparagus on the other.

I haven't gotten a chance yet to weed or top-dress the spot, but the asparagus don't seem to mind. Last night we cut the first stalks.

I don't care for asparagus, but Hubby loves it. He steamed the first home-grown produce of the season and, with a huge, satisfied grin on his face, called them "the best asparagus ever." Hmm...makes me wonder if I shouldn't give this vegetable another try.

And look! The onions are beginning to grow, too!

Bushels and Bushels

2009-05-05T03:04:00.000-07:00

Call it one of my break-from-reality moments, but when we were in Agway a few weeks ago I sptted the seed potatoes. The were separated by variety, in nice, fat piles near the checkout counter.

You know what comes next, don't you? That's right. I had one of those impulsive twitches, the kind where my hand darts out, seizes something and, before the rational mind can stop it, heads to the cashier.

*sigh*

Seed potatoes.

Of course, Hubby looked at me as if I'd sprouted an extra eye at the bridge of my nose.

"Potatoes? Why grow potatoes when we can get a whole bushel from the farm stand in October for $14? All that work? For fourteen dollars?"

I didn't remind him that the potatoes in my sack cost $2.65.

Gardening? It isn't all about the dollars and cents.

This year I'm growing potatoes in bushel baskets. I cut out the bottoms of the baskets, filled them with soil (after removing most of the rocks from the dirt), then halved and planted the potatoes. I planted four bushels, with four more potato mounds between the baskets.

Come October, we should have our own bushel of potatoes. Then we'll see who sprouted what, won't we?

Mimi's Tulips

2009-05-04T04:04:00.000-07:00

Aren't they gorgeous?

Yellow? We Laugh at Yellow!

2009-05-03T03:47:00.000-07:00

It's daffodil time here on the farm. Over the years we've planted hundreds of bulbs and a variety of daffodils. I won't bore you to tears by taking photos of every clump, but I thought I'd share a couple of my favorites.

One of the things I like most about daffodils is that once planted, they're pretty much self-sufficient. Deer don't eat them, which is a very good thing around here. They multiply without any outside interference, another positive. And the variety of shades of yellow, white, orange and pink is stunning.

The contrast between the centers and leaves on these is much more pronounced that the photo shows.

These are so delicate, and the cup so ruffled, that they look like the edges of a ball gown. I love these!

Pretty much the workhorse of the daffodil gardens, these yellow blooms are the ones most of us remember drawing pictures of with our Crayolas. I know I did. Did you?

The orange daffodils are due to open any day now. I'll try to remember to snap a photo of those for you to see.

Next year I'm planting pink daffodils. We have just a few of those, and they're so pretty that I decided to plant more. They're already ordered, and will come right when they need to be put in the ground.

I predict the day we've got to actually plant the new daffodils will be frigid, with howling winds and a gray, stormy sky. How do I know it will be that way? Because it always is on daffodil planting day. But these gorgeous blooms? They are worth frozen fingers and chapped cheeks!

Tulip time!

2008-05-07T05:01:00.000-07:00

I adore tulips! We have lots of varieties and an assortment of colors growing in our yard. I thought I'd share a few with you.

And this orange-y red variety with its yellow center makes me smile. It just looks like it'd be equally at home in a Christmas bouquet as a spring arrangement, doesn't it?

Does anything say cheerful better than yellow? Hmm? I think not. These yellow tulips (we have loads of them planted all over the place) are the workhorse of the spring gardens. Along with the daffodils, which are beginning to die off, they fill in every odd spot and provide bright bursts of color. And, they make me smile, so it's all good with the yellow tulips.

And really, bringing up the rear, doesn't it just figure? The pink tulips always seem, I don't know, almost child-like in their simplicity and beauty. It's no surprise, then, that these darlings are dawdling and taking their time putting in an appearance. The last to bloom, and the last to drop their petals, these pink tulips leave a lingering impression.

Can you tell I adore tulips? I'm saving photos of the lavender ones for a day when the snow is blowing, the wind howling and the sky as dark as coal. Then, I'll share them with you. That way we'll remember, together, the warm, bright, cheerful days of spring.

Soon, the hyacinths...

Time passages

2008-04-26T05:40:00.000-07:00

These photos are from a few days ago. Today I'll take the same shots so you can see what's going on in the garden now. It's quite a bit different, I assure you!

Mama Hen

2008-04-19T03:34:00.000-07:00

I love it that the Hens and Chicks are growing so nicely. This mama hen is pretty big, surrounded by dozens of tiny chicks. Only Mother Nature could pair purple and green and get something so pleasing. It's an odd color combination but for this Mama, at least, it works!

So many possibilities...

2008-04-19T03:25:00.000-07:00

Some of the seeds I've planted. Lots of flowers so far. A lot of the veggies (corn, summer squash, cukes, beans) are direct-sow seeds so we'll poke them right into the ground when the soil warms. But the flowers? Most I've given a head start!

So exciting!

Seedstorm

2008-03-03T04:13:00.000-08:00

I love this time of year. No, not because of the snow, although I don’t generally mind snow. In fact, I love cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, so I welcome the big white drifts. But I’m not thinking of snow, or even snowshoes, as I write this. I’m thinking of the catalogs that fill our mailbox every day—and I’m smiling.

Honestly, most catalogs annoy me. I see them as a ridiculous waste of natural resources, at least when they’re sent to our address. Most never make it into the house. Instead, I stop at the recycling bin in the garage and drop them off before I bring any bills and personal correspondence inside.

But these catalogs, the ones that fill my mailbox now, are different. These catalogs aren’t annoyances. They are threads from which I’ll weave a year’s worth of productive dreams. They are the seed catalogs.

I love them all. Burpee, Park Seed Co., Thompson & Morgan, Seeds of Change, Territorial Seed Company, Harris Seeds—the list goes on and on. I love ‘em all. And Stark Brothers, the fruit tree people? Oh, their catalog nearly makes me weep with joy. And let’s not even begin to talk about Jackson & Perkins, the rose suppliers. I get shivers up my spine just thinking about that one.

The wind may howl and the snow may fly, but once I’m safely inside, my daily trek to the mailbox complete, it is spring, summer and even autumn at our house. I sit for hours, perusing the coveted catalogs. I weigh one variety of winter squash against another. I debate the merits of deep salmon versus light pink and magenta when I choose flowers. I even justify the need for four types of cucumbers, wondering whether or not a fifth variety might be called for as well.

With the seriousness of a judge I mull over my desire to try kale. What is kale, anyway? Do people actually eat it? And if they do, why haven’t I tried it yet? And if I grow it and don’t like it, what then? Where does one dispose of a glut of kale? Invariably there will be a bumper crop of the stuff if I don’t like it. That’s just the way it is with gardening. One year we had so many brussel sprouts we couldn’t give them away fast enough. And while I’m on the topic of the brussel sprout explosion, I may as well confess to my neighbors. I’m the one who left brussel sprouts on your doorstep. Yes, it was I. I, um, hope you enjoyed them. Really, I do.

I’m still choosing this year’s seeds. I’ve got to finalize my orders by next week if I’m going to receive the seeds in time to plant them in our greenhouse. I’m pretty much set on most of what we’ll grow this season but I’m still debating over a couple of items. When the list is firmed up I’ll let you know what we’ll be ordering. Until then, you’ve got your own garden catalogs to keep you busy, haven’t you?

What? Not a gardener? Why not? Black thumb? Oh, I don’t believe in that black thumb business. Anyone can garden. Anyone. All it takes is a little patience and a measure of commitment. If you’ve got those, you’re equipped to garden. And if you haven’t cultivated those traits a garden is a good place to find them.

Pardon? Oh, the kale? Well, to tell the truth, I’m still undecided about that one. Maybe tomorrow a new seed catalog will show up and I’ll be swayed one way or the other. Until then, I’m on the fence about kale. What about you? Any seed you’re not sure about? Maybe we gardeners can band together. You tell me kale stories and I’ll tell you my vegetable tales.

Eggplant. Now that’s a vegetable I could really begin to talk about… But that’s a story for another day, isn’t it?

The neighbors

2008-02-22T03:23:00.000-08:00

Our neighbors.

They stop in at least once a day for a snack. I don't mind their visiting, since they pretty much serve themselves.

The sentry. He's the one they park at the door to the banquet room, just in case anyone tries to eat the diners while they're chowing down.

Interesting lifestyle, huh? Sort of mobster-ish, don't you think?

A Turkey Tale

2008-01-22T05:43:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Eve eleven turkeys showed up at our bird feeder. They look like little old men, bobbing and weaving, clucking and wobbling as they walk. I am mesmerized by the twice-daily dance they do near our house.

It is comical to watch them, especially when they argue over who is to be the "sentry" while they feast. Invariably one is singled out to stand on the knoll and watch. For what, I'm not sure. Predators, I imagine.

Personally I'd like to see a wild beast come snarling over the hill, intent on chasing the feathered feeders. I wouldn't want to see the beast kill one of the turkeys. I've gotten pretty attached to them. Well, maybe not attached, exactly. Intrigued is more like it. And that's the draw of a snarling beast chasing them from their cozy spot. I'd like to see what they'd do, how they'd react. Like to see their feathers ruffled. My husband says turkeys can fly pretty fast when they've got to. I'd like to see that, see them flap those big wings and lift off the ground.

I'm hoping to get a "good" picture of the turkey mob. One where they're all looking my way and saying "cheese." Smiling, maybe. If I do, I'll post it here.

Bought the Farm

2008-01-20T04:02:00.000-08:00

Before my husband retired we bought a farm. An old, neglected farm, complete with ramshackle barns, a pond and rusty old farm equipment. The farm is in the middle of nowhere, on a winding lane in the hills where no one ventures. It is Paradise.

There are no animals on the farm anymore. Just me and my husband and our two cats. What's that? Oh, Mimi and Piglet aren't animals! Certainly not! Why, the very idea of it! No, no, Mimi and Piglet are not ordinary cats...not like those domesticated felines other households keep. No, they are much, much more. But I digress. More about Mimi and Piglet later. For now, shall we simply agree that there are no animals on our farm? Hmm?

So here we are, two folks from the New York City area living on a seen-better-days farm, miles from family and friends and far removed from the bustling lifestyle we once knew. From time to time I'll fill you in on what's happening here on the farm. Particularly, on what's going on in the garden because I've found I like playing in the dirt. Who would have guessed?