Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Happy (belated) New Year!
Sorry for the long hiatus folks. There is no real reason except that December is December, there is a complete lack of interesting gardening things to write about, and I spent all my free time drooling over plant and seed catalogs. I also got a new guitar for my 40th birthday. Yes 40, and I was having a bit of a what am I doing with my life and where is it going moment. Crisis averted, and I'm now refocused on what needs to get done outside, like pruning. You didn't know you are supposed to prune in the winter? Oh my bloggy friends... still so much to learn...
Things you need to know about my life right now:
#1 - My vegetable seed order is already done (new personal record).
#2 - The lack of snow this winter (except for today) means an early spring garden, as early as mid-march is potentially possible.
#3 - The interest in starting home vegetable gardens has not fallen out of fashion this year thank goodness, and I've had an unprecedented number of phone calls, emails, etc. from people ready to take the plunge this year.
#4 I've started working on drawings for the redesign of my front beds. Started that is, and long from finished. I think I'm going to spend about a million dollars in new plants. Yes, I know I have a problem.
Things you need to know about my life right now:
#1 - My vegetable seed order is already done (new personal record).
#2 - The lack of snow this winter (except for today) means an early spring garden, as early as mid-march is potentially possible.
#3 - The interest in starting home vegetable gardens has not fallen out of fashion this year thank goodness, and I've had an unprecedented number of phone calls, emails, etc. from people ready to take the plunge this year.
#4 I've started working on drawings for the redesign of my front beds. Started that is, and long from finished. I think I'm going to spend about a million dollars in new plants. Yes, I know I have a problem.
Reprinted from the most awesome garden blog in the entire universe A Way to Garden
Saturday, November 19, 2011
now this is funny
You may have heard in the news this week (or heard it on the Daily Show) that Congress has decided that pizza is a vegetable! I've been mulling this over all week, convinced I should be writing something about it - but really couldn't think of anything productive to say. Except that I'm disgusted.
Someone much funnier than me however has some very interesting ideas to share as he or she thumbs their nose at the frozen food lobby, big agribusiness, and Congress. @pizzalobby whoever you are, thank you for celebrating and recognizing pizza farmers everywhere!
Someone much funnier than me however has some very interesting ideas to share as he or she thumbs their nose at the frozen food lobby, big agribusiness, and Congress. @pizzalobby whoever you are, thank you for celebrating and recognizing pizza farmers everywhere!
UPDATE-
It just keeps getting better...
Thanks Bettina for sharing!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
times flies when you're having fun...
or when you're doing major damage control on all the ornamental trees in your yard before the real winter snow arrives.
I have to admit, I've spent too many hours wandering around my yard, trying to figure out what I can save (even though it may look terrible for the next few years until total recovery) and what has to be sacrificed.
This redbud (Cercis canandensis) is one of my favorite trees on our property, it's right next to the driveway. It blooms early in the season and is gorgeous (damn why didn't I take any pictures) and it's heart shaped leaves turn a beautiful rusty purple in the fall. It's got 3 major breaks, each on one of it's main limbs. There is no saving this tree. Even though I've already decided what to replace it with (Chionanthus virginicus for those who care) I'm not anxious for it to get cut down with a chain saw either. I've lightened it's load by removing some of the broken limbs - and so we could get into our garage, but I find the whole scene incredibly sad.
Both of my Metasequoias have lost their tops, and with trees like this with one central stem (think Christmas tree shape) it is uncertain what will happen. They received a stay of execution, as I'm hoping that one of the other higher branches will "take over" and start growing to try and replace the central stem. I know that might sound kind of crazy, but trees do this sort of thing all the time - somehow they just know. Mother Nature can be really remarkable sometimes.
There is more damage to my Viburnums, Ilexes and Hydrangeas that I can list - most will be getting a major haircut, even if that sacrifices there beauty and flowers for next season just to save them.
And then there is this....
I cried when I saw it (it didn't help that the power was out, and we were facing another multi-day outage).
I still can't open the door and get in, for fear that the whole thing will collapse since all the corners have been weakened. Within is still stuff waiting to be harvested, arugula, radishes, leaf lettuces and cilantro. Not to mention, I've got to get the garlic planted and prepare all the beds for winter/next growing season. I guess that one apple still hanging on will come in handy if I get hungry while working outside.
I have to admit, I've spent too many hours wandering around my yard, trying to figure out what I can save (even though it may look terrible for the next few years until total recovery) and what has to be sacrificed.
This redbud (Cercis canandensis) is one of my favorite trees on our property, it's right next to the driveway. It blooms early in the season and is gorgeous (damn why didn't I take any pictures) and it's heart shaped leaves turn a beautiful rusty purple in the fall. It's got 3 major breaks, each on one of it's main limbs. There is no saving this tree. Even though I've already decided what to replace it with (Chionanthus virginicus for those who care) I'm not anxious for it to get cut down with a chain saw either. I've lightened it's load by removing some of the broken limbs - and so we could get into our garage, but I find the whole scene incredibly sad.
Both of my Metasequoias have lost their tops, and with trees like this with one central stem (think Christmas tree shape) it is uncertain what will happen. They received a stay of execution, as I'm hoping that one of the other higher branches will "take over" and start growing to try and replace the central stem. I know that might sound kind of crazy, but trees do this sort of thing all the time - somehow they just know. Mother Nature can be really remarkable sometimes.
There is more damage to my Viburnums, Ilexes and Hydrangeas that I can list - most will be getting a major haircut, even if that sacrifices there beauty and flowers for next season just to save them.
And then there is this....
I cried when I saw it (it didn't help that the power was out, and we were facing another multi-day outage).
I still can't open the door and get in, for fear that the whole thing will collapse since all the corners have been weakened. Within is still stuff waiting to be harvested, arugula, radishes, leaf lettuces and cilantro. Not to mention, I've got to get the garlic planted and prepare all the beds for winter/next growing season. I guess that one apple still hanging on will come in handy if I get hungry while working outside.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
and we're back...
Power is on, internet is up, many residents in our state are not as lucky as we are.
Lots of damage to assess, full report, and pictures to follow!
Lots of damage to assess, full report, and pictures to follow!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
weather envy
As I hinted the other day, I just got back from a little vacation in a place where they grow this....
this,
and this...
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
back from a little vacation
I'm admittedly still a little jet lagged, but wanted to share this video with you straight away. Filmed at one of the recent TEDx conferences, featured is Roger Doiron of Kitchen Gardeners International. Think the White House vegetable garden was a good idea? This guy is pretty much the force behind it happening. I'm not just sharing this with you as an obvious play for an invite to the upcoming TEDx Manhattan (although every little bit helps, right?) but because I think Roger has a really important message to share. I'd love to know what you think - and when you'll be ready to start gardening!
ps - I think I kinda like feeling subversive...
ps - I think I kinda like feeling subversive...
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