Aspects of a Garden

Introducing: Onion, Walla Walla and Broccoli, De Cecco

We’ve been holding out - its true. There are a few things we haven’t told you. Sigh.

There’s been some “experimentation” going on.  No, we have not treated all life with the same attention; and yes, there were a few plant friends harmed in the process. Their sacrifices were for the good of the whole. That’s what we’re telling ourselves anyway.

Remember when we talked about the “sucker” leaves that come out first and are to be pulled off at a certain point? Well we’re not sure if that advice is only applicable to certain plants, but we found out that the innocent little Sugar Ann Snap Peas did not agree with the idea. In fact, their little bodies got the message that they didn’t need to grow anymore. Today, they met their new humble abode: the compost bin. 

BUT WAIT! There’s good news too! A few weeks ago, J had the foresight to transplant the peas from their tiny individual cubbies to a tray where they could do some stretching and mingling, and what perished this weekend was only a percentage of the total (we have to de-personalize the whole affair, otherwise we feel like bad people and get all choked up). There they grew to be 3 times the size and sturdiness as their neutered and ill-fated counterparts, and are now getting settled into their new home (yes, right where their siblings once lay. Shudder.) But hey, we think they like it!!! 

One part we think is important to mention is that there’s been some behind the fence planning going on. First, we made a list of what plants we were hoping to coax into producing ediblicious goodness for us. Then we looked up what neighbors they fancied in that special way the plant world calls “companion.” The true definition of “friends with benefits,” companion plants get cozy and take advantage of each other…but in a mutually beneficial way. Seriously! For example, planting the odiferous, superficial onion near the sweet and deep carrot helps fend off each others’ pests. A true fifty-fifty relationship. Amazing. 

 

The next step was putting together the magic spreadsheet. I heart Excel. To be continued...

Does "Peri" work?

Nasturtium Dreams

On the road to deeper lands!

Ahhh where were we?? Pre-transplantal phase, methinks...
Well so now we're what one might call peri-transplantal..maybe?

Jeff's almost done with the grounds, and we're planting as we go since the seedlings are looking anxious to spread their winged rooted.

Thank You ALLIE

Ideal market beans and sugar snap peas are now rooting themselves in the J-prepared earth owing thanks to Allie's loving hands. They're now reaching for the stars...the perforated, buried, watering Dr.Pepper bottles (thanks to Randy for saving'em for us!)...and the new teepee rungs...

  

Many more will be meeting their new muddy fates within the next few days: butternut squash, peas, Walla Walla onions, nasturtiums, golden beets, and the Mr. Basils.


Also, in the mail came some of the next phase of seedlings from High Mowing Organic Seeds! http://www.highmowingseeds.com/
Crazy purple "Astro" carrots, fancy purple onions, a lettuce mix, lacinato kale and arugula (we're gonna try'em again!), and fingerling eggplants. Wish us luck!

The little Seeds that Could

This one could also be called "Cathcup 2," but what fun would that be??

A week or two ago, the trays with our little'ns in them weren't showing so many signs of life. So we brought them to our patio for some morning sun, breakfast smoothie infused water (we use our used water to feed the plants:), fresh air (freedom from the domes), and some stimulating conversation (well we think we're interesting anyway..).

We also sowed the new seeds into a few more trays a week ago last Sunday...
The results? Some of the first batch are coming out to play (some bean sprouts, broccoli, 2 eggplants, and golden beets).

The second sowing started sprouting last Friday and is greening up by the day....YAY!!!

We learned that those little winged leaves that sprout up first are called "Suckers" because apparently, once the real leaves come in, the suckers hog all the good stuff from the soil for themselves...who knew the plant world was so competitive with itself?!

Speaking of soil, J and I spent a lovely Sunday (yesterday) in the sun yanking weeds, building beds, and visualizing the tasty future that lies ahead :P