I wanna be a garden...

So, here is one of the plots of land that we will be farming this year. Yeeehooo! We are currently waiting for a soil test to return (the professional kind this time), and we need to work with the owner of the land to get a fence up to keep the sheep from eating the goodies that are going to grow as well as work out the logistics of such a venture, plus tilling the land and adding whatever nutrients might be needed.

Other than that, the seedlings have required a lot of work lately. I've learned a few things since I began such as: some seeds require warm soil to germinate and so it makes good sense to plant them in the same tray so they can be placed on a warming mat...so, I've moved around my seedlings to ensure that peppers (four different kinds), melons, tomatillos, and cucumbers are together to get the warm start they require. I have moved broccoli and brussel sprouts and beets off of the warming mat to see what happens for them (not sure if any of these would do better with the heat). I also have a pretty nifty shelf unit set up with lights on both shelves and I have raised the seed beds so they are within 3" of the lights. Also, I put a fan on the lowest setting a couple of times a day to help the seedlings grow strong and not be too leggy. Some of my peppers are off to a good start! I hope to have a picture to show you the progress in about a week.

I also promise to put a picture of Sprinkle's tomato seedlings on here. They have done so well (as Sprinkle says, "they are not going to be spoiled"--that means I pamper mine too much in Sprinkle's opinion). The tomato seedlings have already made it into larger pots and they get moved in and out of the front porch daily (who says they aren't spoiled?!) Ooooh and they smell so good...

When you let go, something arrives...

It was only early last week that I decided I would let go of the idea of my own farm starting this year. Times have been stressful for a while, and as of late it feels like my teapot is whistling just a little too long! I had determined that I would work at a local organic farm and learn along the way. Then, in my email last night, I received a reply message from a woman I had contacted a couple of weeks ago about possibly farming on her land. I had all but given up hope on this contact as I hadn't heard from her and didn't even know if the contact info I had was current. After a couple of emails, we agreed to meet. It was a delightful meeting and I must say I am quite thrilled with a) her generosity and b) the possibilities. I will, OF COURSE, sleep on it. However, at this point it seems extremely hopeful and exciting. Stay tuned...

On another note, it was time to plant garlic (I know lots of people say don't grow it in the spring, but the local gardening store I trust said it works so I am giving it a go). I also planted onions, beets, potatoes and jerusalem artichokes. The weekend was so darn beautiful I just couldn't help myself. You can see I had competing demands...my puppy felt is was playtime while I was planting potatoes.
Although he looks pleasant and happy and patiently waiting, just take a look at the second picture...that's him when his toy isn't being thrown when he wants...not so peaceful or patient! At least he wasn't digging up what I planted. Now that I have used up most of the bed space already, I am crossing my fingers that Sprinkle will help me build three more beds...YES!!

Here are the results of my cheap, quick, store bought soil test kit. It was fun and felt all kind of scientific-ish. After this test, Sprinkle and I went to the local depot and shovelled a load of compost into the back of the pick up and once home added it to the garden beds. Hopefully that will address any major deficiencies. If you think I should be concerned about any of the colours in the bottles, be sure to leave me a comment. I probably won't respond as I will be outside shovelling buckets full of compost from the pick up (or having dreams about it being finished--phew!)

it's a beanstalk!!

Well, some of the seeds are well on their way. Especially the green bean seeds that I saved from a green bean last year. The leaf in the picture is one of the little seeds that took off...it's three times the size of any of the others...WOW!

And take a look at the precious beet and green onion seedlings. So cute! The beet seedlings that were out in the greenhouse are suffering a bit from our zero degree weather this week. Fingers crossed that they all come back, now that they have been moved inside. A few broccoli seeds have started, all the green beans and all the green onions are on their way. Some dill seedlings, too. Brussel sprouts are nowhere to be found, same with the carrots. :(

Sprinkle's tomato seeds are doing well and I will include a picture of them on the next post. So, about 10 days into growing and we have about 1/3 of the seeds showing. Not bad for last year's seeds. This weekend I will be planting more and placing them under the grow lights. Grow little seeds grow!

2nd year asparagus

This is asparagus that I planted last year; it was rather wispy and didn't grow much. This picture is the new growth that started in the greenhouse about a month ago. I had to put my hand behind it so my camera could even pick it up in the picture; it's so thin. Apparently I should be able to harvest and eat it starting year three. I sure hope it does some serious broadening between now and then. I think I better do some research.

Went to the garden store on my way home today and got my onion sets, garlic (that can be harvested in the fall), jerusalem artichokes and organic chive and lettuce seeds to plant asap. As soon as some shoots hit the daylight, I'll add some pictures.

stuck, impatient, hopeful, excited

So, although I have spent hours trying to figure out my seed order, I haven't placed it yet as I haven't secured land yet beyond my own backyard and some from a friend. So feeling stuck and impatient, I planted seeds last night that were left over from last year, and sadly not certified organic seed, although they will be grown organically. Given that the endearing Scottish women in my life LOVE brussel sprouts, you can see the sheep keeping close watch of their progress! Sprinkle decided to plant tomato seeds to see what happens, just to the right of my seed tray (which you can't see in the pics). And, we've got our cool blue earth compost bin starting to work.

One tray of seeds is in an upstairs window; seeds planted in a starter mix and put on a warming tray. The seeds in the second tray are planted in peat, in the greenhouse, and covered with a clear plastic tray lid. Let's see what pops up first and how strong the seedlings are and I will report back. Food is on the way...go little seeds go!

Cheers to the Foodie Blogroll!

We have been added to the Foodie Blogroll...take a minute to look directly to your the right hand side of this blog and you will find a cute box with a delightful red tomato in the corner and a list of different blogs. Our fabulous farmer blog, this one you are reading faithfully (of course!) is going to be added to that list any minute! There are only 100 Canadian blogs on it so far and we're going to be 101! Ha, ha! I encourage you to click on some of those blogs and to visit the foodie blogroll itself; it's full of fun, scrumptious recipes and pretty much anything you want to know about food. A real pick me up (I could spend hours there). Our connection with foodie blogroll will hopefully link you to more delicious moments in life and connect interested people out there to our self-sustaining and growing food adventure here.

could this be it?

So, Sprinkle and I embarked on an exciting journey today to look at a piece of land that might be a possibility for my first year farming. When we were there I wasn't sure if what I was looking at in this pic was part of the land available but I have been told it is. Just to the right of this picture is a few acres that have already been cleared and farmed last year by friendly and enthusiastic second year farmers. It feels hopeful, exciting, and extremely scary. The scary part for me is the bear...yup...bear...possibly bears! You probably can't see it but I am looking over a large area of berries...yummy for the tummy of the resident bear! Hmmmm...how not to let this fear steer me away from this lovely little place. One of the farmers already on the land made a comment that "there's nothing there, that's why I wanted you to see it before you make any decisions". My reply, "well, it's kind of reflective where I'm at right now...basically starting from nothing." By nothing I mean nothing tangible...no money, no land, no equipment, little knowledge. I hope I make up for the lack with my supportive and loving people (and hopefully free farmhands!), tenacity, passion, belief, spirit and a strong ability to problem-solve! My horoscope today mentioned land...so it's in the stars, I can feel it!