A few years back Bob built me a couple of raised beds ~ one for various whatever and the other is suppose to be a rose garden.
I worked really hard today in the raised various whatever garden. In the half that is close to my magnificent compost I planted a large beef steak tomatoe, a big Bertha pepper, a sassy red pepper and a few cucumber seeds ~ these are close to the oregano plant ~ hence “Greek Salad” garden. I put the tomatoes and peppers in between assorted chive plants hoping that the deer will not want them since they don’t like chives. I also planted lots of flowers in the various whatever garden: sunflowers (in sunken pots so they don’t rob the soil of nutrients that other plants need) zinnias, pom-pom zinnias, cosmos, calendulas, nasturtium, red rocket snap dragons and marigolds. This was hard work and took a couple of hours but I hope the results will be worth it.
Then I moved onto the rose garden. It looks like most of my roses have died this year as well as some lavender shrubs. I think that it could be a combination of two factors: one is that we had some lovely hot summer like weather a few weeks back then it started frosting again and being chilly. Also in my rose garden I have this weed that I have been battling for years – Blue bells. At least twice a season I take out many wheel barrels full of this obnoxious weed with it’s tubers that grow towards China and I think with the aggressiveness that I battle this weed and the fact that I think it is strangling my roses and lavender has caused the demise of these plants. So again today another battle and to make matters harder it had been raining a lot here for the last couple of days so the soil is very heavey. I shovelled, pulled, tugged, lifted and tossed about in the rose garden for quite a few hours (I am hurting – my back, my bad knee and my hips) but I got it just about done (I had to stop or I was going to pass out). If the weather is nice tomorrow then I will plant lots of different cut flowers in the no-longer-rose garden. I have quite an assortment of bedding out flowers that I think would make Monet want to grab a canvas and paint brush. I have cosmos, zinnias, salvias, asters, snap dragons, nicotina and lobellia ~ should make some lovely bouquets (provided the deer stay clear).
I certainly did enjoy my well deserved bath with a muscle soak of epsom salt stuff that Lindsay and Jeff gave me for my last past birthday. I think that the soak must have of worked as I really do feel better.
I will post some photos when the show starts.
This is quite an interesting book to read. Jodi Picoult really does her research on Autism, Asperger’s syndrome and the law. For some reason I seem to keep reading books about Autism and not purposely ~ I pick up a book, read what it is about and then proceed to read it. This is the third book in a year that I have picked up about Autism. House Rules is a thick book and an intense book so it takes a lot of your time. I read a big portion of the book on the way to Calgary on the long weekend and then the rest on the way home (Bob is a very fast driver so it is best that I read or I would be nagging him to death to slow down). Once I started this book, I had a hard time putting it down ~ I recommend it.
House Rules is about a young man, Jacob Hunt, with Asperger’s syndrome and his fascination of crime shows (like CSI) and crime scenes (and goes to crime scenes that he hears on his radio dispatched through the local police department) and tries to solve then while staying a bit of a distance away from the police. His mother, Emma, has practically given up her life for her love of her son. Jacob has a younger brother, Theo, who doesn’t have very much of a normal life because of his brother.
Jacob gets into trouble and and charged with murder. Read this book and see how this affects the Hunt family. One of the main house rules for the Hunt family is “look after your brother because he is the only one you have”.
IN FULL BLOOM is a very funny mystery. It was an audio book that I listened to in the earlier part of this week. As I mentioned in an earlier blog, I love audio books and I get a lot done when I am listening to one. I got a good portion of my spring cleaning done last Saturday listening to the book and then did a manicure and pedicure while listening to the rest of the book yesterday morning. I am not going to tell you about the book but google it to see if it interest you enough to read it or listen to it
The last long weekend we went to Okotoks to visit our dear friends Maryanne and Rick. When we arrived late Friday afternoon we all enjoyed a few brews together. Rick then made us the best chicken wings I have had the pleasure to enjoy ~ four different kinds and all sauces homemade. Since we drove through Creston at the peak of Asparagus season I had to grab a bundle to share. Maryanne cooked up some asparagus to gowith the wings and rice ~ MMmmm ~ it was a great meal! More brews and more catching up chat.
We hadn’t seen Maryanne or Rick for quite some time so it was lovely to see that their sons had grown into very nice young men. They have have two very friendly dogs as well – a very large dog and a very little dog ~ both vying for my affection.
On Saturday morning Maryanne took me to the flower shop that she works at. It was very interesting to see the insides of that business when it is closed. That place carries a large array of all things lovely.
Rick took us out for a very unique restaurant for brunch. All meals come with a large assortment of fruit. It was really good ~ thanks Rick. It was Rick’s birthday that day as well.
Maryanne and I have been friends for about 30 years now. We met while working at a restaurant in Calgary called 1886 Omelette House and we have remained dear friends since. Maryanne is one of the kindest people that I have had the pleasure to be friends with.
Then off to Calgary to see Rheanna, Mat and Ava. Ava is our first grandchild/daughter and she is so very sweet ~ I just love her. Once we were settled in at Mat and Rheanna’s we just visited and chatted. Ava stayed awake most of the time that we were there and entertained us with what she can now do at 11+ weeks old. Rheanna is a wonderful new mom. We didn’t get much of a visit in with Mat as he had to work most of the time but he is very caring and attentive
We left Calgary on Sunday around 10:30 a.m. for the long drive home. Of course we stopped in Creston for more asparagus. We got home about 6 p.m. It is always nice to get away but just as nice to get back home.
I probably should have gone back to see what I have blogged about the garden last but I am here now and will wing it
I am almost finished with the vegetable garden. A lot of stuff I had to wait for the weather to warm up for the plants that need the warm weather. About two weeks ago I planted some cucumber, different squashes, and herb seeds in tires at the back of my front garden. The Blue Hubbard squash is making an appearance (seeds that I harvested last year) and the coriander and parsley as well. Pretty much all of the other veggies are up except for the Swiss Chard (seeds that I also harvested my self).
This past weekend I worked on the deck. My decor this year is mostly brightly coloured petunias inserted in the wall planters with a few seeds of Marigolds and Nasturtiums. I did do a few urns similar but mostly I have put veggies in my deck pots. I have pots of Eggplant, Zucchini, Cucumber, Tomatoes (hanging baskets of tomatoes too as well as herbs), Green beans, Peppers and Rosemary. In some of my wall pots I have single serving size butter lettuce, peas, Roma tomatoes, basil, parsley, thymes, oregano, mint, carrots, Swiss chard and whatever else I so fancy to see if it will grow in a pot.
In the next couple of days I need to get to my flower beds. The flower beds on either side of the compost I am going to put some more tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers (Greek salad) upside the compost for nutrients and warmth. I will put the usual annuals on the outsides of these beds ~ Snap dragons, Cosmos, Calendula, Zinnias and Nicotina ~ bright coloured cut flowers.
It was still a little chilly and rainy today but I decided that some of my tomato plants and pepper plants needed to get into their bed for the summer. When I went to get a good couple of scoops of compost for my soil blend I was taken back by the steam that literally rose from where I extracted the compost . . . the compost was actually very warm. I mixed that with some high end potting soil and a little volcanic ash. Hopefully with the still chilly nights the newly planted tomatoes and peppers will strive.
While walking Bailey on our path that leads to the mountain while passing the garlic garden I noticed that some of my garlic had yellow leaves. Oh-oh, that is not a good sign – it means mold. That also means I have to get that stuff out before it wrecks the whole crop. Another thing to note is that at this time it is only the garlic that I got from the Garlic Festival last year that is moldy – hmm. Thankfully (at this time anyways) the rest of my garlic seems to be doing very good – that would be the garlic that I got from an organic garlic grower in Shore Acres (John Johnson from the Nerve band) – it is just as beautiful as can be! So I dug out all the garlic that seemed to be in moldy shape (and was it ever), then I tilled the whole garden between the rows of lovely garlic. Holding the gas lever on the tiller for such a long time really put my hand into quite a funk – ow – I can barely move it. It is OK now – aging sucks!
Bob told me that he wanted me to grow lots of cucumbers this year. I sent away for some seeds from Thompson and Morgan for container growing cucumbers (and other vegetables too). I have about 15 tires inserted into the back part of the front garden. I has been fairly hot the last couple of days (and I don’t think it has been frosting in the mornings this week) so I figured that the tires have heated up enough to take a chance on putting seeds into them. I planted two tires of cucumbers, one tire each of Barbara squash, Acorn squash, Blue Hubbard squash and miser Zucchini (also from Thompson and Morgan seed company). I did one tire each of curly leaf parsley and cilantro. To prepare the tires I turned the soil then put in a sprinkle of Volcanic Ash, new Sunshine Mix #4 soil, organic sheep manure and some organic matter from my fabulous compost. As I was preparing each tire I didn’t come across any worms. My good friend, Patty, grows Red Wrigglers and often shares them with me. Off I trotted to my fabulous compost in search of Red Wrigglers for my newly prepped tires. It took a bit of muscle but I found them so each tire got a handful of organic matter with some juicy hard working Red Wrigglers.
Last weekend we went to Kelowna to see Lindsay and Jeff and Willow and their beautiful new home. They took us to the farmers market on Saturday. I came across a guy, Dean Dack of Classic Compost, and he gave me his spiel on Volcanic Ash and how much my garden and my health would benefit from it – that I would grow big, bad, mean tomatoes. I was sold so I bought a bucket of the stuff – and you know what they say about tomatoes – two things you hope to have in your life is true love and home grown tomatoes.
I put a few Zinnia seeds and Calendula seeds amongst various parts of the garden to attract good hardworking insects.
Finally ~ an Asparagus spear has appeared. I am so excited – it looks beautiful. As I was planting more peas I stupidly stepped on my long awaited asparagus spear – so I plucked it off its stock and gave it a rinse and ate it – OMG – it is so delicious! I can hardly wait for the rest of the crop to show up.
I’m so happy to say that this November Lindsay & Jeff will be having a Baby. Lindsay is now 3 months with child and I can now tell the world our wonderful news. Susan and I just visited with Jeff and Lindsay this past weekend at their new home in Kelowna. A wonderful weekend, though Lindsay had a cold and was a bit under the weather which meant she needed some extra rest so I spent time with Jeff at the raceway and shoveling rocks in their yard. A wonderful visit as always. (Linds is getting better!)
If you were to do the math, you would realize that earlier this year both “The Girls” were pregnant at the same time. A special time in my life. When you’re kids move out and move on with their lives you wonder what more joy you may have……who knows where they will be, what they will be, how they will be. As a parent you learn to take what you get, hoping, that they are happy and healthy. I am so happy for Jeff and Lindsay. They are wonderful friends of mine for which I am grateful. Congratulations and good health and happiness.
Love Bob
We have some before photos of our front garden. It got so overloaded with perennials that I could not even put a spade or a garden fork in the soil last year even after a good soak. So we have decided to make raised beds and put in some very low maintenance shrubs.
The battle begins . . . where to start? Last fall we put landscaping fabric over the front beds to try to kill most of the tangled mass of perennials. A great deal of plants pushed through the fabric as strong as ever. Bob pulled off the fabric and we both analyzed the gardens. I have a tree that has lovely little yellow flowers in the spring (I can’t think of the name of it at this time) in the middle of one of my gardens. Bob put a pulley type thing on it and attached the other end to his truck to hall out the tree (yes he did cut around the root ball first). After several attempts of pulling the tree and stopping and readjusting the pulley (I am on the tree end trying to make this as painless as possible for this tree) we finally get it out and re-planted it in the front bank among bigger, stronger trees ~ I hope it will be happy and healthy there. In this order Bob did a clear cut with the weed eater and I raked out the mess. Bob got his big tiller going and began to cut the mass of plants – no kidding – it was just crazy, then I raked out that mess – talk about huge, tight balls of roots. Then Bob tilled with my little garden tiller – you got it – I raked out more plant mess. Then I tilled with my little tiller and yes raked again. Bob then measured and cut the ties and placed them down. Then we called it a day . . . outside anyways. Dinner still has to be made, laundry brought in off of the clothes line. I am ready to move into a little house with a little yard. Enough of this crazy spending every weekend all spring long doing back breaking yard work!
Tomorrow Bob will secure the ties with very long nails. We will put in some soil from our tilled back field and let it settle for a week or so. I am going to research about low maintenance, sun loving, tall shrubs.
After the shrubs are planted we will fill in the gaps with wood chips. The front gardens will then be on their own.
I planted two rows each of carrots (seed tape – gotta love that), two rows of red onion bulbs, two rows of last years seeds of red Detroit beets (hopefully they will still be good), one row of radishes (seed tape again – yay), and one row on Swiss chard seeds (so second generation and climatized seeds for my garden) that I dried out last fall.
My method this year of two rows is the tracks that the garden tiller left behind each time I tilled a row so that the two rows are about 4 -6 inches apart. When I would move on to different vegetable then I would leave about a foot between the rows. I also planted some (old) marigold seeds and some third generation calendula seeds (that I dried last fall) at the ends of each row of veggies to attract the good bugs and it looks so pretty too!
I also found some bone and blood meal in my gardening shed so I tilled that into each row (except the carrots – I forgot). I am hoping that with the the tens bags of sheep manure distributed last fall and tilled into the garden and the six bags of sheep manure, five wheel barrel fulls of compost and lots of red wrigglers tilled into the garden this spring that I will have some great veggies this summer.
Yesterday I dug and spread five wheel barrel fulls of compost. The first three barrels was very dry compost without any worms – I was concerned. The next two barrels had loads of tightly wound together red wrigglers which tells me they were all hanging out in a certain area. I distributed the red wrigglers evenly threw out the vegetable garden.
It was a lovely day to be outside so today was the day I started my vegetable garden. It is April 18 close to 22 celcius.
I gently raked the old maple leaves away from the south end of the vegetable garden. Supposedly maple leaves are toxic and not suppose to be put into your compost or on your garden to rot for that matter but I had them just on the perennial flower part of the vegetable garden. There is big pile of rotting leaves in the nearby field so I broadcast my old 2007 & 08 seeds on top of it then I put the raked up maple leaves on top of that ~ maybe something will come of it ~ whatever.
I turned the soil in an 8 by 4 foot area in the south end of the veggie garden just north of the perennials. I planted in one row, half of spinach (’09 Mr. Fotherhill seeds) and half of mixed lettuces (’10 Morgan and Thompson seeds). Next to that I planted three rounds of Little Knight pea seeds that I dried myself from my pea plants last year ~ these Little Knight seeds are supposedly container friendly and do not need to be staked at all. I did grow them in a container last year and found that they should be staked (so this year I will try it again and use one foot garden fencing to see how that works). The ones I just planted in the garden I put upside down tomato cages as a staking ~ if I remember correctly after I did this last year, I think I told Bob that we will have use regular pea staking in 2010~ oh-well, live and learn that is the whole point of the garden diary.
I had dug up three different asparagus roots so I replanted them in the row next to the peas which is where I have lots of asparagus (I hope).
It was such a treat to see so many big, fat, juicy worms in the area that I was working in today.
Everything got a good watering. What I just listed took me approximately 3.5 hours (noon to 3:30). My knee is fairly tender and I am pretty warn out.
I am going to try to blog each time I am in the garden so I can use this as a reference next 2011 season. I will write a new post when ever I plant new stuff but I will comment on the posting of as a progress report on whatever is already planted.