January 7, 2012

first seed order of 2012 season

I was quick to inventory my seeds this year. Unlike previous years, they stayed pretty orderly this year in their rubber-banded groups. A group of cucumbers, a group of tomatoes, etc…. I have a box of about 200 seed packs, 1-5 years old. I placed an order at Johnny’s this evening. I wanted to get it in before they run out of any of these varieties. Basil, Nufar (OG)-PacketBeets, Chioggia Guardsmark (OG)-PacketBeets, Blankoma-PacketBeets, Merlin (F1) (OG)-PacketCilantro, Calypso-PacketCucumber, Diva (Treated)-PacketEdamame, Butterbeans (OG)-1/2 PoundEdamame, Envy (OG)-PacketOnions, Pontiac (F1)-PacketParsley, Giant of Italy (OG)-PacketPeas,…

December 23, 2011

winter reading

The Edible Garden Magazine I came across a fantastic gardening magazine yesterday in Barnes and Noble. Published in the UK. I am leafing through it – sipping a pear martini with Christmas music playing….. I’m getting so many new ideas for next year that I need to jot down a list. The cold frame structures are wonderful – at least 6 or 8 are photographed. I will have to think about possibly bricking the edges of mine. And I am considering a bit of a boxwood edge along my stone…

December 22, 2011

winter solstice

Its all uphill from here on in!!! A little more light everyday – a little closer to spring planting season. The winter solstice occurs Thursday at 12:30 a.m. EST (0530 GMT), which corresponds to 9:30 p.m. PST on Wednesday for observers further west. At the time, the sun will be passing over the over the Tropic of Capricorn. from Space on MSNBC.com

December 20, 2011

catalogs!!!

I can tell its holiday time – the garden catalogs are here!

December 13, 2011

rosemary blossom

I brought a potted rosemary in from the yard this weekend and just noticed it has a couple little blossoms. They smell as pretty as they look….

December 12, 2011

the juncos are here

I always watch for the first junco in my back yard. A sign of winter…. I had a cute first pair at my little pond today. They usually stay til the weather warms (maybe April?). My first junco two years ago: Dec 5, 2009.

December 9, 2011

inside my coldframe

My cold frame has a patch of greens, some herbs and a few cayenne pepper plants that are still growing from the summer. Lots of open space that I can fill in early spring/late winter. In late February, the sun will hit the frame nicely again. (Now its mostly below the neighboring house.) This will be the second winter for my cold frame. My husband made it in March 2010. This fall, I mail ordered some green house plastic and we replaced the top panels, which had grown brittle and…

December 9, 2011

sweet potato sprouts on the window sill

My sweet potatoes I dug last fall finally sprouted this fall. As Donald recommended, I potted them up. They are on my kitchen window sill with cacti and a poinsettia.

December 5, 2011

sinking sun

Its only 3 pm and the sun has sunk down below the tree tops. Its glaring into the camera and across the bare kale stalks.

December 4, 2011

late fall vegetable gardens

Skippy and I walked through the paths of the community garden and looked at what’s still growing. I found lots of kale of all different types. Also chard, arugula, endive, escarole, leeks, parsnips, and herbs. One really nice plot of 5 inch garlic. (My garlic is very tiny since I planted only a month ago.) Its been a warm fall – about as good as it gets for late fall crops.

weeks and counting until my last spring frost

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