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Sunday, 28 June 2009

Transitioning

Wow! I was afraid that I would not have work with the closing of our company ~ but I have already been working for the new one. I even have a few telephone calls to make to parents today.

It was hard to watch them struggling through setting up all the runs, when we have had it all organized for so long. They are all very nice to work with and I'm sure I will be happy in my new job.

The garden is demanding right now. I'm battling flea beetles on the eggplant and I finally have 2 fruits just leaving the blossom stage. The peas are slowing production and I will probably replace them with bush beans. I did manage to put up 2 upside down hanging tomato plants. Many plants waiting in the wings to be upside down but I have not had time to make the hangers.

Loads of tiny tomatoes and blossoms; zucchini (courgette) are in blossom and I am really looking forward to my first harvest. Carrots and parsley root are growing beautifully but still have a week or two before harvest. They are in a bed that does not get a full day of sun.

Here's the broccoli that I was so concerned about head development. We have already harvested 3 heads this size:

Each head was one full pound!

One day soon I'll get back out for pictures.

Sunday, 14 June 2009

Window box garden

It's not quite finished, but here's what we've got so far. Our original plan would have extended further to allow more clearance of each box. Because of space we had to shorten it. I'll plant thyme or something in the back. You get the idea. We used pine for the boxes. Hubby had a problem with the price of cedar these days.

Here's the swiss chard after harvesting:

The broccoli is forming heads! I thought we ruined it in the hoop house with too much warmth.

Friday, 12 June 2009

River Cottage

As we continue in our steps to self sufficiency, one thing remains constant. Episodes of River Cottage. The next step is to create our own Chickenopolis for our poultry friends ;)

To watch River Cottage episodes, use this link for the first series.

http://www.factualtv.com/documentary/Escape-to-River-Cottage-Episode-1

Escape to River Cottage is the first series. Beyond River Cottage is the last. Much repetition among the different series, but well worth the time.

Thursday, 11 June 2009

Swiss Chard

Swiss Chard is doing great in this box!

Tuesday, 09 June 2009

Results of Work Weekend

We had a big job to do and it is not close to being finished, but here are some pictures of how our garden looks now.

This is the carrot and parsley root bed. It is a very tedious job to weed in there! It is getting easier though as the veggies grow.

This is the lower end of our garden. The shelter is a place where I pot up plants, store my tools and gadgets in the summer, sit and cool down. The composter is on the right side. The pond is on the far left. I'll get more pictures of that area. Behind the shelter is the "man area", (garage, cars and stuff that belongs to the men in my family) and is where they play. This is why I fenced in my garden.

This is the green broccoli. Below is purple sprouting broccoli.

This is a busy bed and the results of not having enough room to plant cool season veggies because of the hoop house. We won't be using the house in this part of the garden anymore, but will be setting up new garden space in back of the yard. We have peas, spinach and purple broccoli in here.

The leeks are still small looking to me. I will check out what they need to fertilize.

The garlic needs weeded again!

The tomatoes are blossoming.

Two eggplants. The white stuff is diatomaceous earth. This is one way I'm trying to battle flea beetles. The two containers in the back will have zucchini. Another way of trying to out smart bugs. The squash bugs are relentless around here. If the peppers survive they'll go in this bed.

Second time around for the fennel. It's been hard to grow. I think it needs more warmth than I gave it at first.

Ugly side of the garden ~ needs a couple more work days! I'll post more as I have progress.