Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Events: Upcoming Events, Workshops, Classes & Volunteer Opps

I love that there are so many workshops, community events and seminars happening around Boston. Many events are free, so tune in to your town or even search boston.com. I tried to put together a list of a few that I found. I will definitely will not be able to catch all events, but will try to keep this list as comprehensive as possible!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Sprouting peas


Sugar Snap Peas are sprouting!

So far about 14/18 seeds planted have broken through the soil. Planted on 4/3, they took exactly two weeks to sprout.

On Sunday I planted the following:
Lettuce - Boston (plants)
Lettuce - Salad Bowl (plants)
Onion - Red (plants) - total experiment; I am not really sure what to do with them
Marigold - Crackerjack (seed) - seeds were free, but I worry that this variety will be too big
Carrot - Short n' Sweet (seed) - half of one square
Carrot - Little Finger (seed) - half of one square
Strawberry - June-bearing (plant) - I couldn't resist increasing my changes for strawberries this year

Earlier in the week I planted a thyme and rosemary bush. I already experienced the convenience of having the herbs outside my door. While grilling Sunday night I was able to add some fresh thyme to my basket of onions, potatoes and peppers. Yum!

Here are some updated box shots - now that there something growing in each one.


Box 1
(Currently growing: marigold, thyme, rosemary)


Box 2
(Currently growing: marigold, sugar snap pea, strawberry, lettuce, carrot)


Box 3
(Currently growing: marigold, lavender, red onion)

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Hello Neighbor!



My backyard is now home to two gardeners! A friend has joined me with her 3'x6' SFG bed. It will be great to have the company, with even more things growing.



Once everything has been planted & starts growing, I hope that sitting at the bistro table will become an even better urban sanctuary - 'hidden' from the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood.

Monday, April 4, 2011

First seeds in the ground



My Super Sugar Snap Pea (Burpee) seeds have been planted. While I try to locate my stone marker, I decided to use one of those cute markers, which also accurately describes their progress. Last year, my first pea harvest was in the first week of June - so I expect peas in about two months!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Plant Markers

A simple google image search for "plant markers" will bring up practically an infinite number of store bought, home-made, wood, metal, simple, extravagant, cheap, or expensive ideas to choose from. It doesn't matter what you decide to use, as long as you are keeping track of what you plant where!

Here are some cute "un-traditional" markers that a friend found:




I am going to continue using the stone markers that I have made for any veggie that I continue to plant, but also anticipate using a combination of other markers - some I have been given, some that I may make, or some that I may buy.

I like this simple, natural twig marker idea from Martha Stewart.

Friday, April 1, 2011

No Joke



It was not fun waking up to this garden scene.

Fortunately, I do not have much to be worried about, but I rescued the pansies just in case. I am still not sure if the strawberry & lavender plants survived the winter; hopefully this storm won't kill them. It is supposed to "warm up" this weekend, so I plan to get my peas in the ground.